 Field Day 2009 is now a memory and what a success it was. Thanks to all who participated in this year event.
Mark Kozar, KM8G, was the Field Day Chairman and did a great job as usual. Mark has been FD chairman several times in the past and showed his experience and made this years FD a huge success.
There was a sense of cooperation and pride in the way the event unfolded from set up to tear down. As far as I know, there were no major problems to speak of. The weather even cooperated. No rain or thunder and lightning, no winds to speak of and all in all just good weather and a great time were had by all.
More importantly, the bands were in good condition and this reflected our good score. Mark will post the scores as soon as he gets them compiled.
The CW boys really rock and rolled this year. Many thanks to the CW op’s that made magic happen. Dick Moore WA8DGE, Charlie Young, N8RR. Between these 2 guys, they covered the entire contest!
The phone op’s also held their own this year. The phone op’s were, John Jones, WB8CQV, Dave Poe, W8IW, Joe Richards, WV8WVU, KM8G, Mark Kozar and Bob Adams, W8GU. If missed any op’s my apologies.
The GOTA station was on the air this year as W8SI. Mike Maxson, volunteered his call an expertise and assistance to the “newbies” and no licensed hams that operated the GOTA station. We had 2 young ladies around the 5 to 7 year of ages operate W8SI! Hopefully the HAM radio bug got to these girls.
We did have one little snafu happen this year but we managed to work around the problem. Paul Whited, KB8YZT and the K9 Search and Rescue supplied the K9 trailer for us to use as an op’ing position again but the K9 group was called out for a search during FD. I got the call that we should prep the trailer for pick up during our dinner. We made the decision to move the phone station to the DHHR trailer to share with the CW boys. The transfer of equipment went smoothly and I bet the phone station was off the air for only around 15 to 20 minutes.
Set up and tear down was a breeze this year. As you probably know, these 2 parts of the event are the most tasking and stressful but all went well with no real problems. The tower went up and down smoothly and we had enough equipment and generators to run the event.
Thanks to all who unselfishly donated their equipment. FD can’t be FD with out radios, power supplies, antennas, generators and all of the stuff in-between. We invest a lot of our hard earned money in our equipment but gladly donate its use for FD.
Many thanks to the K9 Search and Rescue. KB8YZT, Paul and Pam Whited and the West Virginia DHHR for the use of their trailers for KARC to op from again this year.
I feel we should not only thank one person in particular but also share our sorrow with WA8WV, Dave Ellis. As most know, pets are huge part of your immediate family. Well, Dave’s puppy became SK this weekend and Dave being the trooper that he is, still showed up for set up and tear down. As a matter of fact, we probably would not had or would have had a much harder time setting up the tower and beam with out Dave’s help. Thanks Dave and you have our sympathies.
I saw more digital cameras at FD this year than usual. Russ, W8UFX will be setting up away to post your pics soon. Please check back on the W8GK.ORG website for that and PLEASE down load them to the site so all can see your pics.
It was a great Field Day and I look forward to next year’s event and KARC’s participation.
73,
Bob Adams, W8GU
President KARC Inc.
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