Field Day has come and gone. Our relaxed effort this year was a change from the norm. But, the socializing was fun as always and it was an opportunity to try new antennas. Lou Axeman and I logged about fifty contacts on 40CW with the end-fed identical to the club kit as provided by John Lonigro. This antenna was an excellent performer as a sloper up 31′ firing east-west. I did not call CQ but estimate 80% of stations worked by me came back on the first call. The band was noisy all day, no exceptions. But, after working only strong stations it was tempting to try the weaker ones about the time the grayline came through. I had few problems being heard on the other end and started thinking next morning the high noise level at our site may have been a more localized phenomenon. Perhaps the lighting services for the pavilion were the culprit. However, when the advance committee operated at Emmenegger in April there was no audible RFI. The club broke camp early this year after storm activity was pending so we’ll never know! HI

Thanks one more time to John Lonigro for his yeoman work arranging for the new site, our 15M and 40M antennas and his skillful administration for this event. And, to Larry Naumann and Tom Brown for the 20M and 80M antennas respectively. Never to be forgotten – Chef Keith Arns for yet another super pork steak dinner.

— Dave Gauding, NF0R