[K3CAL] Fwd: When Training and Drills Imitate Reality - Winter Field Day

[Shawn Donley]

I hope no one around here was planning on participating outdoors for Winter Field Day, but good advice below.
 
N3AE

> ---------- Original Message ----------
> From: ARRL Members Only Web site <memberlist at arrl.org>
> To: n3ae at comcast.net
> Date: 01/22/2026 5:15 PM EST
> Subject: When Training and Drills Imitate Reality - Winter Field Day
>  
>  
> WINTER FIELD DAY 2026 & a MAJOR WINTER STORM coincide this weekend.
> Precipitation will overrun Arctic air in-place. Widespread significant
> snow likely, +70% to 100%. Some areas will receive Snow & Ice, plus
> sub-Zero Arctic Wind Chills. In some areas travel will be nearly
> impossible. Do not exceed your abilities or comfort zone.
> 
> The major winter storm forecast for January 24-25, 2026, coinciding
> with Winter Field Day—an annual amateur radio event simulating
> emergency communications under harsh conditions—will potentially
> disrupt outdoor setups. Forecasts from NOAA indicate the storm will
> affect 35 eastern U.S. states with widespread precipitation overrunning
> Arctic air, making travel nearly impossible and heightening risks for
> operators in remote or field locations.
> 
> Please review winter safety measures like hypothermia awareness,
> frostbite prevention, sharing location plans. I encourage participants
> to prioritize health and safety. Consider indoor alternatives for the
> 48-hour event. Be prepared to terminate the drill and deploy to actual
> emergencies for communications support if called upon by any served
> agency whether a public-safety agency or NGO. Perhaps this weekend will
> evolve into -This Is Not a Drill. If you are a ARES supporter, know
> your situational comfort zone and deployment limitations if actually
> deployed to assist the public.
> 
> Use caution with the dangerous Winter Storm while operating amateur
> radio during the planned "Winter Field Day" event. The event, organized
> by the Winter Field Day Association (not an official ARRL activity,
> though many hams participate), is normally set for the last full weekend
> of January. It runs approximately 30 hours, starting around 1600 UTC (11
> AM EST) on Saturday the 24th and ending at 2159 UTC (4:59 PM EST) on
> Sunday the 25th.
> 
> The goal is to practice portable/emergency amateur radio operations
> in challenging winter conditions, using HF/VHF/UHF modes, often with
> generators or alternative power, antennas in the field, and emphasis on
> preparedness for disasters. This year, the timing unfortunately aligns
> with a major winter storm forecast to impact much of the eastern and
> central U.S., including the ARRL Atlantic Division area (Delaware,
> Maryland, DC, parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, along with
> Virginia, and West Virginia). At the time of this message, heavy snow,
> sleet, and freezing rain is expected starting late Saturday (Jan 24) and
> continuing into Sunday (Jan 25), potentially lingering Monday. Winter
> Storm Watches are active across portions of the Mid-Atlantic, with high
> confidence for significant accumulations, reduced visibility (down to
> 1/4 mile at times), and difficult to impossible travel conditions. Be
> guided by your local ARES officials if deployment to support local needs
> are likely.
> 
> Let’s practice safety first for all participants—Winter Field
> Day rules and organizers stress that safety overrides everything,
> especially in harsh winter weather with freezing temps, ice, snow, and
> wind. Key precautions include - Monitor local NWS forecasts closely
> (e.g., via weather.gov or apps) for your specific location. Have a plan
> to abort and return home if you decide to participate.
> 
> Know signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite. Remote locations may be
> inaccessible if 1st Responders are needed. Have a plan, share it with
> others just in case you’re overdue to return home.
> 
> Consider indoor operations or a sheltered setup if outdoor/portable
> plans become unsafe—many groups opt for cabin shacks, heated tents,
> club stations, or protected sites during extreme conditions. That is
> what we would likely do in an actual emergency during harsh winter
> weather when possible.
> 
> Prepare for cold-related risks: layered clothing, windproof gear,
> hand/foot warmers, hydration (even when cold), buddy systems, and
> sharing your location/plans. Avoid remote or exposed sites if travel
> becomes hazardous or if accumulations threaten equipment/power
> reliability and safety. Have backup plans for power, heat, and emergency
> egress. Make sure your family at home is also safe and prepared for
> longer term power and communications failures if you are not there.
> 
> If you're in the affected regions, heed warnings from sources like
> the NWS and local ARRL sections. Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy the
> event responsibly—whether from a cozy setup or braving the elements
> with proper preparation and gear. Regardless of the choice, you know
> what to do. This is as real as it gets for a winter deployment.
> 
> My sincere thanks to Martin ‘Marty’ Pittinger KB3MXM, one of
> our Assistant Division Directors in the MDC section, who first drafted
> the original message for more local distribution and suggested I relay
> it to the entire Atlantic division after some adjustments. Good call
> Marty. Hey, stay safe out there!
> 
> 73 and I will see you on the radio.
> 
> Bob Famiglio, K3RF
> 
> ARRL Atlantic Division Director
> Chairman Legal Defense Committee
> Chairman ARES Subcommittee
> 610-359-7300
> 
> www.QRZ.com/db/K3RF
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Atlantic Division
> Director: Robert B Famiglio, K3RF
> k3rf at arrl.org
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
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