?

My golf club has decided (for the last three years) to host the club championship on the 4th weekend in June. That severely hampers any FD activity by this CW OP. I did do 4 hours at NFARL on Saturday evening, but they have deeper resources for the other hours. Dave, you're on a role now, time to beef up the CW skills, ha.

Sounds like a great weekend at N4N FD.

I did finish second in my flight in the tournament...

tnx

Mike / K5JR

Alpharetta GA

No fears, Jimmy.? Your job is safe.? You could have matched my CW totals in an hour and a half, max.? ?

?

UW

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of James Nail WA2MBP
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2024 10:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [N4N-Field-Day] 2024 N4N Field Day

?

Congrats to a great team effort. ?Sounds like you guys had a great FD 2024! ?Ill bow down to that great CW effort, sir!!!

?

Jimmy da Nail!

On Jun 23, 2024, at 9:25?PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

?

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

?

On Jun 24, 2024, at 12:31, Eric Howell <erhowell@...> wrote:

?

Congratulations,

And another successful Field Day is in the books. I wish that I could have joined you “at the pool” but alas I was relegated to my basement shack. However, in that basement shack I managed to work 689 stations including N4N on two bands. Most of my contacts were on FT4. I found that because the QSOs were quicker I could turn a bit better rate. Now I will have to say that keeping track of two stations running FT4 sometimes got a bit interesting especially in the wee hours of the morning when you are going on hour 25 or so without sleep. In true Field Day fashion, I even had to replace an antenna that I found that the smoke had been let out of the balun. That set me back about 45 minutes or an hour. You may have seen it on the N4N FB page.

?

I finally got the messages sent. I had some issue because everyone else was sending messages but later in the day it cleared up. I included a message to a friend that I worked with who has been inactive for quite a while. I instantly got a text message from him and now he is starting to look at buying a radio and getting back on the air. Wants to work QRP CW.

?

I did manage to do some 6-meter work and Sunday morning there was an opening into STX and LA area. Looking at the summary sheet I worked mor stations on 6 than I did on 10. So overall I don’t think that I did too bad with a total score of 3456. We will wait and see that the other 2E, single op stations did.

?

?

?

?

Eric Howell

W4MC

Email: w4mc@...

???????? erhowell@...

…? - . -

?

No fears, Jimmy.? Your job is safe.? You could have matched my CW totals in an hour and a half, max.? ?

?

UW

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of James Nail WA2MBP
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2024 10:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [N4N-Field-Day] 2024 N4N Field Day

?

Congrats to a great team effort. ?Sounds like you guys had a great FD 2024! ?Ill bow down to that great CW effort, sir!!!

?

Jimmy da Nail!

On Jun 23, 2024, at 9:25?PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

?

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

On Jun 24, 2024, at 13:39, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

?

Keep in mind we’re trending in the direction of less work, not more.? ?

?

Eddie’s quick scan of the log yesterday showed the class we worked most was 1D (home setup, permanent installations, not on emergency power) amd not portable/temporary stations. The rules change to allow class D stations to work other class D stations has taken away any incentive to bother with a temporary/portable setup.? I think it’s only a matter of time before most of the top 10 scores are home stations.??

?

So maybe next year we can put up another yagi a week or two ahead of time and operate 6D or 8D on shore power with the permanent antennas.? The only setup will be tables and chairs.?

?

Dave UW

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Gary McConville via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2024 9:46 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [N4N-Field-Day] 2024 N4N Field Day

?

I’m having thoughts on better antennas for next year … perhaps concentric loops pointing (kinda) in different directions. Also have a position for someone not operating to monitor band conditions and vhf openings.

?

?

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, 9:25 PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

?

Keep in mind we’re trending in the direction of less work, not more.? ?

?

Eddie’s quick scan of the log yesterday showed the class we worked most was 1D (home setup, permanent installations, not on emergency power) amd not portable/temporary stations. The rules change to allow class D stations to work other class D stations has taken away any incentive to bother with a temporary/portable setup.? I think it’s only a matter of time before most of the top 10 scores are home stations.??

?

So maybe next year we can put up another yagi a week or two ahead of time and operate 6D or 8D on shore power with the permanent antennas.? The only setup will be tables and chairs.?

?

Dave UW

?

?

