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Leave the date Field Day is heald alone. WE NEED TO ADD 3 MORE FIELD DAYS
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WE NEED TO ADD 3 MORE FIELD DAYS One for each season. Leave the date Field Day is held alone. Changing the date of Field Day so it's not so hot. How about a day where it can't rain, or a tornado to blow your house down. I agree as well, emergencies don't consult with weather reports. Emergencies happen with out notice. It’s up to us to be prepared to meet the challenges. Readiness only happens with practices.
Posted by
W8DEJ
on February 11, 2012
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Heat
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For some of us do to age and have had several heat strokes will not participate in the heat.
Posted by
N5LKB
on February 11, 2012
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Leave the date alone
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Let us not forget what Field Day is about,
after all it is not a contest...hi hi.
Disasters can occur at any time even though
many of them are weather related. It's hot and
very humid here in June but who cares, stay
hydrated eat properly and get after it.
Posted by
WA6JGM
on February 11, 2012
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Too Many Insects
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Up here in Vermont June is the height of bug season. This makes it almost impossible to operate in remote locations without being eaten alive.
Posted by
KK1VT
on February 11, 2012
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Lightning is the issue
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Sure it's hot in June, and much more so for my fellow hams in
the south. The real problem with June though, is the
frequency of lightning and severe weather. During more than
half our field days we've had to evacuate the site due to
lightning. We've even had a few evacuations for tornadoes in
the area. Fall weather is much more predictable, and you can
still test all your equipment and procedures without risking
your life (when you don't need to).
Posted by
N9EF
on February 10, 2012
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Date change......
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Let it alone. Too hot, too bad. Too cold. Too
bad. It's a practice for emergency situations,
which don't often happen just when the weather
suits you. Some traditions need to remain just
what and where they are.
Posted by
K3LUE
on February 9, 2012
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Random
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Field Day should be done at various times of the year, as well as being announced 12 hours or less before the start. Now THAT would be a true test of preparedness.
Posted by
MAGNUM257
on February 8, 2012
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Florida
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Florida is a hot and humid place at this time It can be a strain on the older ham population that participates in FD
Fall would be great
Posted by
KR4OW
on February 7, 2012
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Ugh! This is stale!
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You have many good survey suggestions, so how about putting up a fresh one.
Posted by
AI2IA
on February 6, 2012
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Fall Sounds Great
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If you live in the deep south and do your field day activities at the Holiday Inn then Summer is fine.
We go out into the woods and setup tents and generators.
Here, it can be in the 90's at night in the middle of summer. It prevents a lot of people from participating.
Posted by
N5ZNO
on February 6, 2012
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Joke
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My problem with field day is it is supposed to show our preparedness for an emergency situation, yet we start palnning in january. Let's just hope the next disaster gives us 6 month's advance warning.
Posted by
AI0U
on February 4, 2012
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Keep as is
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Having FD in June is fine. In my area, it can either be hot, or just really nice out. Either way, most years are perfect weather to get outside, set up a couple stations, operate, have fun, eat good food, and P-A-R-T-Y!
Posted by
KC9EHQ
on February 3, 2012
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Keep as is
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Having FD in June is fine. In my area, it can either be hot, or just really nice out. Either way, most years are perfect weather to get outside, set up a couple stations, operate, have fun, eat good food, and P-A-R-T-Y!
Posted by
KC9EHQ
on February 3, 2012
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Move FD
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No, If local clubs want to do a event during a time of year that works for them, go to it. I thought Field Day was intended to be a oppurtunity to set up a emergency station and test your equipment, NO A/C, NO computer logging, No Contest, Weather is what it is. Emergencys do not follow the calendar.
Posted by
WA6FFJ
on January 31, 2012
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It's the one event some of you will come outdoors.
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I can't imagine Field Day in the middle of winter, why sure emergencies happen anywhere at anytime of the year, but this is of the events to help recruitment more and public interest. Nobody is going to listen to the best presenter in the world right in the middle of winter about how ham radio can help their community or country.
Posted by
KC8RJS
on January 27, 2012
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Have four per year, whoever wants to
participate can do so.
Posted by
AC7CW
on January 24, 2012
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I use field day to practice emergency Communications. You can't pick the weather during an emergency.
Posted by
KJ4AGA
on January 24, 2012
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WINTER FD
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WE ALREADY HAVE A WINTER FIELD DAY, IT'S CALLED THE F.Y.B.O. CONTEST. GREAT FUN. PUT ON BY THE AZ SCQRPIONS, THIS YEAR IT'S FEB 4TH.
