🔰 Newbie Field Day Training & Overnight Hangout 📻

Whether you just passed your license exam, have been licensed for years but want more practice, or are just curious about amateur radio — this event is for you. We’re combining a focused training session with a relaxed overnight hangout and cookout. Bring yourself, bring a friend, and come learn something new.

📅 Event Schedule

  • Arrive & Set Up — Saturday, May 23 @ ~11:00 AM PDT
    • Help us get the cookout and operating stations ready
  • Newbie Training Session — Saturday, May 23 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
    • Phonetics and proper radio procedure
    • Net control operations
    • How to program your radio
    • Emergency communications basics (ARES/AUXCOMM oriented)
    • Q&A — no question is too basic
  • Evening Hangout — Saturday, May 23 @ ~4:00 PM PDT onward
    • HF voice and digital operating
    • MURS demos for the whole family
    • Cookout, good conversation, and radio nerdery
  • Wrap Up & Departure — Sunday, May 24 @ ~12:00 PM PDT

📍 Location

Location is TBD. Check back here, watch our Discord general channel, or use our contact form for updates.

🎯 What We’ll Cover in Training

The training session is designed to be practical and accessible regardless of your license class or experience level:

  • Phonetics — NATO alphabet and proper radio voice procedure
  • Net operations — How to check in, how to run net control
  • Radio programming — Getting your handheld or mobile radio set up
  • Emergency communications — Introduction to ARES/AUXCOMM concepts and why it matters
  • Open Q&A — Ask anything; we love questions

The hangout afterward keeps the learning going in a more relaxed setting — HF voice, digital modes, and hands-on time with equipment.

🧰 What to Bring

For the training and operating:

  • Your radio and laptop if you have them — we’ll have some club radios available
  • Notebook and pen if you like taking notes
  • Bring a friend or family member — even non-hams are welcome!

For the overnight:

  • Whatever you’d bring for a walk in the woods or camping
  • Proper attire for outdoor conditions and layering for the evening
  • Plenty of hydration
  • Snacks, drinks, and extra food are always appreciated — we’ll have some, but more is more

We will have MURS radios on hand that anyone can use — no license required. Great for kids, spouses, or anyone curious about radio.

🍖 Food & Atmosphere

We’ll be cooking out, so there will be food. Bringing something to share is always welcome but never required. We are a welcoming club — adults may bring their own beverages. We keep it friendly and inclusive for all ages.

📬 Questions & More Info

  • Discord: Join the DSARC Discord and ask in the #general channel
  • Contact Form: Use our contact page for any questions
  • Location updates will be posted to Discord and updated here once confirmed