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2003 Field Day Rules
Paul J. Toth (NA4AR)
on
March 13, 2003
View comments about this article!
Class F Field Day Stations
This year's Field Day will sport yet another class of station, Class F. This new category will be a permanent station operated from a governmental Emergency Operations Center or a facility operated by an ARRL served agency, including the Red Cross or Salvation Army. According to ARRL officials, this new station class is being added to place more emphasis on "emergency communications".
What on earth is the ARRL think about? Field Day is (and has been for a long time) a contest and a good excuse for a social outing. Those who play to win employ contesting techniques, including automated voice messages, automated CW exchanges, computer logging, etc. This is everything you would expect to see a top-notch contester use during Sweepstakes, the ARRL 10 Meter Contest, NAQP or any number of State QSO Parties. But, let's not kids ourselves... This has nothing to do with communications during a "real emergency"!
Post-disaster operations in the 21st century will be "crunch time" for all communications, including Amateur Radio and MARS. Public Safety and Emergency Response agencies at all levels will be depending on high speed, high precision, digital messaging. That translates to EMAIL. The transport may be the Internet. If that is not available, then Amateur Radio or MARS packet radio is the fallback. For the long haul messages, HF Pactor or AMTOR FEC/ARQ or some combination of the above. Make no mistake about it, any organization depending solely on NTS and tactical voice communications will be bogged down with a major case of message backlog within an hour
If the ARRL is serious, I mean, truly serious about trying to encourage participation in emergency communications and operations, it will change Field Day rules to:
Eliminate CW operations, period! Let's stop beating this horse to death. It has not been used in the MARS services for several years.
Place far more emphasis on meaningful, digital communications modes and exchanges. The bonus points offered two years ago for sending ten NTS messages was a start. But the number of operators who practice NTS continues to dwindle. Besides, try sending a spreadsheet or a shelter list via NTS.
Encourage dupes! In a real emergency, it's not how many stations you can contact. It is the consistency and Quality Of Service (QOS) with which you can maintain contact and pass real traffic efficiently and accurately that counts.
Outlaw all use of automated recordings and exchanges. You won't hear (at naseum) "I'm 1F, . 73 and good luck in the disaster!" during a real emergency.
No Field Day Operator may operate for more than three consecutive hours without a half hour break. Yes, in a real emergency, a Ham may need to function for a much greater length of time. Field Day should be used to help build a pool of trained, efficient communicators and encourage teamwork not serve as some endurance test or right of passage.
EComm is serious business. Somehow, I just don't think the Emergency Response agencies Amateur Radio is suppose to serve will be favorably impressed by Hams who can make contact with five hundred stations but can't expediently post a simple NTS or digital message that says "Major incident in progress. Send HELP!"
Former SEC - West Central Florida
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by K4CMD on March 13, 2003
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Paul -- I think you've missed one BIG point. Field Day isn't just about encouraging your expertise in making a gazillion contacts in all modes. It's about making them from a portable station set up in less-than-perfect (at least abnormal) conditions.
I think hams already know how to call CQ and fill out a log. Field Day's real challenge for most hams is being able to get all that gear out somewhere and make it all work, preferably using non-commercial power, simulating the conditions following some kind of catastrophe.
I agree with you that CW is slow and outdated (but still fun, OK?), and that other modes are faster and probably better under emergency circumstances. But let's leave it at that, OK? Letting people turn it into a contest doesn't take away from the fact that it's still a good exercise in portable hamming! Hell, if they can manage to bring all the digital voice recorders and other contesting equipment, while remembering to pack all the cables, connectors and power supplies to hook all that stuff up, then the MORE they're prepared to bring out everything AND the kitchen sink in a disaster!
Now, grab me a burger and get me another beer! CQ FD, CQ FD, CQ FD ...
