07/05/2014 | N3DUE

The South Carroll Amateur Radio Group operated 2E as N3DUE from Woodbine, MD, FM19LJ. Two amateurs participated this year, Alan N3DUE and Forrest WA3FAE. A total of 270 phone and 697 CW QSOs were made using only 4 bands, 80M through 15M.

Weather conditions were the best we have seen in 50 years plus of working Field Day. The temperature was about 80, mild winds, partly cloudy, no rain and no lightning. It was a little cooler the weekend before and after Field Day but we weren’t complaining. The bugs and mosquitos were also non-existent. We used 7 different antennas covering from 80M to 10M. They were 80, 40, 20, 15, 15 and 10M Par endfedz half wave antennas, 2 phased full-sized verticals for 40M and an AV620 multiband vertical. Band conditions were fair, with 10M never being worth any effort. Antennas worked as predicted at times and then the opposite at other times. The horizontal and sloper antennas were quieter at night and noisier during the day. The vertical antennas were actually quieter during the day. Our rigs were a K3/P3, an IC756 ProIII and an IC706MKIIG for backup.  Operator courtesy was very good and code speeds were average, between 20 and 30 WPM. Phone operations were almost impossible on 40M due to the large number of stations. We look forward to next year and another good Field Day. 73. -- WA3FAE