Field Day 2010 was a great success!

Written by Vincent, KB2PSI

Our 2010 Field day was a great success, after almost not having one this year. The members of the board had to quickly find another spot when we lost access to our previous location. In the past, we had enjoyed air-condition, couch, TV and the nearby convince of facilities under one roof. The open, 5 acres of tree lined field, that we camped on, allowed us enjoy the fresh sea breeze, BBQ, and enjoy the wildlife.

Staten Island's Southbeach Turkeys made for an interesting Fieldday. They were curious what we were doing, but left us alone when we didn't feed them. <Mike, did give them something>

We had open land to erect several antennas, nearby tall trees were used to hang an 80m Dipole on. There was also a 100x100 sq. foot NVIS, 35 foot vertical, HAM stick/s on a tripod, 6m D-loop, and a 20m dipole.

It was one HOT day, but we got everything set up by 12:30. I was able to test the Near Vertical Incident Scattering antenna that I build, and made my first QRP contact in West Virginia using 5 watts! The antenna is a multi band antenna, used by the Military field operations. It has a saturated radius of about 500 square miles.

John had a 35 foot tall S9 vertical antenna, and he was very pleased with the results. It was designed for 40 to 6 but he was able to use on 80 quite well. He made many contacts on the 6, 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 meter bands.

Gary was using a 7200, a great radio for the field! The 6m loop worked perfectly, and the 20m dipole at 40 feet worked very well. He was able to load it on 15m and 40m. The 6m band was doing very nicely until about sunset, and the digital modes were very active. Operation on 20m (and sometimes 6m) was difficult when other stations were operating, the filters really didn’t help much, and several times Mike had so much local RF that it knocked out my mouse! Band conditions were absolutely terrible between 1:30 - 6:00 AM, only after the sun came up around 6:20 am, did the band became active again. Gary’s note to self: “Adapt 1:30am – 6:00am as the Field day rest period.”

We have to commit to using the computer system, and the computer system only for logging. It was time consuming, translating an operators written log into the logging program, and then try to eliminate “dupes”, and fix errors several days later. With the questionable weather, and general lack of space, people were hesitant to use their laptops. The tent for next year should be fully enclosed with a rain-fly over any windows or openings to protect people, their equipment, and to ensure operating can continue.

Everyone enjoyed the good company and time shared with friends that stopped by during the day, and very late in the evening!
The food was great and well prepared thanks Gary and Brian.

Great job guys!

I would like to thank those that stopped by, from the sign in sheet I have:

W2DON - DONALD LA SALA and Daughter
KB2ORQ - Thomas A De Lorenzo
N2BMU - Michael F Patino
KB2RIF - John P Murphy and Family
N2TEE - Joseph Nieves and the Family
KB2PSI - Vinny Mattera and Family
KB2GEK - SIDNEY SEIGEL
N2YBB - Michael Lisenco
KA2YDW - BARRY L SOHM
N2XVD - THOMAS B RATEL
KF2IC - THOMAS G MANNO
WA2TCN - JOSEPH F MARRONE
KC2GOW - Andrew M Genau
KC2EUN - JOSE LUIS LORENZO
KC2PXK - Lawrence E Teatum
KC2OUF - Peter D Shiffman

KB2EA - HARVEY J BIRD
KB2BSL - GARY L Lindtner

KC2VJD - BRIAN S TERRANOVA

KB2NYF - FELICIA MATTERA

K2EFG - Yigal Rechtman

NY2SI - MOSHE C SATT

73’de Vinny, KB2PSI