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Weekly net every Monday 8:30pm on N6NFI 145.230 MHz (-) 100Hz

2026 Field Day Safety Guidelines

PAARA’s Field Day safety guidelines were written and updated for Field Day 2025 by Rob Fenn KC6TYD, the club’s Field Day safety officer.

Introduction

To facilitate the ARRL’s Field Day Safety Officer requirements, PAARA has appointed safety officers to be on site for the duration of the event. In an effort to ensure everyone’s safety during Field Day, the following information will contain abbreviated site rules, general hazards, and setup and teardown guidelines. It is expected that all volunteers, regardless of involvement, follow these guidelines.

Radio Ranch Rules and Site Notes

  • No smoking.
  • Dogs are welcome but must be on leash; the property is not fully fenced.
  • Everyone is welcome to stay for the entire event.
  • Trailers and RVs are fine, but hookups will not be available.
  • Use the East gate, closest to Monterey Road.
  • Park only in the field to the right of the house. Follow posted signs.
  • Antennas and stations will be in the West field; the social area will be to the left of the garage.

Site Access

Access is limited to the East gate, closest to Monterey Road. Follow posted signs and use the talk-in frequency listed below if you need help getting to the site. Keep gates, driveways, and access lanes clear.

Talk-In and Onsite Coordination Frequencies

Talk-In: N6NFI repeater, 145.230 MHz, negative offset, 100 Hz PL.

On-site: Simplex 147.450 MHz. It is strongly recommended that all Field Day staff use and monitor this frequency for onsite coordination.

Parking

Parking is in the field to the right of the house only. Drivers must park in an orderly fashion and must not block gates, driveways, or access lanes. Only designated vehicles used for setup and teardown should drive into station areas. Watch for dry grass and other fire hazards around vehicles.

In the Event of an Emergency; First Aid Supplies

In the event of an emergency, 911 should be called immediately. If EMS/Fire is needed, immediate coordination will need to take place to meet responders at the East gate and escort them to the Field Day site. The Safety Officer and lead coordinator shall be advised if 911 is activated. Unless otherwise stated, Safety Officer Rob Fenn, KC6TYD, will have first aid supplies available for minor emergencies.

Weather

Ambient temperatures can be significantly high during the day. Winds can become severe in the afternoons. Individuals are encouraged to hydrate appropriately. Volunteers and participants are reminded to dress accordingly and using layers is recommended. Night time temperatures can be chilly. Short pants worn during the hot day may not provide the warmth you’ll need during the night.

General Hazards

Wildlife

Radio Ranch is rural property and may have snakes, insects, and uneven ground. To avoid unintentional encounters with wildlife or hazards, always be aware of your surroundings.

Nighttime Activity

There is limited artificial lighting at the site, and the moon will be waxing. After dusk, it will be very dark. If you are planning to be on site after dusk, you must bring a headlamp or flashlight and be extra cautious where you walk.

Trip Hazards

The fields at Field Day are riddled with ruts and holes from burrowing wildlife. The Safety Officer will make every attempt to fill in those holes in heavy traffic areas. During and after setup, caution must be taken to avoid trip hazards that could include tower structures, stakes, guy wires, extension cords, and cabling. Identified trip hazards as well as structures that could be walked into, will be marked. High visibility paint, flagging tapes, and cones will be used where appropriate.

Generator Safety Guidelines and Fire Extinguishers

Each station is powered by a gas generator. Each generator will be placed far enough away from the operating position to reduce noise. A minimum perimeter of 3 feet around the generator will be clear of any vegetation. Extra fuel will be stored separately from the generator. A Class ABC fire extinguisher shall be placed near each generator. Station Captains and volunteers are encouraged to review the proper use of the extinguisher, such as the PASS technique: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Electrical Supply

PPE, Tools, and Gear Safety

Personal Protective Equipment

Volunteers directly involved in the assembly/disassembly of masts and towers are strongly encouraged to wear a hard hat. OSHA/ANSI standard hard hats are available for purchase on Amazon for $16. Due to the uneven terrain and the potential for injuries while working with heavy objects, wearing boots with proper ankle support are recommended. Gloves are recommended where applicable.

Tools

Extreme caution should be taken when using tools, especially when working above other volunteers. Examples would include while standing on a ladder or while tethered to a tower.

Tower Climbing

Only experienced tower climbers will be allowed to climb towers and will use proper climbing harnesses doing so.

Ladder Use

If a large ladder is used, another volunteer must hold the ladder while the work is being done.

Assembly/Disassembly Guidelines for Antenna Masts and Towers

Assembly/Disassembly captain

For each tower or antenna mast assembly/disassembly, a captain that has experience in the assembly/disassembly processes will be designated. Prior to starting, the captain will assign specific tasks to volunteers and explain the role for which they will be responsible. To eliminate any confusion the captain will be the only person calling out instructions during the assembly/disassembly. When working with the tower and masts, volunteers need to be aware of potential pinch points that could cause injury to fingers and other body parts. Caution should be taken when wearing loose clothing as they could be trapped or caught during assembly/disassembly.

AB-621 mast

Due to the many components involved while working with this mast, a minimum of seven volunteers is strongly recommended during assembly/disassembly. This allows for one captain, one volunteer for each guy wire, one volunteer to load the mast section onto the crank stand, and one volunteer to operate the mast brake and crank. The mast brake operator must verbalize when the brake is being placed on or off. Once the mast brake has been set, no one will touch the mast brake handle until the crank stand is brought back up and is supporting the weight of the mast.

Tower trailer

The recommended number of volunteers to assemble/disassemble for the tower trailer is six. This allows for one captain and five volunteers to assist with guy wires, halyards, cabling, and operation the tower cranks. Wheel chocks should be placed to insure unexpected movement.

Hospitality Canopy

A clear and flat area for the hospitality canopy is recommended. Any ruts or holes in the ground should be marked or filled with dirt. Cooking equipment should be used only in the designated hospitality area. Canopies and sunshades must be properly staked and secured. As stated earlier, electrical appliances will be used. Caution should be taken not to overload the circuit. A trash can should be made available for waste.

You can return to the main Field Day page by clicking here.