W5KS Field Day Report
June 26-27, 2010

Southwest Oklahoma has rarely if ever been famous for beautiful outdoor weather at the end of June.  Past Field Days typically see some of the hottest days of the year, as was the case for FD 2009.  Words like brutal described the heat and humidity.  After years of setting up on the Saturday morning of Field Day, 2010 we deliberately set up to try to beat the Oklahoma heat.  The event was organized around two trailers, W5KS and one rented by Mike, WD5USA.  Both trailers have working Air Conditioners and were set up on Friday evening. 

The operation was set up at Ralph’s Resort, Lake Ellsworth, a huge park and RV camp ground operated by the City of Lawton, about 10 miles north of downtown Lawton.  The park has about 35 pavilions peppered around the lake that rent for $12 a day on a 1^st come, 1^st serve basis.    With a Friday evening arrival, we had immediate access to the 5 shelters each complete with power, a picnic table and in total, about 15 acres to spread out the antennas.

On Saturday morning, Mike saw a Park Official arrive.  He went over, introduced himself and explained who we were and what we were doing.  After a short discussion with Mike and a radio call, the official demanded $8.  He told us that because of the city and county’s relationship with amateur radio, the fee collected would cover the entire weekend and the 5 pavilions in our immediate area.  The official suggested that next time we want to organize something in the park that we should request a fee waiver.  Mike thanked the officer and invited him to stop by about 5pm and to bring a friend or two.  The officer accepted the invitation, but admitted that he would be off duty but would pass the offer on.

Our GOTA (Get On The Air) station was operated by Jaron, KF5DIR, originally licensed about September 2009.  Jaron is no stranger when it comes to working with non-amateurs.  During the final days of the school year, he secured permission to set up a demonstration station at the Elgin High School, Elgin, OK as part of an activities day.  He received about 25 inquires from fellow students, but there were no takers when it came to getting on the radio.

Jaron is a regular participant with the Lawton Community Amateur Radio Outreach.  A monthly program held at the Kid’s Zone Park in Lawton, OK.  The program is designed to introduce amateur radio to members of the community in a relaxed and informal setting.  At 19, Jaron frequently finds himself to be the reluctant bridge between older amateurs and curious youngsters.  He posses the skills to quickly develop a rapport, find a common starting point, normally something computer or gaming related and begins to introduce amateur radio to those that express an interest.  Jaron is an avid CW operator, and will frequently challenge those interested into learning some very basic Morse Code.  To learn more about the Lawton outreach program go to http://www.qrz.com/db/k5usa.

A photo of the GOTA operations from the outside looking in.

Above, Gabby is CQing while Jaron KF5DIR assists and mentors.

Jaron works with Gabby, the 9 year old daughter of N5PLV.  Jaron typically writes out a short script and assists the non-operator by pointing to the words.

In just a few attempts, Gabby developed a rhythm and was able to recite the CQ calling phrase or exchange if responding to a CQ. Gabby proved to be our only non-amateur that got on the air, securing over 20 contacts for the GOTA station, K5USA.

The temperature was rising fast when Ray, KI4KNV showed up on Saturday about 10am and quickly set up a G5RV between two tall pine trees.  With natural shade being in short supply, he deployed a canopy shelter for shade, set up a table and chair and with a 100’ extension cord was operating.  Temperatures approached 100 and with a high humidity; he needed every bit of shade that $2 canopy provided.  Ray’s station consisted of an ICOM 706, tuner and G5RV.  Ray’s plan was to put the “hot” end on the highest side and also the furthest away from other station antennas.  Ray’s G5RV antenna setup looked like a slightly inverted horizontal “V”.  Maybe not picture perfect but operationally fantastic!  Ray will later be the center of pile-up after pile-up after pile-up after pile-up, mostly on 40 meters.  Ray KI4KNV,  setting up his 706.

Just as Field Day was beginning, Channel 7, KSWO, News visited the location and spent about 30 minutes taking sound bites and shots of the operation, mostly the different types of antennas that were being used, and the GOTA station from very expensive to home brew wire antennas.

