Every January, amateur radio operators across the country head outdoors for Winter Field Day, organized by the Winter Field Day Association. Operators set up portable stations in the cold and make contacts with other stations near and far. They use voice, Morse code, and digital modes on HF, VHF, and UHF radio bands. Many stations run on battery or generator power and put up temporary antennas, just as they would during a real emergency. The goal is to practice getting on the air when snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make it hard, so operators are ready to help when disaster strikes.

This year, the Dan Beard Council Radio Scouting Committee and the OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society invite Scouts and Cub Scouts to join in. Scouts will get hands-on time with handheld, mobile, and base station radios, try Morse code, play an FRS radio challenge, and make live on-air contacts with licensed operators. Activities are tailored separately for Cub Scouts and older Scouts.

New this year: Radio Merit Badge counselors will be on site. Scouts who have finished the rest of the badge can complete requirement 8 Option A (Amateur Radio) or get their completed work reviewed and signed off. Bring your workbook and any contact logs.

For more information about Winter Field Day: https://winterfieldday.org/