Field Day 2008
Jeff Siers (KD8DQK)
on
July 28, 2008
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I had been planning this day for weeks; I built a special shortened dipole, I did drive-bys to case the area, took mental notes about trees in the area. How high can I get on that one? Can I shoot my slingshot in that direction? How many people will be around?
Yep I'm talking about Field Day. I had decided to set up in City Park in the town where I live for a day on operating fun and maybe an opportunity to educate others about what we do as hams. So I loaded my ENTIRE station into the truck. When I say my entire station I realize that others have much more equipment than I do, but they're probably prepared to handle the equipment that they use. I, on the other hand, am not.
The list of "gotta have" stuff got longer all the time: Ten Tec Triton IV for phone, IC-740 for digital, VX-5R HT for local VHF work, laptop, MFJ tuner, digital interface, a mountain of cables, headphones, an assortment of mics, and a tube-type mic preamp (which is actually useless to me but looks cool on the desk). Power strip, wall warts, log book, framed FCC license, and my marine cell battery. Don't forget the drinks and munchies for the day and a digital camera to capture the moment. I was tired before I left the driveway.
Fast-forward to the park. The park was, well, crowded. There were people everywhere including the place I had scoped out last week. Yeah the place with the electric outlets that I would need to power my "accessories" (translation: "crap I really don't need to drag along.") I couldn't shoot any lines for fear of hitting somebody with a 1-ounce steel weight. I bet they would frown on that...
So I went to the "other" park, down by the river with the boat ramp. I did have some spectators as I hung my dipole (actually tried to hang it on a rotten limb. It fell and landed inches from me. Imagine my surprise.) And some asked questions like: "what are you testing for?" "Will that make my hair fall out?" and "are you going to leave that there?" Most just watched; I don't think they liked my slingshot.
So with my dipole hung and my "gotta have" list dramatically reduced due to no electrical outlets at the "other" park, I hooked up my Triton to the battery, plugged in the tuner, and loaded up on 40. Pure magic. I have a soft spot for old radios and this one is no exception. Magic.
Until the rain came... With hindsight being 20/20 I probably would have started packing sooner, but I'm bull-headed. I did manage to get my equipment into the truck before it got wet, but I took a beating while I was cutting ropes. Didn't untie just cut and trash. Dipole and coax on the back where they still lie at this moment.
I told my XYL about my experience and she thought that I was either crazy or just plain dumb. Said she couldn't imagine something like that being fun. The fact of the matter is this: you don't need a bunch of crap to have fun operating, especially on Field Day where there's a lot of activity on the bands. I would have liked to operate/demonstrate the digital modes, but it's still a great experience to operate with nothing more than emergency power. I think I need to do it more often now.
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Field Day 2008
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by BHARDIMON on July 28, 2008
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As is the case when any ham goes public, most probably thought you were a kook. You probably did more to hurt the perception of ham radio then help it. Granted, these days, it would be extremely difficult to change the perception of ham radio to a positive one. Field days should be restricted to private property way out in the boonies or in the back woods, out of sight, out of mind.
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Field Day 2008
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by K8YZK on July 28, 2008
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You know the old saying best laid plans of mice and men.
As far as the comment that FD should be setup on private land, away from the public. According to the ARRL, isn't this the non-contest/contest to show the communities how hams can be used in an emergency. So if you are away from everyone how can you show what hams can do?
Oh next time, pick the right park, just get out there very, very early and get the spot you want.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by AB8ZX on July 28, 2008
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I run into a lot of the same stuff. people think I'm a spy or working some covert operation with all the wires and stuff. I've found that the less stuff I bring, the better off I am. I did Winter FD this year and I think I had just enough stuff. (People still gave me crazy looks tho)
In the future, you might want to eliminate the need for putting stuff in trees. maybe a self supporting pole or something bungee corded to your cars rear view mirror. that works out well for me.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N2EY on July 28, 2008
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Couple of observations:
1) If you're going to set up on public land, see if a permit is required and get it well ahead of time.
2) Finding the balance between an elaborate setup that leaves you too tired to operate and a simple one that works so poorly that you don't want to operate is the classic solo-FD problem.
3) It rains, the wind comes up, things don't work as planned.
Most of all:
The real purpose of FD is education - learning what works and what doesn't. Sounds like the author got a good education in FD 2008.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by K0BG on July 28, 2008
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Well, you're lucky. My experiences over the years have been both bad and good. I'd guess I've attended about 20 Field Days, give or take.
The Denver Radio Club used to go to Ruby Hill Park every year for Field Day. The powers that be went through all of the necessary permits, notifying the park rangers, fire department, police, and of course, every TV and radio station. KVOD, back then a classic radio station, was located less than 500 yards away, and they always plugged our gathering.
In an effort to expand our scope, FD was held for several years in various places in and around the greater Denver, area. All was good. If there was a drawback, it seemed like every year folks would come out to play, but once the play was over, no one was around to take things down. This in spite of the fact there would be 100 amateurs in and out during the event.
The last FD I attended in Denver, was again held at Ruby Hill. Permit in hand, we started to set up. The park rangers showed up, checked the permit and said words to this effect: "I don't think I would want to be here in this park over night." When ask why, the answer was blunt. "Too many drug dealers, prostitutes, and gang activity."
We were allowed to stay, and they actually kept a ranger there the whole time just in case. The poor guy even helped us tear down as there were just three amateurs left to do the job. Lys Carey, K0PGM, (sk), former ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director, vowed never to do another FD. To my knowledge, he never did.
Magic? Hardly!
I've attended a few field days since, but not many. Although they've been safer with respect to the area we were in, the same situation occurred; no one left to take everything down. Fact is, the last one I attended, the tower stayed erect for nearly 6 months before we could get enough guys together to take it down.
I sure glad you had fun, but I've had my last fling.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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Field Day 2008
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by VE6CNU on July 28, 2008
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As I'm sure you'll find out from other people's comments, Field Day means many different things to different people. A few of these include: emergency preparedness, self-preparedness, education of the public, attracting new hams, message handling, learning to work together as a team, improvisation, engineering a complex setup so that stations don't interfere with each other, invention, and, of course, just having fun. For many clubs, FD is the focus of the year's efforts. But above all, I believe Field Day is attitude.
