07/09/2006 | W5ZU The Roswell, NM PVARC Field Day (W5ZU) was a real success. We had thirty-two hams and thirty-three guests for a total attendance of sixty-five.

We set up three tents, each with a station running on emergency power. We worked fifty-three sections in thirty-nine states and three Canadian provinces. The most distant station was UA3BS, a PSK31 station in Moscow, Russia. We worked the ARRL station W1AW and had twelve six-meter contacts.

Our Skywarn hams set up an Internet bubble so we could, from the tents, monitor the severe thunder storms on Doppler radar. We had our own professional weather service for customized forecasts. No storms hit us.

Roughly 40% of our HF operating time was by Technician and guest operators -- under the supervision of control operators. We attempted to give everyone that wished an opportunity to operate really more important than the chase for points. Best of all, we recruited at least three potential new hams -- one was a walk-in from the nearby tennis courts. Our Field Day points are expected to total to 1,698 -- not high, but a number of new hams and visitors got to participate.

Our fine cooks served over 100 meals total during the event. The food was as good as it gets! -- W5ALL