LAST MINUTE FIELD DAY TIPS

Field Day is always the 4th full weekend of June, which falls this
coming weekend, June 24th through June 25th.  Full information is on the
ARRL website: Field Day (arrl.org)

If you are operating from a publicly accessible location, please make
sure your Field Day site is listed on the ARRL’s Field Day webpage at:
https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator  This is where new Hams,
prospective licensees and inactive Hams wanting to get active again will
find you.

BADGE - Wear a badge, or some form of call sign identification for each
operator.  A key complaint from visitors – including new Hams and
those returning to the hobby after a long period – is they feel
uncomfortable not knowing who they’re talking to.  At the sign in
table, provide blank adhesive labels and some black markers so those
operators who don’t have a badge or forget to bring one can make one
up to wear.  Likewise, visitors can write their first name and the
option to include a subtitle on their label, such as “Visitor” or
“Wanting to learn more”.

GREETER – designate one or more people to welcome visitors and escort
them around.  Visiting elected officials, appointed officials such as
zoning board members, served agency representatives, media reporters and
just curious folks may not know much about Amateur Radio.  With the
introduction last week in Congress of HR4006, The Amateur Radio
Emergency Preparedness Act, it’s especially important now that
non-hams understand the tax-free benefits we bring to our communities
through emergency and public service communications.  Use material from
your Public Information Table (100 bonus points) to give to these
visitors.  Have a supply of “What Is Field Day” one page information
sheets ready to hand out:
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2021/2_1-%20FD%20Flier%20-%20What%20is%20FD%20generic.pdf
 (100 bonus points each if an elected official or a served agency
representative comes to your Field Day location.)

TALK-IN REPEATER - Monitor the club’s designated talk-in repeater
frequency all day Saturday and until closing time at 2:00 PM Sunday.
For Hams visiting your area, or a Ham who wants to get back into the
hobby, using your designated repeater will be the likely way they will
reach out for more information. Even if you end operations early due to
bad weather, the repeater frequency will remain the contact method of
choice to find out more about your operational status.  No one likes to
show up at an empty Field Day site if operations ended early, but no one
answered the repeater if an earlier attempt was made by a new, inactive
or visiting Ham wanting more information.  It’s also an opportunity to
invite them to the club’s next meeting and become a member. 

TRADITIONAL MEDIA – Television stations and newspapers have cut back
on sending reporters out to cover stories on weekends.  However, most
will now accept submitted material.  Look on their websites to learn how
to submit your own release.  Plan to take pictures and a short video of
opening operations Saturday afternoon, then submit your pictures/videos
and a description.  If sent in time, your story might air on Saturday
night local TV news or in the Sunday edition of the nearest daily
newspaper.  For tips on how to write a simple news release, go to:
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2023/ARRL%20Field%20Day%20-%20Public%20Relations%20Kit.pdf

Club PIOs might enjoy the YouTube video refresher from ARRL’s Media
Outreach group on how to make Field Day PR successful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN272yUnJMs  (100 bonus points for
obtaining coverage)

SOCIAL MEDIA – Posting Field Day information to Ham Radio groups only
limits what the public can find out about Amateur Radio.  Remember,
Field Day is the one day every year we showcase Amateur Radio to
everyone.  Getting support from key local, state and federal government
officials as well as the general public is critical to continue to hold
onto the frequencies we have fought so hard to get and retain.  These
people need to know what Amateur Radio is and the chance for them to see
it in action.  Ask around and send social media posts about Field Day to
community Facebook pages and invite them to come visit.

SAFETY – (Thanks to John Gendron NJ4Z SC Section Manager from his
Section Report) Finally, the most important aspect of Field Day, even
before having fun, is being safe.  Please make sure you follow the
points below to keep your Field Day site safe.  Better yet, it’s not
too late to appoint a safety officer (100 bonus points.  Applies only to
Class A stations)

1.      Stay Hydrated
2.      Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
3.      Take period breaks from being in the sun and doing manual tasks
4.      Wear sunscreen and bug repellant
5.      Make sure you have a first aid kit and know how to use it
6.      Watch your fellow operators and visitors for signs of distress.
7.      Remember to eat.
8.      When lifting lift with your legs not your back, and if the load is
heavy get help.
9.      Make sure your equipment (radio and electrical) is properly
grounded.
10.     When working around, erecting or climbing towers – make sure you
have your Personal Protective Equipment on. (Hardhat, harness, gloves,
etc.)
11.     Make sure all masts and towers are properly and securely guyed.
12.     Make sure all temporary shelters and tents are securely tethered.
13.     Be weather aware – any signs of lightning shut down operations
and seek shelter.
14.     Watch for heavy winds and flooding rains, seek shelter out of
dangers path.
15.     Do not fuel generators while they are running
16.     Have a fire extinguisher handy
17.     Keep fuel and other combustible material away from the generators
and out of the sun.

All four Section Managers in the Roanoke Division (VA, WV, SC, NC) and
their emissaries will be visiting Field Day sites on behalf of ARRL
along with us.  We hope everyone will have a safe and fun 2023 Field
Day.

73,
Jim Boehner, N2ZZ
ARRL Roanoke Division Director

Bill Morine, N2COP
ARRL Roanoke Division Vice Director

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ARRL Roanoke Division
Director: James F Boehner, N2ZZ
n2zz@arrl.org
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