Posted by
WA3SLN
on January 23, 2012
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Field day
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Leave field day alone who would in there right mind operate radios in the cold weather berrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Posted by
N1OBL
on January 23, 2012
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Don't be silly
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The League isn't asking if they should change FD.
Posted by
W7ETA
on January 23, 2012
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Moving Field Day???
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I agree, emergencies don't consult with weather reports, however, why put many Hams at risk for an exercise? There is a reason for antenna season (summer) and contest season (winter). For a large part of the country, who wants to climb towers, trees, buildings, etc. in the snow and ice of the winter, unless absolutely necessary. We have injuries in the summer. Why tempt fate? Spring and Fall can be iffy at best in parts of the country. I say leave it alone.
Posted by
W6RTW
on January 22, 2012
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I don't see that changing it would help. Isn't it suposed to give Ham's a chance to operate as in an emergency. An emergency isn't going to pick a good day to happen.
Posted by
N8SAC
on January 22, 2012
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Move region 1 FD
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I always wondered why Region 1 and 2 doesn't have field day on the same dates. That would be fun.
The region 1 HF FD is in september where the weather often is cold and rainy so moving our date to the region 2 date.
Posted by
OZ8AGB
on January 22, 2012
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Moving? Not a Chance!
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It is not moving, it will never move and it should never move.
Field Day is all about working in "Less than optimal conditions". Heat, mosquitoes, storms or wind are what it is all about.
You have LOTS of choices where you participate on Field Day. If you don't like heat, have Field Day indoors at an E.O.C., top of a mountain or work it from home. Or, show up at 10PM and work the night shifts on 40, 75 and 160m.
As they say, if you can't stand the heat...
FD IS NOT MOVING, NOPE, NO WAY AND NO HOW! End of discussion.
Posted by
KF0X
on January 21, 2012
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Cranky
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I don't mean to be unduly recalcitrant, but if we are talking about weather conditions it isn't much of a demonstration of emergency preparedness, is it? If we give up the facade of emcomm move it any time.
Posted by
KO4MI
on January 21, 2012
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Since the dawn of time (sort of...)
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Leave FD to the 4th full weekend in June. It's been like that since the late 1940's and a tradition. Any ham worth their weight knows when Field Day is, and when it starts...
This year.....2PM EDT on Saturday June 23rd 2012, runs for 24 hours, later if you set up after 2PM on the 23rd.
And for those who complain about being in the rain, in the heat, in the humidity....if you can't handle it, then stay home and let those who enjoy contesting outdoors, in remote locations, have their fun.
Posted by
NA1Q
on January 20, 2012
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Field Day EMCOM EXERCISE FOR TRUE RACES
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Our true RACES team deploys each year for FD. The
county provides us with the use of a small park. The
county loans us one of their mobile command vehicles.
The younger healthier volunteers perform the heavy
lifting set-up with mentoring from the middle-aged
volunteers. The limited mobility or disabled volunteers
operate in the evenings when it's cool, etc. The current
date gets the team ready for the 4th of July which is a
major event in our area with hundreds of thousands of
visitors to watch the fireworks. We like the last weekend
in June.
Posted by
WA3GIN
on January 20, 2012
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Family event.
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I've noticed that many clubs use the summer Field Day as a
family event and have picnics, games, etc. for the families
and kids so everyone can get in on the fun. That is a reason
to keep FD where it is.
Posted by
KB7AIL
on January 16, 2012
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Family event.
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I've noticed that many clubs use the summer Field Day as a
family event and have picnics, games, etc. for the families
and kids so everyone can get in on the fun. That is a reason
to keep FD where it is.
Posted by
KB7AIL
on January 16, 2012
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Attendance
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I wonder how many that aren't satisfied with the date would actually attend IF we moved it?? I think attendance is the problem, NOT the Weather. Just my 2C......No, I didn't attend this year......No, Probably won't next year either........
Posted by
K4MJO
on January 16, 2012
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FD Date Change
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I would prefer a nice Fall weekend instead, but, as most of our FD participants are now over 60 years old, and older they'd be "freezing" in 65 degree temps. It's very humid here in the NYC area on FD which keeps a lot of us older Ham's from participating in FD. At least that's the excuse !
