The scores have been compiled and submitted for the DARC 64th Field Day activity.
Well, at least we had fun!
This was NOT a good year. There were some good things that happened, but the number of contacts we made was NOT one of them.
Here’s the breakdown of the scoring:
- CW contacts: 0
- Digital contacts: 0
- Phone contacts: 396 (includes 89 GOTA SSB contacts)
Notice that ugly number “0” next to the digital and CW contacts. We had NONE this year. Each of those types count 2 points each, so all of the contacts we made were only a single point each.
We multiply the number of contacts by 2 because of the transmitter power that we used, so that makes our total QSO score to be 792.
On the bright side, we were able to gather 1,010 bonus points. But to have more bonus points that contact points is NOT the way Field Day is supposed to work!
The total submitted score for this year is 1,802. That’s 614 points LESS than last year’s score.
A couple of additional notes:
- We had NO CW or digital contacts AT ALL this year. NONE.
- We had 40 fewer phone contacts on the main stations than last year.
- We had 89 phone contacts on the GOTA station this year.
- We get 60 bonus points because 1 operator of the GOTA station got 60+ contacts.
- We got 100 media publicity points this year. The Decatur Daily had a calendar announcement and sent photographers.
- We were visited by an agency official: Eddie Hicks, EMA Director. 100 points.
- We were visited by a government official: Decatur mayor Tab Bowling. 100 points.
- We get a 100 point social media bonus. We now have a CLUB Facebook page.
- Bob WA4ZZW copied the W1AW Field Day message via PSK31. That gives us an additional 100 points.
So now we wait for the official posting of scores.
And we start preparing for next year: Field Day 2018 is June 23rd and 24th!
Please note that the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the club will NOT happen on the 1st Tuesday of July.
Since the 1st Tuesday is the 4th of July, most of us would rather spend time with family, food, and fireworks. So the normal meeting has been cancelled.
If you’d like to attend one if our meetings, please come to the Morgan County Courthouse on Tuesday, August 1st.
And enjoy the holiday!
Field Day 2017 is over. And it’s a good thing, looking at these two trying to set up and operate a 6-meter station.
The Decatur Amateur Radio Club now has a page on Facebook. Some Field Day photos have already been posted. Stop by and “like” our page! Just search for the club name or for W4ATD.
Thanks to all who helped out with the Field Day effort! The scores are being tallied (it won’t take long – they’re rather low this year) and things are put away until next year.
You are planning on next year, right? June 23rd and 24th, 2018. Be there!
FIELD DAY 2017 IS HERE!
The Decatur Amateur Radio Club will participate in its 64th consecutive Field Day contest on Saturday and Sunday, June 24th and 25th. We have once again reserved the picnic shelter behind the main stage at Point Mallard Park in Decatur. We will be monitoring the 147.00 repeater so we can answer questions or give directions.
We will begin the setup between 8:00 and 9:00 on Saturday morning and begin radio operations at 1:00. For the following 24 hours we will attempt to contact as many stations as possible using up to 4 radio stations. Then on Sunday afternoon we will take everything apart and celebrate a fun outing.
Come out and help us, visit with us, or even use one of the radios for a short while. We’d love the company!
See you at Field Day!!
The June meeting of the Decatur Amateur Radio Club will be held at Libby’s Catfish and Diner at 6:00 on Tuesday evening, June 6th, at 6:00. Libby’s is located on Highway 67 in Priceville to the east of I-65. Just follow Highway 67 until you get to the top of Priceville Mountain. Libby’s is on the right.
During and/or after our meal we will be discussing our plans for the club’s 64th Field Day exercise on June 24th and 25th.
The July meeting will likely be cancelled, since the first Tuesday of July is the 4th, and most of us will have other things planned for the holiday.
The August meeting will be held at the Morgan County Courthouse as regularly scheduled.
Come greet, eat, and meet with us on Tuesday! And make your plans for Field Day later this month!
The Decatur Daily reported today (04 May 2017) about a mock drill (actually a “practice” mock drill) at the Morgan County EMA in the courthouse. They posted a photo essay here.
Of course they had to show ham radio as part of it. There are 2 photos in the set of club treasurer Lester Christophe W5GSU. One of those even made the printed newspaper!
There are other practice and graded drills in the next week and month. Be listening on the repeaters and assist if you can!
Oh, here are the photos of W5GSU for your “enjoyment”.
The March meeting of the Decatur Amateur Radio Club will be held at Libby’s Catfish and Diner at 6:00 on Tuesday evening, March 7th, at 6:00. Libby’s is located on Highway 67 in Priceville on the east of I-65. Just follow Highway 67 until you get to the top of Priceville Mountain. Libby’s is on the right.
The April meeting will be held at the Morgan County Courthouse as regularly scheduled.
Come greet, eat, and meet with us on Tuesday!
As is our custom, the Decatur Amateur Radio Club will have its Christmas Dinner as the December meeting.
This year, we have reserved space at Olive Garden in Decatur on Tuesday, December 6th, at 6:00.
Please join us and our families for a time of enjoying good food, fellowship, memories of a great year of ham radio activities, and especially thoughts of the Christmas season.
Hope to see you there!
At November’s business meeting the club reelected the current 2016 officers for 2017. They continue serving at the January club meeting.
The officers for 2017 are:
President – Craig McClure KJ4LAA
Vice-President – Mike Lowery K4RML (ex- KM4JCD)
Secretary – Richard Matthews KB4CAY
Treasurer – Lester Christophe W5GSU
2016 was a good year for our club, and 2017 should continue the trend!
