2003 ARRL Field Day
07/10/2003 |
K6TBR
My 1st FD! Operating 1B at a family campout, I had originally planned to visit a local club's site to expose myself to a 'seasoned operation'. As time passed, I lost sight of the event and accidentally planned our family's campout the same weekend. I seized the opportunity though, and brought my FT-101E, a homebrew dipole cut for 80M, a new deep cycle 75ah battery, and a tuner, along with a generous compliment of tools and hardware 'just-in-case'.
Though I started out well, making easy contacts on 40M SSB and then graduating to CW on 40 and then on 20M, I soon found out that the ol' tube rig devoured the power supply when run at anything but practically QRP. I had to charge the battery with the truck a couple just to get back on the air for a few minutes when I just retired the portable station after only an hour or two operation. I charged the battery one last time toward the end of the event to make a few CW QSO's for the finale.
One objective I wanted to achieve this 1st FD was to experience contest-style CW exchanges. I found that there were many who added their personal touches with well-wishes and polite thank you's. By the end of this FD, I had come from stumbling through my exhange to zipping-through like an expert! This sense of accomplishment alone was well worth the entire effort. I only wish I could have had the foresight to operate at much lower output early-on to conserve for longer operation. Hindsight is truly 20-20!
Though I originally planned to get some of my nieces and nephews involved, my involvement with preparation and learning things myself, prevented me from feeling confident enough to share the experience with them this go 'round. I hope to be much better prepared next time to accommodate obviously curious youngsters.
Final count was only 56 total QSO's, but the wealth of experience and fun gained was well worth all the trouble. I'm already looking forward to next year's event where ever I operate from! Thanks to all! 73 'til FD 2004 (unless I run into you on the bands before then). -- K6TBR
Though I started out well, making easy contacts on 40M SSB and then graduating to CW on 40 and then on 20M, I soon found out that the ol' tube rig devoured the power supply when run at anything but practically QRP. I had to charge the battery with the truck a couple just to get back on the air for a few minutes when I just retired the portable station after only an hour or two operation. I charged the battery one last time toward the end of the event to make a few CW QSO's for the finale.
One objective I wanted to achieve this 1st FD was to experience contest-style CW exchanges. I found that there were many who added their personal touches with well-wishes and polite thank you's. By the end of this FD, I had come from stumbling through my exhange to zipping-through like an expert! This sense of accomplishment alone was well worth the entire effort. I only wish I could have had the foresight to operate at much lower output early-on to conserve for longer operation. Hindsight is truly 20-20!
Though I originally planned to get some of my nieces and nephews involved, my involvement with preparation and learning things myself, prevented me from feeling confident enough to share the experience with them this go 'round. I hope to be much better prepared next time to accommodate obviously curious youngsters.
Final count was only 56 total QSO's, but the wealth of experience and fun gained was well worth all the trouble. I'm already looking forward to next year's event where ever I operate from! Thanks to all! 73 'til FD 2004 (unless I run into you on the bands before then). -- K6TBR
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