Suggested Field Day Changes
Anthony A. Luscre (K8ZT)
on
June 27, 2001
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With this being the last year of special Novice stations in ARRL FD there has been a lot of discussion as to what would replace them in future years. I understand that Field Day has a very long and wonderful past as one of the seminal yearly events sponsored by the ARRL and participated in by one of the largest groups of ham radio operators. Therefore, I am hesitant to see changes, unless they are for the betterment of amateur radio and the ARRL. I feel that FD has always been a wonderful introduction for new hams. Because U.S. licensing requirements do not require a demonstration of operating techniques or a probationary period of operating many new hams are very well versed in rules, theory and Morse code but not in operating techniques. "Mic and key fright" have often hampered many hams from using their newly acquire privileges. FD has been a great place to make those first few shaky contacts under watchful eye of more experienced hams. FD has also acted as a great laboratory for learning about setting up towers and antennas, seeing new equipment and learning about new modes ( packet, satellites, VHF SSB, etc.). Lastly and very important is the emergency preparedness aspect of the FD exercise.
I am enclosing part of a message I wrote for the Contesting mailing list. I have been involved in 20 field operations including 18 with a local club, two 1B operations when out of town, I have also been a previous Novice/ Tech station for local club and served as FD chairperson 4 times for our local club. In addition I have also been very active in teaching new ham classes and elmering new hams.
I feel that three very important issues could be addressed with some slight adjustment of the current Field Day rules-
A. Encourage new hams to be active on HF, give them a taste of "contest" style operations and get involved in Emergency Communications
B. Focus on the Operating/Training aspect while minimizing impact on club "scores". Clubs can then have it both ways- strong competitive operations with a relaxed, nurturing atmosphere that is inclusive of all hams no matter their abilities, ages or experience.
C. Make ARRL message copying more important aspect of FD.
1. "TRAINING STATION" to replace the Novice/Tech station- The "Training Station" would be for newer hams and elmers. I think the easy way to minimize the "points aspect" and stress the "training aspect" of the training station is to follow these basic suggestions-
a. No points per QSO are given to the station operating the Training Station(s) for the contacts they make, instead 20 points are awarded per hour for having one or more Training Stations on the air during each one hour segment of the 24 hours of FD (i.e. if station is on anytime during 18:00 to 19:00 that is 20 points). No extra points for more than one station at a time. This way of awarding points would take the focus off the number and speed of contacts and stress the aspect of being on the air.
b. Training Station(s) would use the call of the "Elmer" ham(s) or "Newbie" ham(s) different than that of the call being used by regular FD station(s). It can change hourly if new operates take over (this gets around the "Dupe" situations for other stations that also work the regular FD stations.
c. Training Station(s) can use all normal FD bands and modes (a variety of modes would be a benefit to energizing new hams).
d. Training Station(s) cannot work its sponsor's regular FD stations.
e. Training Station(s) would not change FD classification of regular FD operation (5A stays 5A, even if one or more Training Stations are on air also).
f. Entry sent to ARRL will consist of a report of how many Training Station(s) were on the air, calls used and checklist of which hour segments they were on the air, list of all calls of hams that were being trained.
g. Two other additional possibilities would also present themselves - ARRL could send out a "Welcome to FD" certificate to all "newbie" hams listed in "f" above (along with an application to join ARRL, of course). The "Training Stations" are a great place to give tours for visitors, scout groups, etc.
2. FIELD DAY MESSAGE- making the message "interactive" would increase emergency communications aspect of the process.
a. Message should refer to some action to be carried out during FD to earn bonus points.
b. There are many years of different possibilities. Examples could include but not be limited to- working a particular band or mode, sending an additional exchange (i.e. zip code, area code, temperature, etc.), forwarding a special message to community leader, taking a photograph of specific aspect of your FD operations, working the same other station on 4 or more bands, working all districts, working "x" number of sections, etc.
If you agree with the above ideas please let your ARRL Directors, Assistant Directors, Section Managers and Headquarters Staff know how you feel and hopefully next year hundreds of "Training Stations" will take to the air on that magic weekend in June.
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KC0GBH on June 27, 2001
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The suggestions about replacing the Novice/Tech+ station with a Training Station are very good.
Scoring needs to be revised to recognize the growing importance of digital modes such as PSK-31 in emergency communications. Viz.: 1 pt for voice QSO, 2 for CW, and 3 for digital. (If I were honest, I'd allocate 1 point for each CW contact, but that wouldn't fly with most ARRL members.)
Also, more points need to be allocated for technology demonstrations.
