ARRL Field Day 2025

Club members gathered on the front lawn of fellow club member Eric to operate in the annual ARRL Field Day event. This event occurs in late June and is promoted as an opportunity to get out of the shack and set up equipment in an emergency like basis. The goal is to keep one’s equipment and skills current in operating should some natural disaster occur and where radio communications are required. To make it more enjoyable, teams awarded points and recognition for achieving high number of contacts with other stations during the event.

The White Rock Club saw 8 of its members out for the event. We set up three stations two HF stations and one VHF. The two HF were operating on the 20m and 15m bands and one was operating CW and the other phone. Members arrived by 10am to set up and be ready for the 11am start. The masts and antennas went up quickly and by 10:30 we were ready. Contacts went slowly on the phone side, but CW contacts were coming in at a decent pace. By 1pm we decided to break for lunch and we ordered in two large pizzas for the team. Done with lunch, we resumed calling finally closing down around 3:30.

It was a fun event, and all felt that they had a good time getting out and doing some portable operations. We also enjoyed a visit from some members of the Surrey Radio Club. The camaraderie of the hobby extends well beyond the local clubs and is a major feature of the hobby.