Glendora Emergency Response Communications

Field Day 2004 - A Successful Learning Experience

Jun 29, 2004

By Mark Hayden, KF6DSA

GERC held its first Field Day this year at the Main facility on Route 66. We were on the air from 11 am to approximately 4 pm on Saturday June 26, doing our shortened version of the weekend-long ARRL sponsored event.

There were four stations on the air when Field Day commenced: 20 meters, 40 meters, 220 Mhz, 440 Mhz, and 2 meter SSB. About 1 ?½ hours later the crank up tower was put into use as well.

In all there were 73 confirmed contacts made by our group with the breakdown by bands as follows:

40 meters = 21 contacts
20 meters = 15 contacts
15 meters = 6 contacts
2 meters = 27 contacts
1.25 meters = 1 contact
70 centimeters = 3 contacts

Hams arrived as early as Friday afternoon to set up their equipment, and the sun shade canopies set up early by Dave, KG6DGM were certainly pressed immediately into use.

Our new GERC banner, donated through the efforts of Jim, KG6TPQ, was clearly visible from the street as it hung on the information booth and was especially noteworthy after Rob, KE6YGF placed a U.S. flag by it. We later heard many compliments about how everything looked so well organized and presented throughout the parking lot. Thanks to Carolyn, KG6RFJ for running the booth and Jonathan, KG6TPZ for handling press releases.

Notwithstanding a small mishap which resulted from a misplaced ground rod, which we can laugh about now, everything was ship shape by Saturday morning.

Rob, KE6YGF and his family setup an outstanding station using their fifth wheel trailer as a base. His VHF antenna array was most impressive. His attention to visitor safety by placing reflective cones everywhere needed was indeed commendable.

Keith, KG6TPU set up a really nice new screen room for his HF station. I guess we can call it the green room from now on.

Ray, KE6DOJ operated his 440 Mhz station from his truck and even set up his 2 meter emergency go box radio under his brand new canopy and camped out there Friday evening.

Having experienced Field Days in years past, I set up my usual ?“keep it portable?” field radio box and building block antenna tripod.

But the big attraction to our Field Day was Andy?’s custom W6LDS mobile 55 foot crank up tower. It needed some finishing touches as contest time approached but Andy and his wife Robin, WD6LDS and their sons, as well as Ben, KG6SJF and John, KG6SJE all worked to get the cables and equipment in place. With everybody else pitching in as needed, the massive tower was erected and Andy was on the air! It is evident that all those present were more than excited about the fact that the tower work was a success!

Richard, KG6TRD and Donny, KF6HZX spent their entire Field Day helping out wherever they were needed. Thanks guys!

It is safe to say that no one starved at our Field day! An awesome array of food was available beginning at 7 am with freshly baked bagels provided by Donny, KF6HZX and later with the great hamburger lunch coordinated and cooked by Roy, KG6RGD and delicious desserts made on the spot by Ray, KE6DOJ, and Rob KE6YGF. Not to forget the side dishes and chips that overflowed the tables.

We are gratified by the excellent turnout to this event, There were 18 non-ham visitors to Field Day, and 26 hams for a total of 44 participants. A list of the GERC hams who either operated stations, logged contacts, or in some way volunteered their time may be found on the GERC website at www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/gerc.

I know I may not have mentioned all who worked so hard and supported the Glendora Emergency Response Communications Field Day, and apologize if I have missed anyone. Taking your comments and suggestions, I am looking forward to Field Day 2005!


Bottom Line - What have we learned?

The real Field Day was not in the number of contacts that were made, not the equipment we used nor the number of visitors we had, but rather in the spirit of camaraderie, friendship, trust, cooperation, and preparation that was evidenced all weekend. Even when things didn?’t seem to go right, the faith that we had in each other?’s ability overcame any adversity. We were able to tackle our problems head on. These are qualities that will sustain us in the event of a real disaster.

73 DE KF6DSA