There was no doubt that this year’s Winter Field Day would have a winter feel to it. Winter Field Day occurs on the last full weekend of January each year, starting at 1900 UTC and finishing 24 hours later at 1900 UTC on Sunday.
My plan was to operate in one location on Saturday afternoon, and then at a different location on Sunday morning. I would be operating as 1 Oscar (1-O), which references 1 Operator, Outdoors. I also wanted to activate a POTA (Parks on the Air) park on one of the days.
Day 1 – Moraine Hills State Park, IL (POTA K-1012)
I set off with some light snow and temps hovering around 30 degrees. The drive is a little under an hour, and I arrived on time for a 2pm CT start. Due to the recent snowfall, some of the parking areas were closed, and so the ones that remained open were busier than on my previous visits to the park. I found a spot that, although not ideal, allowed me to setup my radio gear from the car. No sitting on a picnic table this time.
I erected my 31 foot telescopic mast on the hitch mount of my vehicle, ran a 20m EFHW in a steep sloper configuration, and set the Yaesu FT-891 radio in the car. The band was very busy, and I struggled to find an open frequency where I could call CQ from. I eventually was able to do so and made a little over 30 contacts, before packing up and heading home.
By the way, I forgot my gloves which made the process of packing up harder than I’d have liked.
With 30+ contacts, I also successfully activated the park for Parks On The Air (10 contacts are required).
Day 2 – Beck Lake Park FPDCC, Des Plaines
Staying much closer to home, but with a heavy snowfall overnight, I headed out with the same equipment. Similar to Day 1, because of the heavy snowfall, several of my local Forest Preserve locations were closed. The snow plows hadn’t got to them yet.
I eventually found a suitable location at Beck Lake, which also happens to be where I take our 2 dogs most weekends. (Those who monitor the SARC 145.230 repeater will know I go there a lot!).
By now, with snow still falling and my time running out, I setup again with almost the same configuration as Day 1. I had an issue with the telescopic mast, the top 2 sections had got stuck and now I was having problems getting it to the full height.
My goal for the morning was to make just a few more contacts and then head home. No need for 10 contacts this time (not a POTA activation), so I decided just to tune through the band and reply to whoever was calling CQ.
I made 5 more contacts and decided to call it a day. I used this as an exercise to practice setting up in less than ideal weather conditions.
Summary
I admit that I found the weekend quite challenging. I have done a lot of portable deployments before, and learnt many lessons, but somehow with the weather as it was, and a low-level equipment failure to boot, things could have gone better. I’ll certainly keep a spare pair of gloves in my pack from now on!
Here is a YouTube video that shows how things went in far more detail, and a couple of images of the weekend.
Virtual Meeting Community Recreation Center Remains Closed
February 18, 2021
Geoff Stevens KA9QGH President called the virtual meeting to order at 7:01PM
Attendees:
Danny Kafka KD9HIL
Rob Glowacki N9MVO
Charlene K9CMZ
Terry AE9TJ
Geoff Stevens KA9QGH
Leo Ribordy N9MBH
Ed Liska AC9SD
R. Kocourek W9RKK
Pierre Berube K9EYE
John Zietlow K9WIC
Garrett K9GBN
Burt Schultz AB9CV
Jack McClurkin W9YY
Russ Schmidt KC9NUV
Bob McIntire W9DXR
Jim WE9PP
Jim Campbell KB9RGU
Steve Karson AC9EM
Roberto WA9E
Joseph KB9RCR
Don Dewar KD9NJR
Cliff Sowka K9QD
Kevin KB9QVX
Bruce Warrington N9EHA
Daryl KB9RHR
Lou N9LTW
Secretary’s Report:
Cliff Sowka K9QD informed January’s Minutes were successfully published in the Radio Hill Gazette (RHG). Burt AB9CV moved to approve, Danny KD9HIL seconded. So moved. K9QD’s personal expense in submitting state annual report has been reimbursed.
Treasurer’s Report:
John Zietlow K9WIC reports current finances:
Bank Balance 1-Jan $6,591.57
INCOME $115.00
11-Jan $20.00 unknown
29-Jan $20.00 dues
29-Jan $75.00 donation for FD Hold for 2021
DISBURSEMENTS $467.82
19-Jan $62.82 data line
29-Jan $395.00 FD 2020 prizes
29-Jan $10.00 annual report
Petty Cash $144.20
FD Donations $75.00 included in balance
Funds Available $6,382.95
As of February 18th, 103 paid members.
