2014 Winter Field Day

VK4ADC · Post by **VK4ADC** » Tue May 27, 2014 8:21 pm

http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/

This is a must-read web page this time around... or read the rules in the recent AR magazine.

This is only a few weeks away now - 21/22 June - so it's time to get the preparations under way, including updating your VKLogger portable profile to reflect your FD QTH.

This one is different in that there are two divisions to cope with the older grid-square scoring versus distance scoring. Ideally a minimum of 6 character grid info exchanges, 8 character if you can.

There should be a new version of VKCL available beforehand for download to cope with the revised logging arrangements : http://www.mnds.com.au/vkcl/

VK2AVR · Post by **VK2AVR** » Wed May 28, 2014 9:32 am

Looking forward to it! I will be submitting my logs under both grid and distance based scoring to see what the difference is. I like the idea of distance scoring since my location is in the middle of a grid square, look forward to seeing how it shakes out.

The VKCL software is great, used it for the first time last field day and I'll never go back to paper logs.

VK3ZAZ · Post by **VK3ZAZ** » Wed May 28, 2014 11:10 am

MWFD down south past two three years been waste of time. Same old stations and never turn beams out west 6 and 2M even less activity over border in SA.

VK3BQ · Post by **VK3BQ** » Wed May 28, 2014 3:32 pm

the SA guys were one of the driving forces for the distance rules steve *feeling hard done by with the lack of diverse grid square operators" so I guess that means they are all set for the contest weekend. we should see hundreds of VK5 stations active...

a bit cold to be above 1000m in vk3 though (unless this global warming thing really has set in and our barmy weather continues). i understand at this point vk3er/p wont be venturing out, though ill hand out numbers from home.

VK4CRO · Post by **VK4CRO** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:48 am

City of Brisbane Radio society Inc. VK4WIE will operate from Mt Gravatt Lookout
in the 8 hr section on Saturday -- 6m 2m 70cm 1296 2.4ghz 10ghz
hope to hear lots of you!
Ron vk4cro

VK3YE · Post by **VK3YE** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:53 am

Weather permitting I'll be out. Probably Olivers Hill (which worked so well last time even though it's not that high). Haven't decided whether Sat afternoon or Sun morning.

VK5ZT · Post by **VK5ZT** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 11:19 pm

the SA guys were one of the driving forces for the distance rules steve *feeling hard done by with the lack of diverse grid square operators" so I guess that means they are all set for the contest weekend. we should see hundreds of VK5 stations active...

I am guessing the SA guys referred to above are from the South East Radio Group as no-one I am aware of in Adelaide has pushed distance scoring. Anyway it should make for some interesting results. As for there being hundreds of VK5s out....all I can say is don't hold your breath.....in my experience you either like contesting or you don't, irrespective of scoring method.

Cheers

Tim VK5ZT

VK4CLG · Post by **VK4CLG** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 7:44 am

The Sunshine Coast ARC VK4WIS is still not sure about the winter field day yet because it falls on the same weekend as Rally Q and most of our gear and operators will be in the bush near Gympie doing comm's for the rally.
We might do an 8hr on Saturday from Howells Knob QG63JF if we can find the gear and operators but I think it will be a no go for us this time. It will end up being a last minute decision so I really hope it's a go.

VK4EA · Post by **VK4EA** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:58 pm

Hi Robert, I've got a SES commitment on the Saturday, but Sunday morning might be goer, like you it will be a last minute decision. It would be good to try some 24ghz from 'the knob'.

Sent from my MZ601 using Tapatalk

VK4CLG · Post by **VK4CLG** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:18 pm

VK4LHD wrote:The Sunshine Coast ARC VK4WIS is still not sure about the winter field day yet because it falls on the same weekend as Rally Q and most of our gear and operators will be in the bush near Gympie doing comm's for the rally.
We might do an 8hr on Saturday from Howells Knob QG63JF if we can find the gear and operators but I think it will be a no go for us this time. It will end up being a last minute decision so I really hope it's a go.

