Field Day is about emergency operations in the field (although you can participate without leaving the house). For an entire day, including operations at o-dark-thirty.
It has the feel of contesting because ARRL offers points for "degree of difficulty" (my term) and numbers of contacts.
For instance you get points for operating off of independent power and from outdoors. You get 100 points for making a contact using only solar power or for a satellite contact.
What an individual or organization decides to field is pretty much up to the membership themselves. You are likely to see several HF stations using voice, CW and digital and temporary antennas. There will probably be VHF stations, solar panels and generators cranking. All of this will be inside temporary shelters (except for the generators/solar panels).
Oh, and it's also outreach. Getting people interested in the hobby and clubs get points for visitors including extra for pols. So please introduce yourself and sign in even if it's not obvious that there is a greeter because at times, like late at night, there are fewer people about.
Thanks K31. I hope to talk the spousal unit into coming along... maybe peak her interest.
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