ARRL Field Day
ARRL Field Day 2026 took place over the June 27–28 weekend, bringing together amateur radio operators across North America for the biggest emergency communications exercise of the year. As always, Field Day is part drill, part public demonstration, and part good old-fashioned ham radio fun.
Brian Porter VE7BWP once again hosted, just as he did two years ago, and Mike Fleming VE7FI championed the organization effort to make sure everything came together smoothly. During the June 25 General Meeting, Bob Meldrum VA7RGM rallied the club with promises of donuts, coffee, free VOIP phones, and membership renewals on-site.
A Strong Turnout and Even Stronger Spirit
More than ten club members came out over the course of the weekend, with operators rotating through the stations to keep contacts flowing. Saturday night was lively—QSOs continued right up until 4 a.m., paused briefly for a bit of rest, and then picked right back up at 6 a.m. Sunday morning. That’s Field Day spirit!
One of the standout moments came courtesy of Tobias’ son, Linus, who made a contact that ended with a heartwarming compliment. The operator on the other end told him he’d been participating in Field Day for years, and that this one was the most enjoyable he’d ever had. High praise—and a great reminder of what makes amateur radio special.
Food, Friendship, and a Whole Lot of Learning
Between the steady flow of contacts, operators enjoyed good food, great camaraderie, and plenty of hands-on technical troubleshooting. Field Day always brings opportunities to learn something new—whether it’s antenna tweaks, logging quirks, band conditions, or equipment setup—and this year was no exception. Members shared knowledge freely, helped each other solve problems, and kept the atmosphere light and fun.
Above all, the weekend was a success because of the people who showed up, contributed, and made it memorable. The radios may bring us together, but it’s the community that keeps us coming back.
Well done, OCARC! Here’s to another year of strong signals, and strong friendships.
