CTRI Field Day 2019
By John Lindholm, W1XX
When: Saturday/Sunday – June 22 – 23. All hands on deck at 9 AM Saturday.
Note: FD is NOT the last weekend. Field Day is always held on the 4th weekend in June.
Where: Seagrave Memorial Observatory, 47 Peeptoad Road, North Scituate, RI 02857
This year marks the 5th year that CTRI operates Field Day on an annual basis at the Seagrave Memorial Observatory in North Scituate. We are indebted to Skyscrapers who have continued to ask us back.
Having developed this operation as pretty much a routine drill, we have not needed to over-plan it as in recent years. Everyone just pitches in as before. But we welcome first-timers.
A couple of things have been worked on diligently behind the scenes in preparation. TNX to W1AN and K1ECU, we expect to have a viable satellite station effort. TNX to W1AN and K1SX, we will have a viable FT8 6-meter operation. TNX to the efforts of K1HSY, K1DM, K1JSM, one will find the so called “back 40” area – home to the 40/20 mega wire antenna – cleared out of brush to a far greater degree than in previous years, making antenna installation far easier than in previous years.
Let’s touch on the particulars:
Call: KE1S
Category: 2A This means we are in the 2 transmitter class with 2 HF stations – usually one on CW and one on SSB @ 100 watts with set up of radios/computers by W1AN with K3IU. Plus we will have a “free” 6-meter station on SSB/FT8 with K1SX overseeing operation. Plus a satellite station with K1ECU in charge.
Antennas: 4-el 20M/2-el 40M wire beam; 20/15/10 “Folding Antennas” Hex-beam; 80M dipole; 6M Moxon; Satellite antenna.
Power: Honda 2000 generator with NG1M in charge; Solar panel by K1DM.
Commissary Duties: NG1M chief cook and bottle washer. See separate posting on human fueling.
Safety Officer: K1HSY.
Philosophy of operation: We strike a balance between striving for a high contest score utilizing our best operators while giving everyone the opportunity to operate regardless of skill and experience level. Split earphones capability with a second op monitoring has also proved helpful. FD Chairman W1XX posts a clipboard operating schedule. We welcome everyone’s participation however they may contribute. It takes many hands to set up as well as take down – an issue respected by all in previous years.
Time: Some may have family obligations that cut into their time to give. We can live with that. Do what you can. Overnight ops are usually sparse. We’re indoors so if you can stay overnight, bring a cot/sleeping-bag. Want to invite some other hams? By all means!
Field Day has proven to be the premier operating event of the year for CTRI. We’ll see everyone at 9 AM sharp Saturday, June 22.
“CQ Field Day.”
