ARRL Field Day 2017 Wrap-Up

It’s good to get back. ARRL Field Day is an event that I seldom miss. Of the near 20 years that I’ve been licensed, I think I’ve only missed two Field Day events. Both times I was biking on a week long tour of the State of Wisconsin. So after taking...

ARRL Field Day Safety – Ham Radio Q&A

Field Day is fast approaching and soon parks and empty fields like the one behind me will be bustling with activity.  On the fourth full weekend of June more than 40,000 hams throughout North America hit the airwaves in what is billed the world’s largest amateur radio...

My NPOTA Adventure

Taking the radio out of the shack and operating in the field can be a great learning experience. Our home stations tend to be optimized for the location, with reliable power, working antennas, and a comfortable environment. But go outdoors and all bets can be off....

ARRL Field Day 2015 Wrap-Up

Field Day. Is it a contest? An emergency preparedness exercise? Or a ham radio reunion? I like to believe it’s a bit of all three. My Field Day participation has definitely spanned all three descriptions, and I tend to feel most comfortable with the third. After last...

2014 Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference Recap

Every year in mid October, Wisconsin ARES/RACES, the state’s amateur radio emergency communications group holds its annual conference. While open to anyone with an interest in Emergency Communications, the conference gives ARES leadership an opportunity to...