How do you prepare for Winter Field Day

During the last weekend of every January is Winter Field Day.  Amateur radio operators around the United States as well as other countries pack up cars, campers and back packs with what they need to be totally self sufficient for 24 hours while trying to make radio contact with others who are participating in this "cool" event.

Three different categories of participants qualify to be part of Winter Field Day. 

• Indoor: Operation from inside a remote, insulated, heated (or cooled, depending on your local weather), and weather-protected structure where an Amateur station is normally not available. (Park buildings/cabins, community center, senior center, cottage, etc). An EOC or Club shack may be utilized, providing all equipment used is set up by the contestants.

 

• Outdoor: Operation from a location partly or fully exposed to the elements and at least 30 feet away from your normal station location and not using any part of a previously erected antenna system or ham station. A campground, park pavilion, canopy, picnic table, tent, pop-up camper, or a backyard shed/tent/deck, etc. may be used. Operation from a non-insulated car/truck/van/boat (mobile or not) is considered “outdoor”. 

 

• Home: Operation from inside a home or inside another structure attached to a home that could or would be the usual location of an Amateur station (garage, sunroom, etc), generally using a previously erected antenna system. A “Home” entrant may still be eligible to claim the “alternate power” bonus if not using commercial power. 

There are some pretty detailed rules for how to make radio contacts which helps level the playing field for those who are participating either as casual or more serious participants. This event however is not just about radio stuff. This is a great way to prepare for how to be self-sufficient and goal oriented during a cold weather emergency simulation. 

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