[CTSARA] Field Day 2014 Results

[Jon Perelstein]

We believe we have our numbers

::::: drum roll ::::

::::: wait for it, cause it's going to be legen................. dary ::::

=====> 11,334 points <=====

That compares to 8,910 last year, 9,940 in 2012, and 9,816 in 2011.

This year's score consisted of

CW QSOs       1,041  (2,082 points)
Digital QSOs        91  (182 points)
Phone QSOs   2,618  (2,618 points)

CW and digital QSOs each count 2 points, phone QSOs each count 1 point

Total points = 4,882

Since all stations operated at under 150 watts, we get to double our
operating points to 9,764.

We also earned 1,570 bonus points for things like using emergency power,
media publicity, the ARRL Field Day message, visits by politicians and
served agencies, GOTA bonus for GOTA operators who did more than 20 QSOs
each, etc., etc.


Phone
----------
In 3A HF phone (i.e., not including GOTA) it appears that we doubled our
production of QSOs from last year.  That's misleading because last year we
had only 1 full-time phone station on the air (what would have been our
second station was doing digital for all but a few hours on Saturday).
 This year we went back to having 2 full-time phone stations on the air
(with our second station doing digital for a few hours during the
overnight).

Having said that, obviously everyone performed great.  Adam and Gus were
the champs, but we also had very strong showings from Jon Solomon, Terry
Papazidis, Chris Demisch, Jon Shapiro, Steve Urso, Tom Agaston, Steve Urso,
Terry Martin, Tom Young, and our real ringer - Kathi Laug (238 QSOs).

GOTA production was way down - only 132 QSOs versus 331 last year, 355 the
year before, and 441 the year before that.  While we had a number of
visitors, not many wanted to get on the air.  In addition, a lot of people
who were GOTA eligible last year (e.g., Elena, Steve) are now licensed hams
who are no longer GOTA eligible. Similarly, the number of youth operators
was way down - we only had five versus as many as 12 in previous years.  We
do have to work on this area for next year.  Having said that, I would like
to thank Elena and the others who worked the GOTA tent - they made the
visitors feel very comfortable.

VHF production was terrible this year (30 QSOs versus 102 last year) -
simply due to poor propagation.  All we worked were local stations in CT,
NY, and NJ.  The other stations that we could hear were having the same
problem, implying that our antennas were working and that it truly was just
propagation at fault.

CW
-----
1,041 QSOs versus 716 QSOs.  Andy and Wes were incredible.  This year's
effort was dedicated to the memory of Leonid (AA1LD), a long-time member
and CW tent operator who died last year, and they did a wonderful job in
his memory.

Digital
----------
81 QSOs versus 204 QSOs.  Given our lack of results last year, we scaled it
back this year and only ran digital for about 5 hours during the overnight
(plus about 1/2 hour right at the end).

Visitors
-----------
We did not get as many visitors as in previous years (only about 65 versus
about 80 for last year).  A lot of the missing were old members of SARA who
have moved away.  We did get a number of new, younger visitors (mostly
families) who have not visited before, and that's promising.  It would have
been nicer if some of those newcomers had been interested in getting on the
air, but at least they came and most of them stayed to chat and find out
more about the hobby.  I think we'll see most of them back next year and
maybe even a few at our VE sessions.


**************

We had a good Field Day.  The weather cooperated.  The people cooperated.
 Setup and takedown went quickly and smoothly.  Everyone got on the air who
wanted to get on the air.  Georgi did another great training effort on
Sunday morning.  Ernest and Steve did a great job on the food (plus, of
course, those who brought food).

On behalf of the Board, I thank you all.

73s

P.S.  Oh yeah, did I remember to mention Terry M.  He didn't do much -
except organize the whole thing and set us up for an incredible score that
will be hard for us to beat!!!!