Gents,
It¡¯s getting close to FD so it¡¯s probably time to figure out what we¡¯re going to do this year.?
First thing we need, of course, is some idea of who is interested in participating this year.? I have spoken to Jeff N1KDO and Tim WK4U and they are out this year.? Eddie AE4TQ is in, as am I.? Who else is interested in participating?
The last couple of years we trimmed waaaaaay back on the setup level of effort.? Instead of trying to raise two or three yagi, we instead raised a few wire antennas, and put up phased verticals for 40m in the front yard.? All of the wire antennas were raised by one person on Friday morning of FD weekend.? I¡¯m all for doing something similar this year to keep the setup effort to a minimum.??
We have gotten together the weekend before Field Day to get the N1MM setup done on the computers, and verify the rig control, WSJT-X interfaces, and CW interfaces (if there are any CW ops) are working.? This has worked really well, so plan on gathering any rigs we plan to use on Saturday June 17 to get things set up.? Eddie has been the guru leading the software setup, so that will depend on his availability.?
Last year we had three ops, and all preferred to operate FT4/FT8.? We were also ready for phone, but there wasn¡¯t much interest.? So what modes are folks interested in this year?
As far as radios, we have my Kenwood TS-590 and Eddie¡¯s IC-7300 so far.? With just those two radios we could probably keep 4 or 5 operators happy with their operating time.? If more folks are interested, we may need one or two more.?
The past couple of years we have operated one or more stations from solar power and batteries.? It has been a great learning experience¡ªglad we did it, as it isn¡¯t necessarily as simple as it might seem.? We learned that a lot of the amp and amp-hour ratings for panels and batteries are, shall we say, rather inflated.? But we have enough equipment to operate at least one station from solar/battery power.? We have a Honda EU-2000 that can power a few more if needed.?
Open to ideas for a thing or two we can try for the first time this year.? Nice to have some opportunity to learn a new thing or two.?
So, who¡¯s in?? For those who are in, what modes tickle your fancy??
Dave UW