Unfortunately, there seems to be many hams out there who have had bad experiences with FD and have developed an aversion to it. I've heard comments like, "Everyone just wants to show up, operate, and leave. This leaves just one or two guys to do all the setting up and taking down." Another popular one is, "Nobody wants to volunteer to organize it. It is a thankless job and all you get is criticized." And finally, "Been there. Done that. I'm getting too old for this stuff." While it may be hard to argue with some of these points of view, something needs to be done to breathe life back into this valuable tradition of our hobby. I'd rather see the discussion headed in a constructive direction (how to improve Field Day) than criticizing one guy who made a valiant effort to heed the calling.
Jerry VE6CNU
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Field Day 2008
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by W5ESE on July 28, 2008
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I think some of the problems stem from station
setups getting far too elaborate. When the setup
and takedown get too elaborate, it quickly gets to
be alot of work.
A good field day keeps the station simple enough
for setup/takedown to be a reasonable amount of
work.
For many hams, an "all band doublet" would be
good enough to make alot of contacts and would
accomplish what they want for the event.
When the few that are totally committed to a
dominating score show up with yagis, towers,
rotators, rotor cables, etc, everyone else in
the group gets dragged into it, and are criticized
for not helping more with takedown, though they
would have been just as happy with a simple band
doublet or vertical.
> Fact is, the last one I attended, the tower stayed
> erect for nearly 6 months before we could get
> enough guys together to take it down.
That speaks volumes; most of the group would
probably have been just as happy without it.
The bottom line is that differing expectations
create an unresolvable tension.
Scott
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N2UGB on July 28, 2008
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A solo "Field Day" doesn't have to be just one weekend out of the year or require an elaborate station set-up. If you have a taste for the great outdoors, a small transceiver, perhaps QRP (battery-powered FT-817 comes to mind), a little antenna tuner, and a short vertical with a few radials can do. All on a picnic bench or transportable folding table.
All very unobtrusive if you don't care to draw a crowd in a public area.
All quickly dismantelled in the event of nasty weather and you don't have to rely on a team of volunteers at day's end.
There is a lot of summer left, so enjoy yourself.
73
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KC8VWM on July 28, 2008
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I think some of the problems stem from station
setups getting far too elaborate.
-----
Agreed. Bringing your 200 foot Rohn tower, VHF moonbounce array and 650lb amplifier to a field day event hardly constitutes what I would consider as an emergency simulation. (You know.., what field day is suposed to be about?) Sounds more like they are trying to setup a contest station to me.
Oh, that's another thing. Some people are bent on getting as many contact numbers for the log as possible during field day to win something. I admit, I have actually had more fun bringing an FT 817 and a single piece of wire slung into the bushes. Takes a whole 5 minutes to setup and disassemble too. You see, this leaves me with a lot more time to actually enjoy things like interacting with other ham fisted humans on a personal level and to experiment with creating various outdoor culinary grill delights and of course to share a few jokes amongst friends.
I supose if I wanted to contest,("not that there's anything wrong with that" - J. Seinfeld) I already have a staion setup at home for that purpose. I guess it comes down to the idea that some people set themselves up for frustration and at the end of the day when the towers need to come down, they end up not enjoying the event.
Leave the towers, 600lb amplifiers and moonbounce arays at home and try focusing on throwing in a few extra food items in the cooler instead. You will be glad you did.
73 de Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by WA8MEA on July 28, 2008
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First off, Jeff...I wouldn't have gone with the "shortened dipole". You may have seen some interesting discussion in the past between myself and those who represent the "Backpackers" group.
Don't take my word for it. There is an excellent review from an XYL or YL (not sure which....and it really doesn't matter....) on Eham's review pages that mentions the shortened dipole the XYL/YL was using in the past during their annual Severe Weather Awareness demo at the local mall....versus the use of our full size but HIGHLY portable dipole. We also recently put up a review on our homepage entitled; "Too Good For Eham" that might be of interest to you.
I know. It looks like I'm shamelessly tooting my own horn. So I won't mention any product names or put up any links. My point: WHENEVER HUMANLY POSSIBLE, put up a FULL SIZE ANTENNA versus any shortened or miniature version.
Another urban legend: Yes, you CAN bend the wire radials of dipole antennas to "make 'em fit".
I was on my own this FD, too. It seemed very different. The propagation just sucked. But instead of complaining, I noticed that a bunch o' kids were up on ten meters trying to garner some contacts via Sporadic E.
The one YL teen was so excited when I came back to her, I thought she was gonna run away from her table and go tell all of the others in the group! Soon she started getting regular replies to her "CQ Field Day" and settled in just like an OM contest pro. THAT made my FD and will be better remembered than the large group, keg o' beer and pizza eating FD's in my young adulthood. (Come to think of it, I don't remember much of anything from those beer drinking/pizza eating FD's!!! Hi!)
73, Bill - WA8MEA
tinytenna@hotmail.com
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by K5END on July 28, 2008
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FD 2008 was my first field day. I participated with a local ham club of which I am a member.
Heavy rain and all, in spite of the bands, it was awesome, totally awesome.
See proof of fun picts:
http://flickr.com/photos/28090816@N05/sets/72157605889796401/
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by K1BXI on July 28, 2008
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Charles said....."Sounds more like they are trying to setup a contest station to me."
Exactly.......if the public could see and hear someone talking with another ham, even briefly, in plain English instead of someone wearing headphones yelling cq field day over and over and saying strange number groups over and over into the mic, just maybe we might appear more human to them.
John.....K1BXI
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by QRZDXR2 on July 28, 2008
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Ya field day was fun.
At our location in the city park, we witnessed 2 muggings, one rape and a over yonder drive by shooting at some kids playing basketball.
So not only did we ask for assistance from the local police but, now have to go do another public involvement by going to court as a witness against a gang. How fun to get mixed up in the scumb of the area.
It didn't end their.
No we had more fun when the cops arrived and made everyone hit the dirt face down, handcuffed and then examined for drugs and other things. (I really appreciated them cop'n a feel of the old jewels) They conficasted our tennis ball shooter, saying that they would have the city attorney review it as a gun in the park. This then resulted in who's was it anyway. Not mine... when the sargent announced that who's ever it was is going to jail till they get it streightened out.
Once we proved that we were who we said we were (and yes we had a permitt to be in the park after dark) they ran the numbers, names and all things good to the homeland security, to insure that we were not terrorist acting in a covert way. All this time while we were held at gunpoint.
Oh and when we asked, the news reporter that showed up for the crime stuff, if he wanted to do a field day report for the 11 pm news, he just laughed and said what for. He shrugged it off saying that all we were...just a bunch of overaged nuts out playing with their radios that should really be home in bed so we don't get shot by a drug crazed gang member. He actually suggested that we were the cause of problems on the local news.
