Mini Field Day / SET - October 1, 2005

By WB2LUA, Dr. John A. Allocca -- The temperature on this day was a very nice 75 degrees F. This Mini Field Day took place at the Huntington Fire Department in Huntington. We used the Mobile Emergency Communications Center and a 10’ x 10’ canopy to provide shade.

The modalities used were: VHF voice on 147.210, +600 offset, 136.5 PL repeater, HF voice on 20 meters, 14.245 MHz. call frequency, HF voice on 40 meters NVIS configuration, 7.250 MHz. call frequency, VHF packet direct on 145.100 MHz., VHF Winlink 2000...

and HF Winlink 2000 on 20 meters, HF SSTV on 20 meters, 14.230 MHz., PSK31 on 20 meters, 14,070.150 KHz, and Automatic APRS.

Antennas used were: two 2 meter / 70 meter vertical antennas, one 20 meter vertical antenna, one 40 meter vertical antenna, and one 40 meter rotatable dipole 16’ high.

This was a great opportunity to view and try out new modalities, especially the HF Pactor / Winlink 2000 system. The trailer was purposely set up next to the building to see if there would be any interference with the antennas and communications. The building didn’t apparently interfere with communications. We made HF contacts as far as South America and Europe and as close as Centerport.

The purpose of Mini Field Day is to set up and operate radio stations to test of our abilities to provide communications facilities in time of need. Take a guided tour of our site and operating stations. Come and see what kind of communications can be set up when wide area power and telephones fail in an emergency or disaster! It is also an opportunity for those who don’t have a license to work HF under WB2LUA.

Mini Field Day is open to the public. The Huntington Fire Department provides power and emergency power outlets. Most of the members brought their own chair, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks. Altogether, we had 11 people in attendance. My thanks go out to all the hams that attended. My gratitude goes out to Chief Bruce Smith and all the Fire Department personnel for letting us use the firehouse facilities and for being very hospitable.

John, WB2LUA

<img width="500" height="346" src="www.larkfield.org" alt=""> _ <img width="500" height="375" src="www.larkfield.org" alt="">
-
<img width="500" height="375" src="www.larkfield.org" alt=""> _ <img width="500" height="375" src="www.larkfield.org" alt="">