Winter Field Day is an emergency communications exercise that tests the readiness of amateur radio operators and their equipment under winter conditions. Granted, winter in North Dakota is a bit different from California, but the challenges we faced at Hogan Dam Lake this year in Valley Springs more than met the criteria.
On arrival at 0700 our cushy, wind protected “reserved” location with convenient restrooms and 110 volt power for our K-Cup coffee machine was unavailable. Mike (K6AAN) salvaged the day by securing a substitute area that one could accurately describe as “primitive”. Not to belabor the point, but three goat trails provided near vertical access, the porta-potti and one trash can were “down the road and over there”, and table space was so limited we had to stack the donut boxes.
HOWEVER! In the spirit of Winter Field Day, we did it anyway! Dave (WB6TOU) used his home brew canon to shoot an end-fed over the only two trees, our most senior member Bob (K6DGQ) hammered away on 20-meter CW, 10 meters was wide open, those who slipped and fell on the slope survived without injury, Elmer Rick (N6DT) took the opportunity to educate others in spite of his limitations, a 100 amp-hour lithium battery kept the quiche warm, and young Brantley experienced his first contact. WHAT A GREAT DAY!
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