07/03/2003 | N2MO The Ocean-Monmouth ARC (OMARC) would very much like to thank the ARRL for sponsoring Field Day 2003, which in the post 9/11 world is even more imnportant than ever as a training exercise for the Amateur Radio Service.

OMARC once again operated Field Day from Marucci Park, Spring Lakes, NJ as N2MO in the 2A category under the NNJ section. We operated a
dedicated CW and Phone station as well as our W1GD GOTA station, a solar powered 40m CW QRP station and a 6 meter VHF station. We installed two towers for two HF tri-band antennae, 6 meter 5 element beam and 6 meter loop antenna. In addition we have 75/80m and 40m dipoles and a 40m Inverted-V.

Setup went smooth due to good planning, plenty of help on hand and great weather. KC2CNB, KC2IZU and KC2KQF with proper safety belts did a great job rigging the towers and installed the big antennae. The food committee, KA2TGC, KC2KQG and Sharon, XYL of KC2JJD did a great job in feeding all the hungry people. Then the operators put in a great effort at making as many contacts as possible during the event with wonderfull results.

As usual we had a blast trying to beat our own personal score of last year and staying on top of the message handling, official visitors and the displays for the extra bonus points, always challenging and fun for all involved. Although we did not match last years score due to poor propagation and lack of operators the full term of the event, we did come very close.

One thing that took place that was not staged was our Safety Committees effort at the separation of some orange street
cones used to mark dangerous areas that was a true classic FD photo
opportunity. More of the cone separation photos can be seen under
the ARRL Affiliated Club section at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/omarc/index.htm and the rest
of the over 100 digital photos taken can be seen in a few days at http://www.qsl.net/n2mo.

OMARC wishes to anknowledge and thank all the club members, non-club
members and interested parties that supported our efforts during ARRL Field Day 2003. We especially wish to thank the community of Spring Lakes and the Mayor which graciously allow us to make use of the wonderful facilities at Marucci Memorial Park.

THOSE AT SETUP/TAKEDOWN:

Bernie, WB2EJT | Bill, KC2CNB | Casey, KC2IZU | Russ, AE2X
Larry, KB2RIS | Don, W2DBA | Harry, AB2DA | Myra, AB2CZ
Bob, WD2U | Patty, KA2TGC | Emory, KD2DN | Bill, KC2KQF
Art, KC2CRI | James, AB2QJ | Rob, N2QDQ | Mike, N2GEG,
Ron, WA2HZT | Gerry, W1GD | Kathy, KC2KQG | Steve, N2CKH

THE OPERATORS:

CW: Gerry, W1GD | Ron, WA2HZT | John, W2YR

PHONE: Steve, N2CKH | Bernie, WB2EJT | Mike, N2GEG | Matt, KC2GGA
Rob, N2QDQ | Bill, KC2CNB | John, KC2JJD | Sharon, KC2JJD XYL, logging.

THE CLUB MEMBER/FAMILY VISITORS:

Doug, W2UG | Melissa, N2QDQ's XYL | WA2HZT's Son and the cute as a
button Grand Daughter of WA2HZT | Glen, N2MHJ

On Behalf of OMARC -- N2CKH