First, I would like to thank our outgoing Field Day Chairman Dave, KR4U for his years of service and many memorable field days. Dave handed over the reins to this year to new chairman, Tom, NY4I. Thanks Tom for organizing a successful event.
In addition to a new chairman, lots of things changed this year’s field day. Our new location at DMI worked out well. While a true field day experience may not be air conditioned, our group has years of experience working under hot, humid, rainy conditions. Another year operating in a semi-tropical environment will not make us any smarter or more efficient. We did set up a large canopy on the patio and equipped it with tables and chairs. This provided additional room to socialize and eat. Our outside venue also had the best view of the grill. Thanks to Mike, K4ZPE for loaning us his canopy, tables and chairs. Thanks to Veronika, KC4YAW for logging in participants.
We also tried a different method of procuring food for the event. Rather than purchasing prepared goodies, we asked all participants to bring a food item to share with the group, while the club provided drinks, burgers and hot dogs. We sure had a diverse menu to choose from. There was about a 50-50 mix of homemade and purchased items. Thanks to Dee, N4GD and Tom, AI4QP for manning the grill. Walt, N4ELH supplied the winning food item in my book; a keg of homemade wheat beer brewed by his grandson. Tom, W4CU also provided a group favorite, meatballs. Lots of salads, cakes, cookies, chips and dip rounded out our menu choices. Thanks to all that made our dining experience unique. And an engineering attaboy to John, KI4UIP for turning an ordinary pool table into a buffet serving table. Let me know if you enjoyed this change.
We reduced the number of online transmitters at W4TA to three. This slightly reduced the antenna count and setup effort. Thanks to all the guys that set up our antennas on Friday so we could have a head start on Saturday. We compensated for the reduced number of transmitters and antennas by increasing our operating flexibility. Operating station #2 was configurable for CW, Digital, and SSB operation as determined by operator availability. Another engineering attaboy to John, KI4UIP for building an antenna patch panel which permitted any transceiver to connect to any antenna. A supporting engineering attaboy to Dave, KR4U for the triplexer he built which permitted all three stations to operate on the beam antenna simultaneously. We also tried new logging software this year. There were some issues; nothing that a quick reboot could correct. An engineering attaboy to Tom, NY4I for configuring the satellite station, our radios and logging network. Kudos to Paul, KC4YDY for providing and manning the 6M station again this year.
Our Get On The Air (GOTA) station was again provided by the reliable team of Tom, KI4RVU and Clayton, KJ4RUS. These guys mentored our newcomers through their first contacts. Their instruction must have worked, as I saw a few “students” at the mic of W4TA, our main station.
Overall, I rate SPARC 2015 field day a success. Were there issues? Of course. We will adapt and adjust as needed. One thing I can’t seem to account for is a birthday that occurs just before each field day. Each year I ache a little more when it’s over.
73, Bob, N2ESP
PS The July issue of the SPARC GAP will contain complete details of our field day fun.
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