:)
Meade K4CMD
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by KD7EVS on March 13, 2003
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ok I have a big problem with some of your statements. though I agree partially with some. I do agree that recorded messages shouldn't be used. even on cw. but I do not think that it should be law that way. and I do not think that cw should be done away with in FD.
the other thing is your idea for not running continously, having to take breaks. I do disaster communications every summer. I've worked 6 years in government telecomm and in the summer I spend alot of time working fires. I am a Nifc carded COMT (communications tech). when a COMT gets sent out to a fire it's usually for 14 days (used to be 21) and the comm unit is quite possible the most hectic unit at an incident. some incidents (usually fires) are more laid back than others but when you get put on a 150,000+ acre fire you don't exactly get a lot of breaks. 14 hours days are common but more hours aren't uncommon. it's typical to get a breakfest break when you crawl sluggishly out of your tent in the morning, and a break probablly on the top of a 10,000 foot mountain to eat your sack lunch after you finish putting up that new temp repeater while you are waiting on the helicopter to come get you. then you have a little while in camp to do repairs to HTs. your just about to go to the mess tent when a line officer calls your "shack" and tells your radio ops that the repeater you just put up isn't working. you call the heliport and tell them that you need the bird for repeater repair. you fly back up to that 10,000 foot mountain and you land in the middle of a dirt road with trees all around. you walk the 1/4 mile to the repeater only to find it covered in red fire retardent. come to find out the guy wires you on the 20' antenna put up didn't withstand the force of 8,000 gallons of retardent falling out of a P-3 as they were securing a fire line. you work in the yucky stuff to put the radio back up. call operations tell them to remember that repeater is there next time they dump slurry. you get back on the helicopter and head in get to camp to find that the mess hours are over so your stuck with the choice of an MRE or a leftover sack lunch. both are equally apealing or should I say repelling. you get back the the comm shack/tent/trailer/rv and you find out that your radio op has gone without a break for several hours. you you tell them you'll watch it for a few. you set down as the op leaves the shack for a shower. just as your butt hits the chair there is a medical emergency. a firefighter has broken something. you notify operations and the chain of command as your looking at a op map to see where the nearest medical unit is. luckily there is one only 4 miles down that road, you radio it and inform them of the situation... 20 minutes of dodging bulldozers and fireengines the medical vehicle gets there. by this time the medical unit leader is in your shack and your running the radio as he talks to the field unit, they decide to call in a medevac helicopter. the helicopter launches, then you contact the nearest trama center you arrange to have their airplane to meet the helicpter at the airport and the airplane will make the 140 mile flight the trama center much faster than the helicopter. then the radio op comes back and you start to go take a break. then you realize you have to be at a planning meeting in 3 minutes. an hour later it's really dark and you drive back down to the football field where your tent is parked. after the wade through hundreds of other tens you find yours. you crawl in and colapse at midnight. your alarm goes off at 5am you crawl out of your tent and start it all over again. you think... hm day 7, 7 more to go.
now granted I get paid to do this and ham radio is a volunteer "hobby." but faced with a disaster we are able to take alot. you have to know how much you can take before you start to be a danger to yourself and the operation. granted field day isn't that intense but you will learn how much sitting there logging, cw'ing and listening you can take. forcing a break would not allow you to experince long hauls and learn the signs that you should stop.
as for dupes. me and a friend could sit on a simplex freq and exchange info all day and rack up points. even putting a 2nd contact point value would cause a transmission like this.
X7XX de X0XX ur 599 #001 k
x0xx de x7xx ur 588 #009
cq cq de x0xx
x0xx de x7xx ......
now is this really two contacts? raqchew all you want as many times as you want. but one contact only.
73 and good luck this year
I'll be qrp ontop of one of the mountains here in idaho.
kd7evs
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by K2IY on March 13, 2003
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In a time of real emergency, many ham's will seek to protect their families and property first. Also Field Day is meant to be recreational activity with the emphasis of the rules on clubs. Most radio clubs are non-emergency oriented. Organizations like ARES and RACES have their own emergency exercises and tests to prepare for disasters. The class F station simulates a station that would generally be located in a hospital or local government building, which often use vhf to cover the hospital or government's locale. The class F should add more vhf activity during FD.
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helping the ARRL get better
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by KZ1X on March 13, 2003
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Did you print your ideas out, and mail them to your Division Director and vice-Director?
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RE: helping the ARRL get better
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by KA4KOE on March 13, 2003
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Sir,
I take extreme exception to your statement that CW should be eliminated from Field Day. CW = communication when other modes fail.
This is heresy and blasphemy of the highest order. Go to Connecticutt, and pray for forgiveness on the steps of W1AW.
I, and I am sure, a legion of other hams, hope that you do not spread any more of this nonsense.
