Field Day Checklist
Last updated 14 June 2022
This is a sample list that I use for packing for Field Day. It seems like a lot of stuff, but I may be setting up antennas for 5 stations to operate simultaneously. And some operators may want to experiment with different antennas.
Every Field Day setup is different, of course, depending on the location, number of people, available trees, how far you have to carry the equipment, your operating objectives, etc. Not everything on this list will apply to you, and you will add some of your own, but it may give you some ideas to consider.
Antennas and feedlines
ready-made antennas
- triband 3-element yagi
- 6m 6-element yagi
- 10m 3-element yagi
- 15m 2-element yagi
- tripod or sawhorses for assembling yagis at convenient height
- dipole kits
- delta loops
- 20m wire delta loop beam
- 40m doublet
- 80m loop
- wideband 80m dipole
- 15m J-pole
- telescoping vertical
- 2m antennas (including for the talk-in station)
- antenna tuners (with external 1 : 1 current baluns for balanced line)
- static discharge resistors
- compass to align antennas
supports
- mast sections (more than I think I will need)
- telescoping masts
- mast adaptors / rotator sleeves for top of masts
- throwing buckets / pneumatic cannon / sling shot (catapult)
- lots of rope for stringing antennas, guying masts, etc.
- hay baling twine (pre-cut pieces, and a spool)
- stakes for guy anchors (I like to use old railroad spikes)
- pulleys / crossbars for halyards, for the top of masts
- more rope, just in case we need it
- webbing straps for tying to trees, rocks, etc.
- rope adjusters, if you don’t tie a tautline hitch instead
- leather gloves
antenna building supplies
- wire (precut lengths and spools)
- feedpoint insulators (spare dipole kits)
- antenna dimension chart
- wood / metal / fiberglass spreaders for wire quads or yagis
- wire measuring board
feedlines and such
- smaller coax to go from antenna to ground (RG-58, RG-8X, RG-174)
- larger coax to run across ground to station (RG-8, RG-213, RG-14, LMR-400)
- extra shorter pieces of coax
- barrel connectors to splice coax
- coax switches
- antenna tuners (with external 1 : 1 current balun for balanced lines)
- tags or tape to label which cable goes to which antenna
- roll of kitchen plastic wrap (temporary waterproofing of splices)
- adaptors for different connectors
- twinlead / ladder line as needed
test equipment
- multimeter
- antenna analyzer
- SWR meters
Other items
tools and supplies
I keep a separate toolbox for Field Day, with multiple wrenches of each size need to assemble the beam antennas. The wrenches are marked with colored tape, and I put matching tape on the antenna pieces that require that size wrench. Bright colored tape or survey flagging on each tool also helps to find them when they get dropped.
- wrenches / nut drivers (color-coded to match nuts on yagis)
- screwdrivers (the type with removable ends can double as nut drivers)
- hammer
- pliers / vice grips
- file
- wire cutters / strippers
- tape measure ( large and small )
- pocket knife
- electrical tape, duct tape, tie wraps, glue, rubber insulating tape
- soldering iron and solder
- extra connectors / connector crimper
- extra Anderson Power Poles (DC connections) and crimper
- address labels (to mark everything so I get it back afterwards)
- spare nuts / bolts / washers / screws for anything that might get dropped
- level / plumb bob (to get masts vertical)
- AC power outlets / adaptors
- electrical outlet tester
- extra U-bolts / hose clamps / Jubilee clips / pulleys / other hardware
- magnet (for finding metal parts dropped in the grass)
- bright colored ribbon / tape / survey flagging for tools / safety markings
station setup
- rig(s)
- instructions for rigs (if others will be using them)
- mic / keyer / paddles
- headphones
- headphones suitable for use with a warm hat (in cold weather)
- headphone splitter (so others can listen)
- external speaker
- audio adaptors (for different types of headphone plugs, keyers, etc.)
- scissors and sticky notes (to mark tuner settings for different bands)
- coax patch cables
- battery
- DC power supply
- power cables
- generator
- RF noise filter for generator
- desk lamp (battery powered?)
- pens / pencils / scratch paper / log sheets / dupe sheets (I’m old-fashioned)
- flat surface to write on
- desk clock
- PADDED CHAIR
- visitor chair
- operating table
- shelter
- fan
- flashlight