07/19/2007 | W0WR Reno County Kansas Amateur Radio Association (RCKARA) and the Emergency Radio Club of Reno County (ERCRC) 1A KS

This was our second year in the present location an empty fire station on the outskirts of Hutchinson, Kansas but this year, we had to share our site with FEMA.

What? Did you say, FEMA? Why, yes I did. FEMA had a Mobile Disaster Recovery Center established on our site due to not one, but TWO severe floods our area had recently experienced. I havent heard, but I would bet our site was the only one visited by FEMA reps that were on the job.

We arrived at 0900 local time with the Reno County Emergency Management Mobile Command Trailer, a second trailer for food prep and fellowship, a crank-up tower on a third trailer and all the various and sundry equipment that comes along with establishing a good field day site.

Soon, we had the trailer parked and jacked, the dipole in the trees, the tri-bander assembled and put on the tower, and the tower cranked skyward. Canopies were erected for the information booth and demo modes, for cooking and dining areas and generators were placed, cranked and baffled (thanks to the QST article on dampening the sound.

This year, we cranked out 344 contacts, which was an increase over last years total by 105. We had at least one operator on the radio at all times, including those wee hours of the morning. We had a total of 45 operators, guests and visitors at the site, to include seven representatives from FEMA and the Small Business Administration. Twenty-eight hams operated, logged or lent other direct support to the event.

Of special note was Nancy, KC0ZBO, who coordinated the evening meal and made the majority of the dishes herself. The food was excellent and plentiful. A good time was had by all.

We really had a good time, and many said that this was one of the best events our club has had in recent memory. We look forward to making improvements, smoothing out rough spots and doing an even better job next year. Our long-time Field Day Coordinator Tom, W0UY has passed the baton to me, as he is looking forward to relaxing at the next one. The entire club owes an unending debt of gratitude to Tom for his years of hard work and dedication.

We hope to work you all next year.

73 Tim Newman, KA4CKR President, RCKARA -- KA4CKR