June 27, 28, 2015
Quad Squad Survives Field Day 2015
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For those who set up in the morning on Saturday, conditions were ok. Section manger Skip Arey (N2EI) stopped by to wish us luck, while field day Chairman Kenny Denson (WB2P) and others worked to get all the stations set up. The generator was fired up, keyers were set for 8A, laptops and logging programs were booted up, radio checks were performed, and before long, we were on the air for field day 2015!
Weather conditions began to deteriorate in the early afternoon, with a light rain and breeze giving way to heavier gusts, and then to heavier rains and then winds with blowing rain increasing into the evening. With ponchos and rain gear on, extra guy wires were lashed to antennas, tarps, and tents to keep things in place. Those who didn’t have shelter, borrowed space from those who did. When a portable vertical blew over, a low mount dipole was improvised onto a tree branch as an alternative. That’s just how it was. Those who were there were working together to help each other out. Back up in Wayne’s World, the food crew managed to get the grill on and, despite the rain, there were burgers and a good meal for all. Everyone was still making contacts, even on 6 meters, so after dinner, it was back to the stations to hunker down. The wind driven rain gusts had picked up a bit. Several stations began to take on water in their electronics, and had no choice but to abandon ship. Even the 40 meter sideband team, who were operating out of a weather-protected camper, had to toss in the towel when it was feared they might get stuck and not be able to get out. But the “Quad Squad” 20 meter CW team of Merrill (WK2G) and Bill (WA2DUV) pressed on! They’d planned for this weekend all year, and had even designed and built a custom antenna just for the event that they’d mounted on top of a tied-down extension ladder. With headphones on for concentration, and to mask the sounds of the relentless driving rain on the side of their tent, they pounded it out all night. And then there was Tom, AB2YG, our master mechanic who, at better than 70 years of age, pulled an all-nighter to keep the “Beast” roaring and supplying electricity without interruption for them all night throughout the storm. Way to go Tom! The joke at breakfast the next morning was about “I survived Field Day 2015” T-shirts, but I haven’t seen any of those yet. Sunday turned out to be a great day, and worth it for those came back to set up again to resume operating, and for the visitors who stopped by under more sensible conditions. 
Sunday was a beautiful day
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Jim, N2GXJ; Skip, N2EI; Ken, WB2P
Frank, W2FJM at the BBQ
Everyone taking a break during the storm to enjoy a good meal
20 Meter CW Quad Antenna
Merrill, WK2G; Willie, WA2DUV
Tom, AB2YG keeping the generator running
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Club Field Day 2015 Chairman : Kenny Denson, WB2P
densonkr <at> verizon <dot> net
Field Day - June 27-28, 2015 - Band Chart |
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| Band | Operator | Mode |
Kyle Townsend, W2KBT |
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Bill Ustaszeski, WA2DUV |
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Jerry Jacobus, WB2QEF |
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Vinnie Sallustio, N4NYY Milt Frantz, K2MXF Wayne Wilson, WA2LET Tom Gorman, KE2ES Gene Wallace, N2IMK |
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Sheldon Parker, K2MEN Ken Newman, N2CQ Gene Schoeberlein, AA2YO Dennis Sandole, K2SE |
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| Field Day Chairman - Kenny Denson, WB2P densonkr (at) verizon (dot) net |