This post will be updated as we approach Field Day and all plans are finalized. Check back often for ongoing updates.
The Billerica Amateur Radio Society (BARS) is proud to announce its participation in ARRL Field Day, taking place June 27th & 28th, 2026. Field Day is one of amateur radio’s most important annual traditions, not as a contest, but as a hands-on demonstration of the hobby’s core values: community engagement, public education, and emergency preparedness. Under the direction of Field Day Chairman Tim Carter, K1DC, BARS will operate under the club callsign W1HH from a public location in Chelmsford, MA, configured as a class 2A station with two HF rigs and a 6-meter VHF bonus station. The antenna deployment will include wire dipoles for 40 and 80 meters, a tribander covering 10, 15, and 20 meters, and a small yagi for 6 meters, a practical field setup assembled entirely without reliance on the commercial power grid.
Field Day serves as a real-world exercise in deployed emergency communications, simulating the conditions under which amateur radio operators would provide critical communication support during a disaster or public emergency. Operating from a temporary field site, running on emergency power, and coordinating across multiple bands and modes — SSB, CW, and digital — gives operators direct, practical experience that cannot be replicated in a shack at home. It is precisely this kind of readiness that makes amateur radio a valued partner to served agencies and emergency management organizations.
Participation is open to all, with no advance scheduling required, members and guests are encouraged simply to come out, observe, and operate. Whether one is a licensed amateur looking to sharpen their skills or a curious member of the public interested in learning more about the hobby, Field Day offers something for everyone. This year’s event also carries special meaning for the club, as the W1HH callsign honors the legacy of Bob Wallace, first licensed in 1940, who worked 382 countries and whose call letters remain a lasting symbol of the club’s proud history.
Field day questions can be sent to: Tim Carter, K1DC
Schedule of Activities
RSVP requested for the 26/27th but not required. RSVP required for setup day due to logistics.
RSVP via Tim Carter, K1DC, W1HH 2026 Field Day Coordinator. All times below are local time.
June 26th, 2026 – Volunteer Setup Day
- Equipment transportation and loading/unloading
- Site preparation, layout, and staging for event
- Infrastructure deployment and testing
- Safety and security walkthrough
June 27th, 2026 – Field Day #1
- 9:00 AM – Final setup and equipment testing begins
- This is the final check of all the equipment to ensure everything is in working order before official operation begins at 2:00 PM.
- 12:00 PM – Field Day Radiogram Registration
- Send a radiogram from Field Day to family or friends!
- Be sure to have contact info for your addressee, including their postal address and either a phone number or email address for “final mile” delivery.
- Availability of “Day 1 Transmissions” may be limited, so register early.
- 2:00 pm – Event Operation Officially Begins
- Operations begin utilizing the two HF and one VHF station
- 2:15 pm – W1HH Field Day Radiograms Transmitted OTA
- Radiograms will be transmitted from the field day location to meet the criteria for the Field Day NTS activation. Messages will inncude an event report to the EMA ARRL Section Manager.
- 3:00 PM – Educational Event: Demystifying DMR:
- Called “Amateur Radio’s Most Challenging Digital Voice Mode” by some, we’ll go over how it works and allow everyone to try it out.
- Bring a DMR radio if you have one!
- 10:00 PM – Operations pause overnight
June 28th, 2026 – Field Day #2
- 8:00 AM – Day 2 kickoff and breakfast
- 2:00 PM – Event Operation Officially Ends
- 5:00 PM – Field Day breakdown is completed
The W1HH event is officially over following the conclusion of operations and final cleanup.
