Name: ARRL Field Day with PARC
Start: 2026-06-27T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-06-28T12:00:00-05:00
Location: Liza Jackson Park

ARRL Field Day is the most popular annual amateur radio (“ham radio”) exercise in the US and Canada, held on the fourth full weekend of June. It combines emergency communication preparedness with a social contest, where over 31,000 operators set up portable stations in public areas to make as many contacts as possible, often using emergency power!
It is primarily an emergency communication training exercise. It tests the ability of amateur radio operators to set up stations in remote, non-optimal conditions and operate without relying on commercial power, simulating disaster scenarios.
It takes place annually on the fourth full weekend of June, running for 24 hours (usually from Saturday 18:00 UTC to Sunday 20:59 UTC).
It is described as part contest, part campout, and part public demonstration. Amateur radio clubs and individuals set up radios, antennas, and emergency power sources (generators, solar, batteries) to communicate with other stations across North America.
It is highly encouraged to be a public event. Clubs often invite the public to see ham radio in action, with some even offering opportunities for unlicensed individuals to make contacts.
While training is key, it is also a “radio sport” contest. Groups submit their logs to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to be scored based on the number of contacts made and bonuses earned for things like using emergency power or involving youth.
Most participants join with a local amateur radio club to operate a large station!
The event uses specific rules and categories, which can be found in the ARRL Field Day Rules
The event serves to demonstrate that “When All Else Fails,” amateur radio can provide critical, reliable communication services during real-world disasters.
W4ZBB/K4FWB will be at Liza Jackson Park bringing the Ham Action back to Fort Walton Beach! Be sure to attend a meeting, a Pile-Up, or join in on the net to engage and state your intent to show up, participate, and join the Best Ham Radio Club in Florida!