2024 Field Day Summary

Another Field Day is in the books for BARC, a very hot and sweaty field day, right from the start. Actually, even before the start, Peter N4PVH did some prep, quite a bit of work, honestly, on the trailer, fixing a tire, dropping off the trailers at Oakwood, prepping laptops, and filling the tanks for the generators, despite the fact that he couldn’t even attend Field Day. 

Oakwood was a little bit of a question mark the for the whole time leading up to FD. There was outdoor construction going on for months, and I was assured that it would be wrapped up, and it was. However, there was also indoor construction going on, which started ahead of schedule, so “our” room was in disarray and with tools and drywall stacked in some places, although we are still so grateful to be able to hold the event there. But the whole point is to operate no matter what, so we carried on and set up a 2A event. Thanks in large part to Bernie, WA4MOK, Matt, KQ4KGX, Nick, KQ4PXG, Mark, KG4GVJ, Lou, W3LPR, Susan, WA4AKB, Eric, K4CEB, Nathan, N4CEB, and Dave, W4EJ for getting things set up. From antennas, to signage, to generators, to a lesson, to laptops, these guys do it all. My apologies if I am forgetting anyone. We had a 40 m vertical set up out past the basketball courts, and a tribander set up for 20 m on the trailer, and of course, a flag to top it all off. Radios were both IC 7300s from the ARES trailer with one running FT8 and one SSB, in addition to various filters, power supplies, and miscellaneous items that the club stores in the trailers. We started a little late, but started getting QSOs right away, with no antenna adjustments necessary. I’m so grateful to all the operators we had working all day, and there were a lot of people coming in and out, so I don’t really know who all to list here. Looking at the sign-in list, we had 22 people and we may have missed some too. I love the mix of old friends stopping by and newly licensed hams, or those who have an interest and want to start learning to get a license. I also love our supper gathering and that everyone comes together with a delicious variety of food to share. Our evening crew continued getting QSOs, while some of the others cleaned up after the meal. We shut down for the night around 11 or 11:30 and started up again around 10 on Sunday morning. The QSOs were coming pretty slowly, but we logged a few more. Because of the heat, we were eager to start closing things down as soon as possible. I think we closed the FT8 station around noon and started putting things away. Then shut down the voice station around 1. The Gonzalez boys showed up to help wherever they could and were able to load the tables, wrap up extension cords and coax, help lower antennas safely, and generally do the dirty and sweaty work as directed by Bernie WA4MOK, Matt, KQ4KGX, Nick KQ4PXG, Richard, W4JNC, and the others. 

Overall, things went very smoothly. I think one of the keys to that is the organization of the trailers, which my personal clean up crew may have messed up a little. When the heat passes, we really need a day to organize, clean out, and show off the equipment. I think there are newer members who don’t have a clue about our equipment capabilities. Additionally, we need to look into cooling the ARES trailer to make it more functional as its own station. It has fantastic potential that we don’t really utilize because the heat can be so blazing at the end of June. We are already looking forward to next year’s Field Day, and want to be ready.

If you have any photos, please send them to Peter so he can add them.  

73 Beth, KN4FZB.

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A New Member’s First Field Day Experience:

The ARRL website describes Field Day as a ham radio open house that demonstrates hams’ various abilities and skills related to public service, emergency preparedness, and technical capabilities, all packed into one weekend. This annual event started in 1933, and the 2024 Field Day was my first experience, along with several other new BARC club members.

For my shared experience, I wish to focus on something other than the technical aspects of Field Day. We all know it involved hard work and teamwork, and it was a hot weekend. Everyone who participated was needed and vital to the BARC Field Day event. As a new member, the most meaningful thing I took away from Field Day is that the BARC club is full of awesome, knowledgeable people I am grateful to have in my life. In a more and more virtual world where human connection seems more distant, I have found it more difficult to find “real” people who value spending time together, bonding, and building relationships. People who want to talk, learn, and spend time together. So, thank you for being different, humble, and genuine.

Ultimately, I love our radio community, the challenges of learning new things, and having friends willing to mentor and struggle with me. I achieved my Field Day objective by learning how to set up HF antennas, troubleshoot signals, emergency preparedness capabilities, etc. More importantly, I connected with our different BARC members, learning about their interests and life stories. I will always remember my first Field Day as a time for fellowship with what I call my Radio Family! I know Field Day provided and built many new relationships that will be life-long, and I want to thank all of those involved—you’re stuck with me! I’m excited about future Field Days and time with you, the BARC members.

73, Fish – KQ4KGX

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