The only mention of the FD activity on the news was showing all of us face down with handcuff on police with guns at the ready while doing their job tearing up the antennas and pulling them down.
The news comment was " ..local CB ham club members were questioned as to their involvement with gangland/terrorist activity... this after police responded in force to a call from a conserned unknown person that we were involved in terrorist commucation. One police officer stated, that he was told by one of us, we could easly commucate with other countries outside the US. The enuendo here was that we were suspect in planning a terrorist bombing plot takeover/whatever.
Isn't field day fun? ...and were supposed to do what in a emergency for these idiots
Oh and the tennis ball launcher, we never did get back, somehow got lost...downtown.
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Field Day 2008
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by AB9FH on July 28, 2008
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Sounds like you had a real Field Day, especially having to deal with a last minute change of location. The near miss from the dead tree limb..might want to skip that part next year. However, sounds like Murphy took it easy on you, giving you time to get the electronics in before the rain. Since I suspect a shelter will be part of your plans next year, be ready to deal with high winds!
The posts about people needing security for their site is closer to the reality of a real emergency than most of us would like to think. Now if they could just express that in a less curmudgeonly way..
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Field Day 2008
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by W0DKM on July 28, 2008
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Great story.
I am the only ham in my complete family. They all think I'm nuts. But I always have something to do if it's raining or snowing, ect... If there's no power for their toys, they just look at the walls. I just hook up to batteries and have a blast.
If some one asks about what I am doing. I just start acting nut's. That gives a good story to tell their friends. "I wish you had seen the nut at the park today. Wires and boxes and batteries. He acted all nutso!
Man, now thats fun.
Dave, w0dkm
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Field Day 2008
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by KO4XJ on July 28, 2008
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First off Jeff... good showing. One of the nice things about FD is that you learn from the good and the not so good and we all have heard, "PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT". The real pupose of FD is to practice emergency communications, plain and simple. Over the years it's been a contest and I like that part, it's fun.
Over the last several years we have had some pretty good simple installations and the last 5 years or so we hung 3 G5RV's up in a public city park, smack dap in the middle of town and have done really well. This year we used the telescoping mast/trailer and did raise our old A3 up to about 25'.
We let everyone see us, we even hang a big banner with our club call on it. When and where else can you expose the public to all of our wires and cables and radios and a perfect place to not only explain but to show what we do sometimes? We probably had more visitors to come by this year and they asked alot questions. Some stayed for a hour or more listening to the qso's and where amazed to hear all over the country with just a peice of wire strung up.
One of the best things that has happen to our club (www.w4nja.org) is we have have signed a MOU with the county Office Emergency Management (OEM) and we as a club have helped build a telescoping mast on a trailer with the local OEM. They provided us with generators and bring their mobile command post to watch the weather radar and a place to get out of the weather if need to at FD. BTW they built a new 300' tower for OEM comms and backup to the city/county comms and they put a new 2m repeater on the air and allowed us to use it for our club repeater :)
Jeff you learned a little more about what to do and not to do and what to be prepared for... that'll help make you better prepared for the next time
One piece of advice, if you do this alone again in public, why not make a information sheet to hand out and tell them about ham radio!
Good job
John
KO4XJ
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by K5END on July 28, 2008
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quote, "So not only did we ask for assistance from the local police but, now have to go do another public involvement by going to court as a witness against a gang. How fun to get mixed up in the scumb of the area. "
Cops, huh?
So, did you get bonus Field Day points for event attendance by an invited public official?
You should. "Someone" invited them.
:-)
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KF4HR on July 28, 2008
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I'd like to see the role of Field Day be switched from;
- how many points a ham can accumulate... to,
- how many non-licensed individuals a ham can introduce to amateur radio via an on-the-air QSO.
KF4HR
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KASSY on July 28, 2008
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I've only been a ham a few years, but there've been hams in my close family since the day I was born. I've experienced about a dozen Field Days, and operated every one of them, although only in recent years was I actually licensed.
From stories I've heard, and my own few experiences, I think FD can be done many ways.
As a solo effort, though, I think you need to seek solitude. I could not possibly manage operating and interacting with the public at the same time.
As a demonstration of ham radio, I think you need one or two people per operating position, and a "public guide" to explain to visitors what's happening.
For 2008, I was with a big club doing a 4A. I disagree with the earlier poster who claimed the public cannot be interested in hearing contest exchanges. I saw the opposite. I was operating high rate SSB (we did approximately 1200 SSB QSOs from just the one station from which I operated). "Double-you-two-jay-bee-jay, we are four-alpha Wyoming" and then receive the report from W2JBJ, and then move on. Our "guide" explained to visitors that the numbers and letters first represent FCC assigned callsigns, that we're required to use to identify each other. Visitors thought that was cool - you get a callsign, just like a radio station. THen, the 4A Nevada (observant readers note that I switched sections on you) is explained "that's how many transmitters you have members to operate, and the A says you're out in the wilderness somehow, not using AC power". They thought that was cool. They also thought it was very cool that you could touch, in a tangible way, over one thousand other people doing almost the same thing.
The contest exchange is easy to explain. After hearing it explained, I'd have some visitor sit with me and comment. "Wow, Connecticut! I grew up there! I had no idea you'd be able to hear Connecticut so clearly from here, and with a radio station running on batteries with a cheap wire for an antenna!" We definitely had visitors interested and we definitely did not scare them off with the contest exchange.
In our case, we were adjacent to a shopping mall on undeveloped land, so we had LOTS of visitors.
That's the "big club" way to do it.
As a solo effort (I might try it next year myself), I think I'd find a campsite in a public place, reserve it, slingshot a full-sized wire in the trees somehow and run a 100W radio off of 12V from a vehicle. I've done a 5 watt Field Day, and don't like it. While I like QRP a lot of the time, I do not like it for Field Day, because I'm such a queen for rate....rate is thrilling.
- k
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Field Day 2008
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by NY7Q on July 28, 2008
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My last field day was in Walla Walla Washington, at the VA hospital grounds.
It was ruined by some government employee who was a technician, a Weather guy, who thought he was Hitler.
He ordered people around, told us what we could or could not do in such a manner that I packed up and got outta there quick. He absolutely took all the fun out of the weekend. Everything was HIS way or no way. The guy that usally ran the field day, WA5ZAY, was not in charge that year, and I can tell you WA5ZAY, is a upstanding person, and fun to be around,and could run field day a lot better than that government jerk. I couldnt stand that other dude.