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KB3CDF on June 27, 2001
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Anthony:
I support the idea of your suggestion. Field Day's emphasis is to be placed on inspiration and training of new HAMs. Operation skill is not seen on T.V. All the secrets of radio could be passed on in 10 minutes of demonstration followed by observed practice could save months of frustrating trial and error. Without that premisis, it is just another contest relocated to a tent.
The details as to how that is done or "encouraged" can be worked out. If it takes incentive to motivate folks, so be it.
"Be an Elmer, not a Fudd,(..some silent key quoted)".
John DE KB3CDF
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by W3GEO on June 27, 2001
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Communicating is communicating regardless of the mode. Is a CW contact really worth twice what a voice contact is? A digital contact three times as much? Maybe repeater based communication using emergency powered repeaters should actually be scored higher since this, at least in a local disaster situation, would most likely be the primary means of communications.
What does field day really test? Clubs plan for months but an emergency is not predictable.
Maybe it should be handled the way the simulated emergency testing is handled. No prior notice, could be at 3AM on Wednesday morning, operations not confined to a specific time period, ending when the "emergency" is declared over, actual simulated emergency traffic passed. Points only for the amount of traffic passed.
Field day as it is presently has long ago evolved into another operating contest with little to do with actual immediate emergency communication.
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KD5MAW on June 27, 2001
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I wasn't aware that Novice stations were going bye-bye. Our club had one set up mostly for new guys; the helpful guidance of several experienced operators made it a training experience in the best sense of the phrase. The "workhorse" stations were in a different room of the clubhouse, presumably so the contester types wouldn't be distracted by us tongue-tied bozos. {8^) I like your idea, but wouldn't necessarily agree with giving CW a place at the hind teat, scorewise. The longer I watched our CW wizards (how can they key that fast?) in action the more I was impressed with just how well this mode works!
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by W5UX on June 27, 2001
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Our club did not have a field day so I participated from my home. First I worked about thirty stations on CW. Then I tried PSK-31, a great mode. However I had some difficulty. I would start an exchange with one station and end up with another station. they were covering each other up. On CW, I could here several signals but since they had different tones, I could copy the one I wanted. I wonder if the PSK-31 operators should have scattered out instead of working in the same small area.
Bob w5ux@arrl.net
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KD7NOI on June 27, 2001
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I agree with much of what was said by both K8ZT and W3GEO.
I think too that a pure emergency field-day, launched with extremely little forewarning, would be a better practice for real emergency conditions. Perhaps this is an opportunity to increase the number of these events by separating them into some sort of "Training/Practice-Field-Day" / "Elmer's-Field-Day" and "Emergency-Drill-Field-Days". And I'd like to see the frequency of the events increased to every 6 months rather than an annual occurance. A winter date would also factor in the possibility that emergencies do occur in winter as well.
73, KD7NOI
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by KK7FM on June 27, 2001
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I love Field Day. It has elements of emergency preparedness, contesting, new ham training, experimentation, social event, and PR. It is best to emphasize all of these aspects as much as possible. I agree that the training of new hams needs to continue to be emphasized. At the least, there should be points for evidence of participation by new hams (including those who go from zero to extra in a short time but still lack practical experience). How about reconfiguring the old novice-tech station as an "elmer" station with the same rules, except that a designated elmer must be present as control operator to allow the new hams full access to the frequencies. The station could use the club call with "/e" or similar identifier. Should some frequencies be set aside for the "/e" stations? Should the hard core contesters get extra points for contacts with "/e" stations?
I disagree with W3GEO that Field Day has nothing to do with emergency preparedness. It may not be realistic, but I am sure that after last weekend's trial and error (with emphasis on the error), many members of our club will be better able to cope in a real disaster, having at least seen the set-up once a year. That is not to say we shouldn't have more exercises in the year. I would certainly turn up for a mid-winter field day.
KK7FM, George
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by N2LWL on June 28, 2001
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I was also unaware that this was the last hurrah for Novice/Tech stations.
I took my oldest daughter out to the Loveland (Colorado) Repeater Association's field day operation. I'm not a member of their club (yet), but they were very welcoming folks who put Kelsey on the air on 15 meters. It took a bit of coaxing, but she worked 15 contacts for them and is now studying for her Tech license.
I think an Elmer/Newbie station is an excellent idea. Clubs should make sure that their visitor log is located next to that station so they can snag folks as they sign in. I would even suggest that a club that has one of these stations on the air for at least 12 hours or had at least a dozen newcomers on the air would also get a multiplier.
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by W4WNT on June 28, 2001
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I agree with KD7NOI's idea of changing the date of Field Day or doing more than one per year. As a former NJ ham who moved to NC, the June date temperature and humidity really drags on the operation especially during setup/take down work! When the folks in (colder) Connecticut set the date, they should have "averaged" it out with April one year, October the next year.
Emergencies do occur on days other than the last weekend in June.
