Field Day 2014 / 1D
June 28, 2014 - I drove up to the W1AW/3 (W3AO) 2014 Field Day site. The team had already assembled an impressive array of towers, wire and satellite antennas When I arrived (before 9AM) most of the duties required heavy lifting of transceivers and computers -- not an option for a fella who has lived thru several back surgeries. I met a few volunteers and was told that Phone relief operators only would be needed for overnight shifts. Unfortunately, it didn't look like I could be of much support to the effort. I love operating, so it was time for Plan B.
To keep the Field Day spirit alive, I returned home and operated from my primary station (Class 1D). I paid close attention to the cluster and contacted specific states still needed on different HF bands.
May 31, 2014 - Field Day (FD) 2014 is just around the corner and I've volunteered to join W3AO (PVRC/CARA) this year. The station will operate as W1AW/3 from Maryland.
To keep the Field Day spirit alive, I returned home and operated from my primary station (Class 1D). I paid close attention to the cluster and contacted specific states still needed on different HF bands.
May 31, 2014 - Field Day (FD) 2014 is just around the corner and I've volunteered to join W3AO (PVRC/CARA) this year. The station will operate as W1AW/3 from Maryland.
The Columbia Amateur Radio Association (CARA) will partner with the Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC) to participate in the Amateur Radio Relay League's annual Field Day event involving operators around the nation. CARA and PVRC will participate in this national event in June 2014.
Field Day 2013 / 1B QRP
June 24, 2013 - Field Day (FD) 2013 has come and gone. This year, ingenuity and flexibility were essential skills that helped me craft a low-power, solo operation (1B QRP). I've always participated in a club-sponsored FD -- ARPSC in Arlington County, Virginia was the club I joined for the last six years -- so this was my first-ever solo gig. I had a blast learning new things about myself and my gear. I dedicated Friday evening to tweaking my site and conducting radio tests. This resulted in several successful Phone QSO's using 5-10 watts. Using low power is a big change for a QRO DX'er! I was delighted to chat with three European stations on 20 meters Phone after making only two or three calls to each station. Later, I completed three Phone QSO's on 40 and 75 meter bands. These contacts seemed to be a result of Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) propagation. V/UHF DIG Modes remain untested.
In addition to testing my EmComm skills, I wanted to submit a competitive 1B FD contest package to the ARRL. Despite much effort, I awoke Saturday morning in serious discomfort and was basically unable to do more than lie down on a blanket under the canopy which was erected to be a "screened-in radio room." This was just a few hours before FD kick-off. As they say back on Old Cape Cod, near where I grew up, "Wicked bummer."
Air checks and early contacts were a "snap." My QSO rate per hour were initially good, but they dropped significantly as my pain increased. I started to "sandbagged" more and more as the day progressed - listening more that making contacts. Finally, I decided to pack-up before sundown on Saturday. The pain was just too much. Wrapping-up abruptly gives new meaning to "flexibility." It was a wise decision to QRT and return to my home, yet I felt tremendously disappointed. Thirty-two QRP contacts as 1B (Solar) MDC were logged before I "called it a day."
- Jun-22 22:46 K9EZ [NC]
- Jun-22 22:46 N1HNY [ME]
- Jun-22 21:19 WA4AMG [FL]
- Jun-22 20:26 N2RGM [FL]
- Jun-22 20:01 WA4AMG [FL]
- Jun-22 19:50 N1HNY [ME]
- Jun-22 19:36 KR4SO [MS]
- Jun-22 19:13 N1HNY [ME]
- Jun-22 19:12 KT4EP [TN]
- Jun-22 18:31 N1HNY [ME]
- Jun-22 18:00 KR4SO [MS]
- Jun-22 18:00 N1HNY [ME]
- Jun-21 21:17 KC0NWS [MO]
In summary, I really looked forward to Field Day 2013. A lot of time, care and enthusiasm went into planning for this QRP solo event. Unfortunately, things just fell apart due to unforeseen health problems. On the upside, I've assembled some really cool QRP gear and I'm looking forward to using it throughout summer. Stay tuned and let's see what Field Day 2014 brings!
Field Day 2013
June 14-21, 2013 - Arlington Radio Public Service Club (ARPSC and RACES for Arlington County, VA) is regretfully not sponsoring Field Day 2013 for understandable reasons. ARRL's Field Day (FD) has always been an opportunity to socialize, practice for incidents, eat good food and contest in my eyes. I like to combine the competitive edge of a contest with the "holiday style" mindset when participating in FD. Fun, engaging, creative and relaxing.
There was encouragement to join FD sponsored by another radio club that operates a "super station," but there wasn't much of a "hospitality" vibe for newbies communicated on the reflector. The basic message was "show up" and it will get figured out. Hmmm, I'm starting to read the iced tea leaves and this scenario just doesn't bode well for the new kid on the block!