I’m having thoughts on better antennas for next year … perhaps concentric loops pointing (kinda) in different directions. Also have a position for someone not operating to monitor band conditions and vhf openings.

?

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, 9:25 PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

?

Congrats to a great team effort. ?Sounds like you guys had a great FD 2024! ?Ill bow down to that great CW effort, sir!!!

?

I’m having thoughts on better antennas for next year … perhaps concentric loops pointing (kinda) in different directions. Also have a position for someone not operating to monitor band conditions and vhf openings.

?

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, 9:25 PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, 9:59 PM, James Nail WA2MBP <james.nail@...> wrote:

Congrats to a great team effort. ?Sounds like you guys had a great FD 2024! ?Ill bow down to that great CW effort, sir!!!

Jimmy da Nail!

On Jun 23, 2024, at 9:25?PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

?

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

On Jun 23, 2024, at 9:25?PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

?

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, 9:25 PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

Had another fun Field Day weekend!? A lot of things went really well—special thanks to Eddie for all his work getting the software and radios playing nicely together.? He also got my new IC9700 set up with satpc32 and the azi-ele rotor so making a satellite contact was so simple even a computer dolt could do it, bleary eyed a bit fuzzy headed, alone, at 1:30 am.? ?? Also thanks to Joe AJ2Y and Eric W4MC for helping me work through several failed attempts at sending message traffic.? Finally got that figured out and working reliably (using HF rather than 2m packet) this past Wednesday.? Thanks too to Jeff1 for setting up his raspberry pi widget to constantly rotate among screens showing pie charts of qsos by mode or operator, map that filled in USA/Canada sections as we worked them, and charts of qsos by band, mode, operator, etc.? It was fun to watch—especially on Sunday.?

As an example of the difference a bit of luck can make:?? Anyone remember a fire drill getting the generator going again when it ran out of gas leaving all 4/5/6 stations dead in the water?? C’mon, you know it happened.? More than once.? Well this year the generator got filled periodically, so we never ran out of gas . . . until about 5 minutes past two Sunday afternoon.? Some days you win, some days you lose.? This year we won.? We also learned that the generator can run from 7:00am until 2:05pm on one tank of gas.?

While we didn’t have to work around thunderstorms as we often have in the past, it certainly was toasty Friday through Sunday.? Ceiling fans, box fans, and the pool were put to good use cooling us down.?

Things were going a bit slow on Saturday as we (really Eddie) worked out a fist full of quirks with stations that didn’t want to behave.? So by 10pm when things wound down for the night we only had about 300 qsos.? Another 100 or so, mostly CW, were logged waiting for the satellite pass, so at 0200 there were 415 or so contacts.? We all got some sleep and didn’t really re-engage until after breakfast, around 0900.? Once we got fired up Sunday, we were rocking and rolling, averaging better than 100 qsos an hour for the last 5 hours.? Much mo betta.?

We made just under 1000 qsos on the main N4N stations, plus 24 GOTA contacts from 7 or 8 visitors, and a half dozen satellite contacts.? Qso points should be around 3275 (compared to 2875 or so last year).

Pursuit of bonus points went remarkably well this year.? We got 400 points for operating on emergency power, 100 points for alternate power qsos, 100 points for copying the ARRL bulletin (got it on CW, digital, and RTTY), 100 points for having a safety officer and completing the safety checklist, and 100 points for Eddie’s posts regarding N4N to Facebook.? Using Winlink Express and VARA the message traffic was successfully sent via RF, including one message to the SM, for another 200 points.? Gary served as GOTA coach for more than 10 GOTA contacts for another 100 points.? We also successfully made 8 satellite contacts, for qso points plus a 100 point bonus.? 奥别’濒l get another 50 points for electronic log submission, for a total of 1250 bonus points (compared to 750 last year).

So . . . total score should be around 4500, compared to 3600 last year.? All preliminary, of course, but not too shabby!

And Jimmy!!!? Guess who was the top CW op, again!!? ?

More to follow, but for now I’m hitting the sack.? Getting up early tomorrow to get the wire antennas down and coax put away.?

Dave UW

Glad to have worked you today Ernie !

Eddie AE4TQ?

On Sat, Jun 22, 2024 at 18:17, Ernie Stedman W2FMU

<estedman@...> wrote:

FYI

I have been answering you guys for an hour on 6 meter FT8 as have others.? You guys seem deaf.

On Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 4:47?PM Jeff Otterson n1kdo via <jeffrey=[email protected]> wrote:

What time for computer setup on Saturday, Dave?

What do I need to bring with me?

Jeff n1kdo

On Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 1:00?PM Joe Schippert via <joe_schippert=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Dave,

I pinged a few 2M packet stations, these are my results using 50 W to an attic-mounted vertical:

• Exchanged winlink messages via N7GRB-10 (15 miles away), digipeating thru WX4NET-6 (15.7 mi.)? could not connect directly to N7GRB.? 145.590 MHz.
• Exchanged winlink messages via AB4NX-10 (22 miles away, Stone Mt.)? 145.530 MHz.
• Went down the packet winlink contact list, could not raise any of these stations: N4ELC-10 (10 mi.); W4KIB-10 (15 mi.); WD5EMA-10 (18 mi.)

After you see if this information helps you, give me a call.? I would think we can add VaraFM without too much difficulty to your TS-2000.? The question is, can we go directly to your sound card and bypass the TNC?? If your Packet TNC is all software (like mine is), will be no problem.

73, Joe? AJ2Y

=?? =?? =?? =?? =

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 10:28:21 AM EDT, Eric Howell <erhowell@...> wrote:

Dave,

I will be working on Winlink as well to get ready for FD. Haven’t made a connection from Richmond yet but will be working on it.

Eric

Eric Howell

Erhowell@...

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But they are not entitled to their own facts.

??

On Jun 11, 2024, at 9:26?AM, Joe Schippert via <joe_schippert=[email protected]> wrote:

?

Hi Dave,

I successfully send and receive Winlink messages every week.? A half dozen or so NF ARES folks do this as well.

First of all, I typically use a mode called VaraFM on 2 M, or VaraHF on HF.? The last time I used the Packet Racket was maybe three months ago.? Later on this afternoon I will try and locate some functioning Packet stations, which I think is the mode your TS-2000 is hard wired for.? (I’m tied up until this afternoon.)? By the way, the status in the Winlink app is all manually self-reported, so you know what that means.

I will need to check my log to dig up Digipeater info, but off the top of my head, the one I have used is in Gwinnett County.? I’m not aware of a listing.

My station consists of VaraFM software, or Packet software, decoded by an outboard sound card connected to and from my 2 M FM rig.? On HF, it is VaraHF software working through the built-in sound card on my K3. There is other functional HF software, however this too is seldom used.? Vara is available in a free version that works just fine, or a purchased version that provides significant speed and functional improvements.

More later!

73, Joe? AJ2Y

=?? =?? =?? =?? =

On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 10:53:38 PM EDT, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

Anyone in the group familiar with Winlink?? I have the software running, and all seems to be working OK, but I’m not hearing/connecting with any stations.

WInlink has an option to download an update to Winlink nodes (call, frequency, location, beam heading, distance from me).? I have updated the node list in Winlink, and I tried all within 30 miles of me but I get no response.?

I’ve been unable to find a list of digipeaters/nodes in the Atlanta area other than what populates the table in WINLINK.?

Seems odd that all/almost all of the nodes would not be working.? One is supposedly 3 miles from me, but nothing heard.?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Dave UW

--
Eric Howell
W4MC
w4mc@...

--

Ernie Stedman

770-894-3640

On Sat, Jun 22, 2024 at 18:17, Ernie Stedman W2FMU

<estedman@...> wrote:

FYI

I have been answering you guys for an hour on 6 meter FT8 as have others.? You guys seem deaf.

On Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 4:47?PM Jeff Otterson n1kdo via <jeffrey=[email protected]> wrote:

What time for computer setup on Saturday, Dave?

What do I need to bring with me?

Jeff n1kdo

On Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 1:00?PM Joe Schippert via <joe_schippert=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Dave,

I pinged a few 2M packet stations, these are my results using 50 W to an attic-mounted vertical:

• Exchanged winlink messages via N7GRB-10 (15 miles away), digipeating thru WX4NET-6 (15.7 mi.)? could not connect directly to N7GRB.? 145.590 MHz.
• Exchanged winlink messages via AB4NX-10 (22 miles away, Stone Mt.)? 145.530 MHz.
• Went down the packet winlink contact list, could not raise any of these stations: N4ELC-10 (10 mi.); W4KIB-10 (15 mi.); WD5EMA-10 (18 mi.)

