Field Day 2026

ARRL Field Day 2026 Logo

ARRL Field Day 2026

June 27 – 28, 2026

New to Field Day? START HERE!

Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 31,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio. The biggest ham radio event of the year is just around the corner!

KUAF Community Spotlight

In this KUAF Radio “Community Spotlight” segment, Bella Vista Radio Club Field Day Coordinator and Public Information Officer Tom Northfell (W5XNA) talks about BVRC’s 2026 ARRL Field Day, happening June 27–28.

Field Day is amateur radio’s largest annual on-air event — a chance for operators to set up stations, make contacts across the country, and demonstrate emergency communications readiness. We’re inviting all Arkansas amateur radio operators and the general public to participate in or come witness the event.

Join Us!

Mark your calendar and join us for food, fun, fellowship, operating, & hands-on experience in setting-up portable ham stations. Volunteers are needed for set-up, tear-down, food, drinks, snacks, accessories, etc.

Location: Find us on Google Maps here!

If you would like to help, contact Tom-W5XNA at: w5xna@arrl.net

New This Year – Door Prize Drawing!

Eligibility

  • Member in Good Standing – Bella Vista Radio Club
  • Licensed Amateur Radio Operator
  • General or Extra Class
  • Licensed for 2 years or less
  • Winner does not need to be present at the drawing

Prize

A Complete Station!

  • Yaesu FT-847 xcvr (160-10/2m-440)
  • Matching Yaesu desk mic
  • Matching power supply
  • Matching automatic antenna tuner
  • Homebrew OCFD antenna
  • Ed Fong 2m/440m antenna
  • 50’ coax
  • Assistance with setup

Saturday Dinner & Social

Saturday is both a big day for amateur radio and a great time to socialize. A fantastic dinner is planned for 6:00 PM, with hamburgers and hot dogs as the centerpieces. Coleslaw, beans, potato salad, and drinks are also planned.

As usual, those who are inclined to bring a dish are encouraged to do so. Baked beans, green beans and bacon, mac and cheese, and potatoes au gratin are a few ideas that come to mind. Chips, fruit, cookies, and moon pies are all welcome.

Potato salad, noodle salad, and coleslaw are good options, but they need to be kept cold — and we can accommodate that. Water, water, water, and more water (liquid or solid) are always needed. Desserts are obviously in short supply at the present, but are they not always?

Come early or stay late. The operators will be busy, but not too busy to say hello and shake some hands.

Field Day in the Community

Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn discusses Ham Radio Radio Field Days on Bella Vista Community Television

https://youtu.be/X9ozUwRvKVQ?si=fk7Cwdx9EtHtivH0

Bella Vista Community Television Host JB Portillo sits down with Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn to discuss the latest happenings in Bella Vista city government news and news of major happenings in the Bella Vista Community in a 30-minute program.

This week, Mayor Flynn discusses the Bella Vista Radio Club and BVRC’s Field Day as part of his discussion with JB. On the YouTube link above, the discussion begins at the 18:29 minute mark and continues until the 20:30 minute mark.

Mayor Flynn has attended our BVRC Field Day the past three years and JB Portillo was a special guest and covered our Field Day in the past for Bella Vista Community Television. They are both wonderful supporters of the Bella Vista Radio Club.

Count Me In!

Let us know if you’re planning to stop by! This helps us gauge public interest and plan for food and supplies.

    Weekend Schedule

    Friday

    • 10:30 AM — Antenna Setup: Volunteer crew needed for antenna setup. Water is needed. Everyone is welcome!

    Saturday

    • 8:30 AM — Field Day Setup
    • Stations:
      • CW
      • Phone — Sign-up Link
      • Digital
      • 6 Meter
      • GOTA (Get On the Air)

    Opening Ceremonies

    • 12:30 PM — Opening Ceremonies
      • BVRC President Jan Hagan, WB5JAN
      • Color Guard — NJROTC Bentonville West High School
      • Proclamation by Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn
      • Proclamation by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
      • Reading of the Amateur’s Code
    • 1:00 PM — ARRL 2026 Field Day Begins
      • KNWA Chief Meteorologist Dan Skoff makes the first Field Day 2026 QSO.
    • 1:00–6:00 PM — Parking Lot Tailgate
    • Ongoing — Children’s Walkie-Talkie Station
      • Check in/out at the Visitor’s Center.
    • 2:00 PM — VE Testing
    • 2:30 PM — 2m Yagi Antenna Building
    • 2:30 PM — HT Programming Assistance
      • Bring your programming cable if you have one.
    • 3:30 PM — Fox Hunt
      • Bring your directional antennas. BVRC will have a few available.
    • 4:30 PM — Intro to the Various Stations
      • Presented by Don, K5DB.
    • 6:00 PM — Dinner: Everyone Invited
      • BVRC members and families are invited to the 2026 Field Day Dinner and Social Gathering.
      • Hamburgers and hot dogs will be the centerpieces for the occasion.
      • Coleslaw, beans, potato salad, and drinks will be provided.
      • Anyone inclined to bring a dish is encouraged to do so. Suggested sides include baked beans, green beans with bacon, mac and cheese, and potatoes au gratin.
      • Chips, fruit, cookies, and MoonPies are also welcome.
      • Potato salad, noodle salad, and coleslaw are welcome but need to be kept cold. Ice chests are helpful if available.
      • Water — liquid or frozen — is always needed.
      • Desserts are always welcome.
      • Come early or stay late. The operators will be busy, but not too busy to say hello and shake some hands.
      • Tip from the cook: If you feel the urge to cook but need help finding the right recipe or inspiration, try searching for “Best Picnic Casserole” or “Best Ever Green Beans.” Recipes with several thousand reviews are generally winners. Check the prep time and ingredients.
      • Dr. Bill, KG5ZCI — Hospitality Team
    • Dusk to Dawn — “The Nocturnals” Operating
      • It is fun to operate in the still of the night — just the sounds of making QSOs and great conversations.
    • 12:00 AM — Midnight Fox Hunt
      • Some antennas will be available.

    Sunday

    • Dawn to Finish — “The Diurnals” Operating
      • A fresh batch of operators will get us across the finish line. Come join them!
    • 8:30 AM — Breakfast: Everyone Invited
    • 12:59:59 PM — Field Day 2026 in the Log
    • Door Prize Drawing
    • 1:00 PM — Tear Down and Pack Up