06/25/2007 | VE3IFS/W2 This was my daughter's, WA2DTO, first Field Day. About three hours into the contest, my 10 year old SaraAnn wanted to log. She operated a total of 14 hours with me and did the majority of the logging. This was unplanned and, though I was totally prepared to operate solo, it was a wonderful surprise. We operated 80, 40 and 20 CW and phone and racked up about 600 QSO's. We had not planned to operate that much, thinking that we would only get on the air for a few hours, but we were both having so much fun, we didn't want to see it end.


We were both grateful for the memory voice and cw keyer as it saved our voices. The new 75 meter antenna worked as designed (yeah!) and the new 756 PRO III worked flawlessly. It was a wonderful day. And the best part? I got to spend it with my daughter doing my favorite hobby and we topped off our success with a fabulous Japanese dinner! How great is that?!

SaraAnn and I are planning for next year, already. I am sure that she will be an even better operator by then and we may operate 1A on a camping trip somewhere. Whatever the case, it will be something to look forward to.

There are defining moments in one's amateur radio life: your first DX; your first QSO; your first award. I have had them all but nothing beats your youngest child's first contest and the thrill she got making 600 contacts with her OM. I think she had one of those defining moments, too. Field Day is truly filled with memorable (and, for me, remarkable and precious) moments.

73

Rabbi Cy Stanway
-- VE3IFS/W2