1,000 Contacts in a Frozen Tent: K3KLB’s Winter Field Day

Kody Beer, K3KLB, is no stranger to the cold—or the pileups. For his third consecutive Winter Field Day, he went all in, hunkering down in an Eskimo ice tent on the edge of Pymatuning Lake, Pennsylvania. With a Buddy Heater fighting off the single-digit temps, a BuddiHex antenna pulling in the stations, and an IC-7300 ready to go, Kody put in a full 12-hour shift on the air, racking up a staggering 1,000 contacts across bands from 70cm to 80m. Not bad for a guy who, just a few years ago, was stranded at a picnic table in the freezing wind.

Kody isn’t just about surviving Winter Field Day—he thrives in it. His Parks on the Air obsession runs deep, with over 600 activations and 40,000 QSOs logged since 2021. He’s methodical, always refining his portable setups, and when he's not running a frequency, he's behind the lens of a camera, capturing the wild places where radio and nature intersect.

This is ham radio at its most raw and rewarding—field operations, resilience, and the thrill of the hunt. If you’re into POTA, contesting in the elements, or just appreciate a guy who knows how to work a pileup from an ice shack, this conversation is for you.

Drop a comment, let us know your best (or coldest) field day story, and don’t forget to subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio.

 

@K3KLB Thank you so much for being out there for all the QSOs! Congratulations on 1000 QSOs, and keep up the great work on POTA! I always enjoy working you on the air!

 

LOVE your Winter Field Day set-up and THANKS for our QSO just the other day!

 

The title alone sold me on the video.

 

A good title will make people wan to watch
Congrats on 1k qsos with the event.

 

That BuddiHEX seems like a nice antenna for this purpose.

 

Love the video!
I made a vertical, using 20M, 40, and 80M hustler antennas, with counterpoise & the vehicle ground. I went to the highest park I could access via vehicle in the winter to activate Stagleap park in British Columbia. It was a great experience because there was so little noise, lots of reception, my first park, and I was able to make some 2M contacts while up there! The only issue I had was that the 12V lead acid battery that I used dropped in voltage with an icom IC741 - which didn't like getting lower than 12V, so I could operate for about 30 minutes, then I lost enough voltage, had to start the truck to charge the battery (which created a ton of noise!) for about 15 minutes, then repeat. The new lithium Ion Iron Phosphate battery I have now I can get 7 hours before needing a charge!!
For heating I also bought a diesel heater for the exact same reason why you are thinking for it (no condensation, frost, etc..). I highly recommend the that heater.

Awesome interview, great job Kody; I hope to P2P with you
-Adrian Huber
VE7AGH

 

Why not next time try SOUTH POLE 90' south in August ! that will really test man and equipment ! I'll be listening pool side in Palm Springs Oh by the way pour me a nice cooled one ! HiHi Phil KI6PMD..

 

Well done Kody Beer, POTA ON 73 de N2NWK

 

How much money did he win?

Kraus/KC4ZGP

 

Man you guy's are awesome. Only thing I would add is a telescope.

 

Great work in those conditions. Perfect use of the Hex

 

Excellent interview. Thanks Kevin and Kody. It's been decades since I've been part of a Field Day event. Thinking that this next one (Summer) would be a good one to jump back into the fun. A few lofty locations I've used during POTA activities here in Oregon come to mind. Now....just need to dig out that old camping gear!

 

Good job Kody!

 

Very nice Congrats Kody!