Field Day 2003

Summary Report

The Hillsdale County Amateur Radio Club (HCARC) held Field Day 2003 exercises at the Hillsdale County Fair Grounds Agricultural Education Exhibit building (a.k.a. the 'Log Cabin').  This location provided a central, public location for members and visitors.  Building rental of $50 was paid from club funds.  The club operated as a class 3A station using the club call sign K8HRC.  A total of 16 club members participated and there were 22 visitors.

Antenna Set-Up

 Field Day 2003 activities started at 10 AM local time (1400 UTC) on Saturday, June 28th.  The first order of business was setting up antennas.  Much of the initial effort was to get up the 10 meter beam on the 30 foot trailer tower.  Other antennas that involved less effort to erect were raised as personnel allowed.  In all, 5 antennas were erected by 2 PM.

Antenna Summary

Inside Set-Up

Inside set-up started at 2 PM after completion of the antenna set-up.  Initially the plan was to set up tables along the perimeter of the building so that operators could sit with their backs to the walls facing the center of the room.  It was soon suggested that it might be better if the operators sat facing the walls with their backs to the center of the room.  This provided several benefits.

• Visitors would be able to easily see what the operators were doing and could assume an operator position if desired.

• Cables and wires from radios and computers would be between the tables and the wall providing a safer operating environment for both members and visitors.

• Operators could more easily assume positions at radios without having to slide behind the tables.

Computers were set up next to each radio station for logging.  Two additional computers were set up, one to front end the Internet WiFi connection and the other running Linux for demonstration purposes.  All computers were networked utilizing a hub.  The club utilized N3FJP's Field Day Log 1.7 (network version) program for logging.  This program worked well after some initial problems getting it running on all of the logging computers.  Useful program features included automatic duplicate stations notification and a map function that allowed easy viewing of the states and provinces worked.  A fee of $10 was paid from club funds for licensing of the program.  Inside set-up was compete at 1600.

Operations

Radio operations commenced at 4 PM after inside set-up was complete, two hours later than contest rules allowed.  Band conditions were poor throughout the contest.  At approximately 5 PM stormy weather forced operations to shut down for three hours.  Radios and computers were shutdown and unplugged, and antennas disconnected.  Members took shelter in the 'Log Cabin' and during this time and enjoyed a nice meal courtesy of Brenda Sprow.  Having a sturdy building available turned out to be a real plus.  Severe storms passed just north of the Fairgrounds, with Litchfield and Homer both losing power.

Operations continued at 8 PM after the storms.  All contacts were made on 20, 40 and 80 meters.  The club received a Advisory Notice card from an ARRL Official Observer for operating out of band. Operations continued until 2 PM on Sunday, June 29th.  Equipment was disassembled and the site vacated by 3:30 PM.

Contact Summary

Summary Of Things That Went Well

• Member participation was greatly improved over the previous year.

• Location at Log Cabin provided sturdy shelter during stormy weather.

• WiFi demo and Internet access.

• Trailer with portable 30 foot tower.

• More points than previous year.

Summary Of Things That Need Improvement

• More participants requires greater organization and delegation.

• Better planning of indoor floor plan.

• No coverage from local newspaper.

• Location possibly provided poor RF propagation due to large trees and buildings in vicinity.

• Too much time required to get set up.

• Club received a Advisory Notice card from an ARRL Official Observer for operating out of band.

Scoring Summary

Pictures

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Preparation Information

ARRL Field Day officially starts on Saturday, June 28th, 2003 at 2 PM and ends 27 hours later at 5 PM Sunday.  If you are interested in participating please contact the club president or secretary/treasurer.  The more...the merrier.

Governor Granholm has proclaimed Field Day week as Amateur Radio Awareness Week in conjuction with Field Day.

Field Day t-shirts and pins are in.  Contact Pete to arrange delivery or pick up at the ham breakfast or club meeting.

Click here to view the ARRL Field Day Package.

Contest rules allow us to start setting up early as long as we do not work for more than 24 hours ending 2 PM Sunday.  The plan is to meet at Sigman's Restaurant (map) at 8 AM Saturday morning for breakfast, then migrate over to the Fair Grounds to set up.  Contesting will start at 2 PM.

We will be setting up at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds (map to fairgrounds) Agricultural Education Exhibit (aka the Log Cabin) (#13 on map of fairgrounds).

Equipment Update

Antennas: At this time we have a ten meter beam, two G5RV's, and a two meter beam.  Dan is also wondering if anybody would like to operate off of a long wire?  Let him know!

Radios: We have four HF radios lined up so far. 

Power: We are going to use commercial power.

Tuners: Pete, Mike and Joe.

Coax: The club is going to buy coax to be used for Field Day and sell some off to our members as needed.

Tower, pipe, and rotor: Dan has a tower, pipe, and rotor we can use for the 10M beam.

Other Items

Jeff King has been working hard on putting together a WiFi demo.  Possible applications include EchoLink, DX Cluster and APRS Mapping.  For more information about VoIP programs such as EchoLink, see the article "VoIP and Amateur Radio" from QST for February, 2003, page 44 (PDF format, get Acrobat Reader).

$50 fee for cabin rental to be paid by the club.  Donations are going to be welcome to defray food costs etc.

Trailer: Dan is going to take his 29ft Coachmen travel trailer into the fairgrounds for sleeping, eating, or just R&R.

So, what does this leave?  Well.....!  CW, Packet, PSK31, GOTA station......?  Let Dan know what your interests are.  Dan is going to contact the ARRL and get a public information packet from them which will give us some brochures to hand out to the general public.  This gives us points for doing so.  Also try to take the time now and check your schedule for that weekend for those of you interested in participating.  Any help is welcome.  Even if all you wanted to do is help set up antennas, just do logging, and to some people make food runs if necessary.  Whatever the case, we anticipate a lot of fun to be had by all.

Field Day Will Be Held At The 'Log Cabin'

Pictures From Field Day 2002

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