ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June of each year, thousands of radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.

 

Field Day is a picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, FUN! It is a time where many aspects of Amateur Radio come together to highlight our many roles. While some will treat it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities. It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the organizations that Amateur Radio might serve in an emergency, as well as the general public. For many clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar.

 

The contest part is simply to contact as many other stations as possible and to learn to operate our radio gear in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions.

 

We use these same skills when we help with events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fund-raisers such as walk-a-thons; celebrations such as parades; and exhibits at fairs, malls and museums — these are all large, preplanned, non-emergency activities.

 

But despite the development of very complex, modern communications systems — or maybe because they ARE so complex — ham radio has been called into action again and again to provide communications in crises when it really matters. Amateur Radio people (also called “hams”) are well known for our communications support in real disaster and post-disaster situations.

 

What is the ARRL?

The American Radio Relay League is the national association for Amateur Radio in the USA, representing over 170,000 FCC-licensed Amateurs. The ARRL is the primary source of information about what is going on in ham radio. It provides books, news, support and information for individuals and clubs, special events, continuing education classes and other benefits for its members.

 

What is Amateur Radio

Often called “ham radio,” the Amateur Radio Service has been around for a century. In that time, it’s grown into a worldwide community of licensed operators using the airwaves with every conceivable means of communications technology. Its people range in age from youngsters to grandparents. Even rocket scientists and a rock star or two are in the ham ranks. Most, however, are just normal folks like you and me who enjoy learning and being able to transmit voice, data and pictures through the air to unusual places, both near and far, without depending on commercial systems.

 

The Amateur Radio frequencies are the last remaining place in the usable radio spectrum where you as an individual can develop and experiment with wireless communications. Hams not only can make and modify their equipment but can create whole new ways to do things.

 

 

The Williamson County Amateur Radio Club (WCARC) would like to extend a cordial invitation to the public to meet with the amateur radio operators of your community as we participate in the 2025 National Field Day event, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday (June 28-29, 2025) at the Bliss Ranch, Hutto, Texas (see map below).

The WCARC Field Day site will be open to the public from 1 PM (CDT) on Saturday June 28th to 1 PM (CDT) on Sunday June 29th. Directions to the site are as follows:

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If you are coming to the site from the north on I-35 or the 130 toll road, take the University Blvd exit (not University Ave.), and proceed east. University Blvd. becomes Chandler Rd. at the 130 Toll Road.

 

If you are coming to the site from the south on I-35 or the 130 toll road, take the University Blvd exit, and proceed east. University Blvd. becomes Chandler Rd. at the 130 Toll Road.

 

Note that the distance from I-35 to the 130 Toll Rd on University Blvd is ~6.4 miles.

 

Turn Left at CR107 Spur (this road is just east of and adjacent to the Quik Time service station and mini-mart). Proceed north on CR107 Spur for about 0.3 mile then turn Right and continue on CR107 for about 0.46 mile. Then turn Left onto Family Circle and proceed north for about 0.55 mile. At the “Y” stay to the Right and enter the Bliss Ranch.

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