Field Day 2024
What is Field Day?
Every June the Half Moon Bay Amateur Radio Club (HMBARC) sets up an off-the-grid emergency radio station and participates in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day. Field Day is a two-day national event during which we contact stations all over the United States and Canada and demonstrate our ability to operate radio gear in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions.
This year we will have three stations set up and operating. One station will be used primarily for voice communications over high-frequency bands, the second station will be used primarily for morse code (CW) and digital mode communications over high-frequency bands, and the third station will be a demonstration/training station. The demonstration station will enable us to:
Show new Technicians and prospective amateur radio operators the components of an entry-level VHF/UHF base station (i.e., the next step in equipment after a handi-talkie)
Provide an opportunity for new Technicians and prospective amateur radio operators to see the same entry-level VHF/UHF station components in a mobile station
Give new or inexperienced Technicians and prospective amateur radio operators the opportunity to operate the VHF/UHF base station.
Beginning early in June, Club members can sign up for times to operate the equipment—skilled trainers will be available to help as needed.
When is Field Day?
Field Day is Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd. We will be operating from 11 am Saturday until 11 am Sunday.
The public is invited!
Our Club’s 2024 Field Day includes a demonstration Amateur Radio station where the public and prospective amateur radio operators of all ages can see the equipment firsthand, receive basic training (Saturday June 22nd 1:30 – 3:00 PM), and have the opportunity to operate the equipment and communicate with other amateur radio operators. Public participation hours for Field Day will be from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM Saturday June 22nd and 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM Sunday June 23rd.
Where is Field Day?
Field Day will be located next to the old railway station on Higgins Canyon Road, about 1/3 mile east of Main Street (next to the road leading to the James Johnston House) in Half Moon Bay.
Training Session
A training session will be offered on Saturday June 22nd from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. The training will be for new or prospective amateur radio operators of all ages and include the following topics:
Introduction to Amateur Radio, licensing, and equipment
Overview of radio waves, frequency, wavelength and bands
How to communicate with other Amateur Radio operators
Repeater systems basics
Coastside band plan
On-air protocol
Also available:
Individual coaching.
Handie-talkie programming with the Coastside Band plan.
How can Club members get involved?
In addition to operating the equipment (sign up for operating times will begin in June), there are numerous volunteer positions available during Field Day (e.g., photographer, visitor desk staffing, equipment set up and take down, and safety oversight). If you are interested in volunteering, please send C.F. Booth an email (treasurer@hmbarc.org).