Feeled Dazers,
by Jeff Schmidt, N5MNW – Austin Reporter
2009’s Field Day proved to be challenging with extreme heat, poor band conditions and ever-present Murphy’s Law. Many thanks to the tireless dedication of Stu K5KVH, the setup/teardown crew and all the operating & logistical volunteers who made this a memorable event.
Nearby power hardware was causing extreme 10-over-9 buzz noise near the site. It abated somewhat during the weekend but was causing us not to hear weaker stations. 20m had lots of fast fading, 15m was up & down, mostly down. We had what sounded like very sporadic E skip for 15, 10 & 6m openings. 10m was open on Sat AM then closed for all but a few minutes on Sunday and 6m opened briefly several times.
Ronny KC5EES’s GOTA station had its usual array of youngsters and newbies at the mic & key. I think I saw a Q total of around 300.
The “High band” station made most of its ~100 contacts on 15 and 6m (exactly -one- on 10m). CQ was called a -LOT- on 10/15m, even tried repeated CQ FD on PSK 31. I made a few PSK31 contacts but most digi contacts were made by Lew on on RTTY.
On the upside, Lew and I never got into the predicted fistfight over a sustained 6m band opening… He had stated if the Highband station wasn’t on 6 when it opened, he’d be on it “Like a Duck on a June Bug”.
K5EJL’s BBQ brisket & ribs were among the best I’ve had. Rumor has it his secret ingredient involves an “accidental” laceration…
