07/08/2007 | KI4SNY Field Day 2007 was a huge success and alot of fun for the Fancy Gap Contest Club, KI4SNY. As usual, we set up on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Fancy Gap, VA. Thanks to our gracious hosts, Ray and Jennifer, owner/ops of the Fancy Gap Cabins and Campgrounds, who always make our stays there pleasant. The site is at apprx. 3015" elevation, in Carroll County, grid EM96.

This was our first Field Day as a club, and we operated as 2A. Our setup consisted of a Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V into a 5 band fan dipole, and a G5RV. The 2nd HF station was an Icom 746PRO into a pair of 75m dipoles mounted 90 degrees from each other. We also fielded a VHF station dedicated to 6m which consisted of a Yaesu FT-897 into a 5 element yagi at apprx. 35' on a crankup tower. Thanks to Tony, KI4PKW for providing 2 generators.

Thankfully, the weather was nice this year, but hot, with little breeze. Setup began at 1800 UTC Friday under a scorching sun. Friday night was chilly, and a blanket on the cot felt good. Saturday was a bit cooler, and the evening was pleasant. Sunday was nice too. The good thing was that it did not rain. The skies were threatening as we tore down the setup Sunday afternoon. Just after leaving the mountain Sunday we learned that a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued, so our timing was good.

Our success and thanks go out to the following club members who attended and helped out: Tony, KI4PKW; John, KU4JZ; James, KG4YVA; Bob, KG4YOU; Bill, KF4PCT; and Ed, KU4BP. Band conditions were fair; however there was no sporadic-E openings noted on 6m, which was a disappointment. 10 and 15 meters were dead, but 20, 40 and 75 meters were hopping as usual and produced the bulk of our contacts. Both HF stations were manned throughout the night Saturday; total operating time was apprx. 23 out of the 24 hours. Considering this was our first Field Day as a club, we were very pleased with our results; a reported total of 1166 contacts, for a reported score of 2582 points. Band breakdown is as follows: 6m-24; 10m-3; 15m-1; 20m-235; 40m-425;
75m-478.

This was our club's third major contest of the year, and we may operate in another one before year end; it's a labor of love, but ALOT of work. I think the major highlights of this year's Field Day are two-fold; no rain; and valuable contest experience for some of the participants. A big THANK YOU to Ed, KU4BP, for attending and giving some very helpful lessons in operating.

We'd like to thank all of the other stations who made contact with us, and we look forward to next year. As is our custom, we extend a warm welcome to any ham in our area who'd like to join the Fancy Gap Contest Club to help out and experience the fun and the challenges of ham radio contesting. See ya on the airwaves!

73,
John Taylor, KU4JZ
Trustee of KI4SNY
Fancy Gap Contest Club -- KU4JZ