Public Service:
Rob Glowacki N9MVO informed there is nothing to report at the moment.
EMCOMM:
John Zietlow K9WIC:
Tracy Raimondo, Schaumburg EC and Accreditation Manager, reached out to see if the Club would be willing to support the Village for the Chicagoland Marathon this year.
May 23, 2021
Starts 0700; we’re I place by 0630
Ends around 1330
How many would like to help?
Simulated Emergency Test on May 1st.
Dooms Day scenario from 1000 to 1300
Emphasize KISS principle
Remote command post at a not-so-classified location in central Wisconsin
Establish procedures for local participation.
Develop and practice new response procedures.
No self-deployment!
Self-actuating resource net
Resource availability and capability
Initial size-up of local conditions
Contact local EOCs to establish Auxcom requirements
Repeaters:
Terry AE9TJ and Rob N9MVO discussed several technical challenges as reported by Pierre K9EYE regarding EchoLink operations in new business (below). Terry has received several repeater spares he ordered and has been reimbursed for expenses. Refreshing of the memory cards can be accomplished with the new spares and the machine’s recording ability should be renewed to avoid catastrophic wear (tunneling) that NAND FLASH suffers.
Construction Project:
Periodic Saturday morning meetings have resumed. The Park District has allowed a maximum gathering of 10 people and Don Dewar KD9RHR has been managing an internal SARC-ALL reservation system where members can request a position and know their confirmation by the Friday morning before the next scheduled meeting.
VE Exams
Ed Liska AC9SD reported the Volunteer Exam team has successfully utilized the Tennis Club basement to conduct test sessions. The VE Team submits testing candidate’s names beforehand to the front desk so they may confirm attendance upon entry to the facility.
Radio Hill Gazette RHG
Mike Griffiths K9KMV no report.
Membership:
Burt Schultz AB9C Chairman of the Board announced Daryl KB9RHR is now the Membership Chair and we appreciate his willingness to take charge of this important role. Our website link will require updating so that new members will be able to invoke the inquiry link.
Social:
No current plans.
Education:
Leo N9NBH previously reported our training schedule will be on hiatus for the duration.
NETS:
Steve Karson AC9EM submitted the following report for February 4th:
Thanks everyone, for checking into our Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club NET. 28 Hams checked in!!! Question of the night: Describe the current weather conditions of your QTH, and has the weather impacted your operating station, antenna, coax, etc. In addition, Cliff K9QD provided a quick summary of the previous night’s SARC Board Meeting, Ed, AC9SD reported that VE Testing sessions will recommence this Saturday at the Tennis Club. Roberto, WA9E reported that the Dekalb Hamfest is still expected to happen on May 2. Farther details were then provided on the Reflector. Several others also contributed to help make it an interesting Net.
Check-ins included:
N9IJS John
W9RKK Robert
K9CMZ Charlene
N9MVO Rob
N9LTW Lou
K9EYE Pierre
WB9VWM Hugh
KB9RGU Jim
WA9VYT Scott
K9QD Cliff
WB9UXN Brent
AC9SD Ed
KD9PWI Pat
KD9KSH John
K9WIC John
N9NBH Leo
KD9POE Mike
K9KMV Mike
KB9RHR Daryl
KD9NJR Don
WA9E Roberto
KC9NMW Tim
K9MKD Kevin
K9KQX Mike
N9JAX Bob
KC9NUV Russ
KD9QQZ George
AC9EM Steve Net Controller
Be Safe and Happy!!!
73
Steve Karson, AC9EM
Mike Griffiths filed the following TechNet report for February 9th.
Thanks to the following hams that checked in to the Tuesday Tech net.
Call Sign
Name
N9IJS
John
K9CMZ
Charlene
N9LTW
Lou
KD9KSH
John
W9RKK
Robert
KD9PWI
Pat
W9YY
Jack
WA9E
Roberto
KY0Q
Rick
KC9NMW
Tim
KB9RHR
Daryl
KB9RGU
Jim
K9MKD
Kevin
K9KMV Mike – net control
Topics discussed:
RFI from a plasma TV.
10 meter band conditions and best time of day to operate
Regards,
Mike K9KMV
Leo N9NBH submitted the February 11th report:
Thank you to all the hams that checked into the net. The question of the evening was: How is your ham radio grounded? The National Electrical Code does cover grounding, could not find info on the internet to attach to this email. Attached are two military documents, from Department of Defense, on what is required to ground devices and meet military standard.
