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Upcoming Field Day

If you have attended one of the Mega Field Days, the first thing that you see is this massive TV screen with a real time score and stats of the number of QSOs in different modes as the 10 simultaneous operators are making QSOs. The second most impressive thing you see is that all the rigs and computers are standardized. You can move from one rig to another and never have to worry about learning how to operate a new rig. ALL the rigs are K3s thanks to members who bring their K3 rigs to the Field Day.

So, what about the computers? Well, we are very fortunate to have Glenn, WB5TUF, who has managed to accumulate discontinued computers that are able to operate N1MM and are linked to an internal network. Every year, Glenn starts about a month before Field Day by dusting off these computers, upgrading the software and upgrading the N1MM software. He checks the networking of these computers so that they all work. The day before Field Day, Glenn loads up his car with these computers and brings them to the Field Day. He installs the computers, with the help of several volunteers, at each station. He makes sure they are all linked to an internal network to his master computer. All the K3s are checked to make sure they are ready to operate in their mode of operation.

While Glenn is setting up the computers, others are installing the cabling and the filters to allow multiple users to share the antennas. Test QSOs are made to ensure that all the rigs and antennas operate properly. If there is anything that needs to be done, the people setting up the stations don’t wait to be told or asked. Everyone know to just DO IT.

During the 24 hours of FD operation, every contact made by the operators is linked to Glenn’s master computer and the results displayed in real time on the big TV screen.

The next amazing this to watch is when FD is over. Everyone pitches in to take down the antennas, roll up the coax, unhook the computers and rigs, pack up the computers, clean the rooms and the kitchen, take out the trash and within four hours, leave the site as if FD never happened.

Come and be part of this Mega Field Day event. There are not many Field Day entries with 10 or more rigs in the country. It is definitely a unique experience.

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