As described by the event sponsor, the ARRL, Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth full weekend of June of each year, more than 40,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations. Field Day is a picnic, a campout, 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 our 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. For many clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar.
Over the years WB6RER has celebrated Field Day at various locations around Kingman AZ. Among the stations and modes on site, WB6RER has operated a "Go-To" station, the purpose of which is to let visitors, licensed or unlicensed, especially interested young adults, to experience "hands on" operation of an Amateur radio station. This of course is under the supervision of a licensed operator. Nevetheless, "guest operators" are able to directly converse with other amateur radio operators and, occasionally "guest operators" at a remote Field Day site, many hundreds or even thousands of miles away!
Field Day is always held on the last full weekend in June. The official start time is 18:00 UTC Saturday, and ends at 20:59 UTC Sunday. Here in Kingman AZ, UTC time translates a local (MST) start time of 11:00AM Saturday, with an ending time of 1:59PM Sunday.
The ARRL offers a Field Day Site Locator, where you can search for Field Day operations in your area and nationally.