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 Previous: Surfin': A Web Space for Cadets of Space |  Next: World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 Rescheduled for Geneva |
By Anthony A. Luscre, K8ZT
Contributing Editor
June 18, 2002
In this installment, we take our QRP to the field.
When hams think of June, their thoughts often turn to ARRL Field Day adventures. I use the word "adventures" here, because Field Day is not just an event but often one of the most memorable experiences for many hams--whether it was that first QSO under the watchful eye of an Elmer or the first experience in raising (and bringing down) a tower. It might be the chance to use many fancy new rigs. Adventures include the challenge of keeping a generator running through the night, operating under a clear star-studded sky or attempting to operate while trying to keep a tent over your head (and your gear) in a windy, rainy downpour.
My first Field Day in 1982 had many of these elements plus a band-closing solar flare to boot. I have many memories of adventures from the 18 "QRO" Field Days I have worked with members of my local radio club, the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club (CFARC). But the Field Days that evoke my fondest memories are the two QRP Field Days I worked, when travel forced me to miss my club's annual outing.
My first QRP Field Day operation was in the mid 1980's along with my wife Linda, KA8ODP. My operating skills had not yet been honed by experience, and our resulting score was pretty low. But the adventure was memorable for a number of reasons. During this Field Day operation I realized that with a mere 2 W output from my Ten-Tec Argonaut 515 and a very low dipole we could actually make many contacts. There was no generator noise, and we were able to work the entire weekend with plenty of power to spare from one large "gel cell" battery.
Setup and teardown took just a few minutes, not hours. And then there was the very memorable weather. I have to tell you about the weather that weekend. Field Day veterans know that the weather on Field Day weekend often runs the complete gamut of sun, rain, storms and high winds. Our Saturday was hot! At one point, I recall, my wife took a break to change into her bathing suit and take a dip in a neighboring pool, then returned to operate in her bathing suit for a while. Sunday's weather was the complete opposite. My wife ended up borrowing a winter coat from my mother to wear as she operated. So, she went from bathing suit to parka in one weekend, and I even have pictures to prove it--but my wife prohibits me from publishing them.
My second QRP Field Day operation was much more successful, even though it was interrupted by my required attendance at a Saturday wedding and a Sunday afternoon family reunion. I took advantage of my time on the air to finish 19th out of 120 in my operating class. I think the big differences were my years of Field Day experience and better planning.
The Best Laid Plans o' Mice and Men
Well, enough reminiscing (remember what I said about Field Days being memorable). Let's move on to planning your Field Day QRP operation (an activity you likely already have under way). Field Day this year comes earlier in the month than it does most years. It's June 22-23--and it's always the fourth weekend in June (there are five weekends this June). If you're still planning, however, your first stop should be the ARRL Field Day Information page and the article "Plan for a Successful ARRL Field Day--Your Club Will Benefit," by Don Jackson, AE5K.
 A portable power source. Units are available in variety of current ratings and prices. [Photo by author] |
The first two decisions you face will guide a lot of your other plans: Where you choose to operate, and how you plan to get to get there. If the site is remote, you might consider backpacking in with all of your gear. In that case, the amount and weight of your equipment becomes a very important consideration. If you can drive there, weight becomes far less significant. If backpacking your gear, you need to consider the total weight and size of your radio, antenna(s), feed line and most importantly your power sources(s).
Field Day Power
By and large, powering your gear in the field is the biggest consideration. The other is a suitable antenna, which we'll touch on later.
You need to know the operating current needs of your radio to determine the capacity of your power source. Your planned mode(s) of operation (CW vs SSB), amount of operating time planned, operating style (search-and-pounce vs "running"--calling CQ) all affect the amount of power you will use. Using your radio's power-saving features (turning off display backlighting, latching relays, sleep modes, etc) can cut power consumption. Don't forget to factor in other power-consuming operating aids, such as a logging computer, automatic antenna tuner or electronic keyer, and those creature comforts like lights, coffee pot or fans. A camp lantern and/or citronella candles can provide light while saving battery power and possibly keep away biting insects.
 A sample of the sorts of gel cell batteries that can be purchased at a typical hamfest. |
Once you have calculated your power needs you can figure out where the power's coming from. Storage batteries, often gel cells, are a typical means to power your equipment--especially for long periods of operation. You can supplement this stored power with natural sources such as solar panels, water-powered or even human-powered generators. Using alternative sources of power also earns bonus points (see Field Day rules).
You also must keep in mind the possible limitations of alternative power sources. For example: A cloudy day can greatly decrease power output from solar panels. That typically fast-running stream you were looking to for water power may be running low this year. Individuals often overestimate the degree of human stamina needed to pedal a generator "bike" or to crank an "armstrong" generator (remember to check this out under full load).
