June 22-23, 2024 – A hot and humid weekend of fun!

This Field Day was something of a departure from previous years. Several members couldn’t make it, had other commitments or just wanted a change of pace. While we have plenty of wire antennas, none of them went up. Our original plan was to operate “2D” using commercial power in lieu of a generator but, before too long, the club was using a new kind of emergency power–solar panels charging solar cells.

Even our venue was a bit different. Our friends at Essex Skypark were remodeling in and around the airport FBO. In years past, we’ve been able to set up a long-wire antenna between the FBO and the airstrip (making us a “4A” station) while also using the meeting area inside the FBO for license testing. This year, we confined our setups to the area east of the hangar while those testing for their license were welcomed into the air conditioned RV courtesy of Stephen, W3SPF and Cathy, W3CLF. Thanks a bunch to both Stephen and Cathy for also providing a great cookout for the club!

Rob, AE3B, our club VP, stood in for Joe, WB3FMT, our club President to clean and set up the hangar, pull equipment and logging laptops on Friday. We wish Joe a speedy recovery from his recent surgery!

Marty, KC3AID, stopped in with rigging and masts from the club trailer. In a discussion between Marty, Rob and Dave, KB3KRV, Marty discovered a new, temporary, location available for the club to meet twice a month. Our next meeting on July 3 is at the American Legion Post 180 in Rosedale. THANKS MARTY! Much obliged!!

Dave, KB3KRV and Katie make Field Day an annual getaway from it all while also spending the time helping to get everything set up. They are the model couple of relaxation, the first to arrive at the Skypark and the last to depart! Thank you both for all your help!

Jim, WB3FMS, helped with setup on Friday and decided to bring on solar cells to serve as our e-power source. Jim had never used them before and we soon discovered that neither the panels nor the cells raised any kind of RF interference on our rigs or antennas. At the same time, and in keeping with the experimental nature of Field Day, Jim set up a DX Commander vertical antenna that could work 40M-10M. WTG, Jim!

The club operated “3A” but some club members took advantage of the aggregate scoring option with the ARRL to work from their home QTH and include their contact log entries with the Aero Club. As of this writing, our club members Bob, WA3SWA and Ron, W3JEH, plan to submit their logs with the Aero ARC assignment.