Can remember his name, but if you are reading this, you are still a stupid jerk, like I said before I departed field day. That was in 1998. I havent been to one since.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N2EY on July 28, 2008
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VE6CNU writes: "But above all, I believe Field Day is attitude."
WELL SAID!
VE6CNU: "I've heard comments like, "Everyone just wants to show up, operate, and leave. This leaves just one or two guys to do all the setting up and taking down." Another popular one is, "Nobody wants to volunteer to organize it. It is a thankless job and all you get is criticized.""
There's a way around those problems.
What I have seen to work is this:
An organizer lays out the basic concept of the group's FD - which is always open to revision.
Then people are requested to organize each element of that FD, such as food, power, logging computers, and each station. Each element has its own organizer and team, whose job it is to get everything for that element together, set it up, operate, and take down.
So there might be an organizer and team for the food, an organizer and team for Station #1, an organizer and team for Station #2, an organizer and team for Station #3, etc. The head organizer's only job is to coordinate them. If an organizer and team can't be found, that element doesn't happen. One club I know issued colorful personalized computer-printed badges to each team member.
If someone wants to be on more than one team, the organizers decide whether there's a conflict or not.
The result is that each person has a defined responsibility and purpose, and makes a commitment beforehand as to what they are going to do and what they are going to bring.
VE6CNU: "And finally, "Been there. Done that. I'm getting too old for this stuff.""
If somebody says that, the standard response is "That's fine, you don't have to come".
VE6CNU: "While it may be hard to argue with some of these points of view, something needs to be done to breathe life back into this valuable tradition of our hobby. I'd rather see the discussion headed in a constructive direction (how to improve Field Day) than criticizing one guy who made a valiant effort to heed the calling."
In my limited experience of 41 consecutive Field Days I have seen the following things work well:
1) The distributed-responsibility system listed above.
2) A couple of FD-only planning meetings, usually at a restaurant, where all who are interested are invited to attend and discuss. Notes are kept and the results distributed by email.
3) Emphasis is placed on what is realistic rather than ideal. Sure a beam on a tower is great, but there has to be a responsible team to bring it, put it up and take it down. Same for the number of stations, the food, the power, etc.
4) A small effort that runs well is more fun than a big one that is a mess.
5) A final plan is printed and emailed to all involved so nobody can say "I didn't know that!"
6) A lot of pictures are taken and the logs are analyzed after FD. The end results of each team are publicized.
It's not as much work as it may sound.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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Field Day 2008
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by K9OZ on July 28, 2008
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I've done Field Day with a large, well organized club for years, and always had a good time. But this year, drove 500 miles to set up and run a small operation with my cousin, who is also a ham.
We set up on his mother's small farm in rural Nebraska. We arrived on site at 10 a.m., we were on the air at 1 p.m., we had mishaps like antennas breaking and others falling down, and we had a great time.
Sometime around 10 p.m. we were both cranking away on 40 and 20 meters. We were sitting outside on a beautiful evening, we each had a cigar going, and we looked at each other and grinned. We were having a lot of fun.
Sunday morning about 11 a.m. we decided we were tired, so we decided to shut down. We were packed up in 30 minutes and headed home. We are planning to have better antennas -- you can always have better antennas -- next year.
There are thousands of ways to do Field Day. Find one you like and have a good time. You can see more details and a photo at my blog at http://www.k9oz.blogspot.com
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KB2VUQ on July 28, 2008
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QRZDXER2 said " The only mention of the FD activity on the news was showing all of us face down with handcuff on police with guns at the ready while doing their job tearing up the antennas and pulling them down".
Well, there you go...somebody finally figured out a "work-a-round" to the "tear down" problem. Next year, see if you can get the cops to show up around 2pm on Sunday!
LOL
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Field Day 2008
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by WX4O on July 28, 2008
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I've done FD alone, with one other person, and with a club. Every kind of location, low power and QRP. It's always been fun, albeit sometimes tiring. I like to do CW on 40 and 80 at night when a lot of people go home.
My son and I did one FD from the back of my old pickup with the bed covered by PVC frame and a tarp. We used a Ten-Tec Argonaut 515 and a vertical. We didn't make a whole lot of contacts but enjoyed FD and improvising a shelter.
If I get tired of doing FD I'll just stop.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N4SL on July 28, 2008
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Well, this will teach anyone to write a Field Day article ever again, won't it?
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by NB3O on July 28, 2008
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"Field Day is attitude"
And it rubs off on others, both good or bad.
Thank goodness for the good "attitude" from guys like Jim WB2MEE (K2ZO) and others in the BARA back in '70 when I was a novice.
I've had the pleasure to keep it alive all these years....
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Field Day 2008
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by KI4WAF on July 28, 2008
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Sounds like you had a learning experience, which IMHO is what ham radio is all about!
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by AB7E on July 28, 2008
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One year K7ZB, KD7Z, and I were setting up for Field Day in the tall Ponderosa Pine trees on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. We took Field Day pretty seriously and were hanging all sorts of wire antennas up as high as 120 feet ... dipoles, phased dipoles, wire yagis, you name it. About mid-afternoon the day before the event some people drove by on the forest service road and stopped to watch us. After about ten minutes they got out and asked us if we were putting up "bear snares". At first I thought they were kidding, but they were serious so I figured there wasn't much point in trying to explain amateur radio to them. Too bad ... we probably could have claimed them for the public location bonus points.
Dave AB7E
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Field Day 2008
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by KC5CQD on July 28, 2008
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I've attended three "field days" in my ham radio career and none of them have been overly positive events.
My first was back in my home state of Louisiana in 'll1997. They were a very welcoming and friendly bunch but there wasn't one of them under sixty years of age. At the time, I was only about thirty-three years old and so after we talked about radio for an hour, there wasn't much else to speak of. I was like a grandson to these people and we had NOTHING in common except the previous hour's conversation.
Then I moved out to California. Holy cow! What a bunch of misfits I stumbled across with my two local ham radio clubs. These are the geeks that even most geeks wouldn't associate with. Complete social misfits. Now, I'll admit that I don't fit the physical profile of most ham operators. I do look like a Hell's Angel with my long hair, tattoo's, earrings and beard but I'm actually a very friendly person. You just have to get past the look.
The two Field Days that I attended here I was treated like Charles Manson. The local ham dweebs did nothing more than shake my hand (very quickly)
,stick their hands back into their pockets and then ignore me. No matter how much I cracked jokes and made light-hearted conversation, I was shunned.
