[PPRAANet] Field Day - just around the corner!

[Dan Scott]

Field Day is almost here!

The reason for attending Field Day differers from person to person.  As 
I see it, there are at lease 5 areas of personal concern with Field Day, 
how you, or our club weights these areas defines to you if the event was 
successful or not.   At the concussion of Field Day it's more then 
likely what one person considers as huge success, another may consider 
it a huge failure, of course there are all the varying degrees in 
between.  But only by attending a Field Day will you be able to make 
your assessment.

One thing we all know and agree on is the primary goal of Field Day is 
to get us operating in the field verifying operation readiness of 
emergency power sources, rigs, feed lines, etc.  This is almost a 
background issue any more. REMEMBER we need to be safety minded; our 
generators need to be operated safely, water near by, fire extinguisher, 
safe and visible power runs.  Low antennas and guy lines need to be 
visible even at night, same with the ropes holding up tents.  We just 
need to make sure our field emergency preparation exercise doesn't cause 
an emergency.

Another aspect to field day is Experimentation.  This year we will be 
operating 3A.  With the GOTA station, this puts 4 HF station within a 
1000 foot radius circle. Because each operating mode is considered a 
different band, it is possible that all stations are operating 
relatively close in frequency.  Antennas in the field are always an 
experiment , it's their nature. I think it would be fun to mess with 
various antennas.  So, if you have ideas or something to bring, lets see 
how it plays!

There are people we have not seen in a while, or people we only see at 
club meetings.  I'm always excited about Eye-ball contacts there are 
familiars faces and new faces. And talking about old equipment, new 
equipment, and abused equipment.  Last year we did a quick intro to 
GeoCaching, the kids really loved it, and it provided an excuse for the 
rest of us get out and stretch your legs.  We are looking at doing this 
again and maybe adding in a transmitter hunt or even combining the two.  
Last year Mona, a member of MARC and a professional caterer, cooked and 
provided an unbelievable array of vittles. She intends to do this again 
this year BUT her husband can not attend so she will need help getting 
supplies and equipment to and from the site.  She lives near Colorado 
Springs and would like a PPRAA member to help her.  Without assistance 
she will not be able to attend, can you help?

The next two items, for me, are tied closely together (although they 
don't really have to be).  Communications efficiency is how well we stay 
on task, communicate in a way that is easily understood, and exchange 
information in an efficient quick manor.  ARES and RACES members 
constantly work on this (or should), although the messages are different 
(and repetitive), Field Day is a practice of message handling 
efficiency.  As we get closer to Field Day, I'll annoy you with a few 
emails concerning Field Day exchanges.. stay tuned! (I know, the 
excitement is overwhelming.)

Although points received do not necessarily reflect operating 
efficiency, they can be a good reflection. If you are operating for a 
half hour or an hour, try pushing your QSO rate.  By pushing your QSO 
rate you are putting pressure on yourself, this pressure is helping you 
prepare for pressures of a real emergency.   I'm competitive, I love 
coming out on top of a completive field, so of course I like pushing for 
points. Hey, I can't shoot hoops for the life of me, my golf game has 
gone way right, and my racquetball game seems to have hit a wall, so, 
just maybe kicking some RF will work!

The GOTA station is tied to many aspects of Field Day, if you have not 
operated in a long time this is a great way to get back on the air.  If 
you have friends, family or associates, bring them along, get them on 
the air, and get them excited about Amateur Radio.  GOTA is points, GOTA 
is social, GOTA is introduction, GOTA is educational!.

I'm hoping Field Day will provide the right balance for your personal 
tastes, friends, family, enough emergency prep, the right amount of 
socialization, contest thrill and becoming radio active!

73,
Dan
kb0ppm