[SMCARA] Field Day Aftermath

[Chris Ordiway]

Well said Jason, I think our FD was all of those things! The best part 
for me was seeing the kids making some contacts. And that the tornadoes 
didn't touch down on us. You did a good job of hiding our location in 
that strawberry cloud! LOL

Chris Ordiway - KC3DIG

On 06/28/2015 11:36 PM, Jason Rearick wrote:
> I agree with AJ. FD is many things rolled into one weekend.  It is 
> what you or your group what it to be.  From a social event that makes 
> a small amount of contacts and has a great dinner, practice of ecomm, 
> a relaxed contest, a public demonstration, a recruiting tool, to just 
> a great time for some like minded amateur radio operators to get 
> together and do what they enjoy.
>
> That said, I had a great time this weekend and it was really good to 
> see and talk to everyone.
>
>
> Jason N3YUG
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> -----Original Message----- From: farmer.aj at gmail.com
> Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2015 9:19 PM
> To: kc3dig at gmail.com
> Cc: smcara at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [SMCARA] Field Day Aftermath
>
> Field day means different things to different people.  Standing back 
> and watching the activity, both from being there and seeing the 
> pictures, I would say it was a success for the simple fact that it 
> brings everyone together to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences.  
> To me the contest is secondary and the excuse for doing what we do.  
> Not everyone feels that way, but that's how it is for me.
>
> One thing I would like to say is typical ham emcomm call up is after 
> the disaster.   It's not typical to set up in the eye of the storm or 
> ahead of the tornado. While the severe storm set a backdrop for the 
> event this year, in my experience, that's really not the way it goes 
> in real life. We have our role when the storm is over. Part of my 
> emcomm training back in the day was to take care of your life, family, 
> and property first. If and when those are safe and well, then you go 
> help those in need. In real life, we will assist those near us that 
> have had the bad day. Those that are safe and well will assist us when 
> we have had the bad day.
>
> I'm not sure if this directly answers your post, but it's just my take 
> away from field day.  I had a great time.
>
> A.J. Farmer
> AJ3U
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>> On Jun 28, 2015, at 1:23 PM, Chris Ordiway <kc3dig at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> All,
>>
>> With Field Day fresh in our minds I'm wondering about something... 
>> Ham radio Facebook pages are abuzz with complaints about FD being 
>> nothing more than an annoying contest clogging up the airwaves. I've 
>> seen several comments that it is supposed to be a way to practice 
>> emergency communications (etc., etc.) and that the ARRL has ruined it 
>> by making it contest-like. Soooo.... If I'm not telling the other guy 
>> "3A MDC" what am I supposed to say on FD? The points system is 
>> clearly just a way to encourage participation. If the argument is 
>> that we shouldn't have the points system then how is it any different 
>> than any other day of playing radio? And why would I set up in the 
>> pouring rain, blistering heat or nearby tornado when I can be safe 
>> and dry at home to test my gear? The points and awards don't actually 
>> mean anything in the grand scheme but they are motivation to give it 
>> a go. Do these guys actually work FD style at other times, with all 
>> of the effort it takes, because they *re
> ally* think emcomm is important? I know what I think about that...
>>
>> So what do you think? Is FD too contest-y? How would you do it 
>> different so we can collectively practice emcomm? I'm curious to hear 
>> other points of view because so far those comments I'm seeing just 
>> don't make much sense to me.
>>
>> Chris Ordiway - KC3DIG
>>
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