FIELD DAY 1998 @ KA2BEO

Our fifth consecutive Field Day became a record-breaking weekend for
us this time. Bill, KB2RAR and I had more contacts and a higher score
than ever before. This was our first year to originate a message to
our ARRL Section Manager, Jean Priestley, KA2YKN, and to make more
than five natural power QSOs. Using an exercise bike generator built
by John, N2PHX, we managed to work a total of 16 stations at 5-watts
before giving up on the human-powered contacts. The generator
performed perfectly, and was designed to deliver 14.3Vdc @ 1.5A of
regulated and filtered power directly to the 40-meter CW transceiver.
Later, all contacts were made by battery power. For our second year
in a row, no motor-driven generator was used to power the transceiver.
This made for a much more peaceful and enjoyable Field Day operation.
To help boost team spirit and enthusiasm for the event, I created ID
badges to wear for our total of ten participants, which included my
wife and daughter. Also, I improved on last year's sunshade idea for
the VGA monitor by painting the inside of the foam cooler black. With
no VHF or packet setup this year, the good weather, lots of visitors,
and plentiful contacts led us to another fun and successful Field Day.
We'll see you again next June. 73, Rob, KA2BEO.