[TenTec] OT: Field Day Drill

[John]

Stuart,

Funny you should mention Bandpass filters at FD.   The NSRA FD 
Committee, with a little urging from a few members pointed out that the 
the Radio Club membership on average and in fact was not getting any 
younger.  We used to erect 3 -4 40 ft towers and a couple of 50 ft masts 
for field day.  It was pointed out that the ages were going up and the 
number of participants was getting fewer.  After some discussion 
regarding what the expectations for FD were and how that might be 
accomplished, the Group elected to purchase a tri-band splitter and if 
it worked, then potentially buy commercial bandpass filters to replace 
ones that had been made for FD by members a while ago.

In spite of wind, rain, and occasional complications, FD was good this 
year.  The rabbit bit us   again and it took us almost 2 hours to find a 
open jumper (where else) at the top of the tower. I am happy to report 
that although operation options had to be changed, that it did work well 
and we will either make or purchase a set of bandpass filters to 
increase isolation through the splitter.  The tower held an A4 and the 
50 mast held both 80 and 40 M inverted V antennas.

The change in operation was that we no longer had multiple mode choices 
across the bands  but had antennas  for each of the 5 bands and the 
operators (2 CW & 1 phone) chose the mode.  It worked pretty well and I 
suspect that we will replicate that setup next year.

John / WA1JG

On 7/19/2012 6:40 PM, Stuart Rohre wrote:
> Rick,
> Thanks for the detailed info on your DX experiences!
>
> We were wondering if band pass filters would be worth the investment,
> and I had suspected they might not work out for the two stations, same
> band case.
>
> Your experience will greatly help us in our planning.  I think we will
> be at the same location next year, and likely have to plan to have
> triple stations in the big room again.
>
> Thanks again,
> very, very interesting about your European contest.  Yes, those overseas
> bands are tiny compared to US bands.  I think they may get some more on
> 40m, but have not heard for sure.
>
> I did OK as 9M2SM with similarly small bands for 20m and 40m, etc. in
> Malaysia in 1966 to 1968.  Of course, with only 150 hams in the country
> and some of those not on with their own stations, it was not like DX
> contests here.
>
> 73,
> Stuart
> K5KVH
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