Mission: Field Day 2017

I decided to do this year's June 24/25 ARRL Field Day apart from the local club. I have a camp site reserved at Falling Waters State Park near Chipley, Florida just South of I-10.  The funny thing is I am not a camper so we will see how that goes. Being new to camping, I better stay out of trouble, Therefore, I plan on keeping my antennas out of the trees and within the limits of the camp site.

For planning purposes lets say I have 30 feet of linear space for an antenna. So I envision a 30 foot long and 20 foot tall vertical loop. I can support that with two 31 foot Jackite poles. The bottom of the loop will be ten feet off the ground and fed at the bottom center with an Icom AH-4 tuner. It seems I have read that in a wooded area horizontal polarization is better. Myron WV0H modeled the loop and says it will be a good NVIS antenna on 40 meters and has a 39 deg lobes broadside on 20 meters. That should do fine for Field Day. Of course, I better try to setup and test this antenna with the tuner before the event.

I have an Icom IC-7300 that gets light use so I am leaning toward using it for the event. I like the spectrum scope to help walk across the bands. I am likely going non QRP but the jury is still out. I will be all non-commercial power using LiFePO4 batteries from Bioenno with solar assist. The site is partial shade.I have a 10 by 10 foot pop up canopy with a bug screen. For sleep, if I get any I have a new tent cot.

I have some buddies that will drop by and possibly operate. I actually reserved the call N4Y November 4 Yankee. Maybe they will bring some food because Suzy and I will get hungry. There are more details to work on. If you are not out on your own for Field Day check in with your local club. Our Panama City ARC will operate from the Bay County EOC.