2010 ARRL Field Day
June 26-27

YouTube picture displays from the 2010 ARRL Field Day at SLSRC FD site: See the official SLSRC FD photos See the photo display of Setup & Operations Thanks to Ed, KCØUKR and Mark, KB5YZY for making the official FD picture opportunity happen; and do Don, KDØJBN, SLSRC Field Day Chair for the pictures of setup and operations.

ARRL Field Day is officially an operating event not a contest. The purpose remains today as it did from its inseption: to demonstrate the communications ability of the amateur radio community in simulated emergency situations. Groups across the continent use Field Day as a literal “show and tell” exhibition. At sites from the tundra of Alaska to the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico, amateur radio brings together its resources to show officials in government and various agencies what “amateur radio can do.”

During the fourth full weekend in June, the eyes of the amateur radio community turn towards the annual Field Day operating event. From its beginning back in 1933 as an event to test the field preparedness and emergency communications abilities of the burgeoning amateur radio community, Field Day has evolved into the largest on-the-air operation during the year. In 2009, contest logs were submitted by a record 2,409 clubs, groups and individuals across the US and Canada to the ARRL Contest Branch. These logs showed participation by 35,798 individuals and over 1.23 million QSOs were reported during the brief 24-hours of the event.

Field Day is, above all else, a chance for us to have some fun with our hobby. After all, while it is a regulated service and there are serious aspects to our use of the bands, the true “amateur spirit” of our hobby (defined by Paul Segal, W9EEA, back in 1928 in “The Amateur’s Code”) is found in “slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others.”

This years SLSRC Field Day operations will be held in the MacDonnell Shelter at the James S. MacDonnell Park. The MacDonnell Shelter is the one that is on top of the little hill that is in the center of the main park circle drive.

Field Day operations will begin with an informal breakfast at the Denny's at Lindbergh and Midland as usual and the setup will begin at the shelter at about 9:30 AM. Field Day begins at 1:00 local time on Saturday and continues for 24 hours.

SLSRC Field Day will feature plenty of opportunities to operate rather you are an experienced HF operator or would like to learn with the help of a Field Day Elmer. There will be educational opportunities, both formal (as an dipole calculating and building project) and informal through questions, conversations and hands-on learning with members of SLSRC. This year the Sno-Cone machine will be back, by popular demand, and the club will provide a Field Day 2010 photo opportunity at which you will be able to have your picture taken and then embedded into a special 2010 Field Day graphic to help you remember this fun weekend.

A dinner for all at about 5:00 PM on Saturday. The club dinner is for all who wish to come, there is no charge but a donations "kittie" will be present if you wish to donate towards the cost of the dinner. Food and snacks for operators and visitors will be available throughout the weekend.

Please mark you calendar ... remember, Field Day is the most operated Ham event in the yearly calendar of events.