07/12/2003 | KY5G This was my (KY5G) and Val's (N5LPL) first field day and we really enjoyed it. Steve (N4SL) probably did most of the work helping us to get organized and ready.

Our camp consisted of 3 tents. 2 were for sleeping and the largest was for operating. The antennas were a 40 meter dipole fed with balanced line that we also used for 15 and 6 meters. A 20 meter loop was used and fed with balanced line. These antennas were suspended from trees, the tallest is around 110 feet and the shorter tree was around 80 feet.

Power was supplied by a marine deep cycle battery and a small gasoline generator about 100' from camp.

Conditions here in the Pacific Northwest were challenging, but fun. 20 was our main band, but we made quite a few contacts on 40 as well. 15 opened for us some and there were a few local contacts on 6 meters.

The bugs were monstrous. Even though we used screen tents, they managed to get in and drive us to distraction at times. Late Saturday night I started trading 'bug reports' with other stations. It was small comfort to learn that we were not alone in our bug situation! -- KY5G