Amateur Radio Field Day, 2016
Rathdrum, ID
What is “Field Day”?
Amateur Radio Field Day is an annual communications readiness exercise
conducted by volunteer Amateur Radio operators who move their stations “into the
field” for a 24 hour period. This National Event, which has been conducted each
June since 1934, is designed to simulate a major communications emergency. The
exercise objective is to set up an Amateur Radio station at an “other-than-normal”
location, utilizing Emergency Power and Temporary Antennas, then to contact as
many other Amateur Radio stations as possible during a continuous 24 hour period
(11AM Saturday through 11AM Sunday, June 25-26, 2016). Field Day gives
participating Amateur Radio stations an opportunity to test their equipment and
operators in a simulated emergency environment where normal utilities such as
internet, telephone and electricity are cut off. Field Day is sponsored by the
American Radio Relay League (ARRL), a national association of Amateur Radio
operators (see back of this page).
This Field Day site is operated by the Kootenai Amateur Radio Society (KARS), using
Amateur Radio Call Sign “K7ID”. We will have three radio stations in operation, using
voice, Morse code, and Data modes. The equipment was set up one day before the
event, in accordance with Field Day rules. One of our stations will be designated as
a “GOTA” (Get-On-The-Air) Station, allowing visitors to actually operate a short-wave
radio under supervision of one of our licensed operators. Our site this year is located
at Majestic Park, 5400 W Majestic Ave, Rathdrum, ID. KARS and our Amateur Radio
operators thank and salute the City of Rathdrum for allowing us to use this site.
About Amateur Radio:
Amateur Radio is a “personal communications service” (i.e., non-commercial in
nature), regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC
recognizes the value of Amateur Radio communications services to the public,
particularly in times of emergency. Additionally, congress has identified Amateur
Radio (often called “Ham Radio”) operators as a “national resource” with an ability to
advance the radio art and science (often improving and expanding their own skills in
the process). Hams have traditionally been known for their unique ability to make
radio contact in times of emergency, and have also enhanced international goodwill
through their long-range communications activity.
Field Day 2016
Amateur Radio Organizations
The Kootenai Amateur Radio Society (KARS)
We are local enthusiasts who enjoy the hobby of Amateur Radio. Our members come from
all walks of life and some are as young as eleven years old. The club has been on the
scene in Kootenai County, ID since 1973.
KARS offers a wide range of programs and information sessions on different aspects of
Amateur Radio, training classes, and community events. Our monthly meetings bring area
hams together to socialize, hear interesting speakers, and enjoy a variety of programs
covering many aspects of ham radio. Visit our website for additional information at
www.k7id.org
Many members of KARS are also associated with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(ARES®), an organization that provides communications support to local emergency
services. In the spirit of ham radio, we respond when called upon by our served agency, the
Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management (KCOEM).
KARS supports the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), our national Amateur Radio
membership organization and collective voice to the Federal government regarding our
hobby; in turn, ARRL organizes and sponsors many of our ham radio events and activities
(like Field Day).
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest membership association
of Amateur Radio operators in the USA. The ARRL was founded in 1914 by Hiram
Percy Maxim of Hartford, CT, and the original primary interest was in forming a group
of Amateur Radio operators that could effectively “relay” messages over long
distances. Today the ARRL represents the interests of Amateur Radio operators
before federal regulatory bodies, as well as providing technical advice and assistance
to Amateur Radio enthusiasts, and supports a number of educational programs
throughout the country. The ARRL has over 170,000 members in the United States
and about 7,000 members in other countries. The ARRL publishes many books and a
monthly membership journal called QST.
The ARRL is the primary representative organization of Amateur Radio operators to
the US government. It performs this function by lobbying the US Congress and the
Federal Communications Commission. The ARRL is also the international secretariat
of the International Amateur Radio Union, which performs a similar role in advocating
for Amateur Radio interests before the International Telecommunications Union and
the World Administrative Radio Conferences.
Please visit the ARRL national website at www.arrl.org and our Idaho Section ARRL
website www.idahoarrl.info for more information.
Field Day 2016