I suppose that here in my part of California you have to be a fat, social retard to be accepted by the resident hams. No thanks. If you don't know how to relax, shake hands and make friends with strangers and laugh a little at yourself.........I want no part of it.
I too have attended my last "Field Day". How I long for the old folks back in Louisiana. They might have been old but they were friendly and cool in their own way.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KB1OCC on July 29, 2008
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QRZDXR2,
Please provide a link to the news story you mention. Or, if you don't have a link, please provide the city where it occurred.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KD8EUR on July 29, 2008
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I went to my first field day this year and over all I'd say it was ok. The club I'm in is pretty laid back so it's more about hanging out bs'in about radio then it is about getting points. (which is fine by me) Here are my thoughts (for what they're worth on FD)
1. I think everyone should be limited to 200 watts or less. Seemed to me that there were a few stations really hogging up the bands kicking out some major power while all us little guys struggled to be heard.
2. What about having an anti-field day field day. For all the people who got the shaft on past field days. Have it the last full weekend of December. Seeing as it would anti field day it would have to be indoors. Maybe get extra points if you go outside and bbq up some hot dogs. Ten extra points per contact if you tell them some past FD horror story.
73s
Jay
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N2EY on July 29, 2008
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KD8UER writes: "I think everyone should be limited to 200 watts or less. Seemed to me that there were a few stations really hogging up the bands kicking out some major power while all us little guys struggled to be heard."
How do you know they were running high power?
Relatively few stations run high power on FD because:
1) It's a lot more trouble (more equipment, more generator power needed, more RFI troubles in a multistation setup, everything has to be QRO-rated) to run high power.
2) Contacts made with high power only count half as much as low power and 1/5 as much as QRP.
3) The power level of the highest-power station in a multistation setup sets the multiplier for the whole setup, so you need amplifiers for everyone to make it worthwhile.
IMLE, most of the big signals you heard were 100-150 watt stations in very good locations with very good antennas. Going from 150 watts to the legal limit gets you less than 2 S-units. A good antenna in a good location can get you a lot more.
What rig/antenna were you running that made it a struggle?
73 de Jim, N2EY
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by AB7E on July 29, 2008
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KD8EUR: "1. I think everyone should be limited to 200 watts or less. Seemed to me that there were a few stations really hogging up the bands kicking out some major power while all us little guys struggled to be heard.
=> I'll bet very few of the stations who stomped on you were running more than 200 watts. It's too much of a pain in the butt to run high power for Field Day, the point system works against you, and it isn't necessary anyway. We always run CW QRP (5 watts) for the ten pointers and rarely have trouble making 500 contacts, and we've never used anything other than wire antennas hung from the trees.
KD8EUR: "2. What about having an anti-field day field day. For all the people who got the shaft on past field days."
=> What exactly qualifies as getting the shaft? Bad weather? I may be going out on a limb here, but I suspect the next tornado or hurricane requiring emergency communications will occur during bad weather. Bad rigs? Bad antennas? Bad planning? Your group's fault, not karma.
Field Day does exactly what it is supposed to do. Get people outdoors to practice emergency communications in a fun environment that requires a bit of preparation and teamwork to be effective. If you didn't have fun, or if you couldn't be heard, you didn't do it right.
Dave AB7E
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by AB9FH on July 29, 2008
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>If you didn't have fun, or if you couldn't be heard, you didn't do it right.
Which, by the way, does NOT mean it was a failure. It will only be a failure if you don't learn from it, or worse yet, give up.
The idea behind Field Day is to see first of all IF you can operate away from home. The answer might be NO! Fix that. Then, the question becomes how can you do it better, cheaper, with less power, mobile, etc.
I find the disaster stories completely believable (except for the obvious troll). If these guys are really that bad, chances are very good you aren't the only person they've turned off. If you can offer a rational alternative, you might find a willing audience in other local hams who have given up on FD because there was no place to go.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by W4VR on July 29, 2008
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You left out the part about getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, drinking 4 six packs of beer, and not getting any sleep for 24 hours.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KD8EUR on July 29, 2008
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Well I don't know for sure they were running high power but when you tune around and you hear them about 4 feet on each side of center you start to wonder what they're doing. And several of the big stations I heard were class D.
And as for my anti-field day field day, it was a joke. (Although I do like the idea of getting extra points for eating hot dogs)
In my mind the point of field day is to test out your gear and to get out there and beat the drum for ham radio. I'm lucky in that the club I'm in matches my personality. I'm not big contester but more a putz-er. I have been in a few other clubs that didn't match my personality so I just stopped going. There's nothing wrong with them, they just weren't a fit. And I think that's what people have to keep in mind. If you're lucky enough to live in an area with more then one club then shop around. If not, well go it alone or start your own thing with like minded people.
But if it's not fun then I'd take that as a sign something’s wrong.
Just my two cents.
Jay
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Field Day 2008
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by KX0R on July 29, 2008
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Great topic!
I've done solo FD for many years, and it's always a challenge, and mostly cool fun. Practice makes perfect. Every year I take less stuff, do better, and have more fun.
While I've settled into QRP CW, I usually put up several large wire antennas. I go to an isolated site in the mountains in a national forest, and I enjoy the cool nights, the quiet bands, easy camping, and the wildlife.
My system works for me, but it might not be what many of you would enjoy. It's a lot of work to put up three or four good antennas on a hot afternoon. This year I put up over 500 feet of wire and over 1000 feet of dacron. I had directional switching, good performance, and nice results on four bands.
The advantage of going solo is control. Just don't forget your not in control of the weather, and lightning can kill you real fast if your antennas are up where they perform.
Have fun, and be reasonable. Often small is better!
KX0R
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by W5ESE on July 29, 2008
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> 1. I think everyone should be limited to 200 watts
> or less. Seemed to me that there were a few stations
> really hogging up the bands kicking out some major
> power while all us little guys struggled to be heard.
In 2007, there were 2333 entries submitted to the
ARRL for Field Day.
67 of those had a 1x power multiplier, meaning they
ran more than 150 Watts; less than 3% of all
entries.
2009 had a 2x multiplier; they ran more than 5 but
less than 150 watts. That's another 86%.
257 had a 5x multiplier; meaning they ran 5 watts
or less, and used a power source other than ac
mains or a motor driven generator. That's 11% of
all the entries.
Most of the strong stations you heard probably had
superb antennas.
I've been in the 5 watt solo op category myself;
it's totally a hoot.
http://www2.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/index.html?con_id=90&call=W5ESE&bbycall=1
It helps alot at that power level to use CW.
