06/09/2003 | N6ME What a year 2002 was going to be! With limited participation from the club this year and the fact that two key players decided to play over at NP4A, we had a big hole to fill!

We entered as a 5A station and really believed we could pull it off with 5 to 10 people. AA6PW/N6MJ continued to beat their previous year scores on 20CW using a high performance custom made Moxon. W3SE and N6OPR split their operations between 15/40 CW and 15/40 phone using a vertical curtain on 40, a Sigma V on 40 and a KT-36 on 15. These two station are always properly manned and pull their weight every year.

The 20 Phone station was run by the "Rowberg Boys". Little did we know that there was a problem with the 3 element yagi this year. This was unexpected as this antenna is a real performer over the past 15 years. There must be something about the bent elements that makes this thing play! Our scores on 20 phone were low based on previous years. But, the "boys" hung in there and did their required 24 hours!

The new GOTA station was manned by K6RIX, who also doubled as Field Day Chairman and Generator tech. With the lack of additional support, he (I) was at his wit's end!

While we won our section (we usually do) and placed 29th over all (not bad out of 2500!) we dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in MANY years. Where did all the club members go?!

It was still a fun time! AD6NM and KF6DFN provided the much needed food and moral support. WA6PMX built a myriad of antennas for 3 different bands. We learned a lot this year...like what NOT to do next year! :-)

We are always looking for a few good operators! If you or your club would like to participate with us in the future, contact me at k6rix@arrl.net

Also, check out our web site! Under the "Events" section, you will find great photos of previous Field Day events! http://www.qsl.net/wara/ -- K6RIX