“CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day, this is WA4AUG.”

As Zander Conner spoke into the microphone, he wasn’t just making a phone call or sending a text message. Moments later, a person answered thousands of miles away, showing how amateur radio continues to connect people without relying on the internet or cellular networks.

For Conner, a cybersecurity major at Augusta University’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, those radio contacts represented more than a weekend competition. After relying on amateur radio during Hurricane Helene when cell phone towers were down, he is hoping to introduce more AU students to the technology.

The 2026 American Radio Relay League Summer Field Day, which was hosted by the school’s Association for Computing Machinery’s Amateur Radio Club, is an annual event that challenged participants to establish as many radio contacts as possible using a variety of communication methods and emergency power sources.

As one of the student organizers, Conner worked alongside faculty to coordinate equipment, recruit participants and prepare for the event.

“My main focus was trying to get students here and explain what amateur radio is … really just to get exposure to amateur radio and try to get people interested in it,” said Conner.

Conner said his perspective on amateur radio changed after using it during Hurricane Helene.

“I was able to have my radio and talk to some people locally and figure out the conditions of everything during the hurricane, even when cell phone towers were down,” Conner said. “Skills like that are just invaluable to have.”

For Anthony Rizi, PhD, an assistant professor in Cyber Operations and faculty advisor for the Amateur Radio Club, experiences like Field Day are more than making radio contacts. One of his biggest goals is helping students discover something they might never consider learning.

“I would like to see that light come on when students realize, ‘Hey, this is cool. I want to check this out. I want to do more of this,’” said Rizi. “It broadens their perspectives on technology and engineering.

Throughout the weekend, participants operated under AU’s Amateur Radio Club’s call sign, WA4AUG, using voice, Morse code, digital modes, High Frequency (HF) radio and amateur radio satellites while gaining hands-on experience with antenna systems, networking and other technologies that support modern communications.

Senior cybersecurity major Ethan Moody was among the students experiencing amateur radio for the first time after seeing a flyer for the event. He had never operated an amateur radio before but said the event encouraged him to become involved. 

“Learning new skills is never a bad thing and trying new things is important,” Moody said. “Worst-case scenario, you lose a couple hours. Best-case scenario, you might find something new that you really enjoy.”

“Experimenting with basically 20th century technology using the tools of the 21st century is really rewarding,” Goss said. “I think that is a valuable thing for students to take away from this.”

By the end of the 24-hour event, participants had logged roughly 600 radio contacts with amateur radio operators across the United States and earned approximately 3,000 points during the competition.