Only fellow hams will get the significance of the title. Fellow Field Day participants know it means twenty eight transmitters using auxiliary power. W3AO has done this a number of years and this year, operating “portable” as W1AW, continued the tradition of putting as many people on the air as there are ways to transmit.
There were fourteen HF stations in the main tent, and the GetOnTheAir(GOTA) station, too. Two of the fourteen were RTTY. The rest, CW and phone on 10,15,20,40,80 and 160 meters.
The antennas.
For HF, a mix of yagis and beams in two roughly parallel lines spanning the fields. Layout was made to eliminate interference. There were wire antennas for 80 and 160 meters.
VHF had their towers set up around their operating tent.
As for those satellite guys.
They contacted the Space Station early the first day. Rarer these days, since the current residents aren’t as active on the air as the former Canadian astronaut was.
We had lots of visitors both days, and lots of interest, including a remake for the ten year anniversary of the LAST BIG FIELD DAY, by ARVN.
We also get quite a bit of interest in how well we feed our operators. After all, we enjoy spoiling them.
One of the Saturday lunch platters.
The sloppy joes.
The fruit, cookies and brownies.
Many, many people contribute. Here’s a partial list.
Yes, W3LPL brings two miles of coax. And, quite a few of his “spare” antennas.
KE3Q brings one dozen “rocket launchers” on a trailer. We have computers at every station. These guys are simply amazing. If you have a disaster in your area, you just need to call on them to help with communications. These two clubs can set up towers, crank up the generators, set up comm stations and be ready to assist.
And, we have lots of fun during field day. Even if they are all a bit competitive. Hi Hi.
More tomorrow. When KD4D gets enough sleep to give us the total contacts.
AnnieRie Unplugged 