Our club had a good turnout this year and the event was enjoyed by all the participants. We ran one phone, pne cw and one digital (PSK31) station.
73, Bill, W4WNT
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Adopt Canadian "Novice" Rule
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by K3AN on June 28, 2001
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ARRL already has a provision for encouraging non-Novice new hams in Canada (where there is no "Novice" license) to participate. Rule 4.1.1, which covers the Novice/Tech Plus station, says the following, "For Field Day purposes only, any Canadian Amateur HF licensee who has been licensed for six months or less prior to Field Day, shall be considered a "Novice" to provide a means for Canadian Field Day Class A stations to employ this rule."
Let's adopt this for U.S. hams as well. But I would suggest opening it to anyone licensed 13 months or less AND who has not participated in any prior Field Day or other contest event. This would cover those who got their tickets just prior to the previous year's FD, who would otherwise miss out.
Regardless of their license class, most brand new hams are still "novices" in the non-derogatory sense of the word. Adopting the Canadian rule for U.S. hams is appropriate under the new licensing structure.
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by W3GEO on June 28, 2001
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Of course KK7FM is correct in citing the value of hands on in the field station set up, and I agree that someone familiar with how do begin to accomplish that would have a heads up advantage in the event of an actual emergency.
Many of the comments on this subject have to do with the value of field day in the actual on the air training of new operators. I wonder if there could be another operating event (I know that some people think there already too many) like the old Novice round-up which I found rather valuable
in terms of gaining operating experience. Apparantly there seems to be a need for something along this line.
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by K3YD on June 28, 2001
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I've been involved with some REAL (flood) disaster emergency communications in the past and found the biggest challenge to be relocating the station(s) repeatedly. Can your club safely do a 100% tear-down, move, and re-set up during hours of darkness?
I'd suggest that a significant bonus (say 500 pts/stn.) be given to any club group (3A and above) which does a 100% relocation of 5 miles or more during the Field Day period, with 6 hr. (min) operating at each location. If/when we amateurs ever have to "do it for real" we'll be communicating for for somebody else. We have to train to relocate where our client is, when our client needs us.
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by NV0U on June 28, 2001
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W3GEO brings up some good points. Yes, it is true that nobody knows when an emergency is going to happen (that's why it is an emergency!) however, is there anything wrong with a club planning for months before FD? They should be planning all year round for emergencies as it is.
To me FD is not so much about "this is an emergency I have to deal with right now" but more of a "these are things that are wrong NOW" situation. Sure, most of us have rigs that are going to survive most disaster events - or do we really? FD 2001 showed me that I am not quite ready. I was category 1B-Battery. Thought I had everything down pat until Sunday morning when I turned off the light on my antenna tuner meter. The meters no longer worked. I spent 30 minutes looking at it trying to figure out what happened.
Never could get it to work again so I packed up and headed home. Spent a few hours looking over the circuit boards expecting to find some charred component or a bug that had made the tuner it's home. Found nothing. Then I decided to look at the manual. Guess what? The meters don't function if the light switch on the meter is off. I never knew that! Granted, it was my own stupidity, or was it? The tuner sits in my basement. In order to use it I have to have the meter light on in order to see what it says (the basement is dark) and this was the first time I never needed the light in it.
There were some other things I found I need to do also for next year, and I am already getting those things taken care of. But what is wrong with that?
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by AC3P on June 28, 2001
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The idea of the training station is excellent.
Perhaps by next year the ARRL will develop this more.
On the emergency aspect.
I suspect all of us have our favorite group to work with during field day. Each club has its antennas rigs generators etc. I site is procured well in advance of the date.
In a real emergency all of this goes out the window. The emergency comes with little or no warning.
You can't procure the operations site where you normally do field day. Instead the local government will most likely deploy their resources where they are most needed i.e. shelters, emergency vehicle etc. It's likely the group you will work with will be the people who train for emergencies throughout the year. They may even be from out of state. In a real emergency you won't send "2A MDC, 73 and good luck". You will be handling actual traffic, either in NTS format or the format of your local jurisdiction. In a real emergency strict net protocols rule the day.
I think field day is mainly an exercise to see if a group can set up in the field and after that it's evolved into a contest.
The ARRL has another event in October which is closer to real emergency training. It's the Simulated Emergency Test or SET. During the SET actual nets are activated and NTS formatted messages are sent between the various ARES/RACES entities. That is probably a better emergency practice than field day.
