McHenry County Wireless Association
Propagation report as of Monday, July 27, 2026 9:26 PM CDT
The McHenry County Wireless Association invites you to our annual amateur radio ARRL Field Day event. at Rush Creek Conservation Area in Harvard, Illinois. The event runs for twenty-four hours starting at 1 PM on Saturday, June 27th until 1 PM Sunday, June 28th.
Held on the fourth full weekend of June, Field Day combines public service, emergency preparedness, technical skills, and community outreach in a single event. It is the single most popular on-the-air event held in the United States and Canada with over 31,000 radio amateurs participating.
The public is invited to visit Rush Creek from 1 PM to 5 PM on Saturday to see amateur radio in action. There will also be fun activities for young and old.
There will be a “fox” hunt for a hidden radio transmitter at 3:30 PM on Saturday. All equipment will be provided and STEM activities will be held continuously throughout the event.
If you would like to tell others about the MCWA Field Day, we have the 2026 Field Day Flyer that can be downloaded and printed.
If the most up to date information, check back here from time to time or email us at info@mcwa.org and someone will be happy to answer any questions you have.
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There are many opportunities for you to be a part of the success of Field Day and we’d love your help. If you are able to help, use one of the sign-up sheets below. If we do not have your contact information, do not add it to the sign-up sheet for privacy reasons. Please email that information to info@mcwa.org.
Crew and operator signup sheets:
Site set up and tear down signup
Meals (let us know you’re coming to eat)
See you at Field Day!
— The 2026 Field Day Committee
The McHenry County Wireless Association (MCWA) is an amateur radio club open to all those interested in learning and exchanging information about an exciting and life-long hobby.
MCWA is a general interest amateur radio club and not one organized around one specific interest area such as contesting, emergency services, or repeaters. Our members have a wide variety of interests and experience in many aspects of the hobby which enriches all of the members. We are a radio club that is here for sharing information and helping others.
Everyone interested in the hobby is welcome! You do not have to be a member or even a licensed radio amateur to attend our meetings and we hope you will join us.
The McHenry County Wireless Association is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) affiliated club.
Ready to get or upgrade your Amateur Radio License?
Date: November 18, 2025
Date: February 17, 2026
Date: May 19, 2026
Date: August 18, 2026
Date: November 17, 2026
Please call or text Steve Maresso (KB9OLD) 847-477-3518 (scmaress@gmail.com) with questions and to confirm the session.
Location
Free Methodist Church
934 N. Seminary
Woodstock, Il. 60098
Cost
(Cash is preferred, exact change is appreciated. Credit and Debit cards are not accepted)
Important information
All amateur examination applicants are required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) BEFORE taking an amateur exam. This is necessary due to changes the FCC has made to its licensing system.
Social Security numbers are no longer accepted at exam sessions. Photo ID is recommended. For further information, please visit https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session.
First-time exam applicants MUST obtain a FCC Registration Number before taking the exam. For more information, visit FCC Registration Number (FRN)
A FCC instructional video provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain an FRN through the FCC’s COmmission REgistration System (CORES).
Amateur candidates who already have a FCC license, whether for the amateur radio or other service, already have an FRN and can use the same number. All prospective new FCC licensees, however, will be required to obtain an FRN before the examination and provide that number to the volunteer examiners on the Form 605 license application.