CLARKSVILLE, TN – On the weekend of January 24th, while most of Clarksville is safely tucked away from the winter chill, a dedicated group of locals will be doing the exact opposite. At St. Bethlehem Civitan Park, the Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society (CATS) will be proving that when modern technology fails, old school ingenuity saves the day. They are participating in Winter Field Day, a rigorous 24-hour exercise held across North America. The goal? To drag generators, antennas, and sensitive electronics into the freezing cold and prove they can build a global communication network from scratch—independent of the power grid or internet service providers.

The Purpose of Winter Operations

Winter Field Day challenges amateur radio operators to establish and maintain communications during potential winter weather conditions. The event is designed to test the resilience of equipment and the capability of operators to deploy independent communication networks when standard infrastructure—such as cell towers or power grids—may be compromised by ice or storms.

Emergency Communications Demonstration

This event serves as a functional training exercise for emergency preparedness. Amateur radio operators, often referred to as “hams, ” provide critical backup communications for hospitals, emergency management, and law enforcement during severe weather events. At the site, CATS members will demonstrate various communication modes, including voice transmission, Morse code (CW), and sending digital messages via radio, all operating independent of the internet and commercial power.

See It for Yourself

Have you ever wondered how you would get news to your family if the cell network went down? CATS invites the public to come see the answer in action. Stop by the “Smith Pavilion” to meet the team, watch the operators work the radios, and learn about the “Magic of Radio. ” You might even get the chance to get on the air yourself to make a contact under the supervision of a licensed operator.

Event Details:

  • When: Saturday, January 24th. Peak “Action” Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Where: St. Bethlehem Civitan Park, 650 Bellamy Ln, Clarksville, TN.
  • Find Us: Drive to the back parking lot on the right. Look for the antennas and the KF4L banner near the Smith Pavilion (next to the Lacrosse field). This event is free, open to the public, and a fascinating look at the technology that keeps us