Field day 2012 epilogue

[KD3NE]

I worked stations in Iowa, Delaware and many other places.

Even snagged a Special Events station in CROATIA ---> 9A209A 20M SSB

[KD8FYI]

That call sounds familiar. Bet U have WA6BGS in the log!

WA6BGS rings a bell on 40 meter phone. we were N8BC 5A OH.

73,
Ed

[KC7YRA]

I bet we worked y'all Pat.

As a side note, while i was operating I was able to maintain a Q rate of 138 per hour. There was plenty of 'please' and 'thank you's which slowed me down a bit. I was still happy though.

Brad

[KR2D]

It was a fun weekend, but I'm dog tired now. We (W2LV) were 4A NNJ, we did over 2100 QSOs. 10 was pretty dead and yielded only a few Qs, but a non-ham kid on our GOTA station worked a PY and he was thrilled. 6 mostly dead but better than 10. I think we got 2 Qs on 2m. 40 and 20 were totally jam packed the entire time. 15 was good to the southwest around noon EDT today, I worked a bunch of NM, AZ and CA on 15 CW. 80/75 was good overnight, had some SNAFUs with the 80m antenna but got them worked out.

We were set up at the local community college. Got a nice article in the local paper: http://www.njherald.com/story/188648...eekend-at-sccc

We had some visitors, such as the above mentioned kid (Alex, written up in the article), a couple of young guys who were into CB but interested in ham radio, the county sheriff and a non-ham YL who came by to see if she could work her boyfriend who was operating FD with his club in Ohio (don't think they ever made it, propagation was wrong).

Weather was nice Saturday and Sunday - warm, but low humidity and sunny. Friday was horrible, mid 90s and very humid. A cold front blew through, bringing a severe thunderstorm with high winds just as we were ready to raise the tower. 30 minutes later, the weather turned very pleasant and remained that way for the rest of the weekend.

Overall, a ton of fun. Radio all weekend, good friends, good food, good weather. Can't ask for more.

[FEPPROKS]

It is excellent idea. I support you.

[WA7PRC]

Bet U have WA6BGS in the log!

I didn't have a lot of time to operate FD but managed to get some seat-time, as I spent most of Saturday working on my tower & big yagi project. I just did search-and-pounce on 80/40/20/15 fone & CW. A 'minuet' after I worked WA6BGS, I realized WA6MHZ was the operator. I was wondering why the op said "see you on QRZ". Doh!

One thing I noticed -- it seemed MANY fone operators were excruciatingly S-L-O-W (they sounded like greenhorns). CW was MUCH more fun and lively.

WA7PRC = 1E WWA

[KR2D]

One thing I noticed -- it seemed MANY fone operators were excruciatingly S-L-O-W (they sounded like greenhorns). CW was MUCH more fun and lively.

Many of the ops on FD are non-contesters, and a number are not even hams! For a lot of the hams, it is the only time they get on HF or the only time they operate in a contest-like setting. Remember that FD is not a contest (but it sure sounds like one!).

[WA7PRC]

Many of the ops on FD are non-contesters, and a number are not even hams! For a lot of the hams, it is the only time they get on HF or the only time they operate in a contest-like setting. Remember that FD is not a contest (but it sure sounds like one!).

It seemed MUCH worse this year than any year I can remember.

[KC0W]

Operated as 1E ND.

Bands were in fair shape & there seemed to be healthy participation by amateurs in this years event. Six meters was a complete joke. The workhorse bands were 20/40 meters. I pulled the plug & hung up the CW key at QSO #2,400. I have no doubt I could have made 3,000+ if I enjoyed the the digital modes. (I don't)


Highlights:


1. Easily worked all 50 states.

2. Had zero QRM, malicious interference, tuner uppers etc. I work right thru 'em anyway.

3. Six stations told me ND was their state number 50 in Field Day.

4. Was reaffirmed quite a few times that my station is firing on all 12 cylinders in terms of putting out a good signal. (You ain't heard 'nuthin yet, just wait)

5. Best one minute CW run was 8 stations, best SSB one minute run was 6.

6. Many good CW operators which makes it fun.

7. Great to work WA6MHZ, N2RJ & an unknown amount of other "regulars".

8. Had lot's of QSOs with new operators with little/no radio experience. (kids, newly licensed etc)



Low lights:


1. Had lot's of QSOs with new operators with little/no radio experience. (didn't know the exchange, gave signal reports, really S - L - O - W, etc)

2. An unbelievable amount of Bozo's are still giving partial callsigns.........Congrats, you are now 100% "lid" material.

3. QRP stations with mosquito signals.

4. Many, many, many dupes. (aka the "dupe dopes") Had at least 150 - 200 stations call me who had worked me before. Had a string of SIX stations in row at one point. Was anyone here witness to this?




See ya on 6 meters in CQ WW VHF next month,



Tom KCØW

[KJ4YQK]

We had an excellent Field Day here in the Upstate. We trained some new Hams on field day, and they will be back next year. They did great. I help with the setup and tear down. As a group we are going to do a lesson learn at the next club meeting, and see if we can make next year field day even better.