After you see if this information helps you, give me a call.? I would think we can add VaraFM without too much difficulty to your TS-2000.? The question is, can we go directly to your sound card and bypass the TNC?? If your Packet TNC is all software (like mine is), will be no problem.

73, Joe? AJ2Y

=?? =?? =?? =?? =

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 10:28:21 AM EDT, Eric Howell <erhowell@...> wrote:

Dave,

I will be working on Winlink as well to get ready for FD. Haven’t made a connection from Richmond yet but will be working on it.

Eric

Eric Howell

Erhowell@...

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But they are not entitled to their own facts.

??

On Jun 11, 2024, at 9:26?AM, Joe Schippert via <joe_schippert=[email protected]> wrote:

?

Hi Dave,

I successfully send and receive Winlink messages every week.? A half dozen or so NF ARES folks do this as well.

First of all, I typically use a mode called VaraFM on 2 M, or VaraHF on HF.? The last time I used the Packet Racket was maybe three months ago.? Later on this afternoon I will try and locate some functioning Packet stations, which I think is the mode your TS-2000 is hard wired for.? (I’m tied up until this afternoon.)? By the way, the status in the Winlink app is all manually self-reported, so you know what that means.

I will need to check my log to dig up Digipeater info, but off the top of my head, the one I have used is in Gwinnett County.? I’m not aware of a listing.

My station consists of VaraFM software, or Packet software, decoded by an outboard sound card connected to and from my 2 M FM rig.? On HF, it is VaraHF software working through the built-in sound card on my K3. There is other functional HF software, however this too is seldom used.? Vara is available in a free version that works just fine, or a purchased version that provides significant speed and functional improvements.

More later!

73, Joe? AJ2Y

=?? =?? =?? =?? =

On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 10:53:38 PM EDT, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

Anyone in the group familiar with Winlink?? I have the software running, and all seems to be working OK, but I’m not hearing/connecting with any stations.

WInlink has an option to download an update to Winlink nodes (call, frequency, location, beam heading, distance from me).? I have updated the node list in Winlink, and I tried all within 30 miles of me but I get no response.?

I’ve been unable to find a list of digipeaters/nodes in the Atlanta area other than what populates the table in WINLINK.?

Seems odd that all/almost all of the nodes would not be working.? One is supposedly 3 miles from me, but nothing heard.?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Dave UW

--
Eric Howell
W4MC
w4mc@...

--

Ernie Stedman

770-894-3640

On Jun 22, 2024, at 6:17?PM, Ernie Stedman W2FMU <estedman@...> wrote:

?

FYI

I have been answering you guys for an hour on 6 meter FT8 as have others.? You guys seem deaf.

On Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 4:47?PM Jeff Otterson n1kdo via <jeffrey=[email protected]> wrote:

What time for computer setup on Saturday, Dave?

What do I need to bring with me?

Jeff n1kdo

On Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 1:00?PM Joe Schippert via <joe_schippert=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Dave,

I pinged a few 2M packet stations, these are my results using 50 W to an attic-mounted vertical:

• Exchanged winlink messages via N7GRB-10 (15 miles away), digipeating thru WX4NET-6 (15.7 mi.)? could not connect directly to N7GRB.? 145.590 MHz.
• Exchanged winlink messages via AB4NX-10 (22 miles away, Stone Mt.)? 145.530 MHz.
• Went down the packet winlink contact list, could not raise any of these stations: N4ELC-10 (10 mi.); W4KIB-10 (15 mi.); WD5EMA-10 (18 mi.)

After you see if this information helps you, give me a call.? I would think we can add VaraFM without too much difficulty to your TS-2000.? The question is, can we go directly to your sound card and bypass the TNC?? If your Packet TNC is all software (like mine is), will be no problem.

73, Joe? AJ2Y

=?? =?? =?? =?? =

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 10:28:21 AM EDT, Eric Howell <erhowell@...> wrote:

Dave,

I will be working on Winlink as well to get ready for FD. Haven’t made a connection from Richmond yet but will be working on it.

Eric

Eric Howell

Erhowell@...

