ARRL Field Day 2026

What is Field Day?

ARRL Field Day is the largest amateur radio event in North America, with over 31,000 operators participating each year. On the fourth full weekend of June, ham radio clubs set up portable stations in parks, fields, and community spaces — practicing emergency communications skills, competing to make as many contacts as possible, and showing the public what amateur radio can do.

Field Day 2026’s theme is “Amateur Radio: A National Resource” — highlighting the many ways wireless technology connects people when it matters most. When hurricanes knock out cell towers, when floods cut internet lines, when modern communications systems fail, ham radio operators show up. Field Day is how we stay ready When All Else Fails®.

For KARC, it’s one of the highlights of the year: we set up outdoors, run on portable power, share good food, and operate together as a team — and we want the whole community to come experience it with us.

When

• Saturday, June 27 — Setup begins at 11:00 AM
• Saturday, June 27 — Event begins at 2:00 PM (1800 UTC)
• Saturday, June 27 — We’ll be on site until 9:00 PM
• Sunday, June 28 — Back at 9:00 AM
• Sunday, June 28 — Event closes at 4:59 PM (2059 UTC)

You don’t need to be there the whole time — stop by for an hour or stay the whole weekend.

Where

We’ll be operating from the Netherland Inn, located at 2140 Netherland Inn Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Food & Drinks

🍽️ Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the weekend. Dinner will be provided on Saturday evening — come hungry! Feel free to bring a snack or dish to share if you’d like.

Everyone Is Welcome — No Experience Required

This event is open to absolutely everyone. You do not need a ham radio license, any technical background, or any prior knowledge to attend. Just bring your curiosity.

Come and:

• 🎙️ Sit down at a real radio and make a contact if you’d like
• 🌎 See how radio waves travel thousands of miles through the sky
• 🆘 Learn how ham radio supports communities in real emergencies
• 🔬 Explore a hobby at the intersection of science, service, and adventure
• ❓ Ask every question you have — we love talking about this stuff

There are zero expectations and zero pressure. Bring your kids, your friends, or your neighbor who’s always been a little curious about “that radio stuff.”

What We Do

• Set up multiple HF and VHF stations running on battery or generator power
• Operate phone, CW, and digital modes to log as many contacts as possible
• Earn bonus points for public outreach, satellite contacts, natural power, and more
• Share good food and enjoy the outdoors together

How to Participate

No special prep needed — there are roles for every skill level:

• Operator — Get on the air and make contacts
• Logger — Help the operator by entering calls into the logging software
• Antenna crew — Help raise and aim antennas before the event
• Visitor / observer — Come see how it all works — no license required

If you’d like to help with planning or setup, bring it up at a club meeting beforehand.

What to Bring

• Your HT or handheld if you want to work VHF/UHF
• Your favorite CW key if doing CW
• A snack or dish to share if you’d like
• Just yourself if you’re visiting — we have everything else covered

The club will have equipment on hand. You do not need to bring your own radio.

Scoring and Bonus Points

Field Day uses a points-based system — different bands and modes earn different point values. Bonus points can be earned for:

• Operating on emergency/natural power (no commercial mains)
• Setting up a public information table
• Working satellites or digital modes
• Submitting the entry via the ARRL website
• Media coverage and social media posts

KARC typically enters as a Class A operation (club or group, portable).

More Information

• 🌐 Club website: w4trc.org
• 📧 Email us: contact@w4trc.org
• 📋 ARRL Field Day rules: arrl.org/field-day
• 📅 Questions? Bring them to a club meeting or reach out via the contact page.