Coachella Valley Ham Radio Operators will be participating in a national amateur radio “Field Day” on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11am to 4pm at the Cathedral City Library. Sponsored by the Desert RATS Amateur Radio Club, the event is free and open to the public.

Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 31,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations and STEM demonstrations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

The theme for 2026 Field Day is “Amateur Radio: A National Resource”, highlighting the many ways that wireless technology connects people across distances near and far. Demonstrations will include Starlink satellite communications, learning Morse
Code for kids, new modes for texting like Meshtastic, sending email without the internet, and exhibits of antique radios. The Cathedral City Fire Department as well as the Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network will also be participating with exhibits and demonstrations.