73
Scott
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KD8DQK on July 29, 2008
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AB9FH, I like the point that you made. As I wrote in my original article I had a run of bad luck on Field Day. Stuff happened that I couldn't control or forsee and I got a wet butt, but I still had a blast. Not to mention public place, non-hams asking about my setup, and 100 watts out of my old Triton. Had conversations (not just contacts) with 3 different people on the air and made new friends. But I didn't submit a score card because I just wanted to have fun.
Jeff / KD8DQK
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N2EY on July 29, 2008
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KD8EUR writes: "Well I don't know for sure they were running high power but when you tune around and you hear them about 4 feet on each side of center you start to wonder what they're doing."
That's a function of your receiver, not their signal, if you were listening with the AGC on and the RF gain cranked up.
What were you using for a rig and antenna?
KD8EUR: "And several of the big stations I heard were class D."
Home stations, probably with big antennas and good locations too. You were not in direct competition with them; they're a different category.
KD8EUR: "In my mind the point of field day is to test out your gear and to get out there and beat the drum for ham radio."
The great thing about FD is that there are so many definitions of it, and they're almost all "right". As long as you followed the rules, your definition is as good as any.
KD8EUR: "I'm lucky in that the club I'm in matches my personality. I'm not big contester but more a putz-er. I have been in a few other clubs that didn't match my personality so I just stopped going. There's nothing wrong with them, they just weren't a fit."
So it wasn't just luck; you found a club with the same goals and mindset as you.
KD8EUR: "And I think that's what people have to keep in mind. If you're lucky enough to live in an area with more then one club then shop around. If not, well go it alone or start your own thing with like minded people. But if it's not fun then I'd take that as a sign something’s wrong. "
I agree 100%! Very good advice and worth repeating.
As long as folks observe the rules, there's nothing wrong with the group who does FD as an all-out contest, nor the group that does it as a social-event-with-radio, nor the solo-backpacker or even the ones who stay home with the A/C cranked up. The main thing, as you say, is to find what you like about FD and do it.
Just 11 months till the next one!
73 de Jim, N2EY
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by QRZDXR2 on July 29, 2008
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You left out the part about getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, drinking 4 six packs of beer, and not getting any sleep for 24 hours.
I think it was funny when one ham just belched into the mic instead of saying cq field day. He got just as many responses if not more than the guy sitting next to him who was.
It was almost like NL's animal houses' nerds movie.
When someone remarked about it, he kept it up and sure enough when he opened the mic their was always someone anouncing their call for him to pick up.
I guess all them not so baked beans will do that to you. (most hams can't cook either)
Shows how some people are listening on the bands. (smile)
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by QRZDXR2 on July 29, 2008
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Please provide a link to the news story you mention. Or, if you don't have a link, please provide the city where it occurred.
Right downtown (armory park)
Originally called Military Plaza Park, Armory Park dates back to Presidio days, when the military who guarded the Presidio were stationed here. The soldiers were later removed to Ft. Lowell. The site was also the location of an armory center. The original Carnegie Library, which lies west of the park, is now the home of the Children's Museum. The adjacent Armory Senior Center was built in 1975 and is host to numerous senior activities including social services, dances, fitness classes, and senior club activities, including ukulele class! It is a frequent stopping point for politicians interested in hearing the seniors' point of view. The park is home to many large festivals including the Mariachi Festival, Downtown Holiday Parade, and San Augustin Festival in August. The park contains several war memorials, shuffleboard courts.
Was a perfict site for field day. Lots of old Sr. slow moving windbags around. (grin) Just don't stay their after dark is the word now. The whole complex changes into a war zone. I haven't gone back since. It left a bad memory.
Sorry I don't find a link. I did do a search on the web for FD, enforcement activities and a few others that I could think of but turned up nothing.
Still miff's me off that the PD stole our tennis ball antenna launcher we all paid good money for and "Lost it"
The city probably doesn't like to air their dirty laundry when they make mistakes.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by QRZDXR2 on July 29, 2008
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Hey I just heard on the HF net that the earthquake in California left a lot of people without the use of their cell phones and/or land lines today. Seems that they all quit and couldn't get a signal out. Some panic was reported when phones didn't work.
Go figure.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N5IPT on July 30, 2008
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"As is the case when any ham goes public, most probably thought you were a kook. You probably did more to hurt the perception of ham radio then help it. Granted, these days, it would be extremely difficult to change the perception of ham radio to a positive one. Field days should be restricted to private property way out in the boonies or in the back woods, out of sight, out of mind."
Says the guy with no callsign. ;-)
We set up on the fire stations property. They have lots of property on a field.
Tons of passers by and kids and moms and people stopped by to see what all this was. We had all kinds of interest. About 250,000 people live in this city.
It was a fun time. Until the rain, then we put up tents. We kept going until lightning. Waited a while for the strikes to move off, and we were off again.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by NA3CW on July 30, 2008
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BE AN ELMER, NOT A FUDD!
My son in law, who never had a hobby, suddenly became interested in ham radio. He bought a book, passed the Tech, got an HT, and operates daily nets in the Raleigh, NC., area. He attended Field Day with one of the local clubs. He got on the GOTA station and had a blast. Now he's cramming for his General. I'm cleaning up an old TS180S for him for when he's ready for it. AND he wants to learn CW, too.
This is how it's supposed to work, guys! Stuff the tirades and get on the air! If you think that Field Day and ham radio are dying, poisoning the atmosphere with your rants will do nothing to help and plenty to hurt. I've been radio-active since 1968 and I still think this is pretty fun stuff. Maybe I'm just easily amused. ;-)
73,
Chuck
NA3CW
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Field Day 2008
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by AJ4CU on July 30, 2008
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My experience this year has soured me.
As the former Vice President of the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club, Field day has caused me to resign my position (of vp in this club and as secy in another) sell most of my gear and turn my back on a group that has no respect for the chain of command or for the work that goes into this event.
I put my heart into field day this year and upon arriving at the location (after singly loading my truck with rigs, computers etc... in stifiling heat) I am met not with hello and can we help but what's the password (we used the red cross facility for the first time, a served entity which has secure doors) knowing full well it was very hot but I digress, anyway I was not in the place but for a handful of seconds and I get "we dont want to setup the way you want, we want to do it like this" as well as no offer to even listen to my agenda or help unload.
Additionally this was a joint venture with another group and when I get there lo and behold someone had already had rigs setup and working (against the rules of field day and not respecting the chain of command and the event agenda).
