Winter Field Day is an exciting annual event for amateur radio enthusiasts, taking place on the last full weekend of January. It offers a unique opportunity for radio operators to set up field operations in remote locations, enabling them to connect with other participants worldwide. You may choose to participate solo or get your your friends, family, or whole club involved. Winter Field Day is organized by the Winter Field Day Association. The association strongly believes that ham radio operators should practice portable emergency communications in winter environments. This is because freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards pose unique operational concerns.
The 30-hour operational period starts at 1600 UTC on Saturday (11 am EST), the 24th, and ends at 21:59 UTC on Sunday, the 25th (4:59 pm EST). Stations may begin setting up no earlier than 16:00 UTC (11 pm EST) on the Friday before.
The Winter Field Day event aims to help participants improve their preparedness for disasters and enhance their operational abilities in adverse conditions. Amateur radio operators have the freedom to use frequencies on the HF, VHF, or UHF bands while employing voice, CW, and digital transmissions. The event designates specific objectives to encourage a diverse range of activities, including the use of non-commercial power sources, the deployment of multiple antennas, establishing satellite contacts, and more.
More info at: https://winterfieldday.org/
Links to some WFD activity plans/examples:
https://www.n1fd.org/2025/12/11/winter-field-day-2026-6-band-multiplier-prep/
https://www.n4pow.com/parcwfd2026
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CANCELED!!! 1/24/26 - In anticipation of the massive winter storm on its way, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday issued a state of emergency
for all of New York.
Due to the state of emergency the park and our cabin will be unavailable, thus canceling our plans for a
WFD event. Please let others know if they planned to attend.
RaRa‘s Winter Field Day
event has been cancelled.
Jeff Fuller, KE2ELI
RaRa
Vice President
Rochester Winter Field Day with RARA (from Jan.2026 RARA Rag):
Location: West Lodge at Mendon Ponds Park.
Map: https://www.monroecounty.gov/files/parks/Maps/MPP.pdf
Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/West+Lodge/@43.035263,-77.5647776,17z
If
you have questions you can email Jeff at:
vicepresident@rochesterham.org and you can find more information about Winter Field
Day Here:
https://winterfieldday.org/
