The Lenoir Amateur Radio Club (LARC) is hosting an ARRL Summer Field Day this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 22 to 23, 2024, at the Gamewell Park. Set-up begins at 9:30 am on Saturday, with radio operations starting at 2:00 pm and running continuously until 2:00 pm on Sunday.

This year, club members are excited to run three radios, which will help us give everyone a chance to “Get on the Air,” a.k.a. GOTA. Anyone interested in learning amateur radio, a.k.a. ham radio, is encouraged to stop by field day during the event hours on Saturday and Sunday.

One goal of Field Day is to demonstrate the club's emergency preparedness abilities. All club radios will be powered by generators and batteries. When all other communications fail, hams can set up equipment and get in touch with emergency response personnel as well as other hams across the nation and globe. Hams are volunteers that provide emergency communications for free for the community.

The forecast predicts warm weather, so feel free to bring your favorite fan to stay cool. We welcome non-hams as well and encourage you to invite anyone interested in learning about the hobby. We'll ensure they have a chance to get on the air too.

Gamewell Park is located at 2750 Morganton Blvd SW, Lenoir.

LARC members Gary Schwartz K3OS, left, and Josh Craven N4JOS, right, make contacts during a Field Day in 2022.