Field Day Information

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.


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

Potluck and sides signup

Operating times 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.

Monthly Meetings

The McHenry County Wireless Association is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) affiliated club.

Meetings

 

MCWA meets the first Tuesday of every month

Algonquin Township
3702 U.S. Highway 14
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

 

Follow the signs and enter from rear parking lot ramp entrance..

Algonquin Township

6:30 PM – Doors open and socializing
7:00 PM – Business meeting
7:30 PM – Program

Upcoming Meetings & Program topic

    • June 2, 2026
    • July 7, 2026
    • August 4, 2026
    • September 1, 2026
    • October 6, 2026
    • November  3, 2026- TBA project (in progress) or Automating Your Shack Using AI by Ralph, WB9ICF
    • December 1, 2026
 

Join MCWA

A well established amateur radio club serving McHenry County, Illinois and surrounding areas, MCWA brings together newly licensed or returning hams, old-timers, and those interested in amateur radio.

Regardless of your amateur radio interests, you are likely to find others who share them as well as opportunities to keep abreast of the latest news and developments in amateur radio. The monthly meetings offer a wealth of information and opportunities to learn new and interesting things.

We invite you to attend one of our monthly meetings and join us!

The membership dues are currently $10 annually and provides access to our “Members Only” Facebook page and Groups.io Membership and Projects reflectors.

To make a payment to MCWA via Paypal, send $10 as a friend to MCWAPaypal@gmail.com   

IMPORTANT: Please include a note with your call sign!

Alternatively, you may mail your membership check to:

Joe Robin N9OK
4410 Billingsgate Ln
Woodstock IL 60098

Download membership form

MCWA Brochure 2022

News and Updates