N9NBH Leo net control
N9IJS John
N9MVO Rob
4 K9KQX Mike
K9EYE Pierre
K9WIC John
KD9KSH John
K9CMZ Charlene
WB9UXN Brent
N9LTW Lou
WB9VWM Hugh
KD9POE Mike
K9QD Cliff
KB9RGU Jim
W9YY Jack
KD9NJR Don
AC9SD Ed
K9KMV Mike
KD9RGS Tim
K9KBM Dave
WA9E Roberto
KD9PWI Pat
WE9PP Jim
K9GBN Garrett
AC9VW David
W9WEM Bill
KD9RGX Bill
KC9NMW Tim
KF5IV Owen
KD9FIA Al
KD9QAI Jody
W9RKK Robert
On Thursday, February 18, 2021, 07:01:52 PM CST, Leo Ribordy wrote:
Thank you to all the hams that checked into the net Tuesday evening. The question of the evening was Have you ever built a Moxon Antenna? What type of antenna’s have you built? I am attaching two different types of Moxon antennas. A 6 meter and a HAARP 2 meter Moxon. If you google
AC6LA.com/moxgen1 you can download the calculator to design a Moxon antenna.
W9RKK Robert
N9IJS John
K9QD Cliff
KY0Q Rick
W9YY Jack
K9CMZ Charlene
WB9UXN Brent
AC9SD Ed
K9KBM Dave
W9WEM Bill
KD9NJR Don
WB9VWM Hugh
WE9PP Jim
K9MKD Kevin
K9WIC John
KD9POE Mike
KD9FMN Paul
KD9KSH John
K9KMV Mike
KB9RHR Daryl
KD9QAI Jody
KC9NMW Tim
N9NBH Leo net control
Publicity:
Dennis K9HIK No report.
Programs:
No report. Need Chairperson.
Old Business:
None.
New Business:
Pierre K9EYE proposed the repeater’s EchoLink initial feature set-up can be edited to remove unnecessary verbal station ID. Morning Drive-Time traffic is hindered by verbal ID’s being repeatedly transmitted once the initial wake-up response is heard. There is likely a set-up edit in EchoLink to replace the verbal ID with CW instead. Additionally, international stations should be encouraged to avoid QSOs on the machine during morning Drive-Time because local mobile stations may have limited travel time for conversations while the machine delay to handle those outside calls preempt easy hand-over.
Ask an Elmer
None.
Repeater Ker chunk to ascertain a station’s ability to solidly hit the machine was discussed. Such a test transmission is only legal when the testing station IDs properly.
With the help of Geoff KA9QGH’s ZOOM-enabled call, Burt Schultz AB9CV called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
First item on Agenda: Burt Schultz AB9CV is elected to serve as Chairman of the Board for 2021.
Attendees:
Russ Schmidt KC9NUV Cliff Sowka K9QD John Douglas KD9KSH
Geoff Stevens KA9QGH Danny Kafka KD9HIL John Zietlow K9WIC
Ed Liska AC9SD Mike Sorensen K9KQX Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK
Charlene K9CMZ Jim Campbell KB9RGU Jim Campbell KB9RGU
Burt Schultz AB9CV
Secretary’s Report:
Cliff Sowka K9QD: January 2021 BOD Minutes approved as published in the RHG.
Treasurer’s Report:
John Zietlow K9WIC reports 103 Active Members. Danny KD9HIL moved, Jim KB9RGU seconded, so moved.
SARC Board affirmed John’s Treasurer Role is constitutional and in accordance with the club’s Bylaws.
Bank Balance 31-Dec $6,591.57
INCOME $115.00
11-Jan $20.00 unknown
29-Jan $20.00 dues
29-Jan $75.00 donation for FD
DISBURSEMENTS $467.82
19-Jan $62.82 data line
29-Jan $395.00 FD 2020 prizes
29-Jan $10.00 annual report
Petty Cash $144.20
FD Donations $75.00 included in balance
Funds Available $6,382.95
Proposed CY2021 Budget
INCOME $3,105.00
DUES $2,250.00
EQUIPMENT SALES $750.00
XFR FROM RESERVE $105.00
RESERVE $6,135.00
EXPENSES $3,105.00
ADMIN $835.00
ZOOM FEES $180.00
MISC EXPENSES $75.00
STATE OF IL REPORT $10.00
WEB SITE $90.00
PO BOX $65.00
INSURANCE $300.00
SUPPLIES $100.00
REPEATER ASSOC $15.00
REPEATER $1,280.00
MAINTENANCE $500.00
DATA LINE $780.00
FIELD DAY $540.00
WINTER $0.00
SUMMER $540.00
MEETINGS $100.00
REFRESHMENTS $0.00
SUMMER PICNIC $100.00
HOLIDAY PARTY $0.00
ANNUAL PRIZES $50.00
CONSTRUCTION $300.00
TOOL REPLACEMENT $200.00
CONSUMABLES $100.00
Public Service:
Rob Glowacki N9MVO. Not present.