KA4KOE
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Pedestrian Operation Discouraged by Field Day Rule
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by KQ6XA on March 13, 2003
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As the Field Day rules now stand, Pedestrian stations are lost without a category. Pedestrian Mobile (/PM), Bicycle Mobile, and other types of Pedestrian operation should be encouraged in Field Day. In some emergency situation sites, access by the ham's vehicle is curtailed or prevented by the authorities, and all equipment must be hand carried in a single trip. This puts severe limits on what equipment can be brought to the emergency comm site, and points to the need to encourage progress in development of self-contained lightweight portable gear. As it stands right now, Field Day rules tend to overlook how important Pedestrian or Backpack Portable operation can be. On the other hand, Field Day rules tend to reward the impressive giant stations running on generator trailers, and contest techniques. If hams are to be taken seriously in 21st century field communications, we need to encourage innovation and use of new lightweight gear and technology, not discourage it.
For more info on Pedestrian Mobile and Backpack Portable:
HFpack. The HF Portable Group website:
http://www.hfpack.com
.
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by K1MKF on March 13, 2003
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> Key words: "Former SEC"
Even current SEC means little. These are appointed positions. The amount of experience, education or common sense may or may not be taken into consideration in your state. Some places it's just another clique.
Mark
k1mkf
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by N8UZE on March 13, 2003
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Actually since one may be without computers during a real emergency and a real emergency might occur when band conditions happen to be exceedingly poor, I would suggest that the rules be changed to require a certain minimum percentage of CW contacts for Field Day. We should be prepared for all contingencies.
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by M0RSE on March 13, 2003
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i have no doubt that the last radio signal sent by man is going to be CW. most likely some guy rubbing 2 wires togeather.
ham radio is CW.
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by KA4KOE on March 13, 2003
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UZE.
The current rules are fine. There are enough guys and gals out there who love CW. Just remember, those high scores are usually due in part to the 2x multiplier, in of itself a grand inducement.
Philip
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by K4LAW on March 13, 2003
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Paul,
Didn't we have this discussion last year?
Give me a half dozen seasoned contesters, CW or phone, and I will pass all the emergency traffic, quickly and accurately, you got.
And as for your comments on CW...nobody has spoken Latin in over a thousand years, but they still teach it college. Maybe if you thought of CW as the first digital form of communication on radio...
Keep smilin' Paul
73
K4LAW 2A WCF
Good luck in the contest
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2003 Field Day Rules-Even the playing field
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by K1MKF on March 13, 2003
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How about this idea. No computer loggers, no keyboard or computer CW keyers. If all CW contacts were done with a straight key or paddles and all logging was by hand with paper dupe checking it might be a bit less slanted to the "contest style" ops.
Since the ARRL does not check logs like they do in real contests it shouldn't present a big problem.
Mark
k1mkf
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by N8EMR on March 14, 2003
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I would like to see changes. How about a theme based field day. This year digital modes only (cw too), next year is a wire antenna only system, Next year solar only. While I liked the socal aspect of field day I think the intent of being prepared is gone.
How about a NTS field day, All contacts must be in the form of a radio gram, How about an all mobile antenna year. I think there is lots of option instead of drag out what were used out of the field day can again, go to the same place, do the same thing, use the same radio. Hey how about a no generator field day?
I would like to remove the contesting aspect completely from the event. Dont publish contacts or even collect logs. How about ham radio training during field day. 48hr of how to be a ham with a test after field day?
How about requring a differnt location every couple of years.
Lots of options, now will the old men in newington do anything different?
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by N8EMR on March 14, 2003
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I would like to see changes. How about a theme based field day. This year digital modes only (cw too), next year is a wire antenna only system, Next year solar only. While I liked the socal aspect of field day I think the intent of being prepared is gone.
How about a NTS field day, All contacts must be in the form of a radio gram, How about an all mobile antenna year. I think there is lots of option instead of drag out what were used out of the field day can again, go to the same place, do the same thing, use the same radio. Hey how about a no generator field day?
I would like to remove the contesting aspect completely from the event. Dont publish contacts or even collect logs. How about ham radio training during field day. 48hr of how to be a ham with a test after field day?
How about requring a differnt location every couple of years.
Lots of options, now will the old men in newington do anything different?
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by KB9YNB on March 14, 2003
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I have to agree with other posters here. I like some of your ideas, but some of them are incongruent with your stated purpose.
1. If the purpose of field day is Emergency communications, it doesn' make sense to completely eliminate an entire mode of communication!(CW) Especially one that can be carried out with a minimum of equipment. Any port in a storm, right?
