The Ham Radio Lab

Helping people get on the air and have fun

Field Report: My First ARRL Field Day — Heat, Hurdles, and High Frequencies

Batteries, Bugs, and Big Smiles: Lessons from my First Field Day in North Texas.

A first-hand field report from ARRL Field Day 2026. From troubleshooting FT8 issues on a Yaesu FT-891 in a local park to joining the McKinney Amateur Radio Club (MARC), discover why Field Day is the ultimate test of gear, patience, and community outreach.

Posted by "Chris - K5CTW" on Monday, June 30, 2025

Gearing Up for the Big One: My First ARRL Field Day Plan

Batteries, Solar, and SSB: Planning My First 100% Off-Grid Field Day!

Join me as I prepare for my first ARRL Field Day! Learn about the objectives of ham radio's biggest event, how points are scored for emergency power, and get a look at a portable FT-891 setup running on solar and batteries in a North Texas park.

Posted by "Chris - K5CTW" on Wednesday, June 18, 2025