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Forest Field Day

Forest Field Day - Beginner Ham Radio Workshop

Group Members:

  • Group 11: Mario EA1JAY, GeunHo DS3QGH, Larissa OE3YLR, Joss ES5JOSS, Paul F4ILV

Event Overview:

  • Name of the Event: Forest Field Day
  • Number of Participants: 4-8 people (plus at least 4 coordinators, with at least one YL)
  • Level of Experience: Beginner, ages 7+ (participants have just obtained their licenses)
  • Duration: 1 day (from 9 AM to 4 PM)
  • Location/Space Needed:
    • A public park with enough open space for setting up tents and radio stations.
    • Areas for antenna-building, ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) activities, and socializing.

Food:

  • Meals:
    • Participants should bring their own lunch boxes.
    • BBQ equipment for group cooking (participants can bring their own meat and sides).
    • Snacks and desserts can be ordered or brought by participants (e.g., fruits, cookies).

Budget:

  • Costs:
    • Event budget: $200 - $450 (10 Euros per person).
    • Funding options:
      • Ask for sponsorships from public park authorities or foundations.
      • Contribution from participants to cover food, BBQ items, and materials.

Materials and Equipment Needed:

  • Radio Equipment:
    • 1 radio station for group use.
    • Antennas (materials for making antennas).
    • Phonetic alphabet code cards.
  • Field Day Equipment:
    • Tents for participants and coordinators.
    • ARDF receiver/transceiver for Fox Hunting.
    • Ropes or flags for marking boundaries for activities.
    • BBQ equipment for lunch.
  • Additional Supplies:
    • Flashlights, water bottles, and basic outdoor supplies.

Organizer's Preparations:

  • Tents: Set up tents for group activities, shelter, and BBQ station.
  • Equipment Testing: Ensure that the radio station, ARDF receivers, and other materials are functioning correctly.
  • Phonetic Alphabet Cards: Print and prepare phonetic alphabet flashcards for the "battleship" game.
  • Safety Gear: Make sure all participants are briefed on outdoor safety and ARDF rules.
  • Entertainment: Prepare short, engaging movie clips related to ham radio to break up the hands-on activities.

What Participants Need to Bring:

  • Flashlights, water bottles, sun protection (hats, sunscreen).
  • Comfortable outdoor clothing and shoes suitable for walking and physical activity.
  • Optional: Snacks and drinks for sharing during breaks.

Event Structure:

Time Activity Description
9:00-9:30 Welcome & Introduction Participants arrive and settle in. Brief introduction to the day's schedule, safety guidelines, and objectives.
9:30-10:30 Antenna Building Workshop Hands-on session where participants learn to build a simple antenna using the provided materials.
10:30-11:00 Movie Clips & Discussion Watch short educational clips on ham radio, its history, and its modern-day uses (emergency communication, space).
11:00-1:00 Phonetic Code Battleship Game A fun, interactive game where participants practice the phonetic alphabet using a "battleship"-style format.
1:00-2:00 BBQ Lunch Break Participants enjoy a BBQ lunch, socialize, and discuss ham radio topics with coordinators.
2:00-4:00 Fox Hunting (ARDF) Introduction to ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding). Participants form teams and hunt for hidden transmitters using ARDF receivers.
4:00 PM Closing & Departure Recap of the day, certificate or small gift for participants, and goodbyes.

Detailed Event Breakdown:

1. Welcome & Introduction (9:00-9:30 AM):

  • Greet participants and give a brief overview of the day's activities.
  • Go over safety instructions and explain the objectives of the event.
  • Set the tone for a fun and educational day in nature.

2. Antenna Building Workshop (9:30-10:30 AM):

  • Objective: Teach participants how to construct a simple antenna.
  • Activity: Using materials provided (e.g., wire, poles, connectors), participants will work in pairs or small groups to build an antenna.
  • Outcome: By the end of this session, participants should be familiar with basic antenna construction principles and how to connect the antenna to a radio station.

3. Movie Clips & Discussion (10:30-11:00 AM):

  • Objective: Introduce ham radio through entertaining and educational videos.
  • Activity: Watch short clips that explain the basics of ham radio, its historical importance, and its application in modern times (e.g., emergency communications, satellite operations).
  • Outcome: Participants gain a better understanding of why ham radio is important and exciting.

4. Phonetic Code Battleship Game (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM):

  • Objective: Help participants learn and practice the ICAO Phonetic Alphabet in a fun way.
  • Activity:
    • Split participants into teams and play a battleship-style game using the phonetic alphabet.
    • Teams will call out grid coordinates using the phonetic alphabet (e.g., "Bravo 3") to try and "hit" the opponent's ships.
    • This game reinforces the phonetic alphabet while adding an element of competition.
  • Outcome: Participants become more comfortable with using the phonetic alphabet, an essential skill in ham radio.

5. BBQ Lunch Break (1:00-2:00 PM):

  • Objective: Socialize and relax while enjoying a BBQ lunch.
  • Activity:
    • Participants can cook their food over a BBQ, chat about the morning activities, and enjoy the natural surroundings.
    • Coordinators can use this time to answer any questions about ham radio or give one-on-one attention to participants who need help.

6. Fox Hunting (ARDF) (2:00-4:00 PM):

  • Objective: Introduce participants to Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), also known as "fox hunting."
  • Activity:
    • Split participants into teams.
    • Teach the basics of ARDF, where teams use radio receivers to locate hidden transmitters (the "foxes") placed around the park.
    • Teams compete to see who can find all the transmitters the fastest.
  • Outcome: Participants learn how to use direction-finding equipment and gain experience in tracking signals.

7. Closing & Departure (4:00 PM):

  • Gather all participants for a brief closing ceremony.
  • Recap the day's lessons and activities, highlighting what was learned.
  • Give participants a small certificate or souvenir to commemorate their participation.
  • Thank everyone for attending and encourage them to continue exploring ham radio!

Learning Objectives:

  • Teach participants how to build and set up antennas for ham radio.
  • Help them become comfortable with using the phonetic alphabet during radio communication.
  • Provide hands-on experience with ARDF (Fox Hunting) to develop their direction-finding skills.
  • Create a fun and engaging environment that encourages participants to explore ham radio further in the future.
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