2017 ARRL Field Day Recap

I want to thank everyone who came out and enjoyed this year Field Day with us. We had a great turn out – we met new faces (three new technicians tested at our VE session) and saw some faces we hadn’t heard from in quite a while. We operated as 4A and saw most contacts on 20 & 40 meters, with some action on 6m Sunday morning as well as 15m.

The new hinged base for the tower works wonderfully. Even in rocky ground, we were able to get the tower up with both the tri-band and 6 meter beam in about two hours with approximately 10 people. Tear down and stowing the tower took a little more than an hour. We still have a few kinks to work out, but we’re a well oiled machine.

There were A LOT of people who came out and helped. If I were to go down the list, I’d take forever, and I would miss someone. But I want to take the time to thank every one for making this year’s a Field Day a success!

While I keep saying this is the last year I plan Field Day, I already have ideas in my head for next year. So who knows?

73 and we’ll see you down the log.


Joe Schoebel
KD9CJX
President – Wisconsin Valley Radio Association
W9SM/W9NA

 

Anchoring our new tilt-over base to the ground. The base make tower erection much easier and safer.

Joe, KD9CJX, was the anchor-man for this year’s tower lift.

 

Keith Stoney, W9QJQ, brought down the Lincoln county trailer and operated at the site for a few hours.

Mike, N9GHZ, organized a VE session and three new technicians received their licenses.

 

Phil Rentmeester, Marathon County Emergency Manager, visited the site.

Al, AA7CS, didn’t like the feel of the keys we had on site, so he improvised with a paper clip and a piece of wire.

 

Dinner included a visit by Lisa Rasmussen, City of Wausau council person.

Cool and breezy weather turned stormy as rain moved into the area Saturday evening. At least the cool weather kept the bugs away.

 

 

Chris, KD9FLD, takes a turn on the radio during the night shift.

Daylight in the Swamp! Sunrise at the site in Weston, WI

The reward for working all night at field day- blueberry pancakes on the Blackstone Griddle.

 

ARRL Field Day Score:

Call Used: W9NA GOTA Station Call: (none) ARRL/RAC Section: WI Class: 4A

Participants: 30 Club/Group Name: Wisconsin Valley Radio Association

Power Source(s): Generator

Power Multiplier: 2X

Bonus Points:
100% Emergency power 400
Media Publicity 100
Public Location 100
Public Information Table 100
W1AW Field Day Message 100
Formal messages handled – No.=2 20
Site Visit by invited elected official 100
Site Visit by invited served agency official 100
Submitted via the Web 50
Educational activity 100
Social media 100
Safety officer 100
Total Bonus Points 1,370

Score Summary:
CW Digital Phone Total
Total QSOs 46 0 104
Total Points 92 0 104 196 Claimed Score = 392

Submitted by:
Joe Schoebel, KD9CJX
3424 Horseshoe Spring Rd
Wausau, WI 54403
E-mail: kd9cjx@gmail.com

Comments:
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Band/Mode QSO Breakdown:
CW Digital Phone
QSOs Pwr(W) QSOs Pwr(W) QSOs Pwr(W)
160m
80m
40m 40 100 50 100
20m 35 100
15m 6 100 15 100
10m
6m 4 100
2m
1.25
Other
Satellite
GOTA
TOTAL 46 0 104