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.