Winter Field Day
A quick guide for operators — what to expect, what to say, and how it's scored.
This guide is a draft and hasn't been checked yet. Contest rules change from year to year — the sponsor's official rules are the final word.
What it is
Field Day's winter cousin: 24 hours of operating from outdoor or emergency-style setups in the cold months, to stay ready for emergencies year round.
The exchange
Number of transmitters, category and section, e.g. "2O BC" (two transmitters, Outdoor, British Columbia). Categories: H (home), I (indoor), O (outdoor), M (mobile).
A typical contact
Scoring
Phone 1 point, CW and digital 2 points; multipliers for each band/mode worked and bonuses for operating outdoors and on alternative power.
Bands
HF, 6 m and 2 m.
Tips for first-timers
Dress warmly if we're outdoors. Like summer Field Day, it's a friendly event that's good for first-timers.
Official rules
Last updated 2026-10-29 by draft (Claude).