In January? Why…and how?
Big thank you to John Foote W3GX and Gary Fortun K4GJF who organized this year’s Winter Field Day and made sure those who came had a great experience. Here is John W3GX’s report:
Winter Field Day answers the question, why not get this kind of “hurry-up” radio experience more than once a year?
Winter Field Day has been a very popular amateur radio activity for years. It complements ARRL Field Day, occurring the last full weekend in June, and allows amateurs and amateur radio clubs to demonstrate contingency and emergency communications. It’s also an opportunity to practice and improve on skills necessary to deliver impromptu radio services.
Winter Field Day Goals
Amateurs and club members can choose from several Winter Field Day operating goals, some of which are:
My “Go Box.” Have I got everything?
- Perfecting the “go box” to take to a Red Cross emergency center, or evacuation shelter, or maybe out to a forest, to help with a lost child search
- Strengthening their confidence when operating in adverse weather—don’t let sub-zero distract from getting QSOs
- Discovering all the gremlins that invade alternative power equipment when the temperature is in single digits
- Practice — putting QSOs in the log under imperfect conditions when others depend on your speed and accuracy
This year, SVARC members, new ones and old timers, took advantage of Winter Field Day’s high traffic and fast pace to get more familiar with the club’s completely updated HF station at the SVARC Club acreage and building. Winter Field Day was conducted inside—it’s plenty warm—using commercial power and the existing, Club Station, radios, antennas, and control systems. Winter Field Day would, in short, be a training session and a general practice run for anticipated club events later in 2026.
The HF station is one of the most complete and state-of-the-art available to a US club with general emphasis.
CLICK HERE for John’s downloadable report.
Winter Field Day Pictures from the Clubhouse
Photos courtesy of John Foote W3GX
More on Winter Field Day
Winter Field Day is an exciting annual event that takes place on the last full weekend of January. It offers a unique opportunity for amateur radio operators to set up field operations, and we want to get the whole club involved. We had our SVARC event at the clubhouse, but if there’s interest in the future, we can consider a more remote location.
Winter Field Day is organized by the Winter Field Day Association to encourage ham radio operators to practice portable emergency communications in winter environments. This is because freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards pose unique operational concerns.
The Winter Field Day event aims to help participants improve their preparedness for disasters and enhance their operational abilities in adverse conditions. Amateur radio operators have the freedom to use frequencies on the HF, VHF, or UHF bands while employing voice, CW, and digital transmissions. The event designates specific objectives to encourage a diverse range of activities, including the use of non-commercial power sources, the deployment of multiple antennas, establishing satellite contacts, and more. Click HERE for rules, resources, and to read more about the history and purpose of winter field day.