Well folks it's hard enough to get people to come to meetings, check into nets and participate in events, much less serve as an officer and I get nothing but a hassle from people who barely participate.
These few things seem paltry but it is merely the surface of what is a group of people that are not worth pissing on.
When I was a kid ham's/amateurs were to me heroes and amazing people, after seeing the power plays, back stabbing and the arrl good ole boy network first hand I have thrown in my hand and I am done!
The local arrl pio is referred to as "hollywood" for his metheods, both local clubs have no elected position for a "pio" yet he continually uses the club name without checking with club officers and constantly offers the clubs to participate in events.
Then the club finds out only through various media outlets.
He crammed his son down our throats mercilessly for months to get him young ham of the year, which he did not deserve, the kid checked into one net during my tenure as VP (3 years and called the club net for that time also) and is never heard on the air or at club meetings/events, should not young ham of the year be an active ham???
The local ares ec was usurped from his post due to the dastardly back stabbing from one ham who in turn talked several others into shunning him then the person who they wanted as ec was in turn shunned by not only the county people but the good ole boys in raleigh and at the arrl.
The majority of new hams in the area are nothing more than cbers with a ham ticket who are vehement hypocrits and think echo link is ham radio and will bad mouth any club or anyone who seems intelligent enough to do things for them selves.
Yes folks amateur radio in this area is well in the crapper and I for one have had enough and I will never participate in another field day again.
I could go on and on but this is the state of affairs in amateur radio in new hanover county.
I was hosting contests from my home and actually put the club on the map but now the contest station is being dismantled and the gear being sold off.
I am going in my own direction with contesting and dxing and will enjoy radio quietly and happily.
Beware folks, and you flamers, stuff it! nothing you say will deter me from my course, beside flamers are merely grumpy old or young codgers who have little to show for in life or no life at all.
oh one last thing, I have been personally hurt on 3 occasions by hams I thought were friends, one I have had to enter into litigation with, another who lied to my face and betrayed me in the litigation and finally the last one, an ignorant redneck who has no idea what it means to befriend a person.
So there ya go, field day sucks!
AJ4CU
Former VP azalea coast arc.
Former Secy, board member & member, Wilmington vhf assoc.
Former member ares.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by AB7E on July 30, 2008
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To AJ4CU from dictionary.com
pet - u - lant: moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance
synonyms: irritable, peevish, fretful, pettish, touchy
As a reality check here, would you be selling your car if you had the same experiences with a few repairmen? Just to be clear, though, I'm not in any way trying to talk you out of your decision.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by N2EY on July 31, 2008
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AJ4CU writes: "a group that has no respect for the chain of command or for the work that goes into this event."..."I put my heart into field day this year"..."no offer to even listen to my agenda or help unload."..."someone had already had rigs setup and working (against the rules of field day and not respecting the chain of command and the event agenda)."
Actually, they do have respect for the "chain of command" and the event agenda. It's just that their idea of those things isn't the same as yours.
You tried to do too much for folks who didn't want it. They had their own plan and their own agenda.
AJ4CU: "amateur radio in this area is well in the crapper and I for one have had enough and I will never participate in another field day again."
Why not do Field Day yourself? Doesn't have to be near where you live. All you need is a location, one rig, one antenna, a power source and some miscellaneous stuff to put one FD station on the air. Probably less work that youd did this year.
AJ4CU: "I am going in my own direction with contesting and dxing and will enjoy radio quietly and happily."
That's the best idea.
AJ4CU: "So there ya go, field day sucks!"
No, it doesn't. What you experienced this year was the classic case of other folks not having the same agenda as you. So don't waste time or effort on them; do things your way by yourself.
And have fun.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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Field Day Deux ,or Ducks, or Duck,....2008
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by KG4RRN on July 31, 2008
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My first Field Day experience also soured here in McLean, because I did not plan well enough, the site was high Field grass and I didnt plan for the rain either, so I did have plastic bags.
The big bummer was that the 10x10X8 canopy I bought(from a drug store) didn't hold up and the wind blew the top down in a thunderstorm and then I was unable to operate, because we had heavy lightning to the south of us (77*W-34*N) FM 18JX.
and it was all a very tiring experience. packed up at 9;30pm on Saturday ...O contacts but 15 visitors....
Next year, if gas doesn't go up to 5.00 a GALLON, I will do it all over again, but with a much improved infa structure, and several operators so I have the help on hand if things turn ugly.
It is an educational experience and when the weather turns south, shut off the generator, plastic bag the radios.... and seek shelter, because you need to live for next year.It is one of the more dangerous events of ham radio.
Hope you found my experience educational too...
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RE: Field Day Deux ,or Ducks, or Duck,....2008
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by K5END on July 31, 2008
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AJ4CU,
A "TV shrink" (for whatever that is worth) said once that we get the maddest when someone else does exactly what we know they WILL do, but for some reason hope that they WON'T. That made a lot of sense to me.
Dogs bark. It's what they do. You can't get upset with your dog for barking.
Some people disregard the formal or official organized process. It's what they do. You shouldn't set yourself up for disappointment like this.
I know, I know. That is my pet peeve too. I hear ya.
But if your expectations include that these knuckleheads will somehow transform into compliant, considerate and cooperative people just because YOU are in charge of the event...well, you'll get P.O'ed. It happens every time.
As far as the politics of the situation, I have no comment. I've never been good at that, and can sympathize with what you described.
This kind of crap occurs anywhere and anytime there are more than two people involved. It's not just in ham radio.
My way of living with that sort of thing is to make my personal plans accordingly, with the planned outcomes independent of politics. My "personal friends" are not usually the same people as my "hobby friends" or "work friends" for this very reason. I can expect my personal friends to be trustworthy, because that is why I chose to be their friend. But my hobby friendships are not usually as deep, and the basis of our hobby-friendship is the common interest in the hobby instead of the friendship itself.
Operating your ham station and contacting other hams around the world doesn't depend much on politics, but it does depend on your antenna, the atmosphere, and so on.
As far as friendships, do what you enjoy and keep your trust reserved for those you trust personally.
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Field Day 2008
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by VE6PKR on August 1, 2008
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My Field Day this year was a lot of fun. I ran 1B-AB from my backyard in Edmonton. My setup was my IC-706mkiig running 100W from a deep cycle battery. Here in Canada, we have a store called Princess Auto, that is kind of like Harbor Freight in the US. Every so often, in their surplus section, they have used military tent poles. These guys are 4' fiberglas poles, about 2" OD that can connect together for longer lengths. I put up a simple tower of 8 of them (about as far as I want to push 'em!), guyed at the middle and the top, and used this to support two delta loops (one on 20m and one on 40m). Although the bottoms of the loops weren't far off the ground, I was able to work most of the US and Canada.