Posted by
K2JX
on January 14, 2012
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judge real emergency respondants
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Field day as fun as it is, has turned into another ARRL
contest. To judge true emergency response is to
document the actual value to the public service
agencies with our actual passing of ecomm traffic in an
ACTUAL EMERGENCY. Do I believe that amateur
ecomm is important? Yes, but not as important as it
was before the huge infrastructure of cell technology
was put in place.
Unless you have a global emergency, why would you
even consider HF for ecomm.
Do I think field day is fun....yes. bbq, chatting with your
fellow hams, yes....do I believe that the concept of
amateur ecomm is as valid as it was 20+ years ago. No!
Posted by
KB6QXM
on January 14, 2012
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Move FD
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After further thought, I agree with KA5ROW. Fall would be a better time. Spring poses a problem with late snow and cold temps in the north and storms in the south. Since I spend some time storm spotting, there are fewer chances, of interruption from severe wx, in the fall.
Posted by
KB5FYS
on January 14, 2012
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Noving Field Day
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I too, am partial to cooler days. In my part of the country, mosquitoes are a big problem, in warmer weather. Early spring is good, before the little buggers have a chance to get a foothold.
Posted by
KB5FYS
on January 14, 2012
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Leave it
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Moving to Spring interferes with Dayton; moving into fall interferes with hunting season and start of school days throughout the country. There are other Ham related activities scheduled throughout the year.
Luckily Field Day events are scheduled to "simulate emergency communication preparedness" - Unfortunately, actual emergency events are not conveniently scheduled and can strike anytime and anywhere, during stormy seasons, during lightning strikes, wintery blizzards, humid weather conditions, high altitude, low altitude, etc. etc.
73's
Don
Posted by
KA0GWS
on January 14, 2012
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Why bother?
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It's an ARRL sponsored event that has been held on the same weekend now for God knows how long. Only recently have we been seeing complaints and the thought that it should be moved--and have seen a larger group of people who aren't satisfied with the status quo complaining about it.
Leave it where it is. Those who complain about it on sites like this one shouldn't worry--no matter what day it could be moved to, those people would still probably be on their computers anyway.
Posted by
K1CJS
on January 14, 2012
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FD
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I looked at most comments, many have great
valid points. I voted for spring only because
I'm partial to cooler weather. Perhaps where
it is, is just fine. I have been OTR truck
driver for the 3+ years of being a ham, so FD
I show up just in time for either setup or
break down, and didn't get to see too much
action in the middle. Its fun to see what
people think on these things. 73 to you all.
Posted by
AE7QT
on January 13, 2012
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AC5WO
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The beauty of Field Day in June is the long hours of daylight for setting up, adjusting, and repairing antennas. The extra hours of daylight also give more time for the general public to see antennas and ask questions. How many strangers are going to drop by a Field Day site after dark?
Posted by
AC5WO
on January 13, 2012
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Field Day Up North
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Field Day is for all North America and here in Calgary, we can get all four seasons in one day (and often do). This past FD we had gale force winds, rain, and cold - after we started out calm, sunny and warm. The week before Christmas it was warmer here than in many parts of the southern U.S. (in the 60s F). So, for us, it really doesn't matter when FD takes place. We are ready for anything.
Jerry VE6TL
Posted by
VE6TL
on January 13, 2012
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There are two field days a year
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The ARRL sponserd field day should stay just where it is. For those want to practice there skills twice a year there is Winter Field day. (http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/winterfd/index.php) Our club has particapetd for the last 3 years and it has been a lot of fun. This means we sometimes set up when it is 100 degrees and also when it is 20 degrees and 2 feet of snow. The disaster does not always come in good weather so practice whenever you can.
Posted by
KD5ALU
on January 12, 2012
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There are two field days a year
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The ARRL sponserd field day should stay just where it is. For those want to practice there skills twice a year there is Winter Field day. (http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/winterfd/index.php) Our club has particapetd for the last 3 years and it has been a lot of fun. This means we sometimes set up when it is 100 degrees and also when it is 20 degrees and 2 feet of snow. The disaster does not always come in good weather so practice whenever you can.
Posted by
KD5ALU
on January 12, 2012
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Adding Fall Field Day
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How about adding Field Setup precedence codes to the ARRL November Sweepstakes ? those who want to compete from temporary outdoor setups could, and they'd have lots of stations to work, field setup or not.
I do field day with my ARES group, and always do CW/SS at home - a Field/Portable provide an opportunity to use my HF Portable setup in the park and be sure of lots of stations to work.