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But they are not entitled to their own facts.

??

On Jun 11, 2024, at 9:26?AM, Joe Schippert via <joe_schippert=[email protected]> wrote:

?

Hi Dave,

I successfully send and receive Winlink messages every week.? A half dozen or so NF ARES folks do this as well.

First of all, I typically use a mode called VaraFM on 2 M, or VaraHF on HF.? The last time I used the Packet Racket was maybe three months ago.? Later on this afternoon I will try and locate some functioning Packet stations, which I think is the mode your TS-2000 is hard wired for.? (I’m tied up until this afternoon.)? By the way, the status in the Winlink app is all manually self-reported, so you know what that means.

I will need to check my log to dig up Digipeater info, but off the top of my head, the one I have used is in Gwinnett County.? I’m not aware of a listing.

My station consists of VaraFM software, or Packet software, decoded by an outboard sound card connected to and from my 2 M FM rig.? On HF, it is VaraHF software working through the built-in sound card on my K3. There is other functional HF software, however this too is seldom used.? Vara is available in a free version that works just fine, or a purchased version that provides significant speed and functional improvements.

More later!

73, Joe? AJ2Y

=?? =?? =?? =?? =

On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 10:53:38 PM EDT, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

Anyone in the group familiar with Winlink?? I have the software running, and all seems to be working OK, but I’m not hearing/connecting with any stations.

WInlink has an option to download an update to Winlink nodes (call, frequency, location, beam heading, distance from me).? I have updated the node list in Winlink, and I tried all within 30 miles of me but I get no response.?

I’ve been unable to find a list of digipeaters/nodes in the Atlanta area other than what populates the table in WINLINK.?

Seems odd that all/almost all of the nodes would not be working.? One is supposedly 3 miles from me, but nothing heard.?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Dave UW

--
Eric Howell
W4MC
w4mc@...

--

Ernie Stedman

770-894-3640

On Jun 20, 2024, at 7:08?PM, Gary McConville via groups.io <WB4SQ@...> wrote:

?Cool beans (from Chicago Midway)

On Jun 20, 2024, at 2:50?PM, Dave Moss <davemoss@...> wrote:

?Gary/Eddie,?

Yea, the cable I have for the TS-2000 is USB to DB9 with an FTDI usb serial interface built in. It’s been used often for rig control with the TS-2000.?

On Jun 20, 2024, at 1:43?PM, Gary McConville via groups.io <WB4SQ@...> wrote:

? RRR.?

On Jun 20, 2024, at 10:36?AM, Edmund Thompson <Edmundthompson@...> wrote:

?Gary please bring your laptop with its charger, we'll sort it out.

On Thu, Jun 20, 2024 at 11:37, Gary McConville via groups.io

<WB4SQ@...> wrote:

Only dual USB

On Thursday, June 20, 2024, 7:51 AM, Eddie Thompson <21eddie2108@...> wrote:

There has to be USB

On Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 10:42 Gary McConville via <WB4SQ=[email protected]> wrote:

On the laptop end. No com ports on the laptop?

On Thursday, June 20, 2024, 7:15 AM, Tim <tlemmon@...> wrote:

Y'all have fun this weekend. I'm out here in Las Vegas with Lori - partly for the flight simulator convention this weekend.?

Eddie, I'll be thinkin' about ya ??????

On Tue, Jun 18, 2024, 6:55?PM Dave Moss via <davemoss=[email protected]> wrote:

Field Day is just around the corner!? Hopefully those interested have the info you need, but just in case:

·?????? Weather for the weekend is supposed to be sunny and hot.? Good if we can avoid thunderstorms, but awfully hot with highs in the mid-90s.? There are ceiling fans on the deck, but if anybody has a box fan or two it might help keep the deck a bit more comfy. I have sun screen, and will have some bottled water.??

·?????? When you arrive, park at the top of the driveway too unload.? You can leave the cars in the driveway, at least until it fills up.? Just don’t block in Margaret’s white Subaru.? Should be able to get 4 cars up the driveway.? Also, if you park on the street, avoid parking close to our driveway where it makes it difficult for the neighbors across the street to get in and out of their driveway.?

