07/07/2008 | K4OO About 15 members of the Smith Chart Amateur Radio Society treked from Raleigh, NC to Meadows of Dan, Virginia for FD2008. The last time we were at Meadows of Dan was for FD2004.

Most members arrived on Friday afternoon and began setting up camp. Late in the day we shot some lines in trees for the 80 meter and 40 meter antennas, but most of Friday was spent setting up the camp for the evening.

After breakfast on Saturday morning we began building the tower, putting up the station tent, and emergency power generator.

We ran a 2A operation and this year thanks to Mike KE4U, and Tom W4KX, the radios were two new Elecraft K3's.

We had a few rain storms roll thru the area. They produced some of the most beautiful rainbows I've seen in a while.

Hans W2UF took on the task of doing the educational activity demonstrating the use of the Smith Chart to match a homebuilt antenna that wasn't 50 ohms at the desired operating frequency.

Hans and Walt WB2VSJ were also the food captains this year. These guys should be in the restaurant business. I don't think we have every had the quality and quantity of food like we had this year. Also thanks go to Tom N4TAB who was unable to attend, but did send some of his contest grade ribs and secret sauce.

Harry AB4T was inducted as a new member at the site. Harry copied the W1AW Field Day message.

Also thanks to all who kept the stations running around the clock.

Bob K4HA was the Field Day Czar for FD2008. Thanks Bob for your hard work and planning. Bob provided the logging computers for each station, and selected the antenna setups for this year.

A special thanks to Arden and Golda Quesinberry who allowed us to invade his farm for Field Day 2008.

73,

K4OO Smith Chart Amateur Radio Society -- W4FAL