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:

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.