Disasters are unpredictable by nature and can strike when you least expect them. (Look at the severe weather that struck the upper midwest in December 2021.)  The goal of Winter Field Day is to help enhance skills and ready operators for all environmental conditions.  Preparedness is the key to a professional and timely response during any event and this is what local and state authorities are expecting when they reach  out to the emergency service groups that offer their services.

The Emerald Coast Amateur Radio Association (ECARA) will participate in the annual Winter Field Day Association’s Winter Field Day (WFD) to be held on January 27-28, 2024.  We will be setting up at least four radios and associated equipment (antennas, etc.) using voice, digital, and CW (Morse Code) modes while operating under simulated “emergency” conditions for a twenty-four (24) hour period.

We will also provide information to the general public on the capabilities of amateur radio during an emergency event and make available local disaster preparedness information to hand out to any visitors.

More importantly, you do NOT have to have a radio license and there is NO COST involved!  If you want to see what Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications is all about, come visit us! Location to be announced at a later date.