[SJRA-Members] Field Day - What Can You Get Out of It?

[Richard VonLintig]

Hello, SJRA,

Every year about this time SJRA begins an effort to make Field Day a
success for the club.  But the real objective is to cultivate and pass on
the valuable ability we have to communicate very effectively outdoors, with
self-provided power, under emergency-like conditions.  And that is why we
need both the new as well as the veteran and accomplished members to come
out and participate as much as possible.  We must pass along the
know-how.  Will
SJRA have the capability next year to put up a high capability
communications center?  What about 10 years from now?  Or a hundred years
from now – think that will never happen?



We’ve got guys who can start a generator and keep it going for 24 hours.  And
guys who know how to make a satellite contact – and have actually done it
many times.  We have a guy who knows how to rig up solar power in a hurry,
and who knows how to make QRP contacts in a crowd with that little bit of
power.  We have a guy who has the NTS message forms and initiate the
messages.  We even have a gal and a guy who can copy every word of the W1AW
message correctly at 18 wpm.  We have guys who can put up and take down
those green towers – safely – and know what happens when it is done
unsafely.  And we have guys – not many – who can put together a network to
connect our 7 stations so we can check an exchange.  And we have a COOK,
and FOOD!



But they might *not* be at Savich Field on June 27 and 28.  Maybe they have
a bad shoulder, or an important job commitment.  Maybe they no longer hear
well enough or maybe the heat it too dangerous for them.  Maybe we failed
last year to pass along an important talent, whose sole possessor won’t be
there on June 26 when we set up.  Or maybe we will fail this year if *you*
don’t show up.  What can you do to this year to keep up our tradition?



The answer is you can walk up to one of those folks above at the meeting on
June 24 and say you want to help out this year, maybe learn how something
is done.  Maybe take the responsibility to do that job next year.  What do
you get from this?  You get the knowledge to set up a better station than
you currently have, or a bigger antenna, or a different mode of operation.  You
get to be a better ham, and to help keep the tradition of excellence going.
Remember June 24.  And June 26 (Set-up starting at 9 am).  And the contest
(for 24 hours starting 2 pm June 27).  And the take-down starting at 2 pm
on Sunday June 28.  Good hams are made, not born.  And these are the days
that make them.



One of my jobs for Field Day is to count the number of members who come out
to Savich Field and sign the log, and maybe even help a bit.  Last year
only 27 members (48 participants) were on that list for a club of more than
100.  There’s a lot of opportunity!  Not just to do, but also to learn, and
to take that knowledge home to your station.



Rich  KV2R