[TCARC-NTx] FD FYI...

[terry]

Just ... FYI...  (from ARRL)

Question: What is the most popular amateur radio event in the US and
Canada?
Answer: The ARRL Field Day During the fourth full weekend in June, the
eyes of the amateur radio community turn towards the annual Field Day
operating event. From its beginning back in the 1930s as an event to
test the field  preparedness and emergency communications abilities of
the burgeoning amateur radio community, Field Day has evolved into the
largest on-the-air operation during the year. In 1999, contest logs were
submitted by over 2,100 clubs, groups and individuals across the US and
Canada to the ARRL Contest Branch. These logs showed participation by
over 31,000 individuals. Over 1.4 million QSOs were reported during the
brief 24-hours of the contest. Field Day is officially an operating
event rather than a contest. The purpose remains today as it did in the
beginning: to demonstrate the communications ability of the amateur
radio community in simulated emergency situations. Groups across the
continent use Field Day as a literal show and tell  exhibition. At
sites from the tundra of Alaska to the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico,
amateur radio brings together its resources to show officials in
government and various agencies what amateur radio can do.
Many clubs use Field Day as the focus of their annual calendar. Many
hams that are not otherwise interested in contesting or DXing find
themselves meeting various challenges to help their club run a
successful Field Day operation. Officially, Field Day is not a contest.
But it is the thrill of the non-contest contest that brings out the
best in thousands of amateurs who under most circumstances do not choose
to participate in the various contests held by various organizations.
What makes a good Field Day? Ask that question at any hamfest and you
will probably receive a different answer from each person you interview.
I would offer a few basic ideas to keep in mind as you contemplate a
Field Day operation.
First, and foremost, Field Day should be a fun activity. Field Day
serves as one of the biggest introductory drawing cards we offer in
trying to expand interest in the hobby. A Field Day that is technical in
set-up may well produce a good score. But remember that a Field Day that
practices the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Silly) is more likely to
attract better interest and participation than one which is run like a
hard-core contest. This doesnt mean you dont do the technical planning
and preparation to ensure the operation is a good demonstration of what
hams can do. It does mean that you should consider having a wide-range
of activities and jobs which will encourage participation. Yes, 15
meter CW will probably be a great way to rack up points. But make
certain that there are things for the non-CW inclined members of your
group to do. Standing around watching one or two operators make all the
contacts is a sure-fire way to kill enthusiasm among your group. For
example, several years ago our local club put up its highest Field Day
score ever. We had first-class stations and used outstanding operators
on the prime bands. They put in 18-20 hours of hard core contest-style
activity. The next year our club score fell approximately in half. But
the number of
people who actually made a contact using the club call went from eight
to thirty-six. This brings us to the second major point: a successful
Field Day is well planned.

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