[K3PZN-List] Field Day Captain's Report from WX3B

[James Nitzberg]

Dear CCARC Field Day Team;

I really had a great time at field day this year and
even got about 6 hours of personal operating time in -
and a few other hours of "guest assist" time.

Here's what Worked Great:

1.  Having a Multi-Two station set up in a one big
tent  

Even when I wasn't making contacts, I could make faces
at Rob who was right next to me.

2.  Sharing resources.  

In this particular case, I was the beneficiary.  I was
able to "borrow" half of a tent, a tower for antenna
support, electricity, etc.  All I had to supply was
table/chairs and equipment

3.  Good Antennas

Rob's home-brew monobander made us a fixture on any 20
meter run frequency we found.  Many unsolicited
reports of "big signal", "hey you're loud!", etc.

This was the best time I've ever had on 75m SSB during
my 2+ hours of operating at any field day.

The 75m dipole was up an average height of 50 feet;
it's low for 75 meters, but high compared to the 30
feet I normally put a field day antenna.  It was in an
almost a flat, straight configuration.  

I Heard that Doug's (LBJ) Quad had a big signal on
bands it wasn't even supposed to work on!

3.  Having a good table & chairs

Can't over-emphasize how important it is to be
comfortable and have all your equipment easily
reachable.  

4.  Having many guest operators lined up before the
event.

There were at least 6 guest operators at the 75m SSB
station - even during the gravyard shift.  

Writelog says we operated for 19 hours!  (Not bad for
a night-time band)

5.  Calling CQ instead of pouncing

I noticed a big difference this year with the guest
operators...a lot of them were holding a frequency!

6.  Flexibility of Station Design (ok - this isn't
really about 75m) and good teamwork!

It may have escaped some people's attention that N3SB
had a more important project to attend to on
Saturday...his WELL PUMP died.  While he was repairing
that pump, W3JJH furnished the entire CW radio setup
for our CW station.  N3WM & company were seen pouncing
on many stations commenting that the Carolina Windom
at 30 feet was a KILLER  antenna on 40m.

Also, NY3A turned the 20m SSB station into a CW
powerhouse for about an hour....and ran over 100
stations.  Unbelievable!

7.  Simplicity

There were fewer rocket launchers in the air this year
- and setup/teardown seemed to go very smoothly and
quickly.  We were done with the tear-down by about
4:00!

8.  Multiple Generators

This is a very good emergency prepardness plan - we
have evolved from having one person in charge of "the
generator" - which supplied 100% of the power to
EVERYBODY - to a half dozen generators, and the club's
generator is assisting the effort.  

9.  Good 'ole FUN

I think everyone will agree we sure had a great time
at field day this year.




Room for Improvement


1.  Lynard Skynard has a song "That SMELL" - and yes,
the fresh evening breeze of the septic treatment plant
was quite interesting.  As pretty as Freedom Park
is...as nice as those tall trees are...it's probably
time to find another tree-lined field WITHOUT a septic
tank in the back yard.

2.  "Peak" Load Factor:  4 - 8pm Saturday

Field Day has always had this intense period between
about 4:00pm and 8:00pm Saturday where all the guests
and casual operators show up and want to operate. 
Unfortunately, the demand exceeded my ability to
supply operating time.  

I will be more aggressive about mentioning to casual
operators (not the CCARC pre-signed up ones) that
Saturday LATE, and Sunday EARLY are good times for
guest operating and "guided tours".  

3.  75m Dipoles that don't work (a.k.a.  WHY YOU DO
NEED TO SET UP AND TEST YOUR STATION ON FRIDAY)

You'll have to stay tuned for the pictures and story
at the next club meeting.  Every year I learn more
about why allowing a LOT of extra time during field
day setup (something I never do) is very important!

Thanks to all that helped make field day a success!

73,

Jim Nitzberg  WX3B