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THE SHELBY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB GROUP HELD A GREAT FIELD DAY 2002 AT THE CLEVELAND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, HOME OF THE GRANDDADDY OF THEM ALL HAMFEST. WE HAD ABOUT 20 TO 25 MEMEBRS AND NON-MEMBERS TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT OUR EVENT. WE HAD A GREAT COOKOUT, IS NOT FIELD DAY WITHOUT SOME TYPE OF FOOD. WE RAN IN THE 2A NC GROUP AND MADE SEVERAL CONTACTS. THE GOTA STATION WORKED OUT GREAT FOR US, WE HAD A COUPLE OF NEW HAMS FROM THE GOTA STATION AND SEVERAL OLDER HAMS GET BACK INTO THE HOBBIE. THE GOTA STATION MADE ITS 400 CONTACTS FOR US. WE HAD A GREAT CW OPERATOR IN RON BAILEY,AA4S WHO WORKED THE 40 AND 80 METER BAND THE WHOLE TIME, THANKS RON. THE HF STATION WORK ON 20 METERS AND 80 METERS THE MOST WITH SOME 10 AND 15 METER CONTACTS. WE HAD SOME GREAT CONDITIONS ON 20 AND 80 METERS. WE HAD A VHF/UHF STATION UP WITH 6 METERS THAT GOT WORKED SOME. THE CONDITIONS ON SIX METERS WERE ALRIGHT, NOT TO MUCH ON 2 METERS OR 440. WE EVEN MADE SOME CONTACTS USING A EXERCISE BIKE FOR POWER, THIS WAS VERY FUN. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK CLAUDE, NC4NC FOR ALL THE HARD WORK HE PUT INTO THIS EVENT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE ONES WHO CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED THIS EVENT. WE HAD TWO TOWERS UP ONE ABOUT 50 FEET AND THE OTHER AROUND 30 FEET. THE 6 METER ANTENNA WAS A BEAM UP ABOUT 20 FEET. WE HAD A ARRAY OF DIFFERENT ANTENNAS FROM VERTICALS TO BEAMS TO DIPOLES. WE HAD A ATV DEMONSTRATION SETUP WHICH WENT OVER WELL. WE HAD SOME GREAT VISTORS LIKE THE CLEVELAND COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGER, DEWEY COOK AND THE ARRL SECTION MANAGER JOHN COVINGTON, W4CC. WE EVEN HAD GREAT WEATHER THIS YEAR JUST A LITTLE HOT, BUT NO RAIN LIKE LAST YEAR. ONCE AGAIN I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AND THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED PUT THIS EVENT ON. THANKS TO ROBERT, WA4QDU AND BRETT, K4BLC FOR THE PICTURES OF FIELD DAY 2002. HOPE TO HEAR FROM EVRYONE NEXT YEAR, WE'LL BE AT THE SOME PLACE AT THE SOME TIME HERE IN SHELBY, NC. SEE EVERYONE LATER, W4DWL DAVE !!!
RON, AA4S HARD AT WORK ON CW. |
BILL, W4GRW AND SON JOSH, KG4EGC WORKING THE GOTA STATION. |
MARK, KA4TFP WORKING SIX METERS WITH KIETH, W4KQ LOOKING ON. ALSO YOU CAN SEE THE SIX METER BEAM AND THE HF TOWER. |
HERE'S THE HF TOWER AGAIN, CLOSER LOOK. |
HERE'S THE GOTA ANTENNAS WE HAD. |
BRETT, K4BLC WORKING SIX METERS. THANKS TO BRETT WE HAVE SOME OF THESE PICTURES. |
KA4TFP, MARK AND KM4C BEN WORKING THE HF RIG ON 20 METERS. LOOKING IS ONE OF THE NEW HAMS LT. RICKY STAFFORD, KG4UVL GOT HIS TICKET DURING THE SHELBY HAMFEST 2002. |
CLAUDE, NC4NC AND BETTY, N4CBN WORKING ON HF. |
DAVID, W4DWL WORKING ON HF. I HAD FUN !!! |
This was our first field day for several years. The severe weather on
friday nite toppled our tents, etc, but Saturday and Sunday was great.