73
AC3P
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by N9KWW on June 29, 2001
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FD has evloved into a big contest and alot of the planning has gone into who is where on the list. I fully agree with all the coments, we do need to get back to what FD is, it is not a contest, it is not designed as a get together but it was intended to get us out into the field, set up a station(s) and see if we can operate EFFECTIVELY in a similuated emergency situation. We need to tarin ALL hams for this one, the new guys get the first baptismal under fire at FD. This is one major part of FD. I beleive we need a "training station" and it can exsit with the normal FD site, and should be given a very "high" prioirity. so much so that it should be a MANITORY requirement. this will give us two items we lost, one to train and second to get the general public involved, and even get some to join our ranks.
As for emergency prepardness, it goes without saying if you can plan for it, it's not an emergency! but we can train for it by making message handling a must, for the exchange, you must passs a message, not just the 3a wi or what ever. This will train us for the emergency that is not a matter of if, but when.
Now i know that some of this will go over like a wet blanket, but here goes, for "points" each message counts for 5 points each exchange like 3a mn counts as 1 point each digital mode counts a 3 points and each cw contact would count as 1 point. those who pass messages get a 1000 point bonus if EXERY conatct is sent a message, and each conatact with a message counts as 10 points.
this will make FD a training and emergency exercise once again.
with a format simular to this we can have the fun, the training and the involvemnt, every group is mostly satisfied, the contest group, the ecom group and the welcome to ham group.
having said this, it will never happen becouse OLD thigs are next to impossible to change, we have done it this way years gang will se to that.
we can make changes, and we do, but some times abit slow, hind sight is 20-20. lets take a long look and make sure we do not go down the wrong road twice.
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by AB7RG on June 30, 2001
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I love the idea of a "Training Station", and how to impliment points with it. This is a GREAT idea!
73 Clinton AB7RG
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by K1WCC on June 30, 2001
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We ran our novice/tech station this year as a "training" station, hoping to encourage some of our hams, both new and old, who didn't like the fast paced contest environment to become more comfortable with it. It also provided some logging software training. As usual, however, the biggest users of the station were our newly licensed techs. They have a ball!
Field Day really seems to bind some clubs together-I would not want to see the date or format changed. It's more than an emergency exercise-it's almost a nationwide meeting of amateurs. Keep the extra points for CW.
So what to do with the novice/tech station next year? Make it a mini-site. Set up the station at the far end of the field, use a different callsign than the main site (an Extra callsign if possible) co-ordinate frequencies with the main stations, and let the newbies have free rein on all the bands. Not sure if a club can have more than one entry, but a pro-forma Field Day club could take the credit. In our club, the serious operators work the HF and SSB stations. The youngsters and casual operators are a little intimidated, and this type of arrangement would give them something to sink their teeth into.
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by N6JSX on June 30, 2001
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It is sad to see the Novice "free" station go away, even though I'm not a supporter of the once a year GREAT ARRL international "Jamathon" called Feild Day.
I did do FD until I became the LA Section OOC and found the ARRL would not support or encouraging OO monitoring during this holy'er than holy weekends - Part 97 is suspended during this weekend (as per the ARRL). To the ARRL this holy weekend is their annual PR event - even giving bonus points if you got their blessed message and even more bounus points if you get your FD site into the local newspapers (insuring the ARRL gets as much PR as possible)!
I've been chanllenging the ARRL for years as to "WHAT is FD?" is it a contest or an EMERGENCY drill that gives points? I can NOT get the ARRL HQ to answer this fundemental question. If it is an EMERGENCY event it is a joke - giving all one year to prepare for a specific weekend. But to give special bonus points for setting up remote site operations is bazzar! I have found that FD is a specialized contest with a majority of FD'ers being die hard contesters that want to see their name near the top of the QST lists.
Being that said - this is why I doubt a Training Station giving such meger points will never fly. Good idea but will not be worth the effort to the "typpical" FD contesters!
Soon the HF bands operating modes will be converting the CW portions of the bands to SSB operations. I expect the current Advanced sections to become General areas - effectively wiping out the Advanced license advantages and the extra 50 question test they took. The extra section will move into the now novice CW and even more CW areas.
So ARRL how about restricting the Jamathon to the GENERAL ONLY portion of the SSB bands and NO FD on 17/12 meters? Leave an area for normal HAM operations. Matter afact how about ALL HF contests takng this band operating restriction areas as the ONLY operating area for their special contest!!!
I've been trying to get the ARRL to create a REAL EMERGENCY station category - the "G" station. The home station off commerical power (including the lights, computers, microwaves, coffee pots, etc.! With no permanent structures usage allowed (simulate flood or earthquake damage). The callsign must be the location of the site property, only three (family or near HAM) operators at one time. ONLY one HF, VHF, UHF stations per site. This is to simulate a real personal EMERGENCY station and preparidness setup at the personal level. Other than a mobile station this is the type of station that will prevail in 90% of emergencies - a "A" station will only happen days even weeks later if you can get the volunteers that are not having personal property/family emergency issues. Look at the PR value with HAMs setup all over town allowing their local neighbors to see them in action - breaking down those anti-RF barierers of the ignorant. I'll post me "G" station article soon - so you can all take a shot at it.
