FIELD DAY 1999 @ KA2BEO

Our sixth consecutive Field Day was one of our best ever. Bill, 
KB2RAR was our key (pun intended) CW operator, while I worked 
mostly phone. Again, we made more than five natural power QSOs. 
Using the exercise bike generator built by John, N2PHX, we managed to 
work a total of 7 stations on 40-meters CW with 5-watts out. 
We had lots of fun on 6-meters also, and didn't bother with other VHF 
or packet this year. John brought out his newly constructed 2-element 
yagi for the 6-meter band. With a 1kW AC/DC generator, 1kW inverter, 
and a small truck full of 12-volt batteries, we were well equipped 
for the 100% Emergency Power bonus points. We had a few startup 
problems this time, which included accidentally trying to use an 
open-ended feedline as an antenna, and exactly one-minute before the 
event (1759 UTC), the rig stopped working on 40 and 80 meters. More 
than an hour passed before my wife could bring a standby transceiver 
to the site. Despite the ragged beginning, the points accumulated 
quickly towards a respectable score at the end. Both of us were 
exhausted by the 20th hour, so we decided to quit a little early. 
The points were fewer, but the 3-1/2 hours lost were well worth our 
sanity. I think we'll try to get more operators for next year. 
Suprisingly, we ended up with exactly one CW contact more than phone 
contacts. The good band conditions and lots of friends to help out 
ensured another year of fun and success during Field Day 1999. 
We'll see you again next June. 73, Rob, KA2BEO.