07/01/2007 | W0GCJ W0GCJ 1A KS -- Once again the Marshall County (Kansas) ARC took to Lions Park for our 2007 Field Day effort. The weather was almost perfect even if the bands were a bit lack luster. Although, we did work a few stations on 10m about 45 minutes into the event.

While we didn't set the world on fire with our QSO rate, we did manage to relax and enjoy ourselves around a radio activity and learn a few things. For several, this was the first time they had seen PSK31 or W1HKJ's excellent FLDigi program. We also experimented with some different antennas than we had used in years past.

Our power sources were a hybrid of solar or motor generator charging a battery pack.

Saturday evening brought our club picnic to Field Day and everyone shared in the delightful and filling recipes brought by the various cooks. Our cookout was well attended, no doubt helped by members who had recently upgraded enjoying Field Day a little more this year.

The bands were jammed, what with 10 and 15 meters all but quiet for us. I (N0NB) tried working PSK31 on 20m for an hour Saturday night, but quit in frustration after working 5 QSOs. What was frustrating is that only a couple of stations were running on the mode. Most CQs were too short copy the full callsign and seldom repeated. Repeated CQs on my part went unanswered. By comparison, working CW Sunday morning was a distinct pleasure and I'm only a fair CW operator.

As Field Day unfolded, it was obvious that a theme for this year's event was learning and teaching. We spent a lot of time Elmering and being Elmered. There is always much to learn about Amateur Radio even for those of us that have been in it for years.

Field Day is truly a unique and fun event. Here's to many more Field Days for the MCARC.

For more pictures, see our club web page at http://www.qsl.net/w0gcj/ -- N0NB