Posted by
KQ6Q
on January 11, 2012
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Spring/Fall or Summer/Winter
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The end of June in the northern states may or may not be "Summer" ... could be hot, could be cool and rainy. I think of June as the end of Spring here in northern NY...
I don't think it would be a good idea to move the present FD because everyone knows the date. However I'd like to see a second FD sometime in the fall so that it isn't a year until the "lessons learned" from the last Field Day can be put in to practice. Early November should be sufficient to have cool weather in the south while not getting in to extreme cold in the north. The fact is that it's unlikely in a real winter emergency that we'd have to set up totally "in the field" in tents, etc. Might have to put up the antennas in the cold/ice/snow, but there would be some shelter for operations.
Posted by
KC2WI
on January 10, 2012
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FD Emergency ready any time +++
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yes! not home day feildday. Oh I know lets drop code huummm we did that. You know what would work anytime of the year the ARRL would put out a emergency bulaton and you have 24 hours to make as many contacts as possibal with out notice.This could happen middle of winter or summer day or night. that would be great.
Posted by
KG2NT
on January 10, 2012
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We've never done it that way before
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I have to say that the majority of those wishing to leave Field Day in the summer don't live in 4 land. We nearly always have a thunderstorm that day.
I don't know about you but, even in an actual emergency, if my personal safety is threatened (in this case by major league lightning) I'm disconnecting the rig and hunkering down until the threat has passed. Serious injury or death will convert me from an asset to a liability and therefore no help to anyone.
Posted by
WD4AOG
on January 10, 2012
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Field Day
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Why practice only in good weather? A crisis can happen during any time of year. A little more progressive thinking in Ham Radio emergency ops is whats needed.
73
Posted by
W1MLK
on January 9, 2012
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More Field Days Needed!
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We need more Field Days! Gotta get those Hams out of
the shacks for some fresh air! :).
Posted by
ONAIR
on January 8, 2012
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More Field Days Needed!
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We need more Field Days! Gotta get those Hams out of
the shacks for some fresh air! :).
Posted by
ONAIR
on January 8, 2012
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FIELD DAY
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Winter is a bit tough here in Colorado. Summer means 100+ in the date and cold as the dickens at night. I vote for leaving things intact. I have a group of about 40 kids and summer, when school is in recess, is best.
Posted by
K6YE
on January 8, 2012
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Field Day
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Why bother changing something that works well ? I did many of my field dats in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow,N.Y. ( N.A.R.C. ) and it was something I look forward to. I even did one when I was in Toronto many years ago and it was a time we all got together shared a common goal.
Posted by
KB2KLE
on January 7, 2012
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Kennedy
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JFK said we should go to the moon because it was hard
to do and that correlates with the valuable things in life.
Change is hard. Summer and Winter are hardest seasons
to go into the field and prove you and your stuff works.
Aim high - Semper Fi!
Posted by
WD1V
on January 7, 2012
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really?
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As a sit here and freeze in my basement, are you serious???
Posted by
N0AH
on January 6, 2012
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Too hot?
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This is a silly reason to change the date of a traditional and important ham event. If its too hot and muggy for you, move to the Pacific Northwest ! :-)
K7AAT
Posted by
K7AAT
on January 6, 2012
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lightning season
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Late June is lightning season here in
Georgia.
There have been too many close calls.
I think late September would be super.
Yes, the weather in the North can be starting
to get bad then (think October Hosstraders!)
but more often perfect conditions for camping
out -- Field Day!
Since a disaster could strike during any
season, why not mix it up and have field day
every ten or fourteen months, instead of
twelve -- that would move it around the
entire calendar. Certainly January in Maine
might be unpleasant, but really not much more
so than June in Texas.
Posted by
N1KDO
on January 6, 2012
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Leave it be
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Maybe add another in the fall. Two a year
would be great. But lets face it, if its not
the heat it'll be too cold, if it's not too
wet, it'll be too dry. Don't throw out the
June FD, maybe add an October to make things
interesting.
Posted by
KD8FTH
on January 5, 2012
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For those who like Fall
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I believe that ARRL has a Simulated Emergency Test (SET) in October. What would prevent a club, group or individual operator from doing a field set-up for that activity? Or for one of the VHF contests? In PA we have a state QSO party in October which I have operated from the field many times. There's nothing quite like putting up antennas in a cold October rain!