 Battery Minder is an example of a "smart charger." Batteries are fully charged, then maintained at a proper storage voltage, without any damaging effects. This is done by monitoring the battery's real-time charge state and adjusting charging output accordingly. |
If weight is no object, one convenient source of battery power is an automotive jump-start unit, found at most discount or auto part stores. These provide a battery, container with handle, power-output connection(s) and a charger.
Assembling your own power pack is also an option. Gel-cell 12-V batteries often can be found inexpensively at hamfests or as units pulled from medical or alarm backup system service. A small plastic toolbox can provide a case; just cut holes in the toolbox, and mount your choice of power connectors. Wire any battery to the power-output connections using heavy-gauge wire, a fuse and an on/off switch if desired.
Three good sources for smart gel-cell trickle chargers are A&A Engineering's Smart Charger kit, VDC Electronics' Battery Minder. and Deltran's Battery Tender.
When using temporary power sources--whether batteries, mobile battery connections or generator-driven power supplies--it is all too easy to damage your rig with reversed polarity, wrong voltage or transient spikes. To protect your rig, I suggest equipping all your power cables with a simple reverse-polarity, over-voltage and transient spike protection circuit. The circuit uses a fuse and 1.5KE15A-T semiconductor device from Diodes Incorporated.
 Here's a simple circuit to provide protection from polarity reversal, over-voltage and voltage spikes. |
For information on a variety of QRP radios that will fill your needs for Field Day visit the Table of QRP Transceivers from my second column QRP Community: QRP Equipment.
Antenna Considerations
In my opinion, the all-around champ of antennas for Field Day is the dipole fed with twinlead or ladder line. Its lightweight multiband capability and low feed line loss make it a great antenna for field use. A number of variations exist, including the field friendly doublet, the G5RV fed with twinlead, the 44-foot multiband doublet or the $4 special by Joe Tyburczy, WB1GFH.
A great accessory for building balanced feed line antennas using ladder line is the Emtech Ladder Grabber. Of course, any antenna needs a supporting structure (a-k-a "trees). If your Field Day site has no "supports," you might try the St Louis vertical.
 Ladder Grabber allows easy and quick center connection of two wires of a dipole to 450-ohm ladder line feeder. The hole at the top provides means of supporting a center connection for an inverted-V configuration. |
Practice Run
A great way to increase your chances of a successful Field Day is to do a dry run before the event. Before the big day, pack all your gear, set up your equipment and antenna and make a few contacts and enjoy the outdoors with no pressure. Then, make a list of any items it turned out you needed (or forgot), so you will be ready to go--whether it's the simulated emergency of Field Day or a real disaster. For an example of a well planned equipment list visit "Field Day Band Captain's Handbook" by Mike Polkinghorn, K6PUD.
After Field Day, total your score and submit it to ARRL. Remember no score is too small, and participation is the real goal. As a bonus, you can also submit your Field Day score to another operating event, the QRP ARCI's Milliwatt Field Day, which runs concurrently with Field Day.
Other Outdoor QRP Events
If it's too late for you to make arrangements
to operate Field Day QRP this year, there are a number of other outdoor QRP
events that invite your participation.
|
Date |
Event |
Sponsor |
Web Page |
|
July 28, 2002 |
The Flight of the Bumble Bees |
The Adventure Radio Society |
|
|
Feb. 1 & 2, 2003 |
FYBO
|
AZ ScQRPions |
|
|
Apr. 23, 2003 |
QRPTTF (QRP to The Field) |
Northern California QRP Club |
|
|
Ongoing |
Top of The World |
The Adventure Radio Society |
http://www.natworld.com/ |
Readers may know of additional events (or have corrections to my list), so I will maintain an updated table in the QRP Community section of my Web site.
Reader Feedback
I have already received a number of notes from QRPers planning their Field Day operations. I hope to work many of you. I will not be operating QRP this year/time/Field Day, as my responsibilities to my local radio club beckon, and the club remains unconvinced to try QRP. So listen for me from W8VPV 6A OH or our "Get on the Air" (GOTA) station, which might be using my call sign. I may even get to sneak in a little QRP operating in the GOTA station to show club members how effective it can be!
Please share your questions and comments and suggestions for future columns via e-mail and send photos of your QRP Field Day operations.
Editor's note: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, an ARRL member, lives in Stow, Ohio. He has
worked in the field of medical microbiology for 18 years and is now a
Technology and Computer Coordinator for a 6000-student school district. Luscre
is an avid QRP operator having earned DXCC, WAS and WAC using no more that 5 W
output. Readers are invited to contact the author via e-mail, k8zt@arrl.net
or visit his Web site.
| Previous: Surfin': A Web Space for Cadets of Space | Next: World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 Rescheduled for Geneva |
