Embedded Files
Join us for Winter Field Day at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County on January 24 & 25. Open to the public.
Quick Notes (But really, read down for the details)
Winter Field Day is January 24th 10AM through the afternoon of the 25th
Location: Powhatan Dining Hall at Pocahontas State Park
Food is potluck with a kitchen available but bring your own pots, pans, and utensils!
Each winter, the last full weekend in January (this year the 24th and 25th), tons of hams from around the world gather on the airwaves for Winter Field Day. This event puts amateur radio out on display for the general public, by setting up temporary stations in parks, shopping centers, and various other high-visibility locations. Licensed operators and the general public alike can take to the airwaves on HF, VHF, and UHF bands, using voice, Morse code, and various digital modes. It's also a great opportunity for hams to practice deploying temporary stations and operating under less than ideal conditions.
Similar to ARRL Field Day, points are awarded for making contact with other hams with various Objective Multipliers for various wheres and hows you operate. Some clubs take it seriously, scheduling their top operators in shifts to keep the radios warm while racking up the points. RATS takes a more laid-back approach. We're usually more interested in socializing and enjoying the potluck food spread than bringing home a high score.
No License Required - Testing Available
No License Required - Testing Available
The RATS Winter Field Day operates under the club's W4RAT call, under the direction of designated control operators. The control operators, supplied by the club's Technical Committee, oversee the operation of the radios at all times. As a Field Day participant, you'll use our club call sign and a control operator's license privileges to operate under their supervision. This means even if you only have a Technician class license, you can operate HF at our event. Or if you have no license at all, that's cool, too!
If you want a license or upgrade, our friends from the Catastrophic Amateur Tactical Squad (CATS) will be running a testing session starting at 11AM on Saturday. Check-in is available beginning at 10AM.
Photo: David KN4LQN and Judi N4JDI at the VE testing, Winter Field Day 2023. Taken by Wayne K9WVU.
Venue
Venue
RATS usually operates from Pocahontas State Park for our Winter Field Day activation. For 2026, we've rented the Powhatan Dining Hall and will begin setup at 10AM on Saturday. There is plenty of space will be available for staying overnight indoors (you might want to bring a cot), and good news - we will have indoor bathrooms this year! Park entry fees are covered by the event! Mention you are coming for us and they'll let you on through.
We will have HF radios and antennas for the operating event. Feel free to bring VHF or UHF radios and antennas to make simplex contacts on those bands.
This year's event food is a potluck, so you're encouraged to bring a dish (store-bought is great too!) and non-alcoholic beverages. Also, if you feel like cooking, we will have access to the dining hall's full commercial kitchen - just bring your own pots, pans, and utensils! RATS will supply some basic cutlery, plates, and bowls. Also PLEASE bring a small card identifying your dish and list of ingredients to help out folks with food allergies.
Need help finding us? Talk-in assistance will be available by calling W4RAT on our 442.55 repeater.
Page updated
Report abuse