07/11/2005 | W4DXA The Carolina DX Association operated again in 2005 as W4DXA. After a number of years of not participating in Field Day, CDXA entered Field Day in 2004 and had so much fun we thought we'd do it again. Our entry in the 2E category was made from the home QTH of Ken Boyd, K4DXA. Besides Ken's permanent Skyhawk, we erected a 80m flattop, a couple of multiband turnstiles, a pair of phased verticals for 40m (pointed west northwest) and a 20m monobander on a temporary 40 foot tower, erected just for Field Day.

A post contest critique last year set some goals for this year's entry. One goal was to increase our CW QSO count, which we did quite easily. Our second goal was a "stretch" to increase our SSB QSO count over a successful effort last year. Unfortunately, in our part of the world, 15m did not offer the pickings of 2004, and the crowding in 20m and 40m (the two "bread and butter bands") made finding a clear run frequency nearly impossible.

We managed to increase our score over last year's, but we expect to do better when we meet next year again. The capability to erect a multiband radio transmitting station operating on emergency power is surely one of the "rushes" of participating in Field Day. Twenty-four operators participated during 8 three-hour shifts. Several of our operators drove in excess of 100 miles just to take their turn in the middle of the night. Field Day is a great way to meet our club members who are situated throughout the Carolinas.

We hope to see you all again in 2006! -- K8YC