07/02/2006 | N2SE 10-70 REPEATER GANG SLOSH THROUGH ARRL FIELD DAY 2006

Intermittent rain was the best we could hope forand we welcomed it! exclaimed Paul Beshlian, KC2CJW, President of the 10-70 Repeater Association, a Bergen-Passaic County, New Jersey repeater group. But there were also long periods of pounding precipitation and sudden deluges to contend with as the 8A Station was set-up and operated from the Campgaw Ski Area, in Mahwah, New Jersey.
Since lightning was not a factor and the winds remained fairly calm, we had the safety factors pretty much under control, explained Michael Adams, WA2MWT, Bergen County SkyWarn Coordinator for the National Weather Service. However, water did seep into some of the tents and some radios had to be unplugged and thoroughly dried. The antennas were adequately waterproofed and the Mahwah Emergency Management generator operated without interruption.
We, again, see a fine example of amateur radio operators being able to operate in severe weather conditions, as though it was business as usual, commented Ramsey Mayor Richard Muti. Muti, Councilmen Art Nalbandian, and Andrew Siemsen issued a proclamation during the opening ceremonies that concluded with the 1400 hours official start of the Field Day 2006 activities.
Fifty members of the 10-70 club and their families gathered in the Ski Lodge for the traditional bar-be-que of cheeseburgers, hot dogs, sausage and pepper, salads and plenty of desert. Next time Ill remember to bring two raincoats and two pairs of shoes and socks, concluded Ike Trefz, NJ3C, Vice-President of the 10-70 Repeater Association. -- WA2MWT