07/30/2006 | K4NRC The Bill Gremillion Memorial Radio Club (BGMRC) 2006 Field Day event was held at the Coweta County Fairgrounds in Newnan, Ga. The fairgrounds was a popular site for area HAMs and guests to visit. One of the main attractions was a 100 foot crane, graciously loaned by Joe Almon, which supported the clubs new 75 meter 4 element log periodic dipole array. This crane also supported a 160 meter dipole. Surprisingly, our best band was 40 meters, using an inverted-V dipole, with 432 QSOs. The clubs Mosley TA-33 tri-bander was supported by a 30 ft portable tower that claimed 231 QSOs. We also had beams for 2m and 70cm. We operated a class 3A station using our club call K4NRC. The radio operators had a good time logging Qs with computer logging Writelog software. We also used the Writelog application software to PC computer control the HF radios. Many visitors showed interest in the high tech radio setup.
Among our visitors were Eddie Ball, WB4QAU, the Coweta County EMA Director. Thanks Eddie for the extra bonus points! Bill Merritt, K4WPM, also made some QSOs from the local EOC site. We thank Scott Royle, KK4Z, DEC for ARES-MAT GA, who demonstrated reliable long range communications to include digital modes such Winlink 2000. Chris McGehee, Coweta County ARES EC, brought her TS-530S for a GOTA station. Thanks to Coweta County Sheriff Deputies Frank Pullen (KI4MKP) and Mike Aldridge (KB4STH) for their support during the event. Megan Almon, staff writer for The Times-Herald newspaper, featured the BGMRC Field Day event in a special edition close-up. Thanks Megan for educating our community about the importance of emergency communications and how amateur radio operators can assist in emergency situations.
We thank George Peck, W4IW, the BGMRC vice-president and Field Day leader for his planning and use of his FT-1000D during the event. Its a fine radio to operate. Thanks to BGMRC president, Keith Robinson, W4KTR, for his leadership and his TS-570. We thank BGMRC treasurer Ellis Camp, K4PEM, for the use of his portable tower and 40 foot mast. Honorable mention to Darryl Vickers, N4OME, Bill Merritt, K4WPM, Jim May, AE5M and Lex Kister, W4XO, who donated their time and equipment throughout the event. Thanks to Taylor Kee (KG4OIW), for operating to qualify for bonus points in the Field Day Youth Participation. Thanks to all the club members who participated and visited during an exciting weekend.
We had plenty of excitement and energy operating in between what was considered a wet weekend. We had to shut down numerous times due to thunderstorms in the area. Some of our group found cover in the ham shack when a thunderstorm with heavy rain showers was overhead. We had moments of anxiety when the roof started to leak and bright static discharges occurred in the shack. We were thankful we had disconnected power and coax from our equipment. Fortunately, everything worked normally after the storms subsided. Time to get back operating and get more QSOs.
The event overall was a good time for all. The food was good and the fellowship among club members and guests will be remembered. The BGMRC thanks the local visitors, guests and the Field Day stations who contacted us for making the 2006 BGMRC Field Day a memorable event. -- W4XO