Once each June, amateur radio operators across North America set up stations in remote or not-so-remote areas operating on battery or emergency generator power, and make as many radio contacts as they can in 24 hours. Our local Thompson Radio Society (VE7 TRS) set up "camp" in the Ranch & Country Club clubhouse (not nearly as elegant as it sounds!), and went to work.
Field Day is many things - an introduction of amateur radio to the public, a contest, a chance for operators to gain experience with bands they haven't on operated before. It's also a chance to practice emergency operating skills. Not that our club need too much practice. They provide all communications for the local (and,sadly, very active) Search & Rescue Society, as well as assisting with local forest fire fighting activities.
Many times, CW (Continuous Wave, using Morse code) will get through when voice modes are unusable because of distance or interference:
I thought one of the Morse keys was so beautifully made, that it almost qualified as a "work of art".
http://www.furnfeather.net/Temps/Key.htm Here it is, in use... during the field day. http://www.furnfeather.net/Temps/Paul.htm Cheers! David - not a radio amateur, but brother of VE7BBY. --- David Young, Logan Lake, CANADA Limited Edition Prints at: www.furnfeather.net Personal Web-site at: www.main.furnfeather.net Stock Photography at: http://tinyurl.com/2amll4