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N7DLV Field Day 2009
N7DLV's Field Day 2009 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 27-28, 2009. 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 dry and warm Spring and early Summer and I was looking forward to setting up a portable station and operate as Class 1B this year. I had some antennas that I was unable to try last year and wanted to try this year in an effort to improve my communications capability.
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.
Unfortunately I was unable to set up the Portable Station due to injuries incurred from two automobile accidents and operated as a mobile station. Yea, I was rearended twice within one month. Both times I was stopped due to traffic in front of me, what rotten luck, eh? During my mobile operating, I had to get out of the vehicle every so often to stretch and relieve pain in various parts of my body. The wrist pain was aggrivated from all the note taking, logging and knob turning adjusting the radio. After about nine and a half hours into Field Day, I've had enough pain and shut down the operation. My total time at the radio was only about seven hours and my score will reflect this. My final claimed score for this year's Field Day will be 576 points.
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 a modified PRO AM 80 Meter antenna with the tapped coil. To accomodate the base mounted loading coil and a slightly longer whip, I removed some turns from the original 80 Meter antenna. This will allow me to adjust the SWR on 80 Meters from the ground instead of removing the antenna and adjusting the whip. 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 2009 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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Copyright (c) 2009 by Eric A. Snyder. All rights reserved