They were most impressed with young Gabby and grabbed plenty of footage with her talking on the radio.  The event got about 60 seconds of news coverage during the 5pm and 10pm news broadcast.  Above KSWO, local channel 7 news reporter team Ted and Dara endured the bright and warm afternoon while they visited the joint Field Day operation of W5KS, Lawton Fort Sill Amateur Radio Club www.w5ks.org, and the Lawton Independent Repeater Alliance www.wx5law.com.

When asked if they had any trouble finding the location, they responded with comments that it is very obvious that something public oriented was happening and they had no problem seeing the activities from the road.  Above, Jackie, spouse of KC5CYY profiles with the event banner.
Ray volunteered to be the Solar Station so the group could earn valuable renewable energy points.  Luck would happen as Mike K5JOA showed up just prior to the start of the event with a self contained battery powered radio system.  Mike, K5JOA operated totally portable using his battery powered station that was being recharged with a 60 watt solar panel array converting a very bright Oklahoma sun into stored battery power.  Mike operated totally off the grid for a couple of hours and then called it a day.

Field Day is one of those events that require a food element.  The group enjoyed several delicious pot luck dishes.  There was plenty to eat and no one went without.  Bennie N5PLV manned the grille and showed off his skills as he cooked up hamburgers and hot dogs donated to the event by the Bar-S Corporation of Lawton, OK.

Bob, KC5EIU offers some cooling freeze pops.	Christopher and Cassidy, the Son and daughter of Clifton KE5YZB, profiling the food items.
Of course there is always room for babies and grand babies.	How could we forget our four legged friends, only these guys would complain if nothing dropped to the ground!  There were no complaints!

Bennie, N5PLV presented an informative class on making Satellite contacts.  About 5:30pm, we found that AO51 had plenty of folks talking.  It was interesting to suddenly hear North Dakota on the “overhead” repeater.  Later, about 9:30pm, we observed the ISS make an almost overhead orbit, but they were not transmitting.  Satellite contacts are still very new to our group as we begin the process of sharing learned lessons.  Although the group did not make any contacts they did observe the process 1^st hand immediately following the class.

Bennie, N5PLV demonstrates the dexterity required to manipulate the antenna and talk on the radio.

Bennie coaches Spencer KF5FHU on antenna manipulation.

With dinner behind us and the day finally beginning to cool off, the group was back at it.  Ray was enjoying yet another pile up.  Gabby convinced Jaron that there were still more contacts to be made and off they went.  Troy, K5OK finally took a PSK break and made time to visit with Mike at his 6 meter station.  Troy is the group’s internal PSK resource while Mike primarily enjoys 6 meters.

The heat of the day takes it toll, and almost everyone stayed inside where there was AC.

About Midnight the group took a break and somehow began talking about Blueberry Waffles (below). (except for Ray, working another Pile-up).

Every Field Day offers learning opportunities and every location offers benefits and distracters.  The Lake Ellsworth location provides a premium public location for Field Day type events and is being discussed as a possible community location event for the November Sweep Stakes.  Participants would use their individual callsigns.  Locally the weather is generally ideal for outdoor activities at that time of the year.

This lake location offers plenty of power.  The fact that the site is available without reservations is mostly a plus.  There is no running water except at the rest rooms.  The rest rooms have shower facilities and are a short drive away, inconvenient but not an unreasonable solution to those that participate.  Convenience stores were just over a mile away along with several fast food operations.  The commute to the site was about 20 minutes from Lawton, with great public access.  The location offered limited Internet access but it was present for almost the entire event.  The ability to network laptops and share logging information proved to be both a benefit and a negative and the group will most likely revisit that topic.  Late arrival operators were welcome, but required a hurried introduction to the logging software and making the network connection that occasionally failed for one reason or another.

More pictures are available at http://www.wx5law.com/?page=photos&view=album&albumid=5489506570923747809.

This group is experiencing a very modest population growth and longevity spurt.  Several of the recent new hams are under 20 and one is under 13.  Senior amateur participation has declined sharply in recent years, mostly because of health issues.  Several make an appearance and depart.  The early departure guarantees that they will not be driving after dark.  Others have found that the heat of the Oklahoma sun puts too much stress on their systems for an all day activity and we all agree with that regardless of age.  Some like the idea of the Friday night setup.  Time will tell if that will be the trend or if this will be a “one time success”.