My soap box,
Kuby, N6JSX /8
past LA OOC & WI OOC
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by N0WK on June 30, 2001
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I too am sorry to see the novice/tech. station go. It has helped to improve the operating skills of persons having this class of license.
I like the idea of K3YD on relocation, also N9KWW on passing real traffic. (I know, it would really slow the contest effort down.) I believe it would put "emergency" back in FD.
I agree with N6JSX/8. The ARRL lifts FCC rules to fit FD. The FCC must also go along, or many control operators would be in deep SH--.
I enjoy FD as it is, but think it is more a contest than a true test of "emergency preparedness" You can plan all year for emergencies, this is fine, but I don't think you would find 10% of the stations that operate FD looking like they do in a real emergency.
Just my view.
Bill
NØWK
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by KG8KO on July 1, 2001
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Hi Tony,
Since I know your mom-in-law very well, I must leave a positive comment(lol!). I enjoyed my first field days (1993-95) so much because the members of W8QLY went the extra mile to make sure new nuggets like me had ample operating time. I return the favor now by hooking up my station and watch and help the novice/techs have fun getting some HF time in. If all I had was 2 meters, I would no longer be in the hobby.
I DO support the extra points for digi modes...at least for know. I am a poor CW op, but to enable a ham-challenged, internet savvy prospect a chance to join the amateur community with typing skills alone....that would encourage an interest in actual station/antenna building and theory...at least to me.
Let's face it...we are not attracting new, young Hams like we should be. My club ran SSTV and PSK for the first time this year. Giving extra incentive for newbies to type...and NOT have to worry about "Mic Fright" or poor CW copy can only help our recruitment efforts in the future.
73 de Steve KG8KO
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by KG8KO on July 1, 2001
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Hi Tony,
Since I know your mom-in-law very well, I must leave a positive comment(lol!). I enjoyed my first field days (1993-95) so much because the members of W8QLY went the extra mile to make sure new nuggets like me had ample operating time. I return the favor now by hooking up my station and watch and help the novice/techs have fun getting some HF time in. If all I had was 2 meters, I would no longer be in the hobby.
I DO support the extra points for digi modes...at least for know. I am a poor CW op, but to enable a ham-challenged, internet savvy prospect a chance to join the amateur community with typing skills alone....that would encourage an interest in actual station/antenna building and theory...at least to me.
Let's face it...we are not attracting new, young Hams like we should be. My club ran SSTV and PSK for the first time this year. Giving extra incentive for newbies to type...and NOT have to worry about "Mic Fright" or poor CW copy can only help our recruitment efforts in the future.
73 de Steve KG8KO
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KC5YNP on July 2, 2001
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While I never thought about the need to relocate a station while providing disaster support, practicing it actually sounds like a great idea. We do it all the time in the Army (we call it "jumping"), and keeping or reestablishing communications with higher and lower elements is one of the key issues when planning a move. Have you developed any proceedures or 'lessons learned' from your experience? Does ARRL have anything developed on this issue?
73!
Brian
W8BYH
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by K3FT on July 2, 2001
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Part 97 suspended during FD? I THINK NOT!
You might be surprised to find out just HOW many cites do get issued during FD by the FCC. The FCC doesn't publish every cite they issue, believe me! Does the FCC monitor the ham bands during contests? Yes, they do. Do they issue cites to people for violations? Yes, they do.
As an OO, NOTHING stops you from issuing OO notices during FD or any other time. If you hear a violation of the Part 97 Amateur Service rules, have documented it as you must, and can support your cite then issue it. Just because the ARRL doesn't 'support' the OO program during FD doesn't mean you can't. BTW.. On a serious note, woul you please provide information, here, to support the statement that the ARRL doesn't support OO activities. They may not wish to follow through on what you do, but you can still issue OO notices anyway. The tone of your message shows you are frustrated and angry about this issue.
I'm curious to know - Who did you talk to? What did you ask them about? What was their response? If the ARRL is willing to look the other way, then objective evidence would be useful to allow those of us who believe that the rules should be followed regardless of the event to use that objective evidence as a springboard for our own inquiries. I'd honestly like the accurate history. If it's something that is really a problem, I have no problem with contacting the ARRL and my local ARRL officials about it. I also have a fairly wide list of folks who believe that the rules matter and would be amenable to working to check on things, if the evidence presented supports the contention. Remember the phrase.. from little acorns do big oak trees grow. Things might not happen right away.. but planting seeds never hurts.
