07/06/2007 | W4ZA Field Day 2007 @ Richmond Amateur Radio Club, Richmond, VA W4ZA

If the ARRL changed the rules for FD scoring and created a category for FUN, we would be in the top 10%! A record number of members and visitors came out to join in the action. Maybe our annual picnic had something to do with the large turnout the food was delicious. As usual, the ladies of the club did a great job.

Saturday morning, the clubs technical committee and friends got together and put up antennas. In just a few hours we had a Cushcraft MA5V vertical on top of a 40 mast along with a Buckmaster OCF dipole. A B&W-90, an OCF Zepp, and a 20 Meter dipole were also installed. Four HF stations were quickly put together and we were ready for Field Day!

After a great lunch, the rigs were fired up and the fun began. We operated as W4ZA 3A-VA and had W4FJ as our GOTA station call. The rigs stayed busy and at times there were folks lined up to take a turn operating.

Anthony, KG4YXP, had us put a 2-Meter J-pole on a spare rope installed on the 40 mast and he was off and running with packet and APRS. He also demonstrated SSTV and Hellschreiber to those present.

No, we didnt finish in the top 10%, but we all had a great time and enjoyed each others company. We are already looking forward to next years event.

RARC meets the second Friday of each month. We would love for you to join us. You can find out lots more about the club at www.rarclub.net.

73, Ron -- KD4XA