[ILHam] INVITATION TO FIELD DAY--HAM RADIO IN ACTION

[Neil R. Ormos N9NL]

Dear Illinois Hams:

ARRL Field Day will be held this coming weekend,
Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24, 2007.

ALL HAMS ARE INVITED TO COME ON OUT AND ENJOY THE
FUN!

Field Day is an annual event in which hams
construct amateur radio stations "in the field",
and try to contact as many other stations as
possible.  This annual activity may be the most
ham radio fun you can have in 24 hours.

Although structured as an emergency communications
exercise, Field Day is many other things, too:

   a contest;

   an opportunity to educate our served agencies
   and the public about amateur radio and our
   emergency capabilities;

   an occasion to Elmer inexperienced hams (and
   some of us old-timers, too) in emergency
   communications, contesting, field operations,
   new communications modes, etc.;

   a chance to get out into the fields, woods,
   parks, etc., and work "hands-on" putting up
   tents, building stations, and erecting antennas;
   and, of course,

   a social event where we can rekindle old
   friendships and create new ones.

Perhaps the best way to experience Field Day is to
visit a local club's Field Day operation.  Most
clubs and groups welcome visitors, whether or not
you're a member of the club or even a licensed
ham.  If you're a member of an amateur radio club,
you're probably already aware of their Field Day
plans.  For those who are looking for a Field Day
operation, the Illinois Field Day Directory is
available on the web and lists many Field Day
operations throughout Illinois:

   <http://fieldday.n9nl.com/>

I've tried to list information about all
club/group Field Day operations in Illinois (and
those in adjacent states within about a half-hour
drive from Illinois).  However, I know I've missed
some, so if you're aware of a Field Day I haven't
listed, please send details, ASAP.

And while you're making plans to visit a Field Day
operation, won't you please consider bringing
along a friend or neighbor to introduce them to
ham radio?  Kids love Field Day because there's
always something going on!

73

--Neil Ormos N9NL
District Emergency Coordinator
Cook County/Chicago