One thing I've learned.. if objective evidence is presented about an issue people care about it will and does lead to others questioning. This, in turn, can lead to changes occuring.
vy 73
Chuck K3FT
the preceeding is NOT a flame. I am seriously interested. A public forum is a good place to discuss things like this. Since this thread is 'suggested FD changes' what better place to do so?
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by N0SZE on July 2, 2001
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Hi, I kind of agree with the gentlemen from 6 area i think that if this is a emergency drill, its a poor one. I am a seasonal contester and i still use FD as a contest training ground for myself, but i try to encourage new hams the same thing( young hams that is)
We as hams especially in my home area of Kansas City we have dropped the ball we don't promote ham radio in our area, hams don't use repeaters, what makes you all sure that this new class for novices will ever get off the ground! I 'll tell ya not Kansas City! Its attitude! No committment. If you want a new person off the street to get his license it starts at the club level or an elmer not at FD.
73 NØSZE
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by K0WA on July 2, 2001
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I like your ideas. I would like to also change the exchange with more meaningfull information, like grid square and section. My main point is adding multipliers per band. I think that know which band to be on to get what propagation to a specific point is worth while. Most emergency communication will be local in nature...but on a national scale...do we have the know how to work KC, LA or DC on any given day and at what time. Just by two cents
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by N0TRK on July 3, 2001
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I like the Newbie shack idea! Great suggestion.
As for FD not having anything to do with an emergency? Tell that to our group who for the previous three years scurried to watch points for SKYWARN activation, rode out severe storms in the middle of the night, but still managed to set
a record for our "score" on FD.
Drills are practice... they don't entirely simulate the situation. But they do make you go through the motions. With practice these things are easier to do in the real event.
As an AEC here is what I think came out of FD to help us prepare for the event were we might
need to activate in the field.
1) Several people were indoctrinated into the fine art of erecting a temporary tower. This is a great training item that is not practical to do on a regular basis, but now 5 more people have helped do it and will be more willing to do it during a real emergency.
2) Several people we indoctrinated into antenna assembly
3) The antennas the group keeps for emergency purposed need hardware replaced. This put us behind in our FD set up this year as we clammored to the hardware store to pick up the parts.
4) First time shack captains have a better idea of what they would need to take with them to operate under field conditions
5) The generator is fine tuned and tested. Over the years this wonderfully reliable 15KW generator has had enhancements done to make it even more reliable and useful. All because of running for 24 hours during field day.
6) And several people have been indoctrinated into operating the generator
7) We worked together as a team. Operating and logging in the shacks, relationships developed.
These relationships are important during a disaster. Trusting the person you have to work with
is critical. Working under these drill conditions we created friendships that will serve us later.
8) As an AEC I have added to the list of potentials, those who have equipment and are willing to
use it under field conditions. I saw dedicated new hams who were there most of the time from set up
to tear down. These new hams had fun and are more likely to participate in a real event now.
9) I saw several hams learning to use radios they were not familiar with, learning to tune an antenna,
learning to tune in a station in SSB. All of these things they don't do day to day
10) Large scale drills are disruptive to a day's work. The week following FD we participated in an FAA required drill at the local airport. This event was as planned as FD if not more. Every employee knew there would be a drill. Volunteers were lined up ready to help with this air plane crash. The wounds were fake, the situation staged. But the same things happened as do during our FD. We discover
what we can do better, we work out bugs in the system so that we are better prepared if an when it does help. The airport authorities saw ham radio in action, and we had a chance to figure out what our mission
would be like during this type of event.
There is no reason that drills can't be fun, in fact, I think they should be. The more fun they are, the
more people participate and the better prepared we all will be if it ever happens that we need to
activate for a real disaster.
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KG4FET on July 4, 2001
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This was my second FD as a Ham and I again headed up the VHF/10 mtr team for the W4IZ 3A NFL FD operation. I did some extra things this year to give the public and the new hams an idea what it was all about. I posted a long list with a brief discription of everything that a person might see on my station. This was from the most basic tools such as my MFJ 259B antenna analyzer and my Heathkit Grid Dip Meter to the FT 100, the tuner, pwr supplies ect. I also put the manuals out for all of my equipment for the public and new hams to look through.
