Field Day – Saturday, June 27: Crow Wing State Park (just south of Brainerd). Pavilion reserved from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. While Field Day officially starts at 1800 UTC, we will be there earlier in the day to set up and test equipment as well as participate in Parks on the Air (POTA). All are welcome—both licensed and unlicensed individuals. We will be operating under the Club Call Sign W0SV with Extra Class control operators available so that everyone can get on the air. We will be operating SSB, CW, and Digital (Winlink). FT8 is not able to be used during Field Day. We will set up different types of antennas and equipment, making this a great place to learn. We will have a grill going. We ask that everyone bring something to go with the meat (potluck). Lunch will be around noon and dinner around 5:00 PM. This is a great emergency communications exercise and learning opportunity.
FIELD DAY – WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND
Hands-on emergency communications experience in a real-world setup.
• Operate using club call W0SV (all experience levels welcome)
• Try SSB, CW, and Digital (Winlink)
• Learn antenna setups and compare configurations
• Participate in Parks on the Air (POTA)
• Build confidence in a fun, low-pressure environment
• Enjoy food, fellowship and time on the air
Lunch at Noon | Dinner at 5 PM (Potluck)
New to amateur radio? This is the best day of the year to get on the air—we’ll help you every step of
the way. This is one of the best learning opportunities of the year—don’t miss it!
FIELD DAY – WHAT TO BRING
• Lawn chair
• Beverages
• Radios (The club will provide operating stations – bring yours only if you want to test it and get advice)
• Dish to pass (potluck)
Tech Tip: Antenna Building
Start with accurate measurements for your band. Use quality wire and coax. Keep the antenna as high
and unobstructed as possible. Always check SWR and trim in small increments. A good choke balun
helps reduce noise and improve performance. Strong mechanical support ensures safety and longevity.