We have had a bit of a discussion and it looks like the Sunshine Coast ARC will now do an 8Hr on Saturday from the start time till about 7pm with limited gear and operators but hopefully we will have all bands from 6M to 23CM and microwave at 2.4, 3.4, 5.6 and 10Ghz.
I may return early on the Sunday morning and do a bit of Microwave under my own call sign but only on 1.2, 2.4 and 5.7 as I'm only a standard licence but will only do it if I know others in South East VK4 are going to be using microwave. The location will be Howells Knob (QG63JF)

VK4EA · Post by **VK4EA** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:26 pm

Robert, at this stage I plan on Howell's Knob for the Sunday morning, I'll bring my 24GHz stuff, and you'll be able use your 10G gear with me there.

Sent from my MZ601 using Tapatalk

VK4CZ · Post by **VK4CZ** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:18 am

Hope to be active /P on Saturday (subject to final negotiations with Minister of Domestic Affairs) and gaining final permission from the land owner.

QTH: Walter Henderson Park, Kobble Creek
Grid: QG62JR93
Bands: 6m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm, 13cm, 3cm

Operating focus will be on Division 2.... subject to levels of activity to the north and south

(Updated 01:53z: Site access gained... now the hard part!)

ZL1RQ · Post by **ZL1RQ** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:43 am

I will be operating from Mount Kanigan, (north of Gympie) Sat only.
50 144 432 and 1296 only. QG64HA08.

Alan VK4WR

VK3ZTE · Post by **VK3ZTE** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:28 pm

Can anyone explain why I can't find this field day listed on the WIA website - or am I missing something/overlooking the obvious

Grant VK3ZTE

VK5ZD · Post by **VK5ZD** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:08 pm

VK3ZTE wrote:Can anyone explain why I can't find this field day listed on the WIA website - or am I missing something/overlooking the obvious

http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/

VK3ZTE · Post by **VK3ZTE** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:48 pm

Cheers - I was looking in the wrong spot. Still learning my way around both the WIA site and, for that matter, VK logger. I do recall, incidentally reading the article in 'AR'.

73 Grant S
VK3ZTE

VK3LL · Post by **VK3LL** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:28 pm

The two-operator contesting station operating under VK3KQ *may* be out for the WFD. Our hearts say "yes, we really want to". But our fingers, toes and other body extremities that are likely to suffer from Frost Bite are saying, "Are you serious?"

We will make our decision on Wednesday 18th, purely based on the weather forecast for southern VK3. Our usual mountain top location goes subzero at this time of the year - that we can handle. But if there is wind and/or rain forecast as well, we're just going to be vigilant and say no - we damaged too much equipment in the JMFD storms to risk not taking heed of the BOM.

However, if we do go, we'll be taking all bands from 50MHz to 10GHz.

Cheers,
Ralph VK3LL
(Co-operator of the VK3KQ/P contesting station)

UPDATE on 12/6: The long range weather forecast looks favourable, so I have just lashed out and purchased a new -20 rated sleeping bag

VK3ALB · Post by **VK3ALB** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:58 pm

Winter field day is a great time to test new ideas and equipment. Failures and mishaps hurt much less in the winter than they do in spring or summer. The VK3ALB crew are hoping for good weather too and intend to be on air for the whole weekend from QF11VS.

What could possibly go wrong?

VK4GHZ · Post by **VK4GHZ** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 2:34 pm

VK3ALB wrote:What could possibly go wrong?

Ummm... this?

VK3BA · Post by **VK3BA** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 11:58 pm

VK3ALB wrote:Winter field day is a great time to test new ideas and equipment. Failures and mishaps hurt much less in the winter than they do in spring or summer. The VK3ALB crew are hoping for good weather too and intend to be on air for the whole weekend from QF11VS.

What could possibly go wrong?

Err... missing trailer?? We may have a problem in the logistics department... mmm...

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