07/15/2004 | K0HW 2004 was another GREAT Field Day. I was unable to get started at 1800Z due to a commitment to church, which is, located about 1/4 mile from our 40 acre farm. I finally got started about 2300Z, took time out for something to eat and then found the going great on 10 Meters.

I set up as a portable location about 200 yards from the home QTH.
I had a HyGain HyTower, which was almost 40 years old that I put back
together. It was pushed up and guyed with rope in three directions.
I added 16 radials cut for 75 Meters and pounded in three ground rods
at the base of the HyTower each eight foot long. This was all done
late Friday afternoon as I was busy at the church benefit auction
most of the day Saturday.

I only operated SSB this year; as I was not set up to do RTTY and CW
from the motorhome. I used an ICOM 706 MK II G hooked to the 12 volt
supply in the motor home and then ran the generator in the motorhome to keep the battery charged and provide power for the air conditioner.

I usually try the motorhome generator for half the time and another
external 5 kW generator for the other half. That way I know they
both work.

It is amazing how many stations drop off the air at 1800Z on Sunday
it is really hard to find stations other than 1D. I keep telling myself this year after year but never seem to pull it all together to
get the first 24 hours in.

I had wanted to fly my nine-foot delta wing kite with 500 to 800 feet
of wire to see how it would work but threatening clouds in the sky when the wind was blowing prevented me from trying it out. I will try again in 2005. -- K0HW