2009 ARRL Field Day
07/21/2009 |
K3TI
My First Field Day At My Home....K3TI
I suggest every ham to host a Field Day. This year I had the pleasure of hosting one at my home with the Dauberville DX Association.
I ,NT3Y and my Elmer ,NT3O, hosted the DDXA club's 2009 PA Field Day. We had 153 contacts two of which were CW. This was our first Field day at my home. We were classed as a 3 E in PA and our station was K3TI.
All of my ground work, which took around two months, was worth the many things I learned and practiced on Field Day. I had done clearing for a tower, clearing for easy access, and put my barn in good order for Station #2 to operate in. I also had my chickens and rabbits fenced in. Charlie, NT3O was looking over the whole operation and other members of the club pitched in to facilitate the operations for the stations.
Station #1 In preparation of Station #1 I used a bow and arrow to put up a wire home brew 75 ft into the trees over my pond . This wire in addition to my KLM 6 element would be one good and solid station worked out in the field. We had an Orion II to boot for Station #1.
Station #2 The blistering hot day before Field Day WB4FPL, Eric. KA3PVA, Bill, W3DSX Randy,, NT3Y (me),NT3O (Charlie) ,KB3RPK ,Laura ( my oldest daughter) and KB3NTV Bridget,my youngest daughter raised a 48 ft steel tower with guy wires, and put a 12 element M Square 2M and a 4 element Cushcraft 6 M.on top. A 746 Pro Icom was used. My apiary was undisturbed as the tower was only several yards away. I was surprised as no one was intimidated by the bees .
Station .#3 was my NVIS, and a Voyager II . A clearing for the NVIS was made weeks ahead. This home brew was put together by my Elmer and myself the first year that I became a ham which was 3 years ago. Thank goodness for Elmers. Radio's survival and good will is based on passing the torch and Elmers are key to it's success.
And yes ...the normal challenges took place : 259s had to be soldered , bad coaxes had to be replaced, the NVIS did not like it's location because it was too close to the house( shielding), I never did get my Buddy antennae up on the metal roof as a trial back up and propagation fluctuated. We had the "normal" alterations and modifications to take in stride.
NT3O slept in a tent,being adamant about the "Field "in Field Day.
We had so much fun!!! The last 30 minutes I finally sat at Station #1 and had a pile up in minutes. Next year I know to dive right in and grab a net.
We did not win any contest for high score yet there could not be a happier group of operators. I also had the pleasure of operating with my two daughters . It became a family event that brought us a little closer.
Next year K3TI will be operating from our home again next Field Day. With a few modifications as we run around with wire, antennas, tower, and lots of laughs along the way. -- NT3Y
I suggest every ham to host a Field Day. This year I had the pleasure of hosting one at my home with the Dauberville DX Association.
I ,NT3Y and my Elmer ,NT3O, hosted the DDXA club's 2009 PA Field Day. We had 153 contacts two of which were CW. This was our first Field day at my home. We were classed as a 3 E in PA and our station was K3TI.
All of my ground work, which took around two months, was worth the many things I learned and practiced on Field Day. I had done clearing for a tower, clearing for easy access, and put my barn in good order for Station #2 to operate in. I also had my chickens and rabbits fenced in. Charlie, NT3O was looking over the whole operation and other members of the club pitched in to facilitate the operations for the stations.
Station #1 In preparation of Station #1 I used a bow and arrow to put up a wire home brew 75 ft into the trees over my pond . This wire in addition to my KLM 6 element would be one good and solid station worked out in the field. We had an Orion II to boot for Station #1.
Station #2 The blistering hot day before Field Day WB4FPL, Eric. KA3PVA, Bill, W3DSX Randy,, NT3Y (me),NT3O (Charlie) ,KB3RPK ,Laura ( my oldest daughter) and KB3NTV Bridget,my youngest daughter raised a 48 ft steel tower with guy wires, and put a 12 element M Square 2M and a 4 element Cushcraft 6 M.on top. A 746 Pro Icom was used. My apiary was undisturbed as the tower was only several yards away. I was surprised as no one was intimidated by the bees .
Station .#3 was my NVIS, and a Voyager II . A clearing for the NVIS was made weeks ahead. This home brew was put together by my Elmer and myself the first year that I became a ham which was 3 years ago. Thank goodness for Elmers. Radio's survival and good will is based on passing the torch and Elmers are key to it's success.
And yes ...the normal challenges took place : 259s had to be soldered , bad coaxes had to be replaced, the NVIS did not like it's location because it was too close to the house( shielding), I never did get my Buddy antennae up on the metal roof as a trial back up and propagation fluctuated. We had the "normal" alterations and modifications to take in stride.
NT3O slept in a tent,being adamant about the "Field "in Field Day.
We had so much fun!!! The last 30 minutes I finally sat at Station #1 and had a pile up in minutes. Next year I know to dive right in and grab a net.
We did not win any contest for high score yet there could not be a happier group of operators. I also had the pleasure of operating with my two daughters . It became a family event that brought us a little closer.
Next year K3TI will be operating from our home again next Field Day. With a few modifications as we run around with wire, antennas, tower, and lots of laughs along the way. -- NT3Y
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