06/30/2006 | WA6TOW The Coastside Amateur Radio Club (CARC) held its annual Field Day exercise once again atop Sweeney Ridge at the San Francisco Bay Discovery Site above Pacifica, CA. The Discovery Site faces Pacifica and the Pacific Ocean to the West, and San Francisco Bay to the East. A part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), the 1200 ft elevation, provides an un-paralleled location, both scenic and communication wise. While weather conditions may make the site cold, foggy, and wet; this years event was relatively mild and clear, and the fog was kept at bay.

A popular site for hikers, naturalists, and bicyclists; the mild and sunny weather brought a lot of visitors to the site this year. Visitors included some fellow local amateurs, and both local and federal government representatives who were interested in our activities up on the hill. Many questions were asked, and an informational tri-fold brochure on Field Day, Emergency Services, and the CARC were handed out.

The CARC (under club call WA6TOW) runs a 2A setup, two stations on emergency power, one solar, and one on a generator. 15M and 20M beam antennas are erected on masts, raised by gin poles, with 40M and 80M inverted-V dipoles attached to pulleys. We operate phone, CW, and digital modes of communication.

Field Day just doesnt happen, it takes a lot of effort from individuals to make it happen. For the CARC, we had the following individuals participate: Field Day Chairman Ed Freeman-KD6TWK, Frank-N6FG, Mike-AA6XL, Tom-AA6TM, Roger-WA6AFT, Mike-KE6JNO, Jon-N6SJF, Bill-N6BCT, Dave-KK6CL, Joe-N3CKF, Mark-AE6HH, George-KG6VSH, and Dave-KG6HGY

On a historical note, Frank-N6FGs ladder (which can be seen in the photos) is the same ladder that appeared on the cover of the 1986 ARRL Handbook. It just wouldnt be a CARC Field Day without it!

The CARC has been organized since 1959, serving Bay Area amateurs, and providing emergency communications services to the City of Pacifica. www.coastsidearc.org

73s,

Dave -- KG6HGY