I think that as we face a declining interest in ham radio that the learning station is a great idea to show off HAM radio and let people sit down at a station and take up that mic or the keyboard for the first time, BUT the learning station should not be something that is only up and running during FD. We as ham have an obligation to open up our stations and teach new Hams and even our nieghbors about ham radio. To much time is spent on complaining about the new hams or about how easy it is to get a ticket these days and how hard it was to get a ticket 20 years ago or even 5 or 10 years ago that no one has time to take the new guy under thier wing and help him along and teach him how to build an amp or etch a circuit board ect... WE all can be an Elmer from the guy who has only been a ham for a short time but still has a better idea of operating practices then the first time ham. WE ALL have an obligation to help out the new guy. This extends beyond FD. You OM who have been around for a long time should think about showing off your station and how you homebrewed this or that. TEACH US! The internet is only so good but hands on with a guy who has done it all before can provide so much more. You might find that not only will you help us along and make a friend but you might learn something yourself along the way, its never to late to teach the OM new tricks. Bring back the Elmering that was the backbone of hamradio in years past not just on FD but year around.
73 and Thanks to All who have helped me along the way in my brief career in Ham Radio and I will pass on what I have learned to others.
DE KG4FET Sandor Wetsel "Elmer in training"
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by W5RZ on July 4, 2001
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I am always amused at this argument about whether Field Day is a contest or an emergency exercise. And one fellow who tried to "force" ARRL officials to declare it as either one or the other - wow!
Some of you just haven't been around long enough to understand - Field Day is unique. Of course it is a contest - friendly rivalries between clubs are great. Seeing if you can beat your last year's score is great. Why go out and do all this if you don't have a measuring stick for your efforts? Even the SET keeps score and publishes the "winners".
Field Day is also good emergency training. I have been involved in hundreds of drills with many different agencies. And yes, they are practically all heavily scheduled and scripted. Our nuclear plant has an "unannounced" evacuation drill every year. Strange that it is on everyone's calendar about a year in advance! Field Day teaches us to communicate under the worst conditions. At remote sites if we forget to bring it, we must do without. If it breaks, we must repair it in the field or do without. New hams often have their first HF experience at FD, and many admit to learning more about equipment and operating at FD than anywhere else.
In my club, at first little planning was done for Field Day. It didn't work very well, either. Then very extensive planning was done. Scores increased dramatically. Try to tell me this doesn't relate to emergency communications. Then a strange thing happened. Planning tapered off but scores continued to rise. Last year we beat everyone else in the state, and finished in the top 5% or so in Class 2A. Why is the lack of planning significant? It means we are READY. We know what to do. We have our equipment available and ready to go, even when it's not Field Day.
I've helped in several actual emergencies and conditions were never as bad as they are on Field Day. I've operated from Salvation Army buildings, EOC's, airports, etc. Effectively picking up and going on a moment's notice is a DIRECT RESULT of practicing this each year at Field Day.
Actually, I guess I am off the thread. I too have wondered what would replace the Novice station. The need for a Novice/Tech + station on HF is over - it is hard to find an actual Novice or active Tech plus. Code = General class for most hams nowdays. The training station sounds like a good idea.
And what's this business about rules not being enforced during FD? It is probably true in some places that the Extra Class control operator occasionally wanders off to get coffee while the General class op is in the Advanced/Extra part of the band. Usually, the stations are in an open area with lots of Extra class hams observing the action. Nothing says the control op has to have his hand on the switch. You'd have to be there at the site to find a violation. I don't know how else you would do it. I doubt the ARRL or the FCC would sanction OO's direct observation of FD sites. If they did, most clubs would just start operating on private property so they could eject the visiting OO and not to risk being written up for a brief, unintentional slip.
W5RZ
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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Anonymous post on July 5, 2001
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A training station would be great. Our FD attracted over 100 "non-hams" this year and many first year hams. Our club sponsors a scout group called "Venture Crew 73" that over the last two years introduced several youth to Amateur Radio. The last two years, they have "taken over" 15M to learn; with many licensed in the group, learning is fun for them. A "training station" with defined rules for operation would also go a long way to promoting radio and be a GREAT thing to advertise to the public before the event.
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KA0AZS on July 5, 2001
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NØTRK,
Thanks for your posting, you saved me a lot of typing by covering the points I was going to make!
When I was in the Air Force we had 2 types of exercises: no-notice and the planned quarterly exercises every one knew was coming (and even then, as Mobility/Disaster Prep. officer, I was always amused at the the folks that didn't have their shot records and "fear gear" bags up to speed for the quarterly drills).
I look at Field Day as an opportunity to check out gear, see what works and what needs to be modified in a low stress situation, not as a no-notice "we're going to war NOW" type exercise.
The training station is a great Idea. At our FD site (WC8OH) we had a lot of newly minted hams hitting HF and our demonstration modes. Their first non-repeater activity. Of course, we were'nt in contest mode, I don't know how many points we made and don't care. We had fun and learned new things, which is why I attend FD!
73
Randy Allen, KAØAZS
AEC Montgomery County Ohio
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by WN3VAW on July 5, 2001
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N6JSX is mistaken. Part 97 is not suspended during FD, and OO's do give out notices when they come across indiscretions -- and I speak from experience on this, as I once caused my club's FD operation to get an OO notice because I hadn't noticed I was too close to a phone band edge (& I ought to know better).
