07/22/2003 | K7VIT The QUality Amateur Radio Klub (QUARK) went to NE Portland, Oregon to set up for Field Day this year. The site was selected to give Crossroads Christian School students, the Cougars, as well all others who are young at heart, the chance to see HAM Radio and emergency communications in action during Field Day.

This was a challenging Field Day because band conditions were somewhat disturbed so stations were sparse in the early going. The squint angle on AO-40 proved to be a bit too much to overcome by Field Day time for our satellite station. As the band warmed up so did our QSO count and our weather. The temperature finally reached a high of 95 F./35 C in the afternoon. Fortunately, one of our group brought along an oscillating fan, a Colpitts, I believe.

We were very proud to have Field Day participants with all ranges of experience from being licensed over 40 years to the Ham candidate waiting to take his test who spoke on the radio under the encouraging eyes of friends. Those who had not seen Ham Radio up close and personal before also got to sit in the operating chair. While we only operated for Saturday afternoon and evening, we sure had fun. See you on Field Day next year! ... Oh yeah, and a few of the tests in between. -- K7VIT