Field Day

To practice operating amateur radio equipment in unusual conditions, demonstrate how radio amateur operators can serve their communities, and get practice operating and getting familiar with radio equipment. To determine what works, what does not, and which bands are not worth trying to use in the event of an emergency.

The contest part of field day is to give radio operators something to do during the event. During an emergency, there would be a net operator that would be controlling traffic. During field day, the goal is to get as many contacts as possible. Sometimes, it's nice to just play radio, visit, and eat.