If you come to North Texas, be prepared for high temperatures and lately high humidity. Oh, and don't forget a black light to illuminate all the bark scorpions we have here too.
Jim KA0IQT On Jun 28, 2016 9:59 AM, "w7aqk" <w7...@cox.net> wrote: > Hi All, > > I have always considered Field Day to be the most enjoyable "event" of the > year. Unfortunately, this year I was unable to participate "in the field" > as I am busy getting ready for a long trip. Otherwise, I would have been > out there with the rest of you. > > Long ago I determined that there were two things that could ruin Field Day > for me--excessive heat and bugs (no, not the Vibroplex kind!). If I can't > avoid both, I usually don't go! When I was living in "The South", both > could be a problem. Here in the desert, it's the heat issue that I mainly > have to deal with. Fortunately, there is a good choice of "high ground" > nearby, so that problem is solvable. Since there typically isn't a lot of > water nearby, the bug problem is usually minimized as well. > > My hat is most definitely off to those of you who can endure either or > both of my "Field Day Fun Killers". Most of you who do that are probably > east of the Rockies. I remember Field Days where the seemingly most > important pieces of equipment were fans! The problem is that most of the > time all those did was blow hot air around! High temperatures plus high > humidity is a tough combination to combat. It doesn't take long before you > wish you could take a shower--but you probably can't! It even makes > grabbing a little shut eye difficult. > > Fighting the bug problem can be a bit easier, but takes some advance > planning. My Field Day kit includes a large canopy of mosquito netting > that can be suspended from most anything overhead, like a tree branch. A > tent-like canopy with netting works too, but isn't always as convenient to > locate. Fully enclosed tents tend to trap heat, so those don't always work > well either. > > Planning for Field Day can be a year long event, particularly for larger > groups. However, even the smaller operations need to start making a list > early! Your "fun killer" list may not be the same as mine, but whatever it > includes, you should consider early on how to deal with it. Starting the > process now, while the problems are fresh in your mind, is probably one of > the best things you can do. > > I've been reading a lot of complaints about high heat in the reports that > have been posted so far. That's always a problem, but it just seems like > it was more so this year. Even Wayne Burdick commented about some very > high temperatures in his area, and I think this may be a sign of the > times. I'm getting too old to have that kind of dedication. Here in my > area it was well into the 100's down low, but in the 70's higher up. I > will always opt for "up", even if I have to drive a bit further. Besides, > there are trees up there! > > Again, I greatly admire the dedication that many (if not most) of you gave > to this year's effort. However, I have to wonder if participating in those > 5A/6A or higher groups, who's location choices are perhaps much more > limited, is really worth it. Have you considered a 1A, or 2A operation in a > much more hospitable location? The food may not be quite as good, but the > experience can be well worth it! I know, it's often a "club thing", and > that may well overrule all other concerns. However, you still might want > to try it at least once--you might like it! For many years now I've > operated strictly QRP CW in the field, and never had more fun! > > 73, > > Dave W7AQK > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ka0...@gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
