[UK-CONTEST] Was NFD originally an emergency capability test?

[Paul O'Kane]

On 07/06/2011 08:56, Ian White GM3SEK wrote:

> As contesters we have every right to be proud of what we do, but let's
> stop pretending that we can prance into an emergency and save the
> nation!

No one is pretending contesters can do that, though
RAYNET members may be better equipped than most.

> Think of field days as what they are - simply CONTESTS. Maybe then we
> can decide how we want our filed days to be.

If field days were "simply contests" we would all
operate from home, or from fixed contest stations,
using mains power.  On the contrary, field days
are (and always were) intended to be something
other than ordinary contests.

It seems clear, but feel free to argue, that this
something was to demonstrate or to acquire the
skills necessary for complete communications
independence - if only for short periods of time.
Otherwise, there would be no point in contesting
under field day conditions.

Back to 2011 - and here we are, in the middle of
a field, self-sufficient for 24 hours in fuel,
heat, light, power, shelter, food, water and
equipment.  We assemble and erect the antennas.
and then we connect to the internet.


73,
Paul EI5DI