07/05/2008 | VO1MRC The Marconi Radio Club (VO1MRC 1A NL) Field Day in Whitbourne started off with a bit of rain... climbing a tree to install an antenna while wearing raincoat is always fun! Then we had a few technical glitches which were quickly resolved and then we fought the QRM for a few QSO's, including some with our VO colleagues who also put their club stations on the air. This was my last FD before retiring as NL Section Manager and it was a pleasure to chat with my able successor VO1VZ on the air. We had lots of challenges making contacts, tinkering, experimenting, excellent food and entertainment and of course another fine MRCN Field Day operation. For good luck, we used the Vibroplex bug of the late Mr E. Ash VO1A who is generally acknowledged as the first VO amateur. We couldn't hear our club's VO1ZA beacon on 50.039 nor any Es on 6m, but did hear the experimental LF 1600m beacon on 187.37475 kHz very clearly. Let's hope for better conditions as the sun gets spotty in the years to come. Until next year, VY 73. -- VO1NA