06/28/2005 | W4HBB The Amateur Radio Club of Savannah held its annual field day exercise this year at the National Guard Armory Recreational Pavilion, operating class 2A. This is the first time we have been here since 9-11. Things had really changed. Since this is a military facility, everyone entering had to have their name checked off a master list of hams and also show a valid photo id. Also in evidence were barracades to limit access to small passenger cars only. Our participation was somewhat in question at this location, as I was the second person there and was greeted by a big, burly Air Guard military policeman. It was also raining, and would continue until almost midnight.

We later found out a minor snafu had occurred and not all persons in the chain of command had been informed of our reserving the facility for the entire weekend. Things got straightened out eventually as the first person to the site is also a reservist and made a few phone calls to the right persons. Now we could stay the whole weekend and not have to leave Saturday at dusk!! Shift change occurred and we were greeted by a couple more burly military policeman, and we fed them well from our field day dinner table. Each soldier carried two plates! Lugging M16s burns up a lot of calories!! They seemed happy as they left.

Anyway, things got underway at 1400 local. Our goal this weekend was to have fun first, and rack up contacts second. I've spent about 20 field days at this facility and have done my share of overnight wake-fests!!

Contacts were tough to come by it seemed as we were operating at the 100w power level. Since the bands above 20m seemed to be dead most of the weekend, everyone it seemed was squeezed on this band and below. It was not uncommon to hear multiple operators on the same frequency.

The local CBS affiliate, WTOC, came by, shot some video, and did an interview with our veteran ham, Andy WD4AFY. He acquitted himself quite nicely during the interview. The short segment was aired several times over the weekend.

A handful of diehards stayed up all night, while me and a couple of others slept a few fitful hours in our autos....One does not fall asleep on picnic tables at our field day site, as the gang is prone to pranks and other mischief to break up the boredom while waiting a turn at the radios.

About 25 people in all attended this year. The food was great, the fellowship was great, the score was not so great, which was okay.

We learned some valuable lessons this year. We'll see you in 2006!!

73

Philip
KA4KOE -- KA4KOE