[AReU] Field Day 2004

[Tony Stone]

It seems like only yesterday when I mentioned Field Day at the February,
2004
meeting and here it is behind us. It was a HOT few days for the folks that
are
more accustomed to being in air conditioning but the exhaustion is tempered
with satisfaction. I had a great time and hope all others who participated
did
also.

I was pleased to see Everette (WA1KVT) at the picnic Saturday. He told me
in private that the only reason he came was to bring my radio back that he
borrowed when he was in the hospital (hi-hi). Seriously though, thanks for
coming Everette. I was real glad to see you.

It seemed that we had plenty of help this year.  I was amazed at how
fast the tri-banders got up Friday. It was as if they appeared out of
nowhere.
The stations also looked good and seemed to perform very well. I was worried
about the generator situation but apparently the worry was for nothing. The
power supplies performed very well and were completely adequate.

My greatest thanks to the folks that contributed their equipment to our
Field
Day activities. As I was looking around I was amazed at the amount of
equipment
at the site. I can not thank the contributors of this equipment enough and
the
point standing was undoubtedly increased substantially by the availability
of air conditioning at the operators stations.

I hope that everyone had enough to eat and drink. I realize that hydration
at these
events is critical. I was consuming water and Gatoraid at an amazing rate
when I
was working even under cover of the pavilion.

The point standing is not precisely known at present. I will estimate it to
be at least
as much as last year and maybe more. The storms Saturday evening cut into
some
prime operating time but the folks at TARC unfortunately proved that
shutting down
was probably worth the lost points. I am grateful that only equipment was
damaged
and no one was hurt.

All that I can think of to say now is THANK YOU!!!!, THANK YOU!!!!
and THANK YOU!!!! to the members of BARS for supporting another great
Field Day event.

73

Tony