Photos From GFAARC Field Day 2009	FIELD DAY Wal-Mart - Great Falls JUNE 25th & 26th "Always the Forth full Weekend every June"
Photos From GFAARC Field Day 2008		W7ECA HOME

WATCH a Short Field Day Promotional Video (3.8Mb WMP File)

What Is Field Day ?

FIELD DAY 2011 will once again be held in the South West parking lot at the Great Falls Wal-Mart.
(Set-up will commence Friday Afternoon, with full operations begining at Noon Saturday. 
We will be "on the air" for most of a full 24 hours, ending at Noon on Sunday, after which tear-down
will take place. Talk-in will be on the Black Eagle Repeater : 147.300 (+) w100Hz Tone.

The public is encouraged to come by and see "HAM" radio in action, and find out how
IT can serve YOU in time of emergency or disaster.  Come meet the HAMs, ask questions,
even talk on our Amateur Radio equipment if you would like to.
(Licensed operators will be on hand to assist you with this).

 

 

First a little Overview:  Natural or manmade disasters, including acts of terrorism can disrupt normal communications.  Cell phones, the internet, and many emergency communications channels will either be inoperative, or overwhelmed during a time of emergency. HAM Radio operators have the skills and equipment necessary to mobilize into a disaster area, and set up communications, that enable police, fire, medical to continue to provide their needed services.  In addition to emergency communications, HAM radio operators can also send messages to family members outside the disaster area regarding the welfare of family members afected by the disaster. 

Within only a few minutes of the start of an emergency or disaster, HAMS can be on the air providing some emergency communications.  Within just a few hours, HAMs can setup a complete emergency amateur radio facility able to operate on all bands and most modes, to insure necessary and vital communications are maintained.

 
Field Day is a time when tens of thousands of Amateur (HAM) Radio operators across the U.S. and several foreign countries gather in public places to display and demonstrate our abilities to provide communications under less than optimal conditions.  We set up portable antenna towers, electric generators, and of course bring our radios along.  For the next 24 hours, we pracitce skills, test equipment, and train to better serve our community.  We do this by making as many contacts as we can with other stations engaged in similar operations. New digital communication technologies will be tested, along with voice, teletype, and the "old reliable", Morse Code".

Note:  Morse Code is no longer required to obtain your HAM Radio License.
  

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE:  The Great Falls Area Amateur Radio Club, will bring portable towers, several large and impressive "beam" antennas, wire antennas, power generators and more.  Through cooperation with the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), you will also get a tour of our  Mobile Emergency Communications Van.  This van is contains a full compliment of County and State, and Public service radio equipment, allowing HAMS to be in direct contact with Disaster Emergency Services, 911 Dispatch, and other agencies.  You'll also see other equipment HAMS use in this communications effort such as computers, specialized electronics, and more.   

We look forward to meeting you and showing you the benefits amateur radio can provide in case of an emergency or disaster.