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Field Day Is Organized By The American Radio Relay League
Every year radio operators take part in what is considered to be an annual contest. It has come to be known as a contest because on this day the American Radio Relay League keeps the score of all the radio stations that participate on that day. Although the competition is fierce and every radio station wants to win, the main objective of this day is to help improve the communication skills of radio stations on this day. There are quite a few radio operators that have sophisticated equipment with large antennas but this day is dedicated specially to the operators that have portable HAM Radios.
The main objective of this day is to help increase the speed of an operator while he is transporting, assembling and finally operate his equipment in his field. So strictly no permanent structures are allowed as the main criteria being tested is adaptability. The benefits of Field Day are immense as you will notice that a number of HAM Radio operators provide very good and high quality coverage in disastrous as well as emergency situations. A good example of the brilliant job that these operators are doing is during the hurricane season. During Field Day, the operators are tested on how fast and well they are able to put up their amateur stations in conditions that are not favorable.
An operator ability to transport his equipment and then set it up and finally to be able to operate his equipment for a long time under stressful conditions is the main reason that 'Field day' is conducted. The scores that are being recorded are a pretty good indication of an operator's ability in the field. But 'Field Day' is not only conducted for works sake but is also an enjoyable event in some places. Sometimes HAM Radio operators can do a 'Field Day' by themselves.
Many HAM Radio operators form a group and different members from the group bring along a different type of HAM Radio. Each member will explain to the other members about the advantages and the disadvantages of his/her radio. Each group will also be able to get to know their fellow members in their field and at the same time will also be able to share their life time experiences in their field. They will also be able to share contacts of other people in the HAM Radio field. The points on Field Day are scored by contacting other radio stations. So in the end, the individual or group that is able to contact the most number of radio stations is declared the winner.
The results of this contest are published in the monthly magazine (QST) of the national organization of the amateur radio operators. With their names been posted in the magazine, the winners are entitled to bragging rights for a year until the competition is held once again. So basically the winner of the contest has proved himself that he is very capable of making a lot of contacts in a day and even under very stressful circumstances. If you tune in your radio to the station that is covering this event, you will learn exactly how many participants turned up.