[K3PZN-List] Field Day Proposal

[John Hart]

To all,
 
I understand the problem with operating SSB-QRP in a contest environment such as Field Day, especially while trying to compete with the BIG GUN FD Stations.  Digital modes don't need quite as much power to get the information accross as SSB but I would like to have a little more than QRP such as 50-60 watts.  Last year I had a lot of problems with the CW station on the same band with the Digital mode as we seem to both be in the same end of the band at the same time and it does tear up the recieved digital copy.  This could be improved if the stations (or antennas) were widely separated with in the allowed 1000 foot operating area.  
 
Field Day could be alot more fun if we would try less to win and enjoy ourselves more reguardless what the final score is.  We also need more operators to man the stations so that when the sun comes up on Sunday morning most of us don't seem like zombies due to a total lack of sleep.  
 
Just a few thoughts,
 
John, K3KWO
 
> Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:33:51 -0500> From: wo3l at comcast.net> To: k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net> Subject: [K3PZN-List] Field Day Proposal> > At the last meeting I offered to put together a plan for field day based > on an operation from the FTC. The following proposal is a hybrid that I > hope captures some of the features of both A and F operations.> > Background - Over the past few years the club has operated QRP class F > from the FTC. Before that operations were class A from various locations > around the county. The main input that I have seen for this year's field > day is a desire by some members to have full power (100W) for better SSB > operation. Others have expressed a desire to operate from a portable > location, while still others prefer a fixed structure with air > conditioning and restrooms.> > Proposal - we use the FTC site while setting up a few additional > antennas to support the number of stations in operation. Since we would > be using the FTC and some of the fixed station assets we would be a > class F entry (even though some of the stations would likely qualify as A).> > Details - 3 main stations, one each SSB, CW, and Digital. Since we are > at least 2 stations that gives us the bonus GOTA, VHF, and bonus points. > To minimize interference we would operate only 1 station on any given > band (10,15,20,40,80,160) at any time. This will require 4 (minimum) HF > antennas. I'm told that the station currently has a beam and a windom > that are working well. This operation will require at least 2 more > antennas be set up on Friday/Saturday morning. The station layout would > use our meeting room, and club station rooms to split up the stations a > bit. The band pass filters and some judicious spacing of the antennas > should minimize the interference between stations.> > Andy> ----------------------------------------------------- BREAK -----------------------------------------------> > CCARC Elections at the next meeting on Monday, March 10, 7:30 PM at the Emergency Services Training Center in Westminster.> > ------------------------------------------------------ AR -------------------------------------------------> > K3PZN-List mailing list supporting the Carroll County Amateur Radio Club> K3PZN-List at mailman.qth.net> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/k3pzn-list