I was going to test a 42 (almost 43) foot vertical at this year Field Day as I was on my own. The erection went well. It tuned very easy on 40 and 20 so I was set to go. I used my usual tent and felt I was well equipped for this year.

40 was open and I had more contacts than ever. I intended to operate 40 meter on Saturday and 20 meter on Sunday.

It started to rain Saturday night and I discovered my tent was leaking. I know now that the fabric gets leaky as the tent get old. No I didn't know that before.

My Sunday morning started with getting the water off tables, chairs, and everything else in the tent. I had to place an umbrella over my equipment to protect my equipment.

I don't know if the was the 42 foot vertical was more sensitive to atmospheric noise or if the noise level was higher than usual but I had a hard time to hear anything but noise. I managed to operate most of the stations I heard, remember I run QRP.

Why is it that when I hear a strong station it seems to always fade away in a QSB each time I have a chance to call or give my information? Anyhow, about one call each five minutes, not bad for me.