What is Field Day?
ARRL Field Day is the most popular ham radio activity in North America — and one of the most fun things BARC does all year. Every June, more than 31,000 amateur radio operators across the US and Canada pack up their radios, drive to parks, fields, and open spaces, and spend 24 hours making as many contacts as possible on the air.
Field Day is part picnic, part campout, part emergency communications drill, and part friendly contest — with a healthy dose of pure fun mixed in. You don't need a license to participate. You don't need any experience. You just need to show up.
Field Day is always the 4th full weekend of June. It's the one weekend a year when tens of thousands of hams go outside, set up portable stations, and show the world what amateur radio can do — especially when normal communications fail.
— ARRL, arrl.org/field-dayOperating portable radio equipment under simulated emergency conditions sharpens skills that matter when disasters strike and commercial networks go down.
BARC Field Day draws members, families, visitors, and local dignitaries together for a weekend of camaraderie, food, and shared purpose.
Running on battery or generator power from a park, BARC stations contact other operators across the continent — and sometimes across the globe.
June Field Day 2026
BARC sets up antennas and radio stations at Sackett-Wright Park in Bellbrook for the full weekend. We have dinner at the park, invite local dignitaries, welcome the public, and operate as many bands and modes as possible. Even without a license, you can sit at a radio and make contacts under the supervision of a licensed operator.
Field Day is always the 4th full weekend in June — rain or shine.
Field Day — across the years, across the country
Photos: Wikimedia Commons · Various Field Day events · Hover to enlarge · arrl.org/field-day →
Field Day Weekend Schedule
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Fri eveningSetup begins — antenna crew arrives at Sackett-Wright Park. Help always welcome. Contact Field Day Chair to join setup.
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Sat 2:00 PMField Day begins — 1800 UTC. All stations start operating simultaneously across the country. 24-hour clock starts.
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Sat afternoonPublic hours — visitors and unlicensed guests welcome. GOTA (Get on the Air) station for non-licensed operators. Demonstrations throughout the afternoon.
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Sat eveningClub dinner at the park — all members and families welcome. Watch for details on the email list and club calendar.
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Sat nightNight operating — HF conditions often improve after sunset. Low bands (40m, 80m) come alive. Some members camp overnight.
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Sun 2:59 PMField Day ends — 2059 UTC. Final QSO count, log submission, teardown begins. Results submitted to ARRL within 30 days.
Get Involved
There's a role for everyone at Field Day — regardless of license class or experience level.
Licensed hams of any class can operate. CW, SSB, digital, VHF/UHF — multiple stations run simultaneously. Sign up for an operating shift with the Field Day Chair.
No license needed to be a logger. Sit beside an operator, enter callsigns and exchanges into the logging software. Great way to learn the hobby.
Setup crew arrives Friday evening to erect dipoles, verticals, and yagis. No experience needed — experienced members will show you the ropes.
Not licensed yet? The GOTA station is for you. Make real contacts on the air under the supervision of a licensed control operator — it's completely legal and very memorable.
Help with food, public information table, safety officer duties, or media outreach. Every volunteer role earns the club bonus points toward the final score.
Field Day is a family event. Bring kids, spouses, neighbors — anyone curious about what amateur radio is about. Food, fellowship, and radio make it a great afternoon out.
2025 Field Day Resources
- 2025 BARC Field Day Results Download PDF
- 2025 BARC Field Day Presentation Download PDF
- 2025 Field Day Committee Positions Download PDF
- 2025 Field Day Committee 1st Meeting Notes Download PDF
- Past Field Day Logs & Scores View Logs
- Field Day Photo Gallery View Photos
Three Field Days a Year
BARC participates in three different Field Day events throughout the year — each with its own character and operating conditions.
June Field Day
The flagship event. Sackett-Wright Park, Bellbrook. Multi-station portable operation, club dinner, public visitors, GOTA station. 24 hours of operating starting 1800 UTC Saturday.
Fall Field Day
Held in conjunction with Ohio State Parks on the Air (OSPOTA) — activating one of Ohio's 76 qualifying state parks. Watch the website for the activation location each year.
Winter Field Day
Normally held at Hills and Dales Park at the Paw Paw Pavilion — but check the website for the current year's location. Conditions can be challenging, which makes it all the more rewarding!
winterfieldday.com →