Posted by
K3YD
on January 5, 2012
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Field day date is fine
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Field day is always the 4th rainy weekend in June! It's fine that way, we've learned not to set up in ditches or lowlands!
It's fine - emergencies don't depend on good weather. Leave field day where it is.
Posted by
K3TE
on January 5, 2012
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With the weather changing so dramatically, makes no difference. It's June in January these days. Keep as is and bite the bullet if it isn't what you would prefer.
Posted by
N2UGB
on January 5, 2012
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Doesn't matter
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Doesn't matter in the cool protected surroundings of our EOC. Everyone who doesn't like the weather should move the the F class.
Posted by
N5TXN
on January 4, 2012
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Don't mess with it
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You don't spit into the wind
You don't tug on superman's cape
You don't pull the mask off the old lone ranger
and you don't mess around with field day
Posted by
WS4Y
on January 4, 2012
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Have your own
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We have our own field days here in Maine almost every weekend year round.We solve the temperature problem by wearing warm cloths in winter and shorts and T-shirts in summer.What's so damn special about the one day a year ARRL event?
Posted by
W1JKA
on January 4, 2012
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Bottom line
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When the poop hits the fan, will it always be hot? Will it always be a nice day? Though I voted leave it as is, maybe cold should be a factor every so often.
Posted by
N2MWE
on January 4, 2012
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Change is good
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This topic was actually a discussion at a recent meeting with a bunch of Hams. We were complaining on how hot it is here in Georgia for the summer Field Day.
Personally, I would prefer a Field Day in the Fall.
I think the ARRL should consider some other dates, or at least add another event for the folks who like the somewhat cooler weather.
Posted by
KJ4RHB
on January 3, 2012
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Change is good
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This topic was actually a discussion at a recent meeting with a bunch of Hams. We were complaining on how hot it is here in Georgia for the summer Field Day.
Personally, I would prefer a Field Day in the Fall.
I think the ARRL should consider some other dates, or at least add another event for the folks who like the somewhat cooler weather.
Posted by
KJ4RHB
on January 3, 2012
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Not just the heat....
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Keep it where it is, a few days from the summer
solstice. Maximum daylight, minimum darkness,
which in the field is a plus!
Posted by
K8MR
on January 3, 2012
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If it ain't rainin' you ain't trainin'
Posted by
KF5DXF
on January 3, 2012
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Pro's and Con's
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Field Day is traditionally a summertime
event, and most radio clubs have little else
happening at that time of year.
It would be nice to get away from the
thunderstorms. It seems like we get a big one
in the middle of Field Day almost every year.
I guess it's good that we learn to plan for
such things, but it's still a pain. Some
years, we end up being shut down for many
hours because there is lightning around.
Winter would not be a great idea, either.
Most of us are even more adverse to frostbite
than we are to heat stroke.
I think we should leave it as is, but perhaps
add another field type event at another time
of year, like late fall.
Posted by
K0RGR
on January 3, 2012
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Reality
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In the event of a real Nationwide emergency requiring the aid of these FD setups I believe hot weather would be the least of their concerns !
KH6/G3SEA
Posted by
G3SEA
on January 3, 2012
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Leave it be
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Move it from the current weekend and watch participation decline. Perhaps this is what is actually wanted by some? It seems as though some seek to curb any popular on-air activity for their own ends. Are dead bands really more fun?
Here in the middle of the country I've experienced FD weekend from 113 deg F to days when highs struggled to get out of the 60s. There have been sunny and dry and stormy weekends. It's all a part of the drill and each extreme has provided valuable experience.
If you can't take the conditions when you have some means of controlling how you deal with them, how will you deal with them in the event you have little to no control over the conditions? Quit and go home? Or persist in the conditions and assist your community?
Posted by
N0NB
on January 3, 2012
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MOVE .....
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Move Dayton HamVention to ?
Las Vegas.
Indy.
????
Posted by
WB9YCJ
on January 3, 2012
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Late June Is Too Hot
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It definitely should be moved. I would rather deal with
January or February cold than the searing heat of an SC
Summer and the aggressive bugs. While I understand that
some northern latitudes may experience cold or even snow
and ice in late Fall or early Spring, I believe it would only be
fair for them to share the misery by at least rotating the date
for FD from year to year.
