Field Day 2025

Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville

Ham radio operators (FCC licensed Amateur radio operators) will gear-up to pursue long distance High Frequency (Shortwave) radio contacts and practice emergency communication skills at the top of Fort Dickerson City Park, June 28-29, 2025.

Knoxville area Hams will work around the clock to set up multiple field radio communication stations, get on the air, and attempt to contact other Ham radio operators as part of the annual American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) Field Day event. 

According to Paul James of the Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville (RACK), Field Day is the annual “shakedown run” for the ARRL’s National Field Organization. “Field Day is a way for Hams to get outdoors and have fun under some difficult operating conditions,” Paul says. “But it is also a chance to fine-tune emergency communication skills. We use a variety of amateur radio transceivers, portable generators, solar, and battery power. We also enjoy using different portable field antennas. The idea is to put together self-sufficient communication radio stations quickly and begin making radio contacts.”

The ARRL Field Organization has been effective in establishing emergency communications radio frequency networks during floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and other major disasters.  Members of formal emergency organizations such as the Middle East Tennessee Emergency Radio Service, Inc. (METERS) regularly participate with RACK during this event. The League estimates that more than 35,000 Hams from across North America take part in Field Day. This event has taken place every year since 1933.

The RACK Field Day site is located at Fort Dickerson Park (3000 Fort Dickerson Rd SW, Knoxville, TN).  Set up begins at about 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday June 28, 2025. The operational period is from Saturday 2:00 p.m. to Sunday 2:00 p.m.

The public is invited.

For additional information contact:

Paul James

11635 Black Rd., Knoxville, TN 37932

(703) 201-3441, kichroc@gmail.com

Field Day 2024

Ft. Dickerson Park

           Saturday June 24th, 2023

  Fort Dickerson Park

RACK Field Days     

Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June of each year, more than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.

Field Day is a picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest, and most of all, FUN!  It is a time where many aspects of Amateur Radio come together to highlight our many roles. 

While some will treat it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities. It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the organizations that Amateur Radio might serve in an emergency, as well as the general public. For many clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar. The contest part is simply to contact as many other stations as possible and to learn to operate our radio gear in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions.

We use these same skills when we help with events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fund-raisers such as walka-thons; celebrations such as parades; and exhibits at fairs, malls and museums — these are all large, preplanned, non-emergency activities. 

But 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 people (also called “hams”) are well known for our communications support in real disaster and post-disaster situations.

Come to the RACK Field Day at Fort Dickerson Park!  

You can get on the air using our license and radio equipment and meet new friends. 

Everyone is welcome to attend!