N7DLV Field Day 2008

N7DLV's Field Day 2008 Activities!

Field Day is an emergency communications excercise sponsered by the American Radio Relay League occurring on the fourth full weekend in June and lasts for 24 hours. This year, Field Day was on June 28-29, 2008. The primary purpose of Field Day is to test the emergency communications skills and preparedness of Amateur Radio operators, or Hams under simulated emergency conditions. During Field Day, Ham Radio operators all accross the U.S.A. and Canada will set up portable radio stations in public areas. Other Hams will set up stations at home under emergency power. Others will operate from thier vehicles.

Numerous Ham Radio clubs will also set up stations to participate. Many of these clubs use Field Day as a social event and set up in schools, parks, campgrounds, shopping centers, etc. They will use Field Day to show the general public what it is to be a Ham Radio Operator and to show that Ham Radio is an important form of emergency communications, and why in some cases, it may be the only form of communications when disasters strike.

This year, we had a colder and wetter than normal Winter and Spring with lots of snow in the Cascade Mountains. I was unable to reach my regular Field Day site to check it until the weekend prior to Field Day.

Here is my story!

My Field Day site is located in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie national Forest. It is located along a Forest Service road at 4500 Ft near Greenwater, Wa.

The weekend prior to Field Day, the Forest Service road is clear with some snow in places and along the side. This does not look good. The site needs to be clear of snow and dry by now, or the ground will be too soft and muddy.

As I feared, there is a lot of snow at my Field Day site. There is no way this will be clear of snow and dry by next Friday in time for Field day set up. I'll be operating mobile Class 1C again this year. Darn, I wanted to try out some new antennas.

My mobile set up for Field Day. For 15-40 meters, I use a tapped base coil and a CB whip. For 10 meters, I remove the coil place the CB whip directly on the mount. For 80 meters, I'll be using the same coil, but with a Hustler fold over mast and a Hustler 40 meter resonator. I have traveled at freeway speeds with both antennas and they do comply with Field day rules for mobile operation. As shown, the antenna is configured for 40 meter operation.

If you worked N7DLV during Field Day 2008 and would like a custom made QSL card, please send your QSL card and a self addressed stamped envelope. I will confirm the contact and send you a QSL card.

If you want an interesting challenge, go out on your own next Field Day! You will get a better understandng what it is like to plan, create, set up and operate a Field Day station without assistance. Who knows, you may actually enjoy it!

Questions? Comments? Send me an E-Mail
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