I enjoy Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio, Field Days, QRP, satellites, and CW. I have many friends in the hobby that make it fun. I will keep you posted on what I learn about amateur radio on this blog.
The next RaDAR Challenge is July 13th, 2019. I am planning to transition between stops via bicycle. The prescribed distance is 2 kilometers. Port St. Joe Florida has a system of trails through the city that is perfect for RaDAR. I will likely start at the Florida Constitution State Park. It will be valid for RaDAR and Parks On The Air (POTA) credit. There are plenty of good stops at other city parks.
I am exploring options for carrying the radio gear on the bike. I now have bags on the rear for the KX2 and accessories. I also have a sling to wear across my back for a Jackite pole. The pole can support the SOTAbeams 40/20 link dipole. Of course, the details will be hashed out as we get closer to the date. The date in July was chosen to give those at high latitudes some better weather for their RaDAR outing. Let us know your plans guys; John, Julian, Fred, and Mickey. Post on the MeWe RaDAR Group. RaDAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio.
On June 22-24 we had successful camping and ARRL Field Day adventure at Falling Waters State Park near Chipley, Florida. Dennis WA6QKN and Greg N4KGL operated a one-transmitter, two-operator, category B Field Day station using emergency power. Contacts came easy using the Icom 7300 and the myantennas.com 130 ft end-fed antenna. Conditions were good. It was just a matter of staying in front of the rig. Us old guys did take time off to sleep and run over to Chipley for meals. The heat and humidity were challenging. We had no rain this year.
Dennis WA6QKN
We had 131 contacts on 40, 20, 15 and 2 meters. We also got 750 points in bonuses, including alternative energy contacts and message passing. Phil N4STC parked about 20 miles away and received out messages via packet radio. Thanks, Phil!
We enjoyed visitors, including Tom WD0HBR and XYL Sandy, Dan K4MDA, Rick NZ2I, Richard KN4OQT, and Patricia KN4PLT. We had three non-ham visitors from the campsite next door. Linda, Greg's XYL, came for the event.
Dan K4MDA on right and Dennis WA6QKN.
We will likely return to Falling Waters for the 2020 January Winter Field day and the 2020 June ARRL Field Day.
Dennis WA6QKN and Greg N4KGL will operate a category B one transmitter ARRL Field Day station on June 22/23 from Falling Waters State Park near Chipley, Florida. Our callsign will be N4Y. Our rig will be an Icom 7300 powered by Bioenno LiFePO4 batteries replenished by solar panels. Our primary antenna will be a 132-foot end fed extending into an adjacent field. We will attempt a satellite contact, five alternate power QSOs and pass NTS style messages. We hope for lots of contacts and camping fun. Good luck on Field Day!
