A New Member’s First Field Day Experience:

by Mathew Fish, KQ4KGX

The ARRL website describes Field Day as a ham radio open house that demonstrates hams’ various abilities and skills related to public service, emergency preparedness, and technical capabilities, all packed into one weekend. This annual event started in 1933, and the 2024 Field Day was my first experience, along with several other new BARC club members.

For my shared experience, I wish to focus on something other than the technical aspects of Field Day. We all know it involved hard work and teamwork, and it was a hot weekend. Everyone who participated was needed and vital to the BARC Field Day event. As a new member, the most meaningful thing I took away from Field Day is that the BARC club is full of awesome, knowledgeable people I am grateful to have in my life. In a more and more virtual world where human connection seems more distant, I have found it more difficult to find “real” people who value spending time together, bonding, and building relationships. People who want to talk, learn, and spend time together. So, thank you for being different, humble, and genuine.

Ultimately, I love our radio community, the challenges of learning new things, and having friends willing to mentor and struggle with me. I achieved my Field Day objective by learning how to set up HF antennas, troubleshoot signals, emergency preparedness capabilities, etc. More importantly, I connected with our different BARC members, learning about their interests and life stories. I will always remember my first Field Day as a time for fellowship with what I call my Radio Family! I know Field Day provided and built many new relationships that will be life-long, and I want to thank all of those involved—you’re stuck with me! I’m excited about future Field Days and time with you, the BARC members.

73, Fish – KQ4KGX