07/29/2009 | W2GSB ALL WE CAN SAY IS WOW!!! After the event we received phone calls from several other hams from other clubs. They all said that our field day site and setup was the best they have seen on Long Island in the last 15 to 20 years. Our site was the East lawn/Park at the Babylon (NY) Town Hall where the Emergency Operations Center is located, hence our 7F classification.
All the planning paid off big; Bob K2TV spent the time to go over what do at field day at the last General Meeting. From operating practices to logging correctly it all paid off very well.
We did some basic logistics at 6 A.M. getting the 2 shelters out of the storage area, as well as the coax runs and propane for the generator which was loaned to us by Alan N2CRV. While that was going on Justin KC2OYH, and Alice KC2VLV, were picking up the tower
trailer at the storage facility and transporting it to the field day site.
The site was split up into SSB on the North side and CW/Digital at the South End. The North side was set up by a crew headed up by John W2JGH, and Rich KB2BBQ. They had a crew of about 6 people at that end and did a great job.
The south end was set by a crew of a few under the leadership of Bob, K2TV, and Walter KA2CAQ. Justin KC2OYH, took charge of the tower and its antennas with help from Bill W2ANQ, Brian N2NGE, and others. The tower looked real good from all directions in the park and adjacent Highway. The American flag sure looked great between
the 2 beam antennas.
Our plan of splitting operations north and south worked out real well with sideband on the north end and CW/digital modes to the south. Every Antenna was up by 10 A.M. and equipment was ready to rock the airwaves by 12 noon which gave us time to break for lunch.
The north end was equipped with 3 radios, two TS-570s, which are the clubs radios, and John W2JGHs Alinco DX70T HF rig.
The South side had 5 radios, of which 4 counted towards our transmitter class of 7F. The 8th radio was an FT-857, a freebie operating alternately on 2 meters and 6 meter sideband. South side radios were: Two TS-480s, 1 for CW the other for PSK-31 which were furnished by Bob, K2TV,and John W2HCB. K2TV also brought down his Alnico DX70T HF rig for CW. Walter, KA2CAQ, brought his Kenwood HF rig and his NUI-PSK modem. Jay N2PIK, supplied a second NUI-PSK modem
We ran N1MM and CT logging software with no problems. On the south end Bob K2TV, John K2IZ, and John W2HCB supplied the laptops for logging at that end. We could have used 1 more laptop, something well have to remember that for next year.
The balance of the logging was done on paper logs and dupe sheets.
IT WAS A TOTAL TEAM EFFORT!!!
Everyone worked very hard to get us on the air on time. The food for the event also worked out well. We had two 3 foot heroes for lunch on Saturday and pizza for dinner. Bagels, doughnuts, and 2 Boxes-of-Joe were dropped off Sunday morning for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to W2HCB's XYL Michelle and daughter Jennifer KC2TMA, for picking up
and delivering the pizzas, bagels and Sunday morning eats. Also thanks goes out to Frank gorilla man K2LI for donating coffee very early Sunday and Adam KB2TCH for donating the coffee Saturday morning. The McDonald's across the highway from the field day site even sent over hamburgers and french fries to the crew on Saturday evening. Thank You "Mickey D"!
We also had many visitors stop by to check out our operations. 4 members of the Red Cross came down to the site and were very impressed with our setup and asked a lot of questions, shot some video, and took a lot of pictures. Babylon Town Councilman Tony Martinez also stopped down for a visit. He was very impressed
with what we are able to do. We also had several fire department personnel come down, as well as , Gil Hanse the Town
Fire Warden and Civil Preparedness Director. We even got a visit from the US Army and gained 3 new members! To them We would like to say, Welcome to the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club.
In our opinion, this field day was one of the best. From the planning, set up and operating, to the take down and stowing of gear, everything went smoothly. This is a field day to remember for a long time. -- K2TV