Field Day Plans

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Field day is rapidly approaching, so here are the current plans and a few tips to help ensure a successful event.

The mobilization team will meet for breakfast at Jimmy’s in Norge Friday morning at 0830. After breakfast (around 1000) we will head out to the FD site to get some wires in the trees. Given the unsecured and public nature of the site, that’s about all we can leave in place overnight.

Saturday morning we will meet at the FD site at 1130 to deploy tables, batteries, radios, computers, etc. to be ready to go on the air promptly at 1400.

Demobilization will begin at 1400 Sunday and should take a couple of hours.

Tips:

  • Bring comfortable chairs – the picnic table benches are fine for dining, but won’t be comfortable for long.
  • Bring bug spray and sunscreen.
  • If your schedule is tight and you want to set a time to operate, let us know via the reflector so we can try to accommodate your schedule.
  • When you are ready to operate / log, let the current operator / logger know you’re ready when they want to take a break. They’re probably too focused on operating to notice you’re standing there. Unless they just sat down themselves, it probably won’t be long before they’re ready for relief.
  • Successful contesting strategy suggests lots of running tempered with some search and pounce operations. If you’re not comfortable running, there is still plenty of time for you to operate. Try not to interrupt a good run. Wait for a lull in the action (it probably won’t take long), and take that opportunity to sit down and switch to S&P mode.
  • If you’re comfortable with S&P and want to dip your toe in the running waters, consider pairing with a strong logger. Having a good logger can make your first attempts at running much less stressful. There’s nothing like being on the running side of a pile up!
  • This is a slightly more public venue than we’ve used in recent years, so we hope to encounter more curious onlookers. If, while you’re socializing or waiting to operate / log, a member of the public approaches, engage and welcome them. Explain the operation and how it hones our skills at setting up ad hoc stations in the wake of disasters. Be an ambassador for ham radio.
  • Most importantly – HAVE FUN!