Another Saturday January 24th Update: Mother Nature WINS! We’re moving into the farmhouse where it’s warm. Park in front of the house or in the back field.
Saturday January 24th update: Winter Field Day is HERE! It’s fairly brutal out, and we’re considering bowing to Mother Nature and moving into the farm house or some hybrid approach. Balancing the spirit of field day with not losing fingers or toes is important. We have the house to ourselves this weekend, so I expect some folks will operate indoors and others out in the shed. Regardless, come join us!
Thursday January 22nd update: The weather forecast now seems to be fairly consistent, with snowfall beginning in the early evening on Saturday. In order that folks get home safely and not be a hazard to others on the roads, we plan to operate from 11am Saturday morning until early evening, and then stand-down. We’ll then encourage folks to head home and continue operating under their own calls sign. Note that if ARES is activated, we will stand-down immediately to respond to the ARES request. Because it’ll be solid freezing, we can easily park in the back field. When you come in the driveway, go past the barn and turn left, go ~150 feet then turn right. There are obvious tracks that you can follow. You can also park at the house and walk back if you’d rather remain on the more standard driveway.
Jan 21st update: There’s a hint of a rumor that there might possibly maybe be some snow this weekend. Safety of all is paramount. As of right now, the timing and expected snowfall remains uncertain. If current forecast remains consistent, snowfall will begin later on Saturday, at least giving us several hours to operate. So, as of now, I expect to be a GO. Of course, you need to make decisions for yourself and your own peace of mind. Even amateur radio is not worth risking your safety. Oh, and the farm has tractors, should the need arise.
Jan 19th update: WFD forecast is for solid winter weather. Remember, there is no bad weather, only inadequate clothing! Good news is that the field will not be muddy.
Please join us for Winter Field Day (WFD) 2026 on January 24th and/or 25th at the K3MMM family farm outside of Emmitsburg. While we’ll have some ready to go stations, feel free to bring your own gear including radios and antennas – we can fill in whatever blanks you may not have. The goal of WFD is Emergency Communications (EMCOMM) practice/training.
Couple of things:
- Feel free to bring your own gear to try – we have plenty of space. Or you can visit and use one of our radios.
- We expect to operate using only batteries and solar power. Granted, we may have a generator on hand, just in case. We’ll have some spare batteries available with Anderson PowerPole connections, and can adapt to virtually any radio.
- You do NOT need any particular level of amateur license (or to be licensed at all), as we can act as control operators while you operate. This is a very friendly opportunity to give HF radio a try, with your only investment being a road-trip to Emmitsburg!
- Winter Field Day runs from 11am Saturday January 24th until 4:59pm Sunday January 25th. We’ll be on site from early-morning Saturday until Sunday afternoon, although there’s a good chance that we’ll pause in the wee hours, as we’re not as young as we once were.
- Official farm address is 17247 Annandale Rd, Emmitsburg. I’ll put the FARC banner at the end of the driveway – but your GPS will get you to the right spot. Our operating spot is: ///soak.disappeared.safety
- Because it’s winter, and the weather is not certain, we’ll either set up in the back field equipment shed, which boasts nearby tall trees and wide open spaces, warmed by a wood stove. Or in the top of the barn, which while unheated, features a roof and walls. If weather is really uncooperative, we can always end up in the farmhouse living room.
- We expect to operate on most amateur bands, using phone, CW & permissible digital modes.
- If you can’t join us, please try and work us!
- Be SURE to check back periodically for updates as the date draws closer. It’s winter and the weather plays a significant role in some decisions. Please check back here periodically for updates.
- Find official Winter Field Day documentation here: https://winterfieldday.org/
- We are extremely pet-friendly. Bring your horse, hound, heron, or hare, or anything in between. So long as it coexists with others, it’s fine and welcome.
- Since we’re not super-competitive, I’m thinking that we’ll operate as 4Oscar – up to four simultaneous radios, operating outdoors. So, our exchange will be K3ERM 4 Oscar Mike Delta Charlie (MDC ARRL section).
- I’m hoping to have a semi-dedicated peer-to-peer Winlink station configured. During the first several hours, it’ll be on 145.09 for local-ish contacts. After dark, we’ll move it to HF.
- If you have even a hint of mic fright, this type of event is the PERFECT solution, as the exchange is basic and predictable.
- If you have a headset, consider bringing it along, as it can be much easier to hear with background noise.
- There are several new “multiplier” objectives, many of which we should be able to accomplish.
- We expect to use “alternative power” for radios, which means batteries and solar.
- We have ~10 acres in this particular field – you are welcome to bring a tent and camp (or sleep under the stars) if you’d like. For those coming from a distance, the Sleep Inn & Suites is about two miles away, at 501 Silo Hill Parkway, Emmitsburg.
- We’ll use 146.58 for talk-in. It may seem that you’re way off course as you go back the driveway – but just turn left as you pass the barn, and follow the obvious tracks.
If you have ANY questions, send me a note using my call sign @arrl.net. We hope to see you there!
Mike K3MMM
Farm site plan for parking and operating locations (the weather will really dictate parking):
Hoping our scout troop 1775 can participate in the next event. We have our radio merit badges and want to earn our licenses to serve as a part of ARES for our emergency management plan. We need the practice and events like this that allow us to camp and work are great!!