I feel sad to be a FD "orphan" this year; however, this situation presents an opportunity to try something new. After nearly three decades as a radio amateur, I've decided to operate as a solo-portable (1B), weather permitting.
Field Day is perhaps the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in North America. Each year over 35,000 amateurs gather to operate. It's not your "typical" contest; rather, it is a time where many aspects of Amateur Radio come together. Some hams treat FD as a contest, others use it as an EmComm exercise or public relations event. Others just like to camp, cook out and relax. I enjoy a blend of these experiences.
As the week progresses, I'm adding information related to planning, preparing and deploying. For starters, the forecast looks great for the Washington DC Metro this year:
FD 2013, for me, will be a contest and an exercise to test my portable gear for EmComm. I'd really like to hike or go to a nearby park, but some physical limitations will keep me close to home! My partner isn't interest in amateur radio, but we will take time to eat some yummy food and enjoy the weekend.
Here's an overview of my planned entry:
Here's an overview of my planned entry:
- Class: 1B Battery / Solar
- Location: FM19la
- Bonus Points: None - I plan to focus primarily on operations, not special points
- Wish-list: Satellite Ops
The QRP Field Day gear I'll use for this exercise comes from my EmComm "Go Kit." Some of these items were also used during a "vacation" ops on STX. Thus far, I've tested the primary PSK31 / CW rig, given HamLog FD (iPad) a whirl and will soon give the secondary QRP rig a whirl. Antenna plans are coming together and temporary masts will be moved from storage for deployment.
SAFETY
Safety guidelines are paramount. Training from Arlington RACES, past exercises and common sense are par of my safety plan. I have a first aid kit and supplies in my "Go Bag." There will be relatively easy access to food, water and bathroom facilities in the house. The Incident Command System (ICS) won't be a primary consideration for this experience because this will b a solo event and not a RACES exercise. Installation of antennas will follow standard precautions.
FOOD, WATER & SHELTER
These items have been secured. An ice chest filled with water and some snacks will also serve as a "side table."
- Ice
- Water / beverages
- Snacks
- Tarp
- Table(s), blanket and chair
- Mosquito netting canopy
GEAR & SETUP
- Elecraft KX3 with built in ATU for Voice, Digital and Phone
- Yaesu FT 817 with Nue PSK (Primary VHF, backup HF)
- LDG Z-817H auto tuner for the GT 817
- Pigtail by Pignology, LLC (original unit, needs more testing)
- GOTA (Get On The Air) Station = not permitted by rules
- Yaesu VX7R to monitor repeaters
- Primary FM: 146.625 -600KHz CTCSS 107.2
- Secondary Simplex FM: 146.520 MHz
BANDS & MODES
I plan to focus on standard QRP frequencies (+/-), as conditions permit. Phone, CW and Digital will be used.
PSK-31 is a fun digital mode! I experienced great success fusing it QRP during a trip to St. Croix, USVI a few years ago. One cane successfully make DX contacts with very little power and modest antennas. It works by transmitting a tone which is phase shifted (Phase Shifted Keying). Visit http://bpsk31.com/ for more information.
Hellschreiber (FELD HELL) is now considered a digital mode. It's a single tone on-off keyed system is capable of displaying 122.5 dots per second (approximately 35 words per minute). I've used FELD HELL a few years ago and am aware this transmission mode can be challenging during weak signal conditions. Yet, I'll have it handy as a possible digital mode, just for kicks! See www.feldhellclub.org for more information.
Radioteletype (RTTY) is a telecommunications system consisting originally of two or more electromechanical teleprinters in different locations. I rarely use RTTY and have a hunch this mode won't be used much.
ANTENNAS, PULLEYS & MASTS
- Multi Band HEX Beam (suspended via pulley system in a tree at 45')
- Arrow Antenna 3-Element 2 Meter Backpack Beam
- DX Blaster Cage Antenna for 75/80 Meter Inverted-Vee
- Long Wire for 40 Meters
- MagMount 144/440 MHz for monitoring
- Two surplus military fiberglass masts
- Buddipole (backup)
STATION HARDWARE & SUPPLIES
- GoalZero battery Kit with Solar Panels will provide natural auxiliary power for everything - radios to lights inclusive.
LOGGING HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
- iPad with HamLog with dupe tracking
SITE PREP & MAINTENANCE
- Mow the lawn (not!)
- Clear an branches from recent wind storm
- Organize temporary fiberglass masts and antennas for installation
Field Day 2012
Past APSRC Field Day Operations
Photos of the "Retired" ETSU from the web
