Field Day 2023
Field Day 2023 is June 24th from 8 am to 4 pm
Ponderosa Bible Church, 1800 N Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541
Bring something to BBQ and a side as we will have a grill going for lunch.
There will be a testing session INDOORS starting at 9 AM for ALL license grades.
The following article was submitted to the Payson Roundup by our own Ron Acosta (K9PAZ) to advertise the event.
Rim Country ham radio operators host free public demonstrations
Ham radio operators from the Tonto Amateur Radio Association (TARA) in Payson participate in a national amateur radio exercise from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 24. The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States. TARA’s event is at the Ponderosa Bible Church, 1800 N. Beeline Hwy., Payson.
Hams from across North America ordinarily participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, bring people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.
This year’s event is also noteworthy given that a particularly active fire and hurricane season is predicted. “Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Rick Lovdahl (KJ7ROX), president of the TARA Ham Radio Club.
“Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others,” he added.
TARA will be hosting a number of activities including FCC License Testing (9 a.m. to noon); New Digital Modes (Radio, Email and Chat); Antennae Display; Live Ham Radio Connections with Distant Ham radio operators; as well as an Emergency Preparedness Demonstration at noon and 2 p.m.; followed by a BBQ at 4 p.m. (bring your meat to grill; drinks and condiments provided). Register at the event to win a free pair of Family Radio Service (FRS) radios – FRS is a private, two-way, short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities.
During Field Day 2022, more than 26,000 ham radio operators participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the U.S., and an estimated 3 million worldwide. Among the tenets of the Amateur Radio Service is developing and practicing skills in radio technology and radio communications, and even contributing to international goodwill. Hams range in age from as young as 9 to older than 100.
For more information about the Payson ARRL Field Day and ham radio, contact Ron Acosta, TARA Ham Radio Club public information officer at 239-223-5758 or visit www.N7TAR.org