2. I like your idea of rotating operators with a required break. It encourages more operators to take part in field day. It also encourages a good practice that would be "ideal" in an emergency. Having alert, rested operators would cut down on mistakes in an emergency. Like I said, that's the "ideal" case.
3. While field day may not currently be running "full tilt" towards emergency COMMUNICATIONS, it is still a great opportunity for emergency PREPAREDNESS, as someone else mentioned. When the emergency is "on," it really, really helps to know exactly(or even generally) where you're going to put your generator, antenna, radio, tents, water supply, etc., so you don't have to waste time figuring that stuff out when the heat is on. That way, you can go to the person in charge of dealing with the emergency and say, "hey, we're up and running, with communication established with 3 other counties in the area, let us know what you'd like us to do.
just my 2 cents,
your mileage may vary,
blah, blah, blah.
73 de KB9YNB
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by KX8N on March 14, 2003
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If the FCC sent $50,000 to every licensed ham in the united states, someone would turn it into a code vs no-code debate...
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by N8UZE on March 14, 2003
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Actually when I suggested a minimum percentage of CW contacts, I was being facetious and sarcastic. I was attempting to make the point that the suggestion to eliminate the code went contrary to the purpose of field day.
I think the Field Day rules are fine. Very little, if any, change is needed.
While operating skill is an important part of emergency preparedness, the real magic of Field Day is demonstrated by those clubs, groups, and individuals who actually go out and set up at a site that has no radio stations and who use non-commerical power. The setup of the antennas is awe inspiring. Once you've gone to the effort of setting up the antennas, might as well contest.
The practice in logistics (including antennas as mentioned above) is probably the most valuable aspect of Field Day. People learn what it takes and how to coordinate personnel and material.
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by W5WJP on March 14, 2003
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>>>If the FCC sent $50,000 to every licensed ham in >>>the united states, someone would turn it into a >>>code vs no-code debate...
The only hams that should get the 50G's are the ones that can do 20wpm all others only get 25g's....hihihihihi
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by W8FAX on March 14, 2003
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How about this.........EVERY ham who attends field day must bring a covered dish, or a bucket of chicken, or a tub of ice cream, or a bag of donuts. REGUARDLESS of mode..............
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by N4RS on March 15, 2003
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Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.....
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by KA5DWI on March 15, 2003
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I have no problem with a Class F.
The only new rule that needs to be added is to take all the FD operators that say "CQ Contest", line them up and beat them with their coax.
I agree what has been stated already. It is an event that allows us to build and operate an amateur station in less than perfect conditions to learn something from it.
I have been fortunate enough to have learned quite a bit about operating fighting the temperates, storms, bugs and indigestion over the years.
It's fine and fun where it has been and where it is now.
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by N6JSX on March 16, 2003
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This is the age old arguement that the ARRL will not answer. Is FD a contest or a mock overly planned for emergency drill?
I say neither - it is THE ARRL sanctioned one weekend a year membership drive the culminates into a HAM band jam-a-thon plaguing the HF bands. OO's are discouraged in monitoring or write Notices as you never know who is "really" operating the FD station. The ARRL will NOT negate the FD callsign points if a Notice is sent to assist the OO's in an attempt to discuorage bad operating practices. FD is an ARRL membership drive that takes on the definition of who ever is operating FD.
The EMA/RACES new class F (for flunky) is a PR ploy that is of little value - but it is patriotic. Rally the troops to put on a questionable showing of EMERGENCY preparedness.
I've been an advocate for years of establishing a Class G - that is centered around individual emergency preparedness much like class E but with some twists to promote HAM radio to the operators "local" community and for them to be ready to operate from their home QTH but outside with emergency power due to a simulated structure damage. But the ARRL does not consider this a worthy effort to promote - not enough ARRL PR to be obtained?!#$%^&*
TTFN, Kuby, N6JSX /8
Past LA & WI OOC
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by W8FAX on March 16, 2003
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N4RS...Yes...saw you on QRZ...I see what you mean good buddy.....
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by N0RKX on March 17, 2003
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"Public Safety and Emergency Response agencies at all levels will be depending on high speed, high precision, digital messaging. That translates to EMAIL. The transport may be the Internet. If that is not available, then Amateur Radio or MARS packet radio is the fallback."