I didn't make a ton of contacts, but I had a blast! I followed the KISS rule and it definitely paid off. The loops are now rolled up in my radio go-box, ready for the next time that I need them.
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by KL7IPV on August 3, 2008
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The field day in Las Vegas was a great one! Lots came out to set up and it went the full 24 hours. Everyone that was there enjoyed it. There was no bickering, no petty games and no problems that weren't expected and they were handled well. It was one of the best I had an opportunity to go to in my 43 years as a ham. Look at the pictures on the ARRL Soapbox and see the smiling faces. Those same faces were still smiling after it was over. The universal question asked since then is, " Are we gong to do it again next year?" We are. That is a certainty since it was a such a great event. Attitudes play a great part in making the day an event to remember or one to cuss about.
The people in the Las Vegas Amateur Radio Club have the right attitude and it showed. Next year if you are in Las Vegas, come join us. You MAY find out the field day depends on how it is done rather then by whom. I hope your next one is as great as ours was. Many people made it great but two were the driving force: Tom, K4ULL and Arnie, WA2SOE. They were the glue that held it all together. But I can't say enough good things about all the club members. LVRAC has to be one of the best!
73,
Frank
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Field Day 2008
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by KE5ICG on August 5, 2008
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Wow, I really missed out this year! Seriously, I've only been to one FD (2006), and it was OK but nothing really tremendous. As some have already said, you don't have to do FD to have fun in ham radio -- if it's a big pain, don't do it.
The club I joined in Little Rock doesn't even have FD activities that I ever knew of -- they keep the calendar full of public service opportunities that mainly help the running and bicycling events around here. The folks that organize Race for the Cure, the Little Rock Marathon, Raid the Rock, etc. really appreciate our services, and sometimes we get inquiries from people who are interested in radio. That's always cool.
So find something you like in ham radio and enjoy the heck out of it already!
73 Ray KE5ICG
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RE: Field Day 2008
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by WL7CMT on August 15, 2008
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"VE6PKR
My Field Day this year was a lot of fun. I ran 1B-AB from my backyard in Edmonton. My setup was my IC-706mkiig running 100W from a deep cycle battery. Here in Canada, we have a store called Princess Auto, that is kind of like Harbor Freight in the US. Every so often, in their surplus section, they have used military tent poles. These guys are 4' fiberglas poles, about 2" OD that can connect together for longer lengths. I put up a simple tower of 8 of them (about as far as I want to push 'em!), guyed at the middle and the top, and used this to support two delta loops (one on 20m and one on 40m). Although the bottoms of the loops weren't far off the ground, I was able to work most of the US and Canada. I didn't make a ton of contacts, but I had a blast! I followed the KISS rule and it definitely paid off. The loops are now rolled up in my radio go-box, ready for the next time that I need them."
This is about the same as what I've been thinking about for next field day as well as a handful of times before it, Christopher. I took the General exam on FD last year but because of prior commitments had almost no time to stay, though I was able to come in the next morning to help tear down. This year I was able to stay a couple of hours, learned a lot, thoroughly enjoyed it, and am yet again reminded of how nice, and how helpful Hams can be to those of us just getting started. FD for me has put more excitement into radio than anything else. A member of the club has been kind enough to loan me a radio, and I've been trying to work with it with little success principally because I've been severely antenna handicapped for several reasons. Frankly, I’m grateful that I didn't have the ability to just walk into a setup and get on air. I’ve learned a great deal about antenna possibilities in the last year because of the search for a solution.
Part of the fun for me is in perfecting a simple, highly reliable solution that can be quickly put into action, whether I’m in the bush camping or kayaking up here, or after a major earthquake or other event that might need help. At the same time the teamwork and creativity in problem solving that is so many times necessary in disaster situations gets a chance to show its head during Field Day setup and operations for a lot of people. I like the challenge of finding solutions with whatever is at hand. I’m not competitive by nature, but I love a challenge. My competition throughout my life has been with myself, to improve, evolve, better what I did the last time around, whether it was tight navigation in an airplane or boat, distance running, or making a better pancake, something that doesn’t stick to the ceiling when I flip it too high, LOL. For the first time this year at FD, though, I was able to see how effective technique and driving for a high score can also help a great deal to polish setup planning and operating skills that will help to communicate quickly and clearly should we have a major avalanche or quake and need the help of ham radio for emergency services. Both events are possible, and both well overdue in this part of Alaska.
Thus far my best idea has been to get an SGC two thirty seven tuner and put up a loop on a fiberglass Jackite kite pole mounted on a stake in the ground that will together be about the same height you've described. I'm not sure how I'll make the loop yet, but am learning as I go. I like the idea of using Davis Flexwire because it can be knotted to another piece of wire, giving flexibility for other situations if the need arises. As it stands now it looks like an eighty-foot wire using two bamboo fishing poles lashed together as a support on top, and rigging the bottom ends of the rectangle to the ground via some kind of simple insulator, ropes and stakes to keep it in some semblance of a rectangle. The bamboo poles break down in sections like a fishing rod, and the Jackite pole collapses to four feet, if I remember right, so the whole system can be bundled, slipped into a piece of plastic pipe with screw-on ends, and left, basically weather tight, in the back of my truck, ready for an emergency should it take place. It’s inexpensive, as well.
For Field Day next year I’d like to try the concept with a battery and solar panel if I can borrow one for the day, working part time hundred watt and part time QRP. It’s exciting to think about how it might perform. I can’t imagine that it’ll take more than about half an hour to be on air. The drills during the year should give me enough familiarity with it to make it quick to put into action when FD arrives. A crank up tower works, but I like rock and railroad spike technology, and the simplest of designs possible. The tuner will allow getting out on at least twenty and forty, and possibly eighty as well. The loop paired with the tuner is supposed to work well most all the bands. How well I don’t know, but what I’ve been able to read thus far is that the combination has worked for a lot of people. Where I have to set up both for practice there are no trees or other aids, but my test location is less than thirty feet from salt water. I’m hoping that will help.
If you can comment on how you made the Deltas and hung them I'd appreciate it. Getting the loop off the ground high enough to be at least average in effectiveness I haven’t found an answer for. Maybe a delta is a better way to go.
Field day was fun for me, and a great chance to learn. I hope to be able to spend a lot more time out there next year, and maybe contribute something to the overall score!
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