Field Day 2010 was a scorcher …
But why should this year be any different? The hardy hams gathered at the site in the Beaufort Memorial Hospital parking lot just off Ribaut Road in Beaufort were able to get our two regular and one GOTA stations on line by lunchtime on Saturday.
Lunch was the first of three meals that formed high points of the weekend, thanks to the great efforts of Barbara Gish KI4UEQ. We should all remember that Barbara's Field Day work starts weeks in advance with planning, food purchase, etc. Rumor had it that Jim KD4KOJ helped some on all that. To those who missed out on the Low Country Boil Saturday evening, all I can say is, “you snooze, you loose.” Barb, 88 from all of us.
Paul Grayce K3LLH set up and operated the GOTA station. Leanne Bradley W1WXS, Jim Gish KD4KOJ, and I contributed equipment for the two HF transmitters that we were allowed for category 2A. There were additional stations on VHF for satellite and Dstar demonstrations, as well as 2 meter FM operation. Of course we couldn't set all that up by ourselves. David Jennings N2EIO, Gail Wrede KJ4PLN, Hal Richardson K1YDZ, John Keenan AJ4QL, Todd Stowe KJ4RSG, and Tom Molzow KF4JEL all pitched in. There
were others but names escape at this time. We thank every one that helped or operated.
Two very nice features of our site were a dual band satellite tracking antenna system set up by W1WXS and a table with spectacular photos and information on the high altitude balloon photography and tracking projects set up by KJ4RSG.
We also conducted a VE session on Saturday. Stewart Lee KI4EXF upgraded to General, and two new hams, Nick Flint and Martin Kratz, passed the Tech exam. Thanks to the VEs who participated, Paul K3LLH, David N2EIO, Leanne W1WXS, and Jim KD4KOJ. John Keenan AJ4QL joined us both as a new BRAG member and as part of our VE team.
Operating conditions were very good, especially on 10 and 15 meters. Our operators racked up more contacts this year, assisted through the night by Bruce Kinsey W2ROZ. I'll have the final full results for you in another week or so.
Again, very FB to all who participated. For those of you who missed out this year: SAVE THE DATE JUNE 25 -26, 2011. BRAG will be doing Field Day once again.
73
Mike KB1CTC