I always enjoy Field Day, and this year was no exception.But, as I sat there, punching call signs into N1MM and watching my log and the logs of the other networked stations, it occurred to me that there were an awful lot of 1B, 1D, and 1E stations. I’m guessing that the majority of these stations were one-person operations operating from their back porch.
I know that Covid is still an issue, and some hams are just anti-social, but I think that these folks are really missing out. I mean, it’s nice to try something new once in a while, and the first year was fun. I operated completely QRP and battery-powered. The second year, however, was completely unsatisfying, even though we did manage to cobble together a small group.
Is Field Day still relevant?
This year was a lot better. Our club was 3A, but even so, attendance was way down. Noting that, and noting all the single-operator stations, I’m beginning to wonder if Field Day is still relevant. I’ve always described Field Day as a combination club social event, emergency preparedness exercise, and public relations event. With so many single-operator stations, it’s certainly not much of a club event, and I doubt that the 1B, 1D, and 1E ops are doing much public relations.
I suppose that the 1B and 1E stations are exercising some of their emergency communications capabilities, but a lot of training is now required to really take part in emergency communications. I’m not sure that knowing that your generator is working and how to start it would be all that valuable in a real emergency situation.
Even with all the 1B, 1D, and 1E stations on the air, it seemed to me that participation was down. At least it was down on CW. After searching and pounding a bit, I had no problem at all finding a clear frequency on which to start calling CQ.
Should Field Day encourage more VHF/UHF operation?
Another reason that makes me wonder about the relevance of Field Day is that operation mostly takes place on HF. Sure, some clubs have VHF/UHF stations, but I’d say that those are the exception rather than the rule. And, since the majority of licensed hams are Techs, how appealing is it for them to come out and participate in Field Day?
Also, most emergency communications now take place on VHF, UHF, and above. How is making rapid-fire CW contacts on 80 meters training people to be better at emergency communications?
I mentioned this to my friend Mark, W8MP, who happened to wander into the CW station while I was pondering this idea. He said, “Well, at least this is getting people on the air.” That’s true, I guess, but there are all manner of contests and operating events that get people on the air.
I’m not exactly sure what we can do to increase Field Day participation, but here are a couple of ideas:
- Give more points to VHF/UHF and up QSOs to encourage more operation on those bands.
- Require every club operation to have a GOTA station, or give more points to GOTA contacts. It seems to me that GOTA stations are one of the really good things about Field Day and it should be promoted more.
- Give points for activities specifically directed at Tech licensees. I’m not sure what that would be, though.
I’m certainly interested in hearing what you think about this? Am I off base here? If not, how would you make Field Day more relevant to the situation that amateur radio finds itself in these days.
Ed Woodrick says
Field Day relevancy has been questioned for probably well over 50 years, that’s not a new question.
Too many clubs make it a social event. Most of the remainder make it a contest.
VHF operation was discouraged in the early years of repeaters, as there was worry about the repeaters being overwhelmed and as always, too much “A repeater isn’t real radio” (remember the naysayers throughout history, AM isn’t real radio, SSB isn’t real radio, FM isn’t real radio, repeaters aren’t real radio, packet isn’t real radio, Digital Voice isn’t real radio, Internet assisted operation isn’t real radio………..)
But these days, VHF/UHF FM needs a push, it’s mighty quiet in many areas.
But more importantly, V/U FM is the mode that is most commonly used during most operations these days.
In my mind, repeaters need to be unbanned. CW/Digital contacts need to be given that same number of points as voice.
EOC stations probably need to be given a multiplier, to make them more used.
Home stations should stay the same as today, In the advent of a real emergency, home stations are just important.
Antenna area restrictions should be reviewed, Is it really important that everything be in that 1,000 ft perimeter? What about just keeping all transmitters in a 200 foot circle.
I’m guessing ARRL is happy with the increased activity by removing the penalty on home users. Now is maybe the time to push some other modes that are actually used in emergencies.
Tom AJ4UQ says
GOTA is an interesting issue. We operate from a museum ship (USS Yorktown) so there aren’t many people prepared to sit down and operate. We do a great deal of PR work though. We haven’t made a reportable GOTA contact in years, and our GOTA coach amused himself making POTA contacts when idle.
Perhaps the GOTA quota could be eased, and repeater contacts allowed. That would let visitors quickly make a few contacts on the modes most likely to be used in emergencies.
Jeff, KE9V says
It all depends on what Field Day is supposed to be, if that can be defined? If Field Day is an emergency preparedness event, then why the potato salad? If Field Day is a contest then why wouldn’t everyone just stay home and operate? If Field Day is supposed to be an “open house” meant to introduce the general public to ham radio why keep score?
Making an event that is everything to everyone is a tall order, but I think that’s exactly what ARRL has tried to do with Field Day and I don’t blame them for it. Despite it being impossible to define Field Day remains the most popular event in the hobby.
I think that persists because most of us have fond memories of a specific time somewhere back in our long ago when radio seemed to be more fun. Years go by, and we slowly discover that fun becomes difficult to replicate and then we start asking, “what is this thing we keep doing?”
