There will not be a joint DFMA / OCRA 2020 Field Day (FD) event due to COVID19 related issues. Safety first. The ARRL has not changed any rules regarding FD 2020 at this time. If you want to participate in FD 2020 you may due so as you wish from your home. Please refer to ARRL FD 2020 rules and apply them to your own operating conditions.
Dave, W4SAR
Dave, W4SAR, club president opened the meeting with introductions, the topic for tonight’s meeting being Field Day results and call for officer reports. In attendance tonight were 8 license-seeking candidates, one of our largest membership meeting testing groups.
Dan, KR4UB, treasurer reported 73 members are current with their dues with 26 members needing renewal. Club treasury balance is in line with ongoing expenses.
Nick, KA1HPM, stated two towers near Lowes hardware in Chatham County exist with antenna and feed-line. Steve, W3HAL, and Dan, KR4UB, would assist in assessing the possibility of usage.
Field Day Results:
Dave, W3SAR, provided a Field Day point breakdown, and will post final results on this website soon. The unofficial count was 2997 QSO points, with 1727 QSO points awarded multipliers for a total of 14,985 points. We had less points this year, but propagation was poor, except for 40 Meter.
Steve, KZ1X, proposed running 100 Watts rather than 5 Watts next year. While QRP, or low power…5 Watts, gets you multipliers, 100 Watts would allow more stations to hear, which would be more fun. Additionally, if sun spot activity is nearing a null, then 100 Watts may a sound strategy for the next couple of years.
Wilson gave thanks to Steve, W3AHL, for doing a great job on the N1MM network. Steve, W3AHL, stated the 10 dedicated computers along with static IP addresses provided more resiliency and up time than last year. Wilson also appreciated John, KM4MDR, for doing a wonderful job managing the food preparation and service…at a’boys!
Additional Notes:
Dan, KR4UB, stated Phillips High School still has an antenna and transceiver used from an earlier ISS contact needing reclamation. If interested in assisting, please leave a reply!
Finally, Dan, KR4UB, will present FT8 at the next DFMA meeting!
Original post date December 2019 Original post date June 2019 photo by W1KES, © OCRA Inc photo by W1KES, © OCRA Inc photo by W1KES, © OCRA Inc photo by W1KES, © OCRA Inc
Memorable Photos from past OCRA/DFMA Field Days (Original post date June 2019) Original post date June 2019 photo by W1KES, © OCRA Inc photo by W1KES, © OCRA Inc photo by W1KES, © OCRA Inc photo by W1KES, © OCRA … Continue reading
Here are links to spreadsheets or whom to contact to schedule operating time for the Field Day stations below.
For spreadsheets, enter your call sign (or name if unlicensed) on any unoccupied block of time. For the other stations, contact the band captain with times you are available.
The 40/15 SSB station (air-conditioned trailer) scheduler can be accessed via this link:
http://tinyurl.com/W4EZ-40-15-SSB
The Digital Stations (40/20 and maybe 15 meters) will also double as accessible stations for those who cannot negotiate stairs. One station (Access1) will be available for accessible SSB operation, and change to that mode as required, and back to digital when not.
https://tinyurl.com/W4EZ-Sched-Access-SSB-DIGI
For the 20 Meter SSB station (in a trailer) see this link:
https://tinyurl.com/20M-SSB-Operator-Schedule
To operate a CW station, coordinate with Bruce, N1LN.
For 80M SSB, contact Steve , W3AHL.
For VHF, contact Doug, W5ETS
For 10M SSB, Dave NA4VY
Dave, W4SAR