Field Day 2023

The Villa Rica Radio Club (VRRC) organized a successful ARRL Field Day at Gold Dust Park, located off Industrial Blvd in Villa Rica. This marked our first Field Day as a club in several years, so we decided to start small and evaluate our progress for future events.

Upon arrival at around 10:30, we promptly began setting up our primary station, complete with a trailer and beam antenna. Additionally, we had two other experimental stations in place. To ensure our independence, all of our stations relied on emergency power from batteries throughout the entire event.

After a quick BBQ to fuel ourselves, we settled in and, at 14:00, commenced our operations. We quickly found a frequency to operate on and, within the first 30 minutes,

established approximately 40 contacts. The momentum continued as we received numerous reports of clear and strong audio from across the United States.

Meanwhile, our other stations engaged in WSPR experimentation and operated on 40 meters. This allowed us to test our setups, equipment, batteries, and most importantly, fostered an environment of knowledge sharing and storytelling among the club members. This is the essence of Field Day and the spirit of Ham Radio.

The spacious location at Gold Dust Park allowed us to spread out, while the weather turned out to be the best many of us had ever experienced during a Field Day. Despite operating for just over 2.5 hours, we managed to make an impressive total of 131 contacts.

The first Villa Rica Radio Club historic event in the books. Stay tuned as we are planning more events this Summer.

Our Filed Day 2023 Participants

Special Thanks

To Tim and his wife, KO4TCV for hosting the BBQ and drinks and those for putting in the effort to make the trailer operational as well as everyone pitching in to help set up. We also extend our gratitude to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us and make this event truly memorable.

ARRL Field Day

ARRL Field Day serves as a vital platform for emphasizing the significance of emergency communications within the amateur radio community. This annual event brings together amateur radio operators from across the country to simulate emergency situations and practice their response capabilities. By operating off-grid and relying on alternative power sources, such as batteries or generators, participants demonstrate their ability to maintain effective communication during times of crisis when traditional infrastructures may be compromised.

Field Day not only showcases the technical skills and preparedness of amateur radio operators but also fosters camaraderie and collaboration among participants. It provides an opportunity for individuals to learn from one another, share valuable knowledge, and exchange experiences related to emergency communications. Through this hands-on experience, operators gain practical insights into their equipment, operating procedures, and network coordination, enabling them to improve their overall readiness for real-life emergency scenarios.

The event also serves as a public demonstration of the important role amateur radio plays in emergency preparedness and response. By engaging with the local community, Field Day raises awareness about the capabilities of amateur radio operators in providing reliable communication services when traditional systems fail. This serves as a reminder that amateur radio is a resilient and crucial communication resource that can effectively support emergency management agencies, public safety organizations, and communities during times of crisis.

Overall, ARRL Field Day not only tests the technical capabilities of amateur radio operators but also reinforces the significance of emergency communications and highlights the invaluable contributions made by amateur radio operators in ensuring the resilience of communication networks during emergencies.

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