Nizar speaks of diversity, and he isn’t wrong. Thing is, diversity is easy to discuss in the abstract, but it is very difficult to put into practice. Believe me, I know. I think it’s more accurate to say Amateur radio is a microcosm of society in general. Our interest in two-way radio is what brings us together, but we otherwise can still be broken into our respective groups by the specific reasons for that interest.
I am no t a contester, and sometimes I have little patience for what I perceive as the effects of contests on Amateur Radio as a civic service. However, there is no question that Field Day is structured to facilitate some degree of contesting, and that’s to encourage the participation of contesters. Field Day is as much about inclusion as anything else, something that I reckon each of us should remind ourselves of occasionally. The Field Day groups that go for creating the big “mega” stations like ours do so in an effort to achieve the best points ranking possible. It’s simple enough: As you add active radios, you are competing with fewer and fewer other stations in your class. Fair enough, but going mega also brings on other complications like throwing together a bunch of people who may have quite different reasons for participating in Field Day. The challenge for both the group and the individual then becomes finding ways for everybody to enjoy themselves. I really don’t have the answers here. I do understand the issues though, and recognize the need for each of the participants to do whatever they can to accommodate each other. I phrase it that way because I’m well aware that I didn’t always practice what I’m preaching last weekend. There was a point about 1:00 a.m. when I was apparently between my first and second wind, and some young guy disconnected my station so he could reconnect the K3 for 40/80 digital and run that. I was sitting out in the foyer where it was marginally cooler when I saw the laptop controlling my radio drop off the network. I tore back to the back bedroom and was frankly none too kind in informing the fellow of his error. He correctly informed me I wasn’t actually on the sign-up sheet for that time, being polite and all so I’m embarrassed by my grumpy behavior. I don’t think I’ll do any more mega-station Field Days. There are too many complexities involved. From: BVARC <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Doug SEYLER via BVARC Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2018 8:23 To: Paul Noll <[email protected]> Cc: Doug SEYLER <[email protected]>; NIzar Mullani <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Jim Blanca <[email protected]>; Curt Fletcher <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Jimmy Vance <[email protected]>; Ron Litt <[email protected]>; Allen Brier N5XZ <[email protected]>; BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [BVARC] FD thoughts I agree Paul, Field Day is not a contest in the same vein as one of the big DX contests. Rather, it is a combination of emergency preparedness exercise, social event, and contest. As such we need to accommodate all of those interests. At the same time, one becomes “not a rookie” by wading in and making contacts, preferably with a coach there to help. The only thing that bothers me is when I see a station being occupied by people who are just shooting the breeze, not operating. This just contributes to the noise level in the room and blocks someone else from getting on the air. Above all, however, Field Day is a social event, so we want to make sure that everyone feels welcome. Thanks for your comments. Regards, Doug Seyler WB5TKI TDXS Field Day Coordinator Sent from my iPad On Jun 27, 2018, at 9:33 PM, Paul Noll <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: “Too many contest rookies”, wow, now that’s the way to get more participation ! Throw a label out there at people, who like everyone, has to start somewhere before they become “not a contest rookie” like yourself I presume. Exactly why I did not go to FD, didn’t want to feel like I was in the way ! Paul Noll KG5MHD Love your pets, they want and deserve it !!! On Jun 26, 2018, at 11:13 PM, Ron Litt via BVARC <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: I agree with most all of te comments. WE need to have a way to recruit Phone conesters. Most of the SSB ops seemed to be there just to see what it is like. Not to contest. I have written to some folks at the Potomac Valley Radio club and the Tennessee Contest group to get some ideas from them. Also agree with Bill about people switching headsets. I found someone who had done just that to my K3. Too bad for him. My radio, my rules. There are some things that people should not mess with on other peoples gear. Too many contest rookies. We need experienced SSB operators that know how to run. I have a couple of ideas in that area but will outline it later. Too late tonight. Regards, Ron Litt 281-961-4570 866-667-0521 FAX [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> From: BVARC <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > On Behalf Of Bill Cordell via BVARC Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 8:22 PM To: 'BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; 'Jim Blanca' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Cc: Bill Cordell <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ; 'Doug Seyler' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ; 'NIzar Mullani' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; 'Curt Fletcher' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ; 'Jimmy Vance' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; 'Allen Brier N5XZ' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [BVARC] FD thoughts Allen: Great summation.. Bill From: BVARC <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > On Behalf Of Allen Brier N5XZ via BVARC Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 6:57 PM To: 'Jim Blanca' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; 'BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Cc: Allen Brier N5XZ <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; 'Doug Seyler' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ; 'NIzar Mullani' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; 'Curt Fletcher' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ; 'Jimmy Vance' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [BVARC] FD thoughts For Field Day next year we will (or should): 1. Have Jeff Hoke from CenterPoint Energy come out several months before FD and then again several weeks before. 