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FIELD DAY 2008 JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE

Posted: July 2, 2008 10:04 am by n4ofa
Filed under: amateur radio

 I guess if there is a theme to this years Field Day it would be,  “EVERYBODY DID THEIR PART”.    For instance, Wendell had family commitments and had to leave after helping set up everything,

later on Sunday we had the rain deluge and I looked up and he was standing there in the rain with a umbrella ready to help get everything packed up.

Frank, KD4UZR, jumped right in and did all the Generator stuff, even brought out his spare generator. Next thing I knew he had a little tent made up to protect the generator from the rain. He taught me something with his simple but elegant extension cord made up from house wiring, he had installed a ground rod on the electrical box and you could drive it in and then cover up The box with a bucket….umm, great idea. Later when he realized his cord was set up for 220V he rewired it on the spot. He donated that to the club and it is now in the trailer…..I never had time to look up, but he was always checking and filling the generators as needed…..oh, yes I forgot his trips He made to pick up parts or pieces needed, he was a work horse. We should be glad to have him in our club.

Cliff, N4ZEU, was right there with the trailer on Friday, he picked it up and brought it to the field day site on Friday night, he later took it into Johnson city after field day in preparation of using it for our Special Events station the next weekend. I had such a good time working with him getting the antennas up and working. He inspired, directed, and personally bought our new pop up awning, we were in the shade and out of the rain, it was invaluable, thanks Cliff for your efforts. Cliff stayed right on the site with me, camping out in his new tent, nice to have his company. Saturday morning we had the Perkins’ Experience, with hot coffee and a hardy Breakfast. Cliff is a worker, “what do you want me to do now?”, he is a valuable part of our club.

Jim, K5OGF, spent quite a bit of time and effort working with the Parks Dept
To get permission to use Winged Deer Park. Good thing he had filled out
The needed paperwork and got the correct permission because on Friday night we had a visit of a female police person who was perplexed to find us camped
Out in the park, she said: “WE DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT YOU BEING HERE”!
Jim handled her with diplomacy…..told her he had met with Brad Jones and
Had all permission to use the site….she left and never came back…..
On Sunday Jim and Brian, KD4EDL, and I, set up the packet station and sent
A few e-mails to other EC’s in surrounding counties. That was fun and we
got to demonstrate packet to some new people.

Dale Sharp, a club member of many years came and brought his cw keyer and
helped set up the operating table, later he became the elmer to a new
Ssb operator, showing Dustin’s wife, who does not have her license yet, how to make contacts. You should have seen her operate, man, did she have a good time! I think we will have another new amateur, she was hooked.

EMA, was well represented, Catfish camped out with us and helped do whatever
we asked. Conley was there and made sure we had the antenna supports from the warehouse.We even had a couple more from EMA come by for a while and set for a spell with us and visit. Kyle was there, boy did I miss his fantastic breakfast he made last year with gravy, eggs, toast and coffee………umm, I am hungry now. We missed Doug Cooper, Friday was his last day at EMA, he was retired……hey, who is this? Doug could not stay away, he came by for a visit. Like he said, “I am a Lifetime Member of JCARA”, it was wonderful to see him. Good to see Jerome again, glad you are feeling better, Jerome.

Carl Campbell, KG4RYJ, was there from Friday evening through the whole contest. I think this was his first field day with our club. I am sure he has some stories to tell about us trying to get the antennas up on Friday.
Carl is a member of our ARES group, I know he benefited from his experience
setting up this Field Day. There is no better way for anyone to learn than to participate fully during field day. This is the way we get to know each other and become part of a trained, organized, emergency group, learning together, practicing, developing the needed skills by “doing not just reading”.

Ed, WX4S, now he know some stuff…..right away spotted a problem with our
antenna installation and then suggested a correction. A man of few words,
when he speaks you should listen and learn!

Continuing the theme that everyone contributes, does what they can, I offer
a good example of my friend Brian Decker, KD4EDL, who came by Friday night
with his wife Beth and his little dog, Max. He was BEAT! Dead tired, not a wiggle left in him…but he wanted to do his part, he had promised to bring his QRP rig and antenna and here he was….He did what he could, with his father-in-law in the hospital and heavy work demands he was limited on energy and time. Sunday he was back and participated sending ARES messages using packet. His spirit was strong, he wanted to do more, maybe next year will be different, my friend, I look forward to camping out with you. Thanks for doing your part.

Since 1976 when I first was licensed as a Novice, I have been attending
and participating in Field Days. Many wonderful memories and experiences
being with my fellow ham friends. Lasting friendships develop as you laugh
and work together, this spirit shows a real ham radio operator. I have
lost many past friends as the years roll by, I miss their smiles and laughter I can not bring them back, I can make new friends, make new memories, and make sure I take the time and effort to cherish each moment with those who are still with us. This year I brought a poem that Roger McCourry, KE4BFE, wrote and was published in our club newsletter, “The Feedline”, dated 1993. Roger came to his first Field Day and loved it, he was like a little kid with big eyes and lots of questions, he wanted to see everything, do everything, share the fun with everyone. He was so special, sometimes you don’t appreciate those around you like you should, until they are gone. Now I wish I had known him better, spent more time with him. Please take the time to read his “Who’re the Weirdos?” poem, I love it.

NEXT YEAR: Let me encourage everyone that is a part of JCARA to extend themselves, make it your goal to come out for FIELD DAY and be part of
the “experience of ham radio”, get to know your fellow club members,
visit and talk, share a moment, a smile, a laugh, learn together, be a elmer
to a new ham, share your experience and knowledge. Let me give you a GOAL
to work toward, why not come out for all weekend beginning on Friday, camp
out with us, DO YOUR PART, show your ham spirit by participating fully, you will grow in skills, make some good memories, maybe have a real ham adventure, this is real ham radio.

SERVICE EDUCATION ADVENTURE

Mike Wechsler N4OFA “Field Day Weirdo” (say? did you like my straw hat?)