By Dave Bruse, W4DTR (with a little help from ChatGPT)
ARRL Field Day is amateur radio’s premier on-the-air event, combining operating, emergency preparedness, and public outreach. In 2026, Field Day takes place June 27–28, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday.
GARS will once again participate at Harbins Park in Dacula (see GARS.org for full details), with setup Saturday morning, operating starting at 2:00 PM local time, and teardown Sunday afternoon. This year, we will have eight HF stations running, plus a 6 meter and a satellite station, along with Station Captains and Elmers available to help operators and visitors. It’s a great opportunity for new and experienced hams alike to get on the air and learn.
A key part of a successful Field Day is accurate logging, and GARS will be using the N3FJP Field Day Contest Log. Designed specifically for ARRL Field Day, it includes features such as duplicate checking, section tracking, and networked operation so multiple stations can log contacts in real time, helping ensure smooth operation and accurate results.
N3FJP also offers a free trial version that allows a limited number of contacts, making it a great way to practice ahead of time. You can download the software here: https://www.n3fjp.com/fieldday.html. Getting familiar with it before Field Day will help you feel more confident and ready when it’s your turn at the logging position.
Whether you want to operate, log, help with setup, or just stop by, GARS Field Day is a great way to experience amateur radio in action. Bring a friend and join us!