Field Day 2008 - Ride the Waves.

This was my first time organizing an event and I choose Field Day. Many people think there is something wrong with me for accepting the presidency of SARA and now taking on Field Day. I’m beginning to think they are right. I learned a lot and I think most of the people that attended had fun. First, I learned that when you use a sling shot and a fishing reel to shoot lines over trees to put up wire antennas, make sure the fishing reel has more than 30ft of line on it if you ever want to see that lead sinker again. Second, I learned that these new sling shots with the magnet in the pouches do NOT work. Joe KCØOIO and I repeatedly shot a ¾ ounce sinker about 10 feet to the amusement of everyone watching us. Cut that magnet out and throw it away. Then watch just how far that lead sinker can fly. By-the-way, one of the suggested mini seminars is how to use a sling shot to put up an antenna. Guess who will be there.

We put up the CW tower Friday evening. The weather and lightening kept us from getting the Phone tower up but the crew made short work of it the next morning. With the WiFi logging system and laptop computers working, the generator purring with 600 feet of extension cords it was pretty much just sit around and operate or catch up on the latest news with SARA members. Thanks to Dave Glass WØOXB and John Harvard KCØUHY for setting up the network and computers. They worked great!

The food was excellent. I have to say that because my wife made the dinner for Saturday night and lunch for Sunday afternoon. Actually I think everyone really liked it. Most of you know that my XYL does not want me to have a tower. Those that ate her food decided to side with her and said I can’t have a tower if that’s what it takes to keep her cooking for Field Day. Thanks guys, that did not help me. Thanks also to Blaise Junker KCØQBE for making his Jambalaya for lunch Saturday and Joe Heitzinger KCØOIO for his Dutch oven egg breakfast on Sunday. I actually got to eat some this year.

Greg KØGW headed up the CW station and Lyle WB9OKQ headed up the phone station. Joe Heitzinger KCØOIO and Bob Kyvig WAØROH took the GOTA station even though we only had three GOTA operators and three GOTA contacts. Well, at least we had three new hams Jon Gamble KDØEAR, Nevin Gamble KDØEAS, and Ayara Gamble KDØEAT from the technician class make their first HF contacts.

I want to thank all who attended Field Day this year. Everyone pitched in (without having to be asked) to make this event successful. That’s how this emergency preparedness is supposed to work. Thank you and I never could have done this event without you. For those of you that didn’t make it out this year, all I can say is you missed a great time and some great food.

RicKØBRennan
SARA President