Ridiculous.
Depending on the internet or packet radio for emergency communicatios is a mistake of biblical proportion.
The internet is--vulnerable to any script kiddie with the patience to set up a really good DDoS attack, dependant on physical infrastructure that can't be guaranteed or protected (phone lines and cable). Packet radio is--too slow and for the most part dead. I've got a TNC and haven't turned it on in over two years. Around here there's no reason to.
Field day isn't about any one thing. It's partly about emergency communication in that you pack up a bunch of gear, head for the boonies and operate for 24hrs. It's also about points, if for no other reason than to see how well your group stacks up against the group down the road. Lastly and most importantly to some it's a social event. I can't imagine sitting in an airconditioned emergency comm center during the field day weekend. Where's the fun in that?
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by N0NB on March 17, 2003
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Paul,
As I see it, the event you would like Field Day to be already exists. It's called SET and is held in early October. Its focus is strictly emergency communications.
I agree with the majority of posters that Field Day is many things to many people. For me it has been first and foremost the amateur radio social event of the year. It certainly is not as hardcore as SET, yet people often learn much when they're having a good time.
Field Day is the most popular on and off air amateur radio event. What puzzles me is why so many folks wish to change it in so many divergent ways when it is already quite successful.
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by N9JIY on March 19, 2003
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....I pass NTS traffic via CW & wud be happy to handle ur shelter list &/or spreadsheet for you, as wud the other 2-dozen or so "NTS CW regulars" in Wisc. MikeG/N9JIY
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by AC7NA on March 20, 2003
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I think the existing Field Day rules are fine as is; however, I applaud the ARRL in tweaking them a little each year to help promote the hobby....last year it was the GOTA station, this year Class F, extra points awarded for PR efforts, etc. As far as doing away with any mode or concentrating on others, I think it's important to promote them all. As it pertains to emergency preparedness, you never know what the operating conditions will be when distaster strikes, and as much as you feel your "favorite mode" is the only way to go, it may not be practical at the time. Every mode has an achilles heel, and you may need to use something else.
IMHO Field day is the epitome of ham radio.....if you let it be. I mean that in a positive way. It provides an opportunity for any and all licensed operators to get on the air in a common setting, using any mode they feel comfortable with, and experiment with other modes they may not be familiar with. Our club tries as much as possible to cover as many modes as possible during field day. Last year, we added PSK and SSTV. It was a perfect opportunity to demonstrate these modes to others who had not seen them, and actually use them before deciding if they wanted to incorporate them in their own shacks.
I am heading up our club's field day efforts this year and we'll expand on last years efforts (this year I want to add a simple satellite station). We are trying to provide something for everyone, so that no one feels excluded. Our club has a large and varied cross section of members....contesters want to operate and get points, homebrewers want to erect antennas and try out some simple gear, traffic handlers want to pass some formal traffic, and digital gurus want to show their stuff, and some just want to eat hamburgers and have fun. Last year, we were able to accomodate them all and still submit a respectable score. Everyone commented that it was a success and was anxious to continue in this manner.
We'll incorporate a Class F station this year(probably at the County ECC or local Red Cross Chapter). We're also holding a VE session on Saturday morning with the intention of dragging any new licensees directly from the VE session to the field day site, get them on the air, try as many modes as possible, and whet their appetite for their next upgrade.
Field day is whatever you want it to be. So lighten up and enjoy yourself!
Brian AC7NA
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by RADIO123US on March 20, 2003
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I have always thought that if field day is
suppose to be a simulated emergency test, then why
do we schedule FD for a specific weekend in June.
There is no way to predict when an emergency will
happen, so why should be be given a whole year
to plan FD. My suggestions is to have the
ARRL announce Field Day 1 - 2 days before the
weekend it will happen. That will certainly
limit the size and setup of alot of the stations and
would make it more of a simulation of an emergency.
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by K1CJS on March 20, 2003
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I am (and I believe many others are) sick and tired of having every article that brings up CW turn into a code / no-code debate.
If you want to do code, do it! If you don't, don't!
As far as the new division, it should have never been added. As someone said, Field Day is about getting out and setting up in the FIELD---FIELD day, get it?
I don't think ANY points should be given to stations set up in government offices or communications centers even though these stations are a major part of any emergency situation. Rather, give the field stations extra points for communicating with them. That would encourage field stations to contact as many as possible, and give the communications centers a taste of non-stop contacting and reporting.
