Behind The Field Day
The Central Coast Field Day is one of the largest events of its kind in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The planning and organization of the Field Day starts in earnest in April the year before.
There are several hundred people directly involved on the Sunday in presenting and manning the Field Day. This number is made up of 90 people who are part of the CCARC operations activities and the remainder working in the exhibitor teams. The CCARC operation is organized into several task groups plus the Field Day Management Committee. Work in preparation of the site starts on Saturday at 17:30hrs and finishes approx. midnight. On Sunday work starts at 05:30hrs and finishes approx. 21:30hrs. Most CCARC members never actually see the Field Day - they are too busy working !!
The upfront costs to bring you the Field Day are significant. Racecourse hire is one of the major costs. Add to this, advertising, rental of trestles and chairs, professional security guards, site cleaning fees, insurance, telephones, postage, stationary, signage, parking, fox hunt prizes, etc. etc… If you were to run the event at commercial rates then it would never get off the ground. The WIA, Radio Clubs and all of the non-commercial exhibitors are provided with their display facilities and entry tickets free of charge. All volunteers give their time for the love of the event.
All the profit from the field day all goes into funding the installation and operation of the various CCARC Voice, Packet, ATV repeaters and links . Every cent of this is spent on Amateur Radio related activities that directly benefit Amateur Radio and the community at large.
For information on the Wyong Racecourse venue, Trade Displays, Flea Market, Programs or any other Field Day information please contact the club.