2. Locate the main antennas East<->West of each other to minimize interstation interference. 3. Route digital feed lines separate from CW feed lines. 4. Investigate the use of some portable A/C units. 5. Investigate the use of coax stubs to further reduce interstation interference. 6. KEEP THE SAME COOK! (Great job on food!) 7. KEEP THE SAME NETWORK GUY! (Great job on computers, networking, software, etc. We are really lucky to have you, Glen!) 8. Suggest either TDXS or BVARC purchase a new 2-el 40m beam. 9. Put CW antennas on highest manlifts. 10. Investigate the use of a manual switch to switch radios from mains to generator (to eliminate last minute confusion…or) switch radios to generator well before 1pm. 11. Make sure GOTA station operators know the rules. I thought this was one of our best Field Days yet, due to the new location (irrespective of noise). Hopefully we can work out the noise issues with CenterPoint or fix whatever is making the noise in the house. The house and the land were a big improvement over what we have had in the past. The participation by other clubs (especially KARS) was a big plus. We may need to make some more rules, especially with respect to moving headsets around in the SSB room…or make sure all are setup the same way. We also need a greater push with the SSB operators regarding operating technique to maximize rate (teach them to run). I am also dumbfounded and extremely disappointed in the lack of participation by other TDXS members. I suggest we make a push again for next year, but we need to start six months in advance so that they do not make other plans first. I know I have other thoughts and will express them as soon as they come to the front of my mind. Allen R. Brier N5XZ 1515 Windloch Lane Richmond, Texas 77406-2553 (281) 342-1882 (Home) (713) 705-4801 (Cell) From: Jim Blanca [ <mailto:[email protected]> mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 4:39 PM To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]> Cc: Allen R. Brier < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>; Curt Fletcher < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>; NIzar Mullani < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>; Scott Royall < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>; <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Subject: Re: [BVARC] FD thoughts Like Scott, I had the over night shift. I started at the beginning and finished around 4:30 AM- 5:00AM, when Nizar came to rescue me! I went home and slept for a couple of hours, then went to Church. I returned about 1/2 hour before the end with my wife (KD8CMB) and tried to get her to work a little SSB. Alas, no luck, but she did sign in!! I did not do much of the take down, except move some tables and chairs, as my grandson decided to be born on June 25th, and he takes priority! We had his 7th birthday party at our place. Can you imagine a house full of kids, right after field day, and having only a couple hours of sleep!! I agree wholeheartedly with Nizar’s and Curt’s comments. I am somewhat dumbfounded at the lack of participation from the TDXS, as I believe there were approximately 6 of us in attendance, although I could be wrong on that number and just missed folks who came out on Sunday morning. 73 de Jim - KE8G On Tue, Jun 26, 2018 at 12:21 PM Scott Royall via BVARC <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Happy that you enjoyed it. My experience was a bit different since I had the overnight shift, but I second your action items. -----Original Message----- From: BVARC <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > On Behalf Of NIzar Mullani via BVARC Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 11:13 To: 'Curt Fletcher' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; 'Allen R. Brier' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Cc: NIzar Mullani <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ; 'BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Sub: Re: [BVARC] FD thoughts Overall evaluation of the QUAD club FD would have to be 4+ out of 5. Great location, great teamwork and great people. Most importantly, the bands opened up on Sunday for a great ending. 3,000 QSOs considering that we had high noise on 40 and 80 meters and no propagation on 15 and 10 on Saturday, is a great score. So, thank you to ALL the organizers and the clubs for making this very successful. Here are a couple of suggestions to make it even better for next year. 1. Trace the noise generator prior to FD so we can reduce it. S9 noise on 80 meters made it almost useless. We could not hear most of the signals. 2. Locate the antennas so as to minimize interference between SSB, CW and Digital modes antennas. -----Original Message----- From: Curt Fletcher [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] Sent: Monday, June 25, 2018 7:20 AM To: Nizar Mullani; Allen R. Brier Subject: FD thoughts A few random thoughts on FD. For a few years I thought TDXS should break away and do our own FD, I’m wrong. There isn’t enough TDXS members participating to put up a tent, throw a rock over a tree with a long wire on the end. The BVARC and Katy guys really did a great job with just about everything hardware related. The current arrangement is perfect for all concerned, Glen and Allen organizing computers and radios, BVARC guys towers and antennas, Katy guys organizing, labor and sweat. New location is far superior to the fire stations. Obviously figuring out the noise issue prior to FD would be nice. 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