MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - If you’ve ever been curious about amateur radio, this is your weekend! The Stones River Amateur Radio Club is hosting its annual ARRL (American Radio Relay League) Field Day at Barfield Crescent Park, and the public is invited to drop by, listen in, and even get on the air. The event is free, family‑friendly, and one of the most hands‑on introductions to ham radio you’ll find anywhere.
Field Day runs Saturday and Sunday, June 27–28, at Pavilion #3 in Barfield Park (697 Veterans Parkway). Operators will be on the air continuously from 1:00 p.m. Saturday through Sunday around lunchtime. Setup begins Saturday morning, and visitors are welcome throughout the event. For talk‑in, tune to 145.230‑ (T114). Local contact: Ron Longwell, N5WDX.
What Field Day Is All About - ARRL Field Day is the largest on‑air amateur radio event in North America, and it's this weekend. More than 30,000 operators across the U.S. and Canada take part each year. The goal is simple but important: demonstrate how amateur radio works when it matters most—off the grid, outdoors, and under real‑world emergency conditions.
Clubs like the Stones River Amateur Radio Club set up temporary stations powered by generators, batteries, or solar panels. The challenge is to make as many contacts as possible using voice, Morse code, and digital modes, all while simulating emergency communications.
What You’ll See at Barfield Park - Visitors can expect a relaxed, come‑and‑go atmosphere with plenty to explore. Operators will be making real‑time contacts with stations across the country and around the world. You’ll see portable antennas, masts, solar‑powered rigs, and the kind of equipment used when storms, disasters, or outages knock out normal communication systems.
One of the most popular stops is the GOTA—“Get On The Air”—station, where newcomers can try radio themselves under supervision. Club members will be on hand to explain equipment, antennas, emergency communications, and how ham radio supports agencies like the National Weather Service.
Thinking About Getting Licensed? Stones River Amateur Radio Club regularly offers free Technician‑license classes covering radio basics, electronics, antennas, regulations, and safety. Many local hams got their start after attending Field Day and discovering how accessible the hobby really is.
Whether you stay for an hour or spend the whole weekend, Field Day is one of the best ways to see amateur radio in action right here in Rutherford County. Again, ARRL Field Day runs from 1:00pm Saturday afternoon, all night 24-7 until around lunchtime Sunday (June 27–28, 2026) at Pavilion #3 in Barfield Park (697 Veterans Parkway; Murfreesboro).
