[K3PZN-List] Another approach to Field Day

[n3sb at qis.net]

At the last club meeting I also volunteered to put together a proposal for Field
Day, based on an operation from a "field" location. The purpose of both Andy's
and my proposals is to stimulate discussion, so that the club can arrive at a
decision concerning what type of Field Day operation to try this year. The
longer we wait, the fewer options we'll have for a location.

Let me start by quoting one paragraph from the ARRL Field Day 2008 Rules:

"Object: To work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands
(excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and in doing so to learn to
operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. A premium is
placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as
well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio."

That paragraph tells me that Field Day is not simply a contest to make the most
contacts. A large portion of Field Day concerns developing and enhancing our
skills and equipment to improve our Emergency Preparedness. It's about facing
the challenges that Murphy offers, and overcoming them. Its about the dirt, the
sweat, and the bugs!

In the Club's recent history, we have operated from the FTC (as class A), The
Gamber Fire Hall Carnival Grounds, Freedom Park in Sykesville, a school yard in
Mount Airy, and back at the FTC (as class F). We've learned things from each of
these operations. Along the way we've tried using one big generator, multiple
smaller generators, and then QRP battery power. All were fun, educational
things to try. Since we've operated from the FTC for the past two years, it's
time to once again try a different operating challenge.

This proposal is about going back into the field; to put the "Field" back into
Field Day, as some have suggested. Let's assume that we select a location such
as the Springfield Hospital Center grounds. The advantages are: 1) More room to
spread out antennas, 2) Greater station separation reduces interference, making
100W operation easier, 3) More room means that more stations can be set up if
desired, 4) Trees available to support wire antennas, 5) Nice place to hold a
picnic, 6) Room to put up tents and enjoy some camping, 7) No pre-existing
antennas or equipment means an opportunity to set-up antennas and stations from
scratch, 8) Easy access for visitors, 9) One of our EMCOMM customers is located
right there at the hospital. The number of stations we operate depends on the
number of operators we have to use them. A reasonable starting point, however,
is: Two phone stations, a CW station, a Digital Station, a VHF station, and a
GOTA station.

Andy WO3L and I are considering conducting some antenna building seminars. He
has built a very nice, low-profile vertical dipole antenna for all bands 20-10
meters, that could be turned into a club project. I can offer to conduct a
seminar on building a multiband Windom antenna. Club members could build these
antennas prior to Field Day, then test them during the event. The antennas
could then be stowed in their go-kits, ready for emergency communications if
needed. If there's any interest in doing this, please let us know!

Reminder -- President Mitchell formed a Field Day Committee last December. The
Committee needs some members to plan all the Field Day details, including
reserving a location, getting station captains, planning for food, power,
shelters, etc. Field Day won't happen if nobody is willing to help with the
planning.

I would hope that all club members would participate in Field Day, no matter
where it is held (FTC or in the field), and what category we operate in (QRP or
100W). The object of Field Day, after all, is to learn to operate in "less than
optimal conditions."

73; Steve, N3SB