It is Field Day today. Alas, I am not out there. I my try to get out to my usual outdoor spot, the cemetery on the hill above the parish. It is really high and the denizens don’t mind. And it is lovely. Also, last fall I left a 40 dipole strung up in the trees. It should still be there and in good shape.
Because I had to move from the Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue to the Cupboard Under the Stairs, I don’t have a place for my rig or, rather importantly, an antenna. I haven’t figured out a work around yet.
I am doubly frustrated right now, because I had intended to take the Extra exam this month. It simply didn’t work out. I have been in the wrong place and the right time, or the right place at the wrong time. Therefore, no joy.
Never give up! Never surrender!
I’ll get it done this summer.
Anyway, I wish my fellow hams, especially clerical hams, a successful Field Day!
If you are involved with Field Day, send some photos!
I created a page for the List of YOUR callsigns. HERE Chime in or drop me a note if your call doesn’t appear in the list.
UPDATE:
So here’s what happened next.
I had asked my local Elmer to shake the tree a little to see if any VEs could administer an exam before the end of the month. He made some calls and subsequently assured me that it would be pretty hard to pull off. For that reason I was a bit bummed.
Then, lo and behold, I had a phone call – actually VM – from a local VE. I returned the call today and reached her as she was involved in … wait for it … Field Day. It happened that that the place where they were set up was lousy with VEs! She asked around and we set up an appointment for my exam for Thursday.
I was so inspired that I got my radio and other stuff out of storage, went to the parish cemetery – where the aforementioned dipole is strung up – and made some contacts. At first I seemed not to be getting through the chaos, so I swapped cables and – BAMMO – I got some contacts before I shut down.
I also had a lovely Oriole come to visit, too. That was a bonus, since now I can’t have feeders.
Alas… with my phone alone:
But wait! The inspiration continued.
I decided that I would find the hams who were holding their Field Day. Using the interwebs I deciphered their location and off I went. Eureka.
Since I had never seen any sort of Field Day set up, I was pretty impressed.
They had several antenna up, of course. One is an end feed wire antenna that several hams were using simultaneously through a multiplexer.
Yes, friends, hams get to use bad-ass words like multiplexer.
I met the VEs who will meet at my place on Thursday to put me to the test. Nice people.
Therefore, I feel like I am back into it again, after a forced hiatus.
Meanwhile, after the good fortune of the day, and after having earlier written what I wrote, I may just dub my radio The Omega 13.
73