We had about 6 operators to cover the period and some ops stayed a
couple of hours. We were there for fun and we made good use of
the radios, with one GOTA station. Just waiting for 2003 to come
around and play some more. To all participants, we hope you had
as much fun as we did.
Who: va3at Phil, ve3dgc- Doug, ve3tuc- Bill, va3ed- Ed, va3eee- Claude
va3cli - Clint, thanks to the others who helped, Karen and our
guard dog Dakota.
The weather in Central Indiana really cooperated this year--mild breezes, moderate temperatures and no rain. The wind conditions were especially great, as we experimented with helium balloons supporting some of our antennas.
We put up a multi band dipole made of lightweight speaker wire for one station, with moderate success getting the balloons to cooperate, although we did end up tying the ends to some trees during the late afternoon, but the center balloons held throughout the exercise.
We also had a vertical for 80M on a gang of balloons, but even with all the tethers, it STILL managed to find some sharp tree limbs.
Overall, everyone had a very good fellowship and made some amazing contacts. Thanks to all who heard WB9USA coming through the noise and responded. Please copy 2A Indiana, good signal.--Jim McDonald, Member ARRL PR Committee
(l. to r. Cliff Goff KC2CXL, Frank Fallon N2FF Hudson Div. Director, and Paul Maytan AC2T. |
See you all next year at Field Day 2003
Isabela PR NP4A Group |
 KP4ES - Cataño PR PRARL Group |
The Isabela Puerto Rico Field Day was organized by the HRO Employees ARS operating as NP4A. (4A PR) The San Juan Puerto Rico Field Day was organized by PRARL memebers in the Bacardi facilities in Cataño, P.R. Operating as KP4ES (2A PR)
The Fajardo Puerto Rico Field Day was sopnsored by "Radio Operadores de Este" operating as KP4RD (2A PR)
For photos visit: http://prarl.org/FieldDay_2002.htm
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the group that has most recently been referred to as the "High Sierras Field Day Group" (also sometimes referred to as FORM -- Found On Remote Mountains). Of course, the original group was only four hams -- and rather than meet in the High Sierras, we set up a small one-transceiver station in a camping area outside Chico, CA. But that's another story...
For over 20 years now, the group -- which varies on any given year, and can be as many as 35 attendees -- has gathered at the top of a nondescript hill in the Sierras. We've used several locations over the years, all of them in and around the El Dorado National Forest. This year we were off California Highway 88, not far from Ham's Station. (If you know where Ham's Station is, give yourself a gold star!)
We set up along the top of a small ridge and began stringing antennas. We ran three concurrent stations, and all the HF antennas this year were wire antennas: a 400+ foot V-beam; a multi-band, multi-feed dipole array; an inverted-L; and an inverted-V.
With this group, show-and-tell of new toys is almost as important (maybe more important?) than the contest itself. We've always looked upon this weekend as an opportunity to try new antennas, new equipment, and new approaches to doing things -- especially stuff that isn't practical in our own backyards! This year was no exception. The new high tech toys included a new logging program, wireless networking, a timeserver, and some innovative approaches to raising wire antennas.
Thanks to Alan, WB6ZQZ, our logging computers went wireless. Alan put together a new logging program (using Python) that not only logged the contacts for each station, but sent every contact to every other station as well. The program interfaced with each laptop's 802.11b network card, and shared data with the other stations in quasi-real-time over a peer-to-peer network. This enabled any station to work any band and mode because they already had the logs. And the program's GUI interface showed the logger at one station what bands and modes the other stations were using, so there was never any risk of ending up with two stations on the same band at the same time. Oh, and by the way, this program is compatible with Windows, MAC, and even Linux!
But I know what you're thinking: what good is a networked logging program if the stations don't have synchronized clocks? (Yeah, right.) Well, Brad, N6BDE, was ready for just such an occasion! He hooked up a time reference (after some amount of arguing with the unit to get it to see the GPS satellites) and managed to provide time sync for all the laptops. After all, having logging computers with clocks that aren't in sync would be gosh!
This year's other new toys were the high-tech line launchers -- one powered by compressed air, the other by Ham elbow grease!
