Ham Radio Field Day 2026: Getting Back on the Air

Ham radio Field Day 2026 helped remind me why I enjoy this hobby so much. My name is Matt, and my amateur radio callsign is K4EQM. I have been a licensed amateur radio operator since 2010. I took my Technician test at the Charlotte, North Carolina hamfest, and later upgraded to General at a local club testing session.

Like a lot of hams, I have gone through seasons where I was very active and seasons where life pulled me away from the hobby. After Field Day 2026, I can honestly say I am excited to get back on the air.

K4EQM ham radio Field Day portable station with Yaesu FT-891 — K4EQM portable ham radio Field Day setup.

My Start in Amateur Radio

When I first got involved in amateur radio, I was part of an active club in Wilmington, North Carolina. The club had a connection to the Battleship North Carolina museum ship, where members helped maintain radios and occasionally operated from both the ship’s original equipment and a modern amateur radio station.

I also enjoyed public service communications, including marathons and community events. I was involved with the local Red Cross technology response team as well. Those experiences showed me how useful amateur radio can be when regular communication systems are limited or unavailable.

Why Ham Radio Field Day Is Still My Favorite

Field Day has always been my favorite amateur radio event. It gives hams a chance to get on the air with equipment that may not be part of their normal home station.

For me, the best part of ham radio Field Day is the mix of planning, technical skill, field work, and problem-solving. You build a station, test your gear, make contacts, and see what works outside the comfort of a permanent shack.

Ham Radio Field Day 2026 Got Me Excited Again

Before Field Day 2026, I started putting together a more portable radio setup. I picked up a Yaesu FT-891 and a JPC-7 antenna. I also packed my radio components into a Pelican-style case, which made for a clean and practical portable station.

The setup worked the way I hoped it would, and that made the whole experience even better. There is something satisfying about opening a case, setting up a station, getting on the air, and making contacts with gear you put together yourself.

Yaesu FT-891 portable ham radio kit packed in a Pelican-style case — My portable HF radio setup is built around the Yaesu FT-891 and JPC-7 antenna.

What Comes Next for K4EQM

Field Day 2026 was about two weeks ago at the time of writing this, and now you are caught up. My next goal is to get on the air more regularly and do some POTA activations, also known as Parks on the Air.

Portable operating fits the part of amateur radio I enjoy most. It gets me outside, gives me a reason to test my equipment, and adds a little adventure to the hobby.

I have also written some logging software and other ham radio-related tools. I plan to share more about those projects soon, including updates on my ham radio projects and ham radio software.

Field Day 2026 reminded me why I enjoy amateur radio. I am looking forward to getting back on the air, improving my portable station, trying more POTA activations, and sharing more of what I am building along the way.

Thanks for following along. Hopefully, there is more good stuff to come from K4EQM.