Is Field Day a Contest or an Emergency Drill? What a silly question... the answer is YES -- it's both. To try and force someone into making a one-or-the-other choice makes me wonder... well, I don't want to get into a flame war, especially here, so let's just leave it at that. But it does remind me of the other chicken-or-the-egg issues that keep coming up from time to time, where the argument for the sake of argument has superseeded the original issue. But that's another story...
73
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KA5CVH on July 6, 2001
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As a critique of FD the following week, we too have discussed using the novice/tech option as a "training / demo station" for next year.
Now ... can we hold FD in January ... just once?
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by N9GXW on July 7, 2001
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Interesting Ideas, worth the dialog. By the way, we had a PSK station at our FD site for the first time this year. In my opinion, digital contacts should be worth 5 or 10 times a ssb contact. They are that much harder to do and take that much longer.
73, N9GXW
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Suggested Field Day Changes
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by N7LT on July 8, 2001
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Anthony,
Fantastic ideas! Thanks and I hope in some way your ideas make it into future Field Days.
As for those debating if Field Day is a Contest or a Emergency practice drill, Check out the article in December 1999 QST page 28. Rol Anders, K3RA wrote a great piece titled "Field Day, A Mirror of Amateur Radio History". In that article you will read the original announcement for the first field day. It says, "the real object of this contest is to test 'portables' wherever they may be available."
My personal take on Field Day is it's a contest where you can practice your emergency preparedness in a friendly enviroment with new and old hams alike (learning from the old and helping teach the new), I enjoy the laid back atmosphear where you struggle to put together a station with equipment you brought (and working around the equipment you forgot), the excitment of those first contacts at the beginning of Field Day, the traditional Saturday evening potluck dinner, the all-night sap-happy over-the-air shared laughs because you goofed up the exchange, the Sunday morning breakfast and finally the last push for those extra points before Field Day comes to a close for another year. Field Day is an experience and fun time you don't get to do together as a club or group in any other way.....that's what Field Day is all about. Getting together, having fun with friends and operating contest style all the while gaining experience operating in the field that can be used in emergency operations.
As for a second Field Day.... Our club kind of has one already. Our club has turned the ARRL 10 meter contest into a club operation. Last year a blizzard raged durring much of the contest. Thank goodness we used a club station and didn't have to go out in the field! The 10 meter contest makes for a great club get together at the opposite time of the year from Field Day. It's a fun experience for those interested in contest operations but either don't have the station or experience for contesting but are looking to get started. We've introduced a few new YOUNG hams to contesting who LOVE it! That makes the entire effort worth it for us. For those who don't care for contesting, they still come to check out what is going on we try to find some way to keep them interested in the hobby by informing them of our other club activities! Anything to attract new hams into our great hobby!
See you in the next ARRL 10 meter contest and Field Day!
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RE: Suggested Field Day Changes
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by KB0LIV on April 5, 2002
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I like the idea of splitting Field Day into a twice-yearly gig. Here in Minnesota, we're just beginning to dig out in June (just kidding, generally we've skidded into severe weather season at full steam). I, for one, would welcome the chance to play in the winter. Our group does this on occasion, but still, a national event would be nice.
As for the idea of a training station, great! I know, from experience and being volunteered (not volunteering) to oversee our Novice/Tech station last year that it was a definite learning experience. Other years I've learned how NOT to put up towers (hint, don't make me, a 5'9" 130 lb kid stand on the end to keep it from kicking when you're messing with it, it won't fly, but I will), how to work a generator and how to troubleshoot antennas. Did it matter that I was there for fun? Nope! Watching and listening to others work on the air, as well as getting on the air myself, with an Elmer (not necessarily someone who's older than me either) next to me offering pointers and suggestions. My first year out (in the summer between high school and college), I spent a large amount of time on the air in the Novice/Tech station. Other people would come in and log or help, but they kept me in the chair so I could learn (10m, nearly midnight in MN, and I am copying Hawaii? WOW!).
Every time our group does an event, it's a learning experience for everyone. Adding a training station (or making the Novice/Tech station into a training station) to Field Day would be a great idea. I prefer hanging around the Novice/Tech station because it's less crazy (most of the time, except for when that 32A from Hawaii comes on) than the other stations. The more people, young and old alike (Ham Radio needs to attract more females, youth and people other than white males) we get into this hobby and teach them the proper skills, the better off we'll be (not to mention the public, for certainly some of the newcomers will end up doing the public service thing (if not, that's cool too)).
My two cents, take it as you see fit, but here's a large shaker of salt.
73
Tom KB0LIV
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