In the category of compressed air power, Eric, WD6CMU, brought along his tennis ball launcher. Eric based his design on a combination of information found on the Internet, conversations with one or two other members in the group, and some good ol' fashioned Yankee ingenuity.
After a bit of experimentation to find the right level of air pressure in the unit (this thing turns out to be a bit of overkill when it comes to launching fishing line attached to a tennis ball over a 50+ foot tree), Eric was able to ensure a successful launch every time. (Hey, I told you this thing is high-tech; it has a pressure gauge!). Stringing up supports for the wire antennas has never been easier.
Our second line launcher was a bit less sophisticated, but perhaps more reliable. Alan, WB6ZQZ, built a simple slingshot out of PVC, some surgical-type tubing and a fishing reel. Again, the design came from a combination of Internet browsing and brainstorming. The result was a device that didn't have the ability to shoot as high as Eric's compressed air "cannon", but was quite reliable. I may put one of these together myself: it"s a simple, low-cost solution for throwing up a wire antenna while camping, traveling, or participating in public service events. And it takes up very little space (it comes apart!).
All in all, the network was reliable (and "timely"!), and our antennas worked quite well. We managed to keep three stations on the air pretty consistently (the local rag chews sometimes take temporary precedence over operating -- ok, so we're not the most hard core contesters you'll ever meet...), and the group had a great weekend.
As you can see from Sunday's group pictures, we had a good-sized turnout this year. Most of the attendees are licensed hams, and just about everyone either operated or logged at one point or another during the contest.
As for next year, we're debating what we can do to improve the wireless network. Eric and Alan have vowed to come up with a smaller version of the tennis ball gun that will be better suited to the purpose. And of course, the debate for what kind of antennas we should put up has already started.
A shot through the trees. |
Ready... |
Aim... |
ZQZ's PCV slingshot. |
BDE configures the timeserver. |
Timeserver in action. |
Morning shift. |
Afternoon shift. |
Field Day 2002 has come and gone, but those who participated in the Plateau Amateur ARA and Black Diamond ARC Field Day event had a very enjoyable time.
The weather for this years Field Day was great. No unexpected storms and very mild temperatures.
We operated under the call of Steve White, NM8T and was 6 Alpha WV. Our Field Day activities was held at the Burnwood Campground just off of US Route 19 and near the New River Gorge Bridge. The New River Gorge Bridge is near the town of Fayetteville, Fayette County, West Virginia and is a big tourist attraction. In October the State closes one side of this four lane bridge and allows tourist to walk across and parachuters to jump from the bridge into the New River Gorge some 800+ feet below.
Field Day has always been a joint effort between the PARA club and the BDARC club. Members from both groups get together and have a good time making contacts and fellowshipping with others.
The food was great and Dave Sizemore, N8FLY comes up from North Carolina to be our chief. He does a mean grilled chicken breast.
Tony Barnett, N8KNG was this years chairman for getting things in order for Field Day 2002.
We had 15, 20, 40 and 75 Meter SSB stations setup, we had the RTTY/PSK station setup on 20 and then there was the CW station. Jim Martin, KC8JSZ and Jess Hancock, W4PQK ran the CW station.
All in all everyone had a good time. We hope that we came in first in our category, but if we didn't we still had a good time.
RTTY/PSK Station. Had trouble getting PSK to work, but RTTY saved the day. |
Another acronym for FORD without the OR. Field Day with an ARES Emegency Communications sticker. The truck belongs to Wes Holstien, N8WBR. |
Dave Sizemore, N8FLY and son Tucker, W8EMX working RTTY. Dave and his family drove all the way up from North Carolina to participate in Field Day. |
Ronnie Lefler, WV8T (ex. K8EMS) also known as "Porker" or "DX Porker" and Tucker Sizemore, W8EMX working 15 Meters. |
One of the tri-bander beams used for Field Day 2002. This one was used for 20 Meters. |
Mary, K1MMH, at the mike, while Dan KA1IIP, Alan and Cortney get ready to take their turn. |
Such was the case for Field Day 2002, but for 4 newbies, not just 1.
