[ILHam] CQ FIELD DAY! CQ FIELD DAY!

[Neil R. Ormos N9NL]

CQ FIELD DAY!  CQ FIELD DAY!

Dear Illinois Hams:

The purpose of this e-mail is two-fold.  First,
I'd like to encourage everyone to participate in
Field Day, the annual exercise that combines an
emergency communications exercise, fun, operating
skills, creative problem solving, the installation
of antennas in the most unlikely places, fun,
fellowship, friendly rivalries between clubs,
good food, sunburn, mosquitos, and fun!  Second,
I'd like your help with our online Field Day
directory (please see below).

ARRL® Field Day is the largest Amateur Radio
emergency communications exercise, and in 2009
will be held this coming weekend, Saturday and
Sunday, June 27 and 28th.

Amateur radio operators (or "hams") numbering in
the tens of thousands, throughout the US and
Canada, will demonstrate their emergency
communications capabilities by trying to contact
as many other stations as possible over a 24 to 27
hour period, using emergency power sources and
temporary stations and antennas erected in the
field for this event. Many hams participate in
this event as part of a local amateur radio club
or emergency communications volunteer group. Some
clubs/groups operate at the Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) of a government or other served
agency, instead of building stations in the field.

Field Day is not just for experienced
hams. Visiting a club/group Field Day operation is
a great way for new hams to learn more about
emergency communications and to meet other hams in
their neighborhood. And Field Day is an excellent
introduction to ham radio for the general public.

I encourage all amateurs, and prospective
amateurs, to participate in this fun and
educational emergency communications
exercise. Most clubs/groups will be delighted to
welcome you as a visitor, even if you're not a
member of the group, and even if you're not a
licensed ham.  I visit many Field Day operations
every year, and I am constantly amazed at the
variety, diversity, and resourcefulness of Field
Day operations.  Several large clubs are at new
locations this year, and at least one new club is
having its inaugural Field Day!  This will make
for some exciting problem-solving opportunities as
these groups overcome challenges at their new
locations.

Maps and additional information on club/group
Field Day operations in Illinois in 2009 are
available at the Illinois and Chicago-Area Field
Day Directory: 

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

Which brings me to my plea for help with the
directory.  There are 90 or so clubs, ARES and EMA
units, and other groups listed in the directory.
Unfortunately, we are missing information on a
number of groups.  For many other groups, we
haven't been able to verify their 2009 Field Day
plans.  It would be a great help if you would look
at the directory, and if you have information on
the 2009 plans for any group marked "Information
not verified for 2009", please send me a note by
e-mail at n9nl /at-sign/ arrl.net.  Also, please let me
know of any errors and any clubs/groups that are
missing.  Thanks in advance!

73 to all for a safe, fun, educational, and
successful Field Day!

--Neil Ormos N9NL
ARES® District Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Cook County/Chicago
Email: n9nl /at-sign/ arrl.net