Sunday, June 23, 2013

Field Day 2013

Elevation of Field Day Site


I survived Field Day and ended up running a 1B at 50W for a total QSO count of 13 (had one dupe, how I don't know with that few contacts) which totaled up to 26 points (+100).  I found that my laptop and especially my USB-Serial port made so much noise that they were useless for digital modes.  I'll need to do some serious investigation and/or purchase new equipment to solve this major problem.  Once I disconnected the USB-Serial port I could see many signals on the screen but it was still noisy.  Then I removed the charging cord and all the noise went away and was left with a black screen full of PSK31 signals.  I tried to answer a few CQs on 20m but at 5W PSK Reporter only showed a couple of stations heard me.

PSK Reporter


My antenna was not where I wanted it but the rope I brought to hoist it up in the trees was so sun rotted that the bark on the pine trees tore it up so bad I couldn't hoist the rope to pull the antenna up.  I settled for some smaller trees about 10 feet and propped the middle of the OCF up with a 10 foot branch someone had hauled into camp for firewood.


OCF DX-40 at 10 Feet

20m SSB was poor when I tried so I switched to 40m and tried to answer some CQs. Lo and behold I had people answer me!  I worked 40m SSB until conditions started to fade and my battery wouldn't handle 50W anymore.

Working 40M SSB


Next year I need some para-cord and fix the computer noises to have a successful Field Day on 5W Digital for a better score.

I think for my QTH I need a separate shielded shack and filtered power to have quiet conditions.

Hope to see you on the air!

73

AJ4UU 

Monday, June 10, 2013

Field Day 2013

I'll be operating from the Huachuca Mountains on 22 June from the start of the event (11am local) until we get tired (late afternoon/early evening).

Hope to see you on the air!

73

AJ4UU