Field Day at W1AW saw two of the newest hams at HQ take turn at the microphone and complete their first contacts – with one of the most famous callsigns in the world. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, made her first-ever QSO while Dan Sayad, KB1IIP made a few mental notes. Dan followed Mary at the mike and soon made his first-ever QSO.
Attending Field Day 2002 with K1MMH were Alan Brinich and his sister Cortney Cudmore. They watched intently. After Danny completed a few QSOs both Alan and Cortney braved the ether, stepped up to the plate and “knocked W1AW out of the park” by completing QSOs. Alan was also interesting in CW, which he watched control operator N1ND demonstrate for a few contacts.
As a class D station, W1AW didn't qualify to have a GOTA - GET ON THE AIR - Station. So they did the next best thing - allowing "newbies" to GOTA operating the main W1AW station.
Now how's that for a rare quadruple play???
The Escondido Amateur Radio Society, EARS, successfully participated in Field Day 2002. We operated as a 2 Alpha station in the San Diego Section.
This year, Field Day was held at the Dixon Lake Campground in Escondido California. The club participation and turnout was exceptional this year. We had 2 HF stations and a dedicated VHF/UHF station manned full time this year. We also managed to entice new operators to make over 350 QSO's on the GOTA Station. This was the first exposure to HF operations and contesting for many Escondido amateurs. Part of the Field Day festivities included a Club Picnic. It was well attended by club members and guests.
Emergency preparedness is one of the chief objectives for Field Day. We now are much more confident of our ability to serve our community. We successfully deployed an emergency communications site in an amazingly short time. We skillfully raised two towers with Yagi antennas. This was truly the result of very dedicated operators coupled with a great team spirit and friendly teamwork.
Our campsite was well attended by guests. We gave live demonstrations to curious neighbors, families and even several groups of scouts. EARS demonstrated the use of Amateur Satellites, APRS and Amateur Slow Scan Television to our guests.
For more information on EARS and a more complete photo gallery please visit the Escondido Amateur Radio Society Web Site at http://www.qsl.net/earsca.
My thanks and congratulations go out to the EARS Field Day Team.
Willie Peloquin, EARS Field Day Chairman
Getting the 20 meter Yagi ready to fly! |
John KG6DVE, Diane KE6GXW, Konrad N6UKO and Skip KD7CBF ready to get this show on the road. |
Cheryl, KG6KTT, making her first HF QSO. |
Dixon Lake Campground |
Marvin, WB6PKK, Working 20 Meters HARD! |
The Central Ohio Operator's Klub Extra-Novice (COOKEN) had a fun time this year operating from our new County EMA van. This is the first time we have had the chance to try out our new EMA mobile command post facility and Murphy was there in every crack with lots of spyders. Good time to flush out all those things like trying to run 2 rigs ,m three computers and an air conditioner from one 40 amp inverter on it's bank of 12 volt batteries.
We had 10 operators take part and enjoyed having a GOTA station and hope the league contines with this great new idea.
This year was our first year trying sattelite and we had lots of fun once we found out that our compass pointed to north no matter which way we turned. Once we got locked onto AO-40 it worked great and we had lots of contacts albeit on the graveyard shift this year.
We have a photo album on our club web site http://www.cooken.org that has some of field day pictures on it.
We also had good luck with the N3FPJ network logging program. It worked flawlessl and made doing the dreadful summary a breeze.
Already looking forward to next year.
73s
Eldon
W5UHQ
Club Secretary
Fritz WD8E explains to one our new hams Carol KC8NYV that this is a little too low for even a NVI antenna. Seems like sometime during the nite the 80m dipole came down but Carol just tweaked the tuner a little and loaded up the grass. Maybe she has something here! |
Carol,Tim KA8PCP and Tim's son do the Armstrong rotor thing on the A0-40 mobile antenna designed and built by W5UHQ. Next year we definitely will have a rotor! |
Eldon, W5UHQ works some CW on A0-40 with a pair of ICOM 706s. Nothing like calling CQ on CW and hearing yourself from 65K kilometer sattelite 800 ms later to drive you crazy at 4 in the morning! CW is a great mode for this Sattelite as many are finding out. |
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