FD 2015 — It’s a wrap!

Neither rain, nor wind, nor fear of dark kept the unflappable Field Day operators from completing about 3,200 QSOs this year.  Despite some nasty weather than began around 8 PM Saturday, so much water in the tents that that a hand key had to be used because the keyer became too waterlogged, tables with rigs blowing over, and the ever-infallible paper logs almost turning to paper mache, Newport County Radio Club carried on to the bitter end.

Things looked pretty rosy when the antennas were setup Friday afternoon.FD 2015 Panorama Resized

The GOTA Station was the held in a spacious BWT (Big White Tent — should be called a BFHT).FD 2015 GOTA Tent

Several members of the public saw and heard the action and stopped by to participate, including these young operators.RJ GOTA

 

But the weather wouldn’t hold — by 7 PM Saturday the skies were darkening, and it was lightly raining by 8 PM.  By 4 AM it was gusting around 55 MPH.FD 2015 Weather

By dawn things were still standing, but they had taken a beating.  The CW Beam was now pointing at Africa.  The GOTA Beam was a askew and pointing toward Alaska, and the GOTA tent was cattywampus.FD 2015 Bent

Despite the damp weather it was a great time.  Only 361 days to plan for Field Day 2016!!!

Newspaper Article and Dave Brown Photographs

Field Day 2014 is behind us (although Willy is probably still dealing with all the towers/tents/cables/etc.) but two nice things can help us remember what it was all about.

The first is a wonderful collection of photographs by our own Dave Brown, KC1AAA.  You can see those by clicking here.

The second is a very nice story that describes what Field Day is all about, written by the Editor of the Portsmouth Times, Jim McGaw.  Jim came by at the perfect time, when Rob White was helping a couple of scouts at the GOTA tent.  You can see Jim’s article here.

Field Day Update

It was a busy day today as the Six Meter station with Moxon antenna, GOTA station with 80 meter OCFD, and the four 45′ towers that are supports for two Moxons for 40 Meters, two tri-band beams, and a pair of 80 meter antennas.  The 6 Meter station was tried out on air, but there didn’t seem to be any openings.  The GOTA station seems to be working quite well into the SW, where the bulk of the Field Day activity will be.  GOTA operators were able to work any station they heard with just 10 watts of output power.

Click here to see  a brief (1 min) video showing the basic layout

Folks visiting tomorrow are reminded to bring their own chairs for the picnic or just relaxing outside.

Field Day Updates

Field Day setup begins at 9 AM on Friday June 27, then on-the-air action starts at 2 PM on Saturday and finishes at 2 PM on Sunday.

The Field Day Page has been substantially updated with Operating Schedules and lots of supporting information.

Feel free to lend a hand during setup or take-down (hard hat and work gloves are a must), or stop in and see us while we are operating.