PROPAGATION

The annual ARRL Field Day is always held on the fourth full weekend in June. This year, that means Field Day is June 27th and 28th. Operations begin at 1800 UTC Saturday and end at 2059 UTC Sunday. Refer to the official ARRL Field Day Packet for full rules and details. The packet can be downloaded by browsing to <https://g.nw7us.us/2020ARRLFD> for the file, 2020 Field Day Packet.pdf.

The official Field Day 2020 introduction states that the goal is “to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions.” 1 This year, the less than optimal conditions include the COVID-19 pandemic. As of presstime, the ARRL is maintaining a vigil on the situation, saying it is “paying close attention to all of the information and guidance being offered by the CDC’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <https://tinyurl.com/wz7ojes>.”

ARRL defers to local clubs and members to adhere to their local government and health officials as to the safety of gathering in groups: “Local club officials are the most appropriate people to be making decisions about their specific Field Day programs. We are all concerned about protecting the health and safety of those participating in or attending Field Day activities, and so we trust local club officials to take the appropriate steps to monitor local conditions and make decisions in the best interest of their communities. ARRL officials strongly believe that following the guidelines of local, state, and national>.