HAM RADIO FIELD DAY

WHEN:
2025, Full Event: Sat June 28, 2pm to Sun, June 29, 2pm.

Public hours: Sat 2–5 pm and Sun 10 am to 2 pm for tours, soldering workshop, maker activities, hidden transmitter hunts, and license testing. (License exam is 7 pm Saturday)

WHERE:
New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.

Field Day runs outside in vans and tents running off alternative power to simulate emergency conditions.
However, the building is open for tours, restrooms, maker activities, etc.
There will be a Yard Sale on Sunday morning, 9-noon.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE:
Members of the general public, radio amateurs, scouts, and their friends and families are welcome to participate. You don’t need a radio license to participate, as you can operate with one of the club’s General or Extra class licensees as the control operator. On-site training will be provided.

GOTA (Get On The Air) TENT:
During public hours, anyone who is newly licensed or unlicensed can participate and receive instruction.

Sign up using the form below to let us know when you will be participating and how many in your group.

FIELD DAY SCHEDULE:

Friday
5:00 pm - Begin setting up antennas and staging FD equipment.

Saturday
9:00 am – Field Day helpers set up
12:00 pm – Lunch for members and set-up participants
1:00 pm – Power up and TEST all radios; troubleshooting begins
2:00 pm – Doors open to public. Radio Field Day begins. GOTA Tent opens for guests.
2:00-5:00 pm – Public Visiting Hours, for tours, soldering workshop, maker activities, hidden transmitter hunts
4:00 pm – Group Photo on the stairs in front of GOTA Tent
5:30 pm – Dinner for members and non-public participants
7:00 pm – Radio License Exam Session
10:00 pm – non-overnight participants leave; building closes

Sunday
8:00 am – Breakfast for members and non-public participants
9:00 am-noon – Yard Sale Items available and on display
10:00 am-2 pm – Public Visiting Hours, for tours, soldering workshop, hidden transmitter hunts. GOTA Tent opens for guests.
12:00 pm – Lunch for members and non-public participants
1:00 pm – Preliminary cleanup begins
2:00 pm – Radio Field Day ends; full cleanup begins
4:00 pm – Cleanup ends
4:00 pm – NEST Leadership Team Meeting

FIELD DAY ACTIVITIES:

 

Maker Activities, Soldering Workshops (Sat 2-5 pm, Sun 10am-noon)

For children of members and visitors, there will be a number of different hands-on activities led by volunteer helpers through the afternoon.

GOTA Tent: During public hours, anyone who is newly licensed or unlicensed can participate and receive instruction.
Presented by some of our members, this activity for the general public will walk you through the steps to getting your ham radio license and let you "Get On The Air" to try it out. This is a great intro for scouts, scout masters, and teachers, as well as the general public.

Ham Radio Movie Marathon (Sat 2–5 pm, Sun 10am–2pm)
Selected publicly available movies (with screening permissions) that feature amateur radio. Shows are free and open to the public.

MEALS:
Provided by New England Sci-Tech. Meals will be provided for radio operators, club members, and any non-public participants of Field Day. A small charge per meal will be requested. Please bring cash with you as change and credit may not be available.