07/22/2004 | W7DK Radio Club of Tacoma (RCT), W7DK, operated this years FD at the usual location- The Tacoma Rifle and Revolver Club in University Place, WA.

W7DK operated as Class 7A with additional GOTA and VHF Stations. We also operated a Digital Staion, PSK-31 and SSTV as an experimental effort. Alternate Power QSOs were made using human power- a bicycle fitted with a DC Generator and regulator circuit. The VHF station made a successful Satellite QSO with AO7, a bird that goes quiet after is goes over the horizon into darkness. A SSTV QSO was accomplished by the digital station amongst the furious contesters. SSTV and APRS was also demonstrated at this event.

The Visitor Log shows that 117 people attended this years FD. A special guest who showed up Sunday morning for breakfast served by our Food Crew... was Ed Bruette, N7NVP, the Western Washington Section Manager. Linda Bird, City of University Place Councilperson and Paul Jones, Pierce County Director of Emergency Services also attended as special guests.

This year the Radio Club of Tacoma had a friendly FD challenge with The Mike and Key Radio Club. RCT scored approximately 10,000 points vs Mike and Key's approx 14,000 points. Even though RCT lost the challenge... many members are saying that this was the most fun FD in a long while.

Many thanks to the amateur operators and their families who supported this years Radio Club of Tacoma Field Day effort.

Rich, Deputy FD Director -- AE7RW