EMCOMM:
John Zietlow K9WIC informed there is a planned EMCOMM statewide exercise similar to previous ‘Shaker’ scenario for April 30th and May 1st.
Repeaters:
No Report.
Construction Project:
Limited meetings of 10 SARC Members Only have opened again.
VE Testing:
Ed Lishka AC9SD informed the VE Team will be utilizing the Construction Project basement venue this coming Saturday. Additionally, the Tri-Fold Welcoming document crafted by Dirk W0RI has been provided to testing candidates. Ed will be sending an electric copy to John K9WIC.
Nets:
Leo Ribordy N9NBH provided the following report for TechNet January 26th:
The question for the evening was: This weekend is winter field. Are you going
to operate? Also talking a little more on magnetic loops. Another youtube site to
get more/different info on building magnetic loops is RSGB. Radio society of
Great Britain.
1. W9RKK Robert
2. K9CMZ Charlene
3. KY0Q Rick
4. K9KBM Dave
5. N9LTW Lou
6. K9KQX Mike
7. KB9RHR Daryl
8. WE9PP Jim
9. AC9SD Ed
10. W9WEM Bill
11. KD9KSH John
12. K9KMV Mike
13. K9EYE Pierre
14. KD9HIK Dennis
15. KB9QQL Adrian
16. WB9UXN Brent
17. KB9RGU Jim
18. K9GBN Garrett
19. KD9NJR Don
20. W9YFC Doug
21. N9NBH Leo Net Control
22. N9IJS John
23. KD9PWI Pat
24. KD9QAI Jody
25. KD9POE Mike
Daryl Jenks KB9RHR hosted the February 2nd TechNet and submitted the following report:
Thanks to everyone that logged into the net.
Net started at 19:05 and closed at 20:02 EST.
The question for the night was how many worked the Winter Filed Day this past weekend and how did you do.
1. N9IJS John
2. K9KBM Dave
3. W9RKK Robert
4. K9CMZ Charlene
5. WE9PP Jim
6. K9KQX Mike
7. KF5IV Owen
8. WB9UXN Brent
9. KD9POE Mike
10. KB9RGU Jim
11. N9LTW Lou
12. KD9FIA Al
13. KC9NMW Tim
14. K9WIC John
15. K9GBN Garret
16. KD9NJR Don
17. K9KMV Mike
18. W9YFC Doug
19. KD9RGS Tim
20. KD9QVE Rick Beloit, WI
21. K9EDV Ed
22. KB9RHR Daryl (Net Control)
Winter Field Day:
K9KMV Mike worked both 1O (outdoors) Sat and Sun at different locations each day and made 30 contacts on Sat and a handful on Sunday.
KD9POE Mike worked from 1H (home) and made 32 contacts.
KB9RHR Daryl worked 1O (outdoors) on Sat and made 27 contacts.
Labels: K9KQX Mike, ask if anyone had how-2 ideas or source for Front Panel Decals needed when restoring equipment. Several suggestions were brought up from looking on ETSY.com to printing on “Clear Label” sheets purchased from office supply stores.
73s
Daryl KB9RHR
Radio Hill Gazette RHG:
Mike K9KMV No Report.
Recurring Calendar:
Insurance has been renewed for 2021 and John K9WIC’s $300 premium payment is authorized for reimbursement from the Treasury. Danny KD9HIL moved, Ed AC9SD seconded, so moved and John will reimburse his personal outlay to reinstate our Liability Insurance in time for the Construction Project meetings. Status of 2021 room reservations at the CRC and Airport unknown at the moment.
Membership:
Geoff KA9QGH. No report.
Publicity:
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chair; no report.
Social:
John KD9KSH; no report.
Education:
Leo N9NBH. No Report.
Programs:
No Report.
Old Business:
None.
New Business:
Burt Schultz AB9CV informed SARC has been recognized by the Salvation Army for granting them access to our Repeater.
Motion to Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned 8:25PM. Submitted February 4, 2021. Cliff Sowka Secretary
Winter Field Day 2021 – K9KMV 