73,
Ray KV4BL
Posted by
KV4BL
on January 2, 2012
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Depends where you are
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I've operated FD from many states, in many weather conditions. I agree that along the York River in VA, or a Missouri corn field can be warm and humid. But I've had to resort to winter jacket and gloves from PA mountain tops or at the peak of Mt. Scott in OK. For a general training activity, especially with new hams, FD in warmer weather has some advantages. Maybe we need to add an advanced FD the last weekend of January for those who need a bit more challenge?
Posted by
K3YD
on January 2, 2012
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Training camp for poor operators!
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Having been an Amateur for a few years, I have seen the diminishing results of the Field Day event. No longer is this a event to set up a temporary emergency communications scenario and practice making contacts, it has become a contest free-for-all! Last years Field Day was so disgusting that I shut my rig down at 7:00 P.M. on the first day and never turned it back on again! What I heard and saw was pure CB (11 meters)! Operators talking over one another, using excessive power and behaving like rude CB operators. I've had it with Field Day and wish all of you "good buddies" all the happiness in your unprofessional endeavor! You can have it in a snow bank or in the middle of hell and it won't make any difference.
Posted by
N9SOB
on January 2, 2012
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SPAR Winter FD
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Let's not forget the SPAR Winter Field Day. No rule that ARRL can be the only one AND it is in the winter! http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/winterfd/index.php?pg=2
Posted by
KG4RUL
on January 1, 2012
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Not broke.... Don't Fix
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Field Day, the fourth weekend of June has
been the standard; FOREVER! Leave it that
way.
I'm going into my 33rd year of hamming and
have seen all types of weather for Field Day;
from hot & humid to very cold with
waterspouts on Lake Erie! We have even had
to lower towers and antennas because strong
thunderstorms were coming in.
I hit the big 60, have had cardiac by-pass
surgery & 4 back surgeries, and I'm NOT going
to let a little thing like weather stop me.
Just part of the game.
The weather makes it part of the fun.
73 de Jim - KE8G
Posted by
KE8G
on January 1, 2012
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Not broke.... Don't Fix
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Field Day, the fourth weekend of June has
been the standard; FOREVER! Leave it that
way.
I'm going into my 33rd year of hamming and
have seen all types of weather for Field Day;
from hot & humid to very cold with
waterspouts on Lake Erie! We have even had
to lower towers and antennas because strong
thunderstorms were coming in.
I hit the big 60, have had cardiac by-pass
surgery & 4 back surgeries, and I'm NOT going
to let a little thing like weather stop me.
Just part of the game.
The weather makes it part of the fun.
73 de Jim - KE8G
Posted by
KE8G
on January 1, 2012
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KA5ROW
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I guess it's all a matter of perspective, isn't it...? To say that I
"...have no clue" belittles the fact that we here in this part of
the continent have seen snow as early as the first week of
October, & freezing rain in April...so please, don't pontificate
to me about being clueless! The June weekend was, I'm sure,
arrived at as a "compromise" time by the forefathers of
FD...or, in other words, "...You can please SOME of the
people ALL of the time, & you can please ALL of the people
SOME of the time---BUT YOU CAN'T PLEASE ALL OF THE
PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME.
Posted by
VE3CUI
on January 1, 2012
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Summer AND Winter
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If not called "Field Day", there really should be some equivalent that would test our winter readiness capabilities. Summer and Winter are QUITE different, from a radio point of view... for example, the propane heater replaces the DEET. It's darker sooner, propagation is better. But, batteries have less capacity in the cold. Providing your own light is more an issue. Learning to send with a gloved hand is different than a bare one. Equipment drifts in the cold. I am reminded of the Russian QRP "Red Nose" (it doesn't quite translate right... but saying you have a "red nose" in Russian is the equivalent to what we say here is "freezing your buns off") competition where one op placed his Yeasu QRP rig into an insulated boot so it would stay on frequency.
Winter operating offers an entire different set of conditions, advantages, and limitations as I just described, and we have to be ready and our equipment ready for any emergency off the grid condition whenever it may arise... so I propose we have something like this, and in honor of its origin in one of the places with the coldest winters on earth, I would suggest an annual large scale winter field day, which we would call the "Red Nose" contest. How does one make a formal proposal, and to whom?
Posted by
W8LV
on January 1, 2012
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Field Days
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Being a senior and located on the east coast,
USA,the heat and the humidity off the atlantic ocean can make for some miserable conditions. I go out and visit a few field day sites but soon have to retreat to cooler quarters. A spring and fall field day plan sound like a good idea. However many are not wanting to change because of tradition. More may participate with different times of the year.The times are a changing folks.