Larry NM7A says
Like KE9V says, an event that tries to be all things to all people will be everything to nobody. Perhaps the old slogan from the ’60s applies: “If it feels good, do it.”
jim fisher says
LOL. First thing. FORGET the points! Sure, there are folks that are there for the points, but don’t worry about that to engage folks. Engage folks with as much of the things that this *amazing* hobby has and try to provide it.
HF sure. The techs need to hear a one-sided qso on a wire that travels across the country. WAIT, WUT, you throw a wire in a tree and talk across the country. You don’t need a tower and a beam? All the info available sometimes isn’t as valuable as getting folks OUT to see and experience the hobby. PROVIDE that experience. As many as you can pulloff.
CW. CW is retro cool. Now that is not required it’s DESIRED. You folks with skilz; ROCK THEM. CW is black magic to the noobs. Just play and /share/ YOUR favorite parts of the hobby…Let them know they are welcome. ENGAGE them. MAKE every station a GOTA station. Invite them to try. All stations have control ops right there. Get them started logging them throw them in the drivers seat. FUN. HAVE FUN. That’s what’s relevant. If our hobby isn’t fun it’s work…….
jim fisher says
PROOF: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPHx8cDTpi4X1d0DXHLofnpKxr6oi77YFzNqklgX6KX_RtFEBrP02nUuXIAN0QOgw?pli=1&key=OWwzRkN3bXdiWDRUb0ppVll0dEh1SEV3dElMRllB
Andy WA8ZLK says
None of your ideas would hurt the spirit of Field Day and indeed would make the event more interesting to Techs, even though they can operate HF on Field Day when properly licensed hams are present.
We had a number of Techs visit our site this year most wanted just to observe and maybe help log…mic shyness seemed to be rampant among this group. Maybe using bands and modes they’re familiar with would limit this shyness.
Chuck K4RGN says
Limit the D-class stations to QRP.
And I say this as someone who placed 12th among 3D stations in 2020.
Bob K0NR says
I wrote this on my blog in 2011. I think it is still mostly valid:
I have to admit that I am a bit ambivalent about Field Day…I can take it or leave it. But I have always thought that one of the great things about Field Day is that it can be tuned to whatever interests you or your club. It can be a serious radio contest (well, almost); it can be an EmComm Drill, it can be a Radio Campout; it can be a food fest, it can be a beer-drinking party. Insert your idea here.
end quote
I do think that letting Class D home stations fully into the mix has degraded the emcomm and portable emphasis for Field Day.
John McGrath says
Yes, I think it’s still valid for the reasons stated above (or below?).
I fell ill with Covid this year, or I would have participated in a Field Day party. I enjoy both the socialization and the ‘Contest that’s not a Contest’.
Will I find a group next year? YES.
If I don’t, I will still operate 1X because I find it enjoyable.
Ian Kahn, NV4C says
I agree with some of the comments above, disagree with others.
For my club, Field Day is many things:
– emergency communications practice
– public affairs event – this year three city council members for one of our served areas came, and were very impressed by our activity. We teach a Radio Merit Badge workshop for Scouts, every Field Day. Sometimes we get some of the smaller local newspapers to attend and provide reporting/coverage for the community at-large
– major social event of the year – and after two years of limited activity due to COVID, this was a much-needed return to something resembling normalcy
– And, yes, some members of the club look at it as a “contest”
VHF/UHF should be given a higher profile. While inside an affected area, during a disaster response, V/UHF is going to be the primary communications mode. But, don’t discount HF. When passing traffic to areas OUTSIDE the affected area (supply requests, health and welfare traffic, etc.) HF is still going to be highly used. I don’t know of much in the way of V/UHF that can travel coast-to-coast, outside of maybe VARA/Winmore..
Also, don’t discount those who operate from home as a Class D or E station. EOCs may not be available in all areas. If something happens in my locality, and I need to get traffic to family elsewhere, I may be reliant on those hams at home who are on the emergency response HF frequency/net and can assist with passing the traffic.
While for my club, the GOTA station is a big part of our activity, mandating one for clubs/EOCs would be wrong. Many clubs/EOCs have trouble getting operators for their main station(s). Mandating a GOTA station may force them out of the event entirely. GOTA should remain as it is intended today – a way for uninitiated visitors to the Field Day activity and the newly licesned to get on the air on HF, make a few contacts, and see what Field Day, and amateur radio, is all about.
Ken Alan says
It’s a great question, Dan. I think it begs the whole relevancy of Amateur Radio in a Internet-Wireless World. You don’t need to spend weeks studying a test for a license that now costs $85 ($15 Test Fee + $35 License Fee + $35 Vanity Call) when you can get a $40 cell phone and a monthly plan that will let you talk all over the world by radio. Amateur Radio has been displaced by the Maker (Faire) Movement as the hip social group to learn about electronics. It’s instructive to thumb through the pages of any Maker magazine and compare it to any current issue of QST. We need to spend more time looking forward and less reminiscing about the long lost past. Field Day provides an excellent showcase of our emergency communications capabilities to first responders and government agencies, but we need to show gear that meets or exceeds the capabilities of the average smartphone. As of this writing, Tier One Amateur Radio Manufacturers have mostly abandoned the 220 band even while coming out with costly new (but old fashioned in design) HF gear. I say “old fashioned” because a modern radio should just be a black box with a bluetooth interface that is controlled by your tablet or smartphone. That would shave about two thirds off the hardware cost.