Ham Radio Videos
• HAM Radio ARRL Field Day 2010
Added at 2012-03-30 07:23:38
Yesterday I had the great pleasure of visiting a bunch of HAM radio operators participating in Field Day 2010. They were set up in a Snow Park warming cabin at about 5000' attitude on Three Creeks Road approximately 11 miles out of Sisters, Oregon.73'sKF7ETX / USNERDOCFind Me on APRShttp://aprs.fi/Sisters W7DUX Repeaterhttp://www.w7dux.com/w7dux_sisters_repeater.htmYaesu VX-8Rhttp://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&en...Field Day Station Categories: (Class A) Club / non-club portable (Class B) One or two person portable (Class C) Mobile: Stations in vehicles capable of operating while in motion and normally operated in this manner (Class D) Home stations: Stations operating from licensed station locations using commercial power (Class E) Home stations - Emergency power (Class F) Emergency Operations Centers (EOC)From Wikipedia, "Each station will exchange information with other participating stations. For the North American Field Day, the exchange consists of the station call sign, the name of the ARRL-recognized section from which the station is operating, and a class designator which indicates the number of transmitters concurrently used at the station and information about the type of electrical power source being used."Wikipedia -- Field Day (amateur radio)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Day_(amateur_radio)ARRL Field Dayhttp://www.arrl.org/field-dayARRL 2010 Field Day Ruleshttp://www.arrl.org/files/file/2010%20Rules.pdfARRL Field Day Tips and Techniques That Everyone Can Use:1) You will get many more stations in your log by calling CQ than by tuning the dial and answering CQs; however, if you're calling CQ and not getting any replies, keep calling. Most major contesters call CQ for several minutes at a time before giving up. Giving up after three or four CQs is giving up too soon.2) Keep your CQs short and to the point: "CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day, Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey, Field Day." Wait about 5 seconds between CQs -- this gives stations enough time to answer you.3) Use standard phonetics. "Cute" phonetics don't always get through and they can confuse newer operators.4) When working a station, you should give your exchange information only once and keep it simple. "Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey, copy three Foxtrot Connecticut, QSL?" If they didn't get all of the exchange, they will ask for a repeat.5) If you are running a pileup: Once you have pulled a call out of the pileup, give your exchange information first. Here's an example: "Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey, copy 3F Connecticut, QSL?" Don't ask for the calling station's information first -- this will reduce any sense of rhythm and timing in the pileup.6) If you get a pileup of stations and can't make out an entire call, listen for one letter and ask for it specifically: "The station with Delta only, go ahead."7) When you get the other station's information, keep your acknowledgment simple. "QSL, thanks, QRZ Field Day from Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey."8) Find a comfortable pace for you and maintain that pace. You will tire quickly if you are screaming into the microphone or trying to work stations too quickly. This leads to inefficiency.9) Use a headset with a boom microphone and a foot switch -- this frees up your hands to log QSOs. Writing or typing with a mike in your hand slows you down.10) Go for as many bonus points as you possibly can. Numerous opportunities exist, from copying the Field Day message to sending traffic to using natural power for QSOs.These tips should help maximize your score on Field Day. Remember: No matter how you choose to enjoy Field Day, maximize your fun, however you define it.Source: The ARRL Letter Vol. 28, No. 21 May 29, 2009