2008 ARRL Field Day
07/01/2008 |
W7NYE
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away there was a group of people known as Ham Operators who gathered in a hot and distant parking lot. This place is near a desert land called Death Valley, and is known as Pahrump.
Hams are people who like to talk to other people and communicate in ways that are unique unto themselves. They use phrases such as QSY, CQ and 73s. They often refer to themselves as numbers with letters, like KE7KHD, not using their given names. Being a Ham means having a hobby in which participants use various types of radio communications to talk with other radio operators. There are many forms of this hobby that can be interesting, if not confusing at times. Some of these forms of communications are radiotelegraphy, short wave bands, Morse code, and IRLP. But lets get back to the story.
During the last days of June, the leader of these people, known as the ARRL, asks that everyone get together and talk. From noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday, these groups gather around the world in spaces large and small to set-up for this event. Such an event happened this last weekend in Pahrump. We gather our radios, our antennas, our tuners, our headsets, microphones, amplifiers, long wires, extra batteries, grounding rods, tools and such are gathered in order to establish contact with as many Hams as possible over great distances. Computers, hand-held radios, and vertical high frequency antennas with all sorts of things in our war bags are brought to make this event successful. Sometimes others in the community lend us a hand too.
This year, the group known as the Southern Nye County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (SNCARES) gathered around 10:00 am at a familiar landmark in our town a casino. In a hot and far off corner in the parking lot we set-up a trailer that we use for our Emergency Communications headquarters. As many at eight people get into this small trailer setting up radios, putting up antennas and pounding in grounding rods. Everyone knows each other and is comfortable with their part of the day. Lights are turned on, radios are powered up and our part in the great Field Day event begins.
As the sun rises over these brave souls, the day becomes exciting. Several new members of SNCARES are making their first contact with people in different, far away lands, like Idaho, Ohio and Vermont. Voices stretch out over the miles, talking with other Hams like ourselves. As night falls, we are becoming fewer and fewer in this trailer, but the hardy souls of our group carry on until the wee hours of the morning.
Sunday rushes in bringing with it sleepy faces and tired voices. But the loyal group continues until its time to shut down and pack up. The hour approaches as our sleepy little gnomes begin to breakdown their equipment, put up their gear and proceed home for a much-needed respite. There are discussions about the event and comments like next year we have got to have a better plan and next year, we had better find a place indoors to do this.
As the little group disburses, several voices are heard to say Good afternoon to all and to all a good night. Until next year 73s
Carol Bird
-- KE7KHD
Hams are people who like to talk to other people and communicate in ways that are unique unto themselves. They use phrases such as QSY, CQ and 73s. They often refer to themselves as numbers with letters, like KE7KHD, not using their given names. Being a Ham means having a hobby in which participants use various types of radio communications to talk with other radio operators. There are many forms of this hobby that can be interesting, if not confusing at times. Some of these forms of communications are radiotelegraphy, short wave bands, Morse code, and IRLP. But lets get back to the story.
During the last days of June, the leader of these people, known as the ARRL, asks that everyone get together and talk. From noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday, these groups gather around the world in spaces large and small to set-up for this event. Such an event happened this last weekend in Pahrump. We gather our radios, our antennas, our tuners, our headsets, microphones, amplifiers, long wires, extra batteries, grounding rods, tools and such are gathered in order to establish contact with as many Hams as possible over great distances. Computers, hand-held radios, and vertical high frequency antennas with all sorts of things in our war bags are brought to make this event successful. Sometimes others in the community lend us a hand too.
This year, the group known as the Southern Nye County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (SNCARES) gathered around 10:00 am at a familiar landmark in our town a casino. In a hot and far off corner in the parking lot we set-up a trailer that we use for our Emergency Communications headquarters. As many at eight people get into this small trailer setting up radios, putting up antennas and pounding in grounding rods. Everyone knows each other and is comfortable with their part of the day. Lights are turned on, radios are powered up and our part in the great Field Day event begins.
As the sun rises over these brave souls, the day becomes exciting. Several new members of SNCARES are making their first contact with people in different, far away lands, like Idaho, Ohio and Vermont. Voices stretch out over the miles, talking with other Hams like ourselves. As night falls, we are becoming fewer and fewer in this trailer, but the hardy souls of our group carry on until the wee hours of the morning.
Sunday rushes in bringing with it sleepy faces and tired voices. But the loyal group continues until its time to shut down and pack up. The hour approaches as our sleepy little gnomes begin to breakdown their equipment, put up their gear and proceed home for a much-needed respite. There are discussions about the event and comments like next year we have got to have a better plan and next year, we had better find a place indoors to do this.
As the little group disburses, several voices are heard to say Good afternoon to all and to all a good night. Until next year 73s
Carol Bird
-- KE7KHD
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