07/01/2009 | W8DXA Northern Ohio DX Association 2009 Field Day Report:

NODXA had a great field day from many perspectives. Every year it gets harder to prepare for field day, even if you're retired. But in the end, after all the antennas, rigs, generator, tents, tables, chairs and operators have left our beautiful field day site, you come away with a good feeling. This is because you proved once again that you can set up a communications complex in the middle of nowhere and make a few thousand contacts. You got to socialize with your ham radio friends that you never really get to talk with much. You swapped stories and reflected on good memories of field days past
and recollections of those who are now Silent Keys. It's the one thing we really do as a club and is in the true spirit of ham radio. If you missed coming out this year, think about these words and come out next year. You will be rewarded in many ways.

We made a contact with ISS astronaut VA3CSA on Sunday morning. Although this does not count as a QSO for the ARRL Field Day score, it was the most exciting qso made at NODXA Field Day. Of course we have a recording of it and will be sending for the QSL card on behalf of W8DXA.

We qualified for several bonus point categories including the Field
Day Message to the SEC and 10 other messages all sent by Ken, W8KEN.
This was a lot of work and thanks to Ken, we have 200 additional points.

The Richfield Police Chief came out just before our on-the-air operation ended and that counts for a "elected/appointed official."
We did not have the Red Cross show up although K8VJG invited them.
Thanks to Ron for getting the police chief to come out.

We had a very unusual training session put on by Pete N8TR, a member
of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Most of us are not very
good with knots and this session was an educational experience.
Hopefully those who were present learned how to tie a knot that will keep those antennas up in the air!

As usual, Nick W8XD made the first 5 - 40 meter qso's on solar power
and the sun was cooperating right at the start of field day operating. His FT817 worked well for this purpose as it does every year.

Press releases were sent out but we didn't have any reporters show up.

We had an information table with lots of publications to browse through thanks to Tedd KB8NW, Ron K8VJG and others. Tedd copied the W1AW Field Day Message on RTTY for another 100 bonus points.

Our GOTA station was operated by 3 unlicensed YL's this year. They
all did a great job on 15 meters. This year we did not have any youth
operators as we did last year. Karen Autry, Linda Mirgliotta and Pam
Tarczy made the GOTA qso's on K8ME's FT100.

Our generator provided by Dwaine K8ME worked well and was easily filled with gasoline due to a gravity feed tank and hose that Dwaine procured. We had a very localized rainstorm that eventually drowned our generator. Once the rain stopped, an ambitious crew managed to dry off the plug wire etc and it was back in operation. Once again, the ham radio can do attitude prevailed. They got it running just in time for the last VO-52 satellite pass where we netted 3 CW QSO's. Satellites don't wait!

The food was again superb with Chef Dwaine K8ME at the grill and Mary N8DMM coordinating the rest. Others including Linda Mirgliotta and Diane Papay sent over special treats which were consumed by all of us. Tedd KB8NW brought the traditional sheet pizza on Saturday night. If you went home hungry it wasn't our fault. Thanks to all who brought food and drink.

Doug, KD8CAO, again drove the 325 miles from Zeeland, MI, to be with us on Field Day. He operated the satellite station as well as the phone HF station. He got home about 11:30pm Sunday night. We will be entering our satellite results in the Amsat Field Day competition.

Ed, W8EDB, once again mowed the field where we set up our operations. The area where the 6 meter antenna and generator are placed was 3' high and was quite a challenge to mow down with his various tractors. He came out several times to finish the job. Ed is not even a member of NODXA but enjoys contributing his time and effort to our club.

Denny WB8K provided the canopy for our food/socializing area. It came in very handy when we had our Sunday morning downpour. After many years of field day service, it is still in very good condition!

There are two individuals who contribute the bulk of our field day equipment every year. Pete N8TR and Bill W8JGU are the key individuals who go all out so that we can come out and operate. Without them, our field day would be nowhere near as successful as it is every year. Thanks for doing what you do!

Finally we thank the Sisters of Charity at Mt. Augustine for allowing us to use their beautiful grounds for our field day operation every year. We have a great location for HF here and since we are operating in a "field" with no other structures present, we do so in the true spirit and meaning of Field Day. It is a true test of what we could face in a disaster. We show the world every year that we are up to the challenge.

If you came out and operated, provided equipment, helped set up and tear down etc., and weren't mentioned above, thank you for your efforts. There are many others who do things behind the scenes that make field day successful. Thank you!

If you missed field day this year, plan to come out next year. It sure beats watching TV.

73,
John K8YSE -- K8YSE