·?????? Friday all day and into the evening we’ll be setting up.? Come when you can, if you can.? While it isn’t the 9-towers-in-a-pasture like years ago, it does always seem to fill up the day.? Friday is the day to get the tables, chairs, generator, solar panels, extension cords, etc put in place.? I’ll be working on getting the wire antennas up starting in the morning around 9am.? Friday and Saturday are both supposed to be scorchers—highs mid 90s.? So hopefully this job will be done by noon.? Eddie is coming in the afternoon and we can hopefully switch gears to getting the radios set up and tested, and ready to copy the ARRL bulletin.? The plan is to copy the ARRL CW bulletin at 8:00pm, digital bulletin at 9:00pm.? 奥别’濒l probably order pizza or something like that Friday evening.?

·?????? 奥别’濒l resume setup Saturday morning—Jeff and Larry will arrive then and get their radios set up and ready, and we can get any last minute things done before it gets too hot.?

·?????? The operating period is 2pm Saturday to 2pm Sunday.? 奥别’濒l operate 4A.? So there should be a radio available for someone to operate about any time you might want to.? We won’t have all the stations on all the time, but hopefully there will be many hours during the day when we do.? I plan to be operating until about 1:30am, break for the satellite pass, then get some sleep.? It’s sort of up to you when you want to operate, but when you do, there should be a radio available.?

·?????? Here’s the plan for meals:?

o?????? I’ll have lunch ready around noon Saturday so we should be ready to go for the 2pm start.? I’m planning lunch for AE4TQ, KE4QFB, KE4UW, N1KDO, and WB4SQ.? If anyone else plans to be there for lunch, let me know by tomorrow. (I’m doing the grocery shopping Thursday)

o?????? Saturday dinner will be kung pao chicken stir fry with rice and vegetables.? I’m expecting the same folks for dinner.? Again, others are welcome to join us for dinner, but I need to know by tomorrow.

o?????? Sunday breakfast will be around 8:30am, plus or minus.? The best satellite pass is 0130 Saturday night, and I’ll be up for that.? Afterwards I need to get 4 hours sleep, then I’ll get up and start cooking.? Menu is pancakes, biscuits, bacon, and sausage.? I’m expecting the same group plus KB4SLV.

o?????? Sunday lunch will be around 2pm when operating stops.? Probably burgers and brats.? Same group as for lunch, plus Gary’s xyl.?

o?????? Please let me know if anyone else plans to eat.?

·?????? Bring your swim suit and towel.? It will be nice to cool off in the pool from time to time.?

·?????? I have space in the basement if anyone wants to spend the night Saturday night (carpeted, air conditioned).? First come first serve for the sofa in the basement.? I’d suggest you bring an air mattress.? Please let me know if you plan to spend the night so I can get things ready.?

·?????? Bonus points:?

o?????? Emergency power (400 points):? for running stations off the grid

o?????? 5 qsos on alternate power (100 pts):? Eddie and I will have stations with access to solar power/solar charged batteries

o?????? Message to SM (100 points):? I have messages ready to go, and have tested Winlink and VARA HF software

o?????? Message traffic (100 points): I have 10 messages ready to go.?

o?????? Satellite contact (100 points):? With Eddie’s help, I should have this one.?

o?????? Copying ARRL bulletin (100 points):? Eddie has the software ready for this.

o?????? 100 points for safety officer:? NEED A VOLUNTEER FOR THIS—you fill out a checklist for the safety inspection of the site.? Take this seriously and help us remain un-hurt.

o?????? 100 points for social media:? NEED A VOLUNTEER(S) for this.? Someone who knows what social media is.?

o?????? 50 point for web score submission:? I’ll do this

o?????? So we should get 1150 bonus points

·?????? Other bonus point available:

o?????? 100 points for educational activity:? There was some talk of a zoom thing from Eric, but I’m guessing that was overcome by events.?

o?????? 100 points for GOTA coach:? Need to make at least 10 qsos with a gota coach.? We could do this, but it may require more effort than we have resources for.? For one, we’d need another laptop set up with N1MM, NOT networked with the other computers.? Completely separate log with different call sign.?? With half the crew not arriving until Saturday to set up, not sure it’s in the cards.? If anyone wants to take it on to make it happen, speak up!? We probably have the equipment, but we need someone to own it.?? Then the GOTA qsos are 5 points each regardless of mode.?

?If I’ve left something out, or you have any questions, let me know.?