THAT would be closer to an emergency situation than what is currently proposed.
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by K1MKF on March 20, 2003
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Posted By K1CJS
>As far as the new division, it should have never been added. As someone said, Field Day is about getting out and setting up in the FIELD---FIELD day, get it?
I Agree! And do away with the mobile, home and home w/emergency power classes. And all the stations must run on battery, solar or generator power for everything including the food tent and latrine!
Who cares if it eliminates about half the stations on the air. We don't want to make it popular, do we?
Mark
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by K1MKF on March 20, 2003
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Posted By K1CJS
>As far as the new division, it should have never been added. As someone said, Field Day is about getting out and setting up in the FIELD---FIELD day, get it?
I Agree! And do away with the mobile, home and home w/emergency power classes. And all the stations must run on battery, solar or generator power for everything including the food tent and latrine!
Who cares if it eliminates about half the stations on the air. We don't want to make it popular, do we?
Mark
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2003 Field Day Rules
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by N2MWE on March 22, 2003
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I don't know about the CW part...remember, since Field Day is not just a beerfest :) but also practice for a real emergency, remember that old adage about how you can send CW with just about a Coke can. IF there were one of those real emergencies, like one where we get hit with EMP, those folks out there with those homemade tube rigs will still be pounding the brass, while we're staring at our dead radios.
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by K0RS on March 22, 2003
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Arrggghhh!
Ah, spring. When the anal-retentive ham worth his polyester jump suit and REACT patch thoughts turn to tampering with the year's most popular operating event. The complaint usually goes something like, "It doesn't resemble a REAL emergency." Or, "It's too much like a contest!" Honestly, some guys wouldn't be happy unless everyone operated from a radioactive superfund site or inside a burning building.
At Field Day, I have seen:
A newbie learn to measure and build a simple dipole.
Is this a bad thing?
A not-so-newbie learn to solder a PL259 on coax correctly for the first time.
Is this a bad thing?
A codeless Tech exposed to proficient CW for the first time.
Is this a bad thing?
Numerous hams exposed to satellite communication for the first time.
Is this a bad thing?
Sputtering ragchewers learn to pass traffic in a concise manner.
Is this a bad thing?
Novices come away so pumped afterwards that they passed a higher class test within a couple of weeks.
Is this a bad thing?
Could any of these skills be valuble in a bonafide emergency?
C'mon, give it a rest. Field Day is fun, good training, and a great social event. What more does it need to be? You blood in the eyes EMCOM types can organize any number of other training events to take it further if you're so inclined. The idea is to NOT take all the fun out of it. Don't make it so much like work that nobody wants to participate anymore.
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RE: 2003 Field Day Rules
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by KB0NLY on March 25, 2003
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Honestly i can understand the reasoning behind adding the Class "F" field day station to the works. I'm just really dissapointed that one of the local clubs is going to go that way this year. I have been out of the Field Day loop for years, and this year i finally have the opportunity to go out with my wife and son and have a good time camping out in some remote campground, or at least out somewhere from the ordinary every day life, and then i hear that the local club is going to sit in the air conditioned, stocked refrigerator, kitchen down the hall, bathroom around the corner, tv mounted up on the wall, no tents, cots with blankets (because the AC is so cold), paved parking lot, local courthouse that has been designated as the towns EOC.
I think to myself, why bother, if i want that i will put the radio on a folding card table in the middle of my living room and pretend that i am there.
Come on people, i understand the Class "F" and i'm not trying to take away from its importance, but is there anyone out there that can honestly say that there club would be happier in the local EOC building that out in the middle of nowhere in a tent. The latest news was the terrible noise problems on HF that need to be contended with at the local EOC, which means there will most likely be more of an emphasis on 6m and 2m operations, which is also fine by me, because i'm not referring to FM were talking about putting up some good antennas and doing weak signal work on SSB. Perhaps some good satellite ops, and anything else away from the ordinary HF CQ noise that we can think of. But, i can't help but think of the years that i was with, out away from the city lights, the HF receiver is only showing an noise level of S1-S3, and everyone is having fun going from tent to tent. Hmm, maybe i'll just throw something together with some friends and we will have our own little outing for the fun of it. Not to prove anything, just to get out and away from everyday life and have fun!
73,
Scott, KB0NLY
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