Members of the Onslow Amateur Radio Club-OARC took part in the ARRL Winter Field Day on 27-28 January 2024 Sat./Sun. Beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, the HAMs ran continuously until 2 p.m. on Sunday making hundreds of contacts around the country and around the world.
During the event, FCC licensed OARC Ham Radio operators - most commonly known as ’Hams’ and the general public (operating as station guests) communicated continuously over the airways for 24 hours making contacts in a variety of ways, including using radiotelephone, Morse Code, and a variety of digital communications.
Onslow Amateur Radio operators set up antennas and radio stations at the Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center in Jacksonville, NC., Using a large, portable, extendable 42-foot mast beam antenna and several other antennae types. Many of the operators are also members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services- ARES working through the City of Jacksonville Emergency Operations Center.
Field Day is ham radio's open house.
Every January & June more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the U.S. and Canada.
Field Day is a picnic, a camp-out, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, fun. It is a time where many aspects of amateur radio come together to highlight the many roles. While some will treat it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities. It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate amateur radio to the organizations that amateur radio might serve in an emergency, as well as the general public.
The club uses these same skills when members help with events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fundraisers such as walk-a-thons; celebrations such as parades; and exhibits at fairs, malls and museums — these are all large, pre-planned, non-emergency activities.
The American Radio Relay League has produced a video that provides more information; it can be found at http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio. Anyone interested in Amateur Radio are invited to contact the OARC and learn more about this fascinating hobby. www.onslowarc.org
Pictured below:
Kenwood TS-590S Transceiver with owner/operator KV7D (left)
Tim Mahlow NC8TM, Chelsea Johnson- Guest Operator (right)
Pictured above:
Erecting Beam Antennae are: (Left to right) Adriano Marcuz KV7D, Bill VanPelt KN4LHH, Chris Harkness (pictured left)
Chris Harkness Event Coordinator-awaits Callsign; Dale Town N5VX Club President (left to right) (pictured right)