I remember my first field day, which was actually fairly
recently (last 25 years). I had joined the West Valley Amateur
Radio Association because I felt I should support a repeater if
I wanted to use repeaters as I traveled around the country and
"west valley" was where my home was located.
Well, the club is seriously into Field Day, with the goal of
having as much fun as possible with as little work as possible.
We try to qualify for all those 100 point items: emergency
power, green power, GOTA, run a class, attract local pols etc. etc.
Anyone who wants to get on the air will have a chance at
operating, with a elmer if they need it. If you have a license,
you can sit in one of the main operating positions. There is
also a very active GOTA station for anyone who walks in off the
trail that passes the location we use on Mora Hill.
Well, that first field day, I had my arm twisted to try PSK on
the digital station. I found that PSK was enough like the
computer chat rooms which had been product of my company that I
could relax and just operate. It was this experience which
changed me from an equipment builder to an operator. (I still
build equipment.)
I moved from there into digital DXing. I caught the contest bug
when I discovered I only needed a few QSOs for DXCC. One
international DX contest pushed me over 100.
I think that year we came in #4 nationally. We always treat the
contest part of field day very seriously as well. It turns out
that many club members are contesters and for them, a high score
is part of having fun. And working with other people to set up a
massive field day operation is fun too.
Where we aren't particularly good is the food. We aren't
permitted to have any kind of fire -- miles of dry grass all
around our location -- so all food is brought up from homes or restaurants.
So for me, the bottom line is: Lets go have fun. And big scores
are a lot of fun.
This year, it doesn't seem likely we will get a permit for Mora
Hill. The general plan is to have everyone see what they can do
by themselves. But, if lightning strikes and the permit comes
through, we will see if we can do an operation with proper
social distancing.
BTW, one comment I have heard from my emcomm buddies is that
although there haven't been any problems with normal
communications (phones, internet etc.) some emcomm people have
been asked to help because they are already familiar with ICS
and working with non-ham emergency workers.
73 Bill AE6JV
On 5/14/20 at 2:10 PM, [email protected] (Jim Brown) wrote:
On 5/14/2020 7:56 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
However it has become a "contest" to see who and what
organization can accumulate the most points. A contact is a
contact, a multiplier is a mathematical term. It has no
place in Field Day operation.
My first FD was 1956. It has ALWAYS been a contest. It was my first, and it
made me a contester!
73, Jim K9YC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | When all else fails: | Periwinkle
(408)348-7900 | Voice and CW. | 150 Rivermead
Rd #235
www.pwpconsult.com | | Peterborough,
NH 03458
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