[ICOM] Field Day 2012 - final result.

[C.Whitaker]

de WB2CPN
Right, Mac.
1C has been done on horses, and hang gliders.
73  Clete
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++


On 6/25/2012 4:07 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald wrote:
> One operator, one transmitter at a time, and mobile
> (vehicle = human feet) comes out to 1C. Rules don't
> say anything about HOW you are moving.
>
> * * * * * * * * * * *
> * 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
> * (Since 30 Nov 53) *
> * k2gkk at hotmail.com *
> * Oklahoma City, OK *
> * USAF, Ret (61-81) *
> * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> From: mike-2007 at elp.rr.com
>> To: IC703 at yahoogroups.com; icom at mailman.qth.net
>> Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 21:22:45 -0600
>> Subject: [ICOM] Field Day 2012 - final result.
>>
>>
>> In 2009 and 2010 I worked Field Day as a 1B 1-operator solar powered QRP
>> station using my FT-817 and some kind of portable antenna. In 2011 I was in
>> Germany, I didn't play Field Day at all. This year I wanted to do something
>> different. With the completion of my Pedestrian Mobile radio earlier this
>> year, I thought I would try my hand at Pedestrian Mobile. Yes - I knew it
>> would be most difficult, but it would also be FUN! If it isn't FUN - then
>> why do it?
>>
>> Right from the start there was a question. What class was I going to be in?
>> Some thought that 1B was correct. But another pointed out that part of the
>> 1B rules say 1 or 2 person, but "other provisions same for class-A".
>> Class-A states: All equipment (including antennas) must lie within a circle
>> whose diameter does not exceed 300 meters (1000 feet).
>>
>> Nowhere did it state that the circle can move. Since I intended to walk
>> much farther than 1000 feet, I didn't think Class-B would apply. Since I
>> was walking, and no two QSOs were made in the same place, it looked like 1C
>> was it, even if I did not use a "vehicle". Isn't that what "Mobile" means?
>> In motion? So with 1C-WTX decided, I got started. I don't think I am in
>> any danger of winning anything, so having FUN was what it was all about.
>>
>>
>> Call sign: KD9KC
>> Class: 1C
>> Section: WTX
>> Time on air: 10.5 hrs
>> Distance walked: 19.92 miles
>> Average speed: 1.9 MPH
>> QSOs made: 104
>> Sections worked: 49
>> QSOs per mile: 5.23
>>
>> FUN: Can't be measured!
>>
>> PHOTOS can be seen at: http://www.qrz.com/db/KD9KC/
>>
>> I have a 4.98 mile loop I often walk along in the Upper Valley Region of El
>> Paso for the 10 Bar-X 10m net on Tuesday evenings. This loop is located on
>> the west side of town, west of I-10 but east of the Rio Grande. The area
>> has many canals for irrigation, and water was flowing for Field Day. This
>> loop allowed me to pass home and refill my water before starting another
>> loop. I walked 2 loops on Saturday, and 2 loops on Sunday. Saturday's
>> first loop was done on 15m. One of the first QSOs I made was with Germany.
>> Not bad for a backpack mobile. The 5 miles just flew by, and I had 23
>> stations in the log. I refilled the water again, and stepped out for loop 2
>> now on 20m. 20m was in good shape, and I had about 15 stations in the log.
>> But at about the half-way point I had run out of stations to work, and 20m
>> was too crowded to hear the weaker ones. So with the sun setting, I stopped
>> and switched to 40m. This was a mistake! After 30 minutes I didn't have a
>> single 40m contact. So I decided to try 15m again. It was a struggle, but
>> I found 19 more stations for a total of 54 on the first day. I arrived home
>> tired and sore.
>>
>> Sunday morning I got up and started the first loop around 1300 UTC. This
>> loop was on 20m because there wasn't a single station on 15m at that hour.
>> The first 5-mile loop found me with 27 contacts in the log. Sometimes a
>> weak one was having trouble hearing me, so I would toss my drag-wire in the
>> canal with the hope that the water might help. I had invited a "community
>> Service" police officer to observe my operation, and he actually did catch
>> me as the canal crossed the street where he was patrolling. He was
>> interested in just how far I talked. I told him so far Sunday was not as
>> good as Saturday when I worked HI, AK, and DL. As I finished that loop I
>> just stopped for a refill of ice water, and went right back out on 15m. The
>> band wasn't great, but it was building. Since I had about worked out 20m,
>> it was 15m or nothing for the final loop. I was tired enough that almost
>> any excuse at all would have kept me home. But I couldn't find an excuse.
>> 15m really started building and I was finding more stations I hadn't worked
>> yet. With about 10 minutes to go I knew I had reached my goal of 100
>> contacts. And I was able to work 4 more before the end. I was slowing down
>> I guess, because when 1800 UTC ticked over, I was still several hundred
>> yards from home.
>>
>> Toward the end, I called a few stations that I had worked previously. They
>> promptly informed me I was a "DUPE". Very sorry guys. It was getting hard
>> to maintain a dupe list while walking. I kind of lost track toward the end.
>>
>> It was fun. Really. Next year I should have the Bicycle Mobile done. A
>> bicycle is a "vehicle", right?
>>
>>
>> Vy73 - Mike - KD9KC.
>> El Paso, Texas - DM61rt.
>> W5-SOTA Association Manager.
>> NA-SOTA info: http://na-sota.org/
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