Posted by
NQ4A
on December 31, 2011
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No Change Pse
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That 4th weekend in June pretty much coincides with the summer solstice, where we have the most hours of daylight in the entire year. It can still be pretty chilly overnight in northern New England and the northern plains and Rockies, though it may already be pretty darn hot in the Sunbelt. HOWEVER, the Sunbelt can be just as hot and humid in late September while those northern areas can be seeing their first frost.
Posted by
K3AN
on December 31, 2011
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It's where you live
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VE3CUI you had a high of 63 on June 24th 2010 Field Day.
We had 101 with a max humidity of 71% Sunday the 25th it was 99 with a max humidity of 76%.%. Real air temp not index. You don’t have a clue
Posted by
KA5ROW
on December 31, 2011
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Move FD
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Spring or Fall is good, I chose Fall. Lots of thunder storms in the spring “April” also lingering cold in the North. Late September to mid-October would be just fine in most parts of the country weather wise, and not too many thunderstorms. Not to cold up north or too hot in the South. The people who set field day up in late June were not using their heads. As to conditions across the country that time of the year.
It is the soul decision of the ARRL as to when field day is held. Let’s force a discussion with the ARRL, get input from ham across the country. (No ARRL membership required) just licensed hams, and have a vote. Let the ARRL Offer about 4 time frames to choose from.
It was 101 on June 24th 2010 Field Day.
Posted by
KA5ROW
on December 31, 2011
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Move FD
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Spring or Fall is good, I chose Fall. Lots of thunder storms in the spring “April” also lingering cold in the North. Late September to mid-October would be just fine in most parts of the country weather wise, and not too many thunderstorms. Not to cold up north or too hot in the South. The people who set field day up in late June were not using their heads. As to conditions across the country that time of the year.
It is the soul decision of the ARRL as to when field day is held. Let’s force a discussion with the ARRL, get input from ham across the country. (No ARRL membership required) just licensed hams, and have a vote. Let the ARRL Offer about 4 time frames to choose from.
It was 101 on June 24th 2010 Field Day.
Posted by
KA5ROW
on December 31, 2011
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whatever
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One in the spring and one in the fall would be nice but I really dont care.
Posted by
N0FPE
on December 31, 2011
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FD
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Doesn't matter. It long ago was a test of emergency preparedness. Now it's treated like another contest.
Posted by
VE3ES
on December 31, 2011
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Ditto - "The More the Merrier! "
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I think there should be even more, and more varied, and cumalative options.
Plus some variations to cover band/propogation variances
Jan = 160M & 70cm
Feb = 80M & 2M
Mar = 40M & 6M
Apr = 20M & 10M
May = 15M (take it easy month)
Jun = 160M to 10M
Jul = 6M up
Aug = 160M & 70cm
Sep = 80M & 2M
Oct = 40M & 6M
Nov = 20M & 10M
Dec = Time to rest, and work out scores
Scoring would be by Band(s), and Month(s)
and multipliers by Months.
So you could have montly winners, and cumalative winners by Band.
Along with the usual High/Low power, SO/MO etc..
On second thoughts, leave it as it is.
I don't operate contest, but it would(maybe) help drive up activity.
73 - Have Fun
Happy New Year
Dave
Posted by
M0DRH
on December 31, 2011
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Moving Field Day
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It's kind of like the Super Bowl it might be
nice to have it somewhere (time) at a different
place (time).
Posted by
KK4AH
on December 31, 2011
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Too hot? Maybe they should put it where the sun don't shine!!!!!
Posted by
K0CBA
on December 31, 2011
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Depends on where you live
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When you live in the South and have a heat indices approaching/exceeding 100F, you are definitely not enthusiastic about a Summer Field Day. My choice is now our county EOC for a Class F operation or stay at home and operate Class D.
Posted by
KG4RUL
on December 31, 2011
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It's A Ham Radio TRADITION
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Why must we always make efforts to "improve" that which has
been in place for longer than some Hams have even been
alive...? It ain't broke, so don't bother trying to "fix" it.
Tampering with FD's date is akin to touching-up the Mona
Lisa to look like Cindy Crawford---yuch!!!
Posted by
VE3CUI
on December 31, 2011
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The More the Merrier!
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In VK we have 4 Major field days a year, 3
VHF/UHF/Microwave - (spring-summer-winter),and
an Autumn all band monster...Participate in the
ones you want...works well!
Posted by
VK5LA
on December 31, 2011
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