ARSI National Field Day & Hill Topping Contest 2026

When amateur radio steps out of the comfort of homes and shacks and climbs onto hilltops, something special happens.
Signals get stronger, learning gets deeper—and the sense of purpose becomes unmistakable.

From Friday, 23 January to Sunday, 25 January 2026, the Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio (GIAR) undertook one such unforgettable expedition while participating in the ARSI National Field Day & Hill Topping Contest 2026, operating under the club callsign VU2TIV led by team leader OM Ruchir VU22PR.

This was not just a contest.
It was preparation, perseverance, public service, and patriotism—all rolled into one hilltop activation.

🏔️ The Chosen Ground: Where Signals Meet the Wild

Our operating location was the serene yet commanding Kadamgiri Kamlai Mata Temple, near Palitana, in Bhavnagar District of Gujarat.

  • Grid Locator: ML51VJ
  • Elevated hilltop terrain with clear RF horizons
  • Dense surrounding forest known for Asiatic lions, leopards and other wildlife.

Operating from such a location demanded discipline, planning, and mutual trust—qualities central to amateur radio emergency preparedness.

🛠️ Friday, 23 January 2026 — Day 0: Preparation Before Performance
Understanding that successful field operations are built before the contest clock starts, the core GIAR team reached the site a full day in advance.

The Advance Team
Team led by Ruchir Purohit VU22PR with members Jagdish Pandya VU2JGI, Vithal Ajmera VU3VDC, Kaushik Jogidas VU3XGF, Samir Lakhani VU33SL, Siddharth Bhatt VU33SB, Jigar Maske VU33JV, SWL Rakesh Yadav, Nitin Vyas VU3OYM, and Anopsinh VU2LCB.

Station & Antenna Deployment

By sunset, the hilltop transformed into a fully functional contest station:

  • Two Inverted V Antennas
    • Antenna #1: 40 m & 20 m
    • Antenna #2: 15 m & 10 m
  • One Vertical Antenna (tuneable from 6m to 40m) dedicated for Digital Modes
  • One Yagi by RadioHub for UHF/VHF
  • Diamond X50A for VHF/UHF
  • Power Strategy
    • Solar power for sustainability
    • Mains power as backup (hybrid operation)

Trial operations were conducted the same evening, with successful DX contacts, confirming that the site, antennas, and station configuration were contest-ready. This early setup ensured that when the contest began, every minute could be spent on the air—not troubleshooting.

🚀 Saturday, 24 January 2026 — Day 1: Contest Begins, Learning Explodes

As the ARSI contest officially began, the Kadamgiri hilltop came alive with signals, voices, and curiosity. As the contest gathered momentum on Day 1, the Kadamgiri hilltop station became a true hub of collaboration and shared purpose.

By 9:30AM, first day team from Gandhinagar joined the advance team, each bringing fresh energy, experience, and enthusiasm to the already buzzing field station. Pravin Valera (VU2CPV), Dhiren Tank (VU3HXS), Suraj Kotecha (VU3DHX), Keke Patel (VU3IKI), SWL Monica Shah and Darshan Pathak (VU3HOR) joined the core GIAR team on Saturday, 24 January 2026, reinforcing the station at a critical phase of contest operations.

Their arrival marked a clear shift—from careful startup to full-scale contest rhythm.

With more hands available:

Operating shifts became smoother and more disciplined.
Stations remained active for longer stretches without fatigue.
New operators were mentored live on-air.
Band changes and mode transitions happened seamlessly.

The hilltop echoed with coordinated callsigns, quick log confirmations, and constant learning. Operators rotated between SSB and digital modes, shared propagation observations, and fine-tuned operating strategies in real time. The station no longer felt like a temporary setup—it felt like a well-rehearsed emergency communication post.

What stood out most was the spirit of cooperation. There was no hierarchy on the air—only teamwork. Experienced operators guided newer ones, mistakes turned into lessons, and every successful QSO was celebrated collectively.

On-Air Operations

  • Multiple operators rotating across HF/VHF bands.
  • Strong SSB and FT8 Digital activity.
  • Continuous logging and disciplined band management.

A key highlight was hands-on FT8 digital mode training, where Ruchir personally trained and guided operators, helping many gain confidence in structured digital communication—an essential modern emergency-communication skill.

🎓 Ham Radio Outreach: Taking Radio Beyond Operators

Day 1 wasn’t just about QSOs—it was about people.
Public Engagement

  • Temple visitors were introduced to amateur radio, many seeing live HF contacts for the first time.
  • The role of ham radio in disaster response and emergency communication was explained in simple, relatable terms.

Inspiring the Next Generation

One of the most fulfilling moments was the visit of around 30 students from a nearby school.

  • Live station demonstrations.
  • Explanation of antennas, radios, and propagation.
  • Students watched real-time contacts across India, sparking curiosity and excitement.

Esteemed Visitor

The team was honoured by a visit from Shri Rajesh Makwana, Forest Officer, who appreciated the educational outreach and the relevance of amateur radio in remote and forested regions.

⛺ Field Life on the Edge of the Forest

True Field Day spirit means living with your station.

  • Two tents pitched on site.
  • Four operators camped overnight.
  • Remaining members stayed in the temple’s community hall.

Operating radios under starlit skies, with the quiet awareness of wildlife nearby, added both thrill and responsibility to the experience.
By evening, as the sun dipped behind the hills and antennas silhouetted against the sky, it was clear: GIAR wasn’t just participating in the contest—it was living the Field Day philosophy.

🇮🇳 Sunday, 25 January 2026 — Day 2: Radio, Resolve & the Tricolour

Day 2 carried special significance.
With Republic Day (26 January) approaching, the team hoisted the National Flag on the morning of 25 January, paying tribute to the nation while standing on a remote hilltop—connected not by roads or cables, but by radio waves.
It was a powerful reminder that amateur radio is not just a hobby—it is a service rooted in national spirit and readiness.

🤝 A Meeting of Minds: Visitors from Mumbai

The station also welcomed enthusiastic radio amateurs from Mumbai:

Mohsin Pirani (VU33MK), Nizar Merchant (VU3JRW), Nuralla Wadhvaniya (VU33NW), Sameer Pradhan (VU3MCG), Asim Jariya (VU37AJ), Sahil Sorathiya (VU38SS), Soniya Meghani (VU3JRV), and Samir Virani (SWL). These HAMs from Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India, which conducts search and rescue training.
They travelled overnight all the way from Mumbai in Tempo Traveller for this very moment! Their presence strengthened bonds and embodied the pan-India camaraderie that defines amateur radio.

📦 Conclusion: Signing Off, Carrying Forward

Contest operations were concluded around 4:00 PM on Sunday, 25 January 2026.
The station was dismantled, logs secured, and the team began the long journey back to Gandhinagar—physically tired, mentally sharp, and deeply fulfilled.

🌟 Why This Field Day Mattered

This activation demonstrated:

  • Real-world emergency preparedness.
  • Serious technical experimentation.
  • Meaningful public and student outreach.
  • Sustainable solar-assisted operations.
  • True field discipline and teamwork.
  • Respect for national values, symbolised by the Tricolour on the hilltop.

GIAR is proud of every operator, visitor, student, and supporter who made this expedition a success. We thank the administration of Kadamgiri Kamlai Mata Temple for providing us food, shelter and most of all, permission to their parking ground for conducting our activity!

In the end, the whole team cleaned the temple grounds of all plastic, paper, wires and left the place spic and span; better than we found it!

📻 Amateur radio thrives when it steps outside.

And on the hills of Palitana, GIAR proved exactly that.