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| The SSB station is operated from a tent during last year's American Radio Relay league (AARL) Field Day in Windham. This year's event will be held from 2 p.m. Saturday June 28 to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29 at Windham High School. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
ARRL Field Day is the largest and most popular event for amateur radio operators (also known as “hams”), bringing together hobbyists and professionals alike for a weekend of emergency preparedness, technical demonstration, and public outreach. Now in its 15th year of participation, WSSM has established itself as a leading club in the region, having placed first in Maine across all categories in 10 of the last 11 years, and earning top 20 rankings globally on multiple occasions.
“Field Day is more than just a contest,” said Peter Fulton, Treasurer of WSSM. “It’s an opportunity to test our ability to operate under less-than-ideal conditions and to showcase the importance of amateur radio in both community events and emergency situations.”
Combining elements of a campout, emergency drill, and public demonstration, Field Day underscores the critical role amateur radio can play when modern communications systems fail. WSSM members will set up and operate temporary stations using off-grid power, demonstrating the resilience and versatility of amateur radio technology.
The Wireless Society of Southern Maine plays an active role in emergency communications locally, partnering with organizations such as the National Weather Service’s SKYWARN program and the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency to relay vital information during severe weather and other emergencies.
Visitors are welcome to stop by throughout the weekend to observe operations, meet licensed radio operators, and even get on the air themselves under the supervision of club members. Signs will be posted throughout the Windham High School campus to help direct attendees to the event site.
ARRL Field Day is a radio communications event that brings together amateur radio operators (also called “hams”) within your community. The theme for 2025 Field Day is “Radio Connects” – highlighting the many ways that wireless technology connects people across distances near and far.
On the fourth weekend in June each year, more than 31,000 hams get together with their radio clubs, schools, or friends to operate from remote locations. For many radio clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights on their annual calendar. A typical Field Day site will show many aspects of amateur radio and its many roles.
It is an annual demonstration and invites the general public and organizations to see how amateur radio can serve in an emergency. Ham radio operators are well-known for their communications support in real disaster and post-disaster situations. Despite the development of very complex, modern communications systems – or maybe because they are so complex – ham radio has been called into action, again and again, to provide communications in crises when it really matters.
Amateur radio also inspires the next generation of technical leaders by providing a hands-on sandbox where students gain experience in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). For those with a competitive spirit, Field Day stations compete to make radio contacts with as many other stations as possible while learning to operate radio equipment in challenging situations and less-than-optimal conditions.
These same skills are used by hams who volunteer to help with large, preplanned, non-emergency events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fundraisers such as walk-a-thons; celebrations such as parades, and exhibits at fairs, malls, and museums.
For more details about the Wireless Society of Southern Maine and how to get involved in amateur radio, visit www.mainehamradio.com or the club’s official website at www.ws1sm.com. <
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