Whether you’re making your first contact on HF or you’re a first-time participant in a contest-like activity, Field Day can be a little overwhelming. So what should you expect and how do you prepare?
Generally speaking, you’re going to hear a lot of noise and gibberish. If you listen carefully, you’ll begin to hear bits and pieces of call signs, assuming you’re listening to voice or Morse.
You'll want to learn how to tune in signals with your rig so play around and learn how to tune-in a signal so it sounds sharp and clear even with nine or ten stations all around it.
Throughout the 24-hour operating period of Field Day there is going to be an enormous amount of activity on the five primary HF bands (10-80m). One common theme in all of this frenzied activity is the desire by each of those stations you’re hearing to make lots of contacts including a contact with you. It doesn’t matter which mode you choose to use, they want to talk to you!
So how do you prepare for operating during Field Day? There are a couple methods to consider.
• There are some who suggest that you just jump into the fray and try to make sense of it all and hopefully you’re able to overcome an abundance of potential obstacles. By the way, typically these folks don’t stick around to help you out.
• The preferred method is to get some training and/or experience in advance of Field Day so that you feel comfortable and prepared for dealing with the crowded and noisy frequencies.
Practice, practice, practice.
Knowledge and practice is the key to success in nearly every important aspect of life.
• Knowledge – You need to know what event is (e.g., state QSO party, DX contest, etc) and what you have to do (e.g., who the contest is open to, who to contact, the required exchange, etc.). The required exchange of information is a critical part of the contest and you get penalized for your errors. Depending on the number and type of errors in your past participation, some contests will actually prohibit you from participating in the next scheduled version of that contest. Try just listening to a contest so you can understand what is required.
Look up the contest in QST, at www.arrl.org/contests or www.sk3bg.se/contest to find when the next contest is scheduled (there are one or more every weekend, and some in the middle of the week), and what’s required (the exchanged), frequencies, unique identifiers (Membership numbers, club officers, etc.), modes, where to send your log, etc.
• Practice - Start small and work your way into it. State QSO parties are usually a very friendly and comfortable path to enter contesting. They do not take the typical high speed, cut throat approach of some of the major world-wide contests. Instead, they are somewhat laid back and will often encourage casual chatter. The exchanges vary between states but typically include your call, your category (e.g., fixed station, mobile, club, QRP, etc) and county. The important thing to remember is accuracy before speed. Take your time and give the exchange information correctly and if the other station repeats it incorrectly, provide a correction. State QSO parties take place nearly every weekend. There are 19 listed below.
Between now and Field Day the following phone contests listed below will take place. You can “Google” the contest name and get a link with contest rules, exchange, etc.
AARC Jr. will participate in four contests indicated below from the clubhouse and perhaps a few of the State QSO Parties. You are welcome to stop by and join in the fun. You’ll receive coaching and encouragement at no cost as part of our pre-Field Day preparation special and you’ll overcome your hesitation or fear about operating on HF and in contests or you will be beaten until you do. It’s your choice.
There will also be some training classes in May and early June to address the logging program, practice logging, practice Field Day contacts, etc.
Seriously, listen in on some the contests below, stick your toe in the water once in a while and c’mon over to the clubhouse and have some fun so you can maximize your Field Day experience. The fine people in AARC Jr. will help you overcome your HF and contesting fears.
10 Oct 1400Z - 12 Oct 0200Z - YLRL Anniversary Party
11 Oct 1600Z - 12 Oct 2200Z - Pennsylvania QSO Party
19 Oct 1700Z - 20 Oct 0100Z - Illinois QSO Party
25 Oct 0000Z - 26 Oct 2359Z - CQ WW SSB Contest – The mother of all contests.
08 Nov 1400Z - 09 Nov 0200Z - Kentucky QSO Party
15 Nov 2100Z - 17 Nov 0300Z - ARRL November Sweepstakes – AARC Jr.
17 Jan 1800Z - 18 Jan 0600Z - North American QSO Party – AARC Jr.
07 Feb 1400Z - 2400Z – Minnesota QSO Party
07 Feb 0000Z - 08 Feb 2400Z - Vermont QSO Party
07 Feb 1300Z - 08 Feb 0700Z - Maine QSO Party
07 Feb 1700Z - 09 Feb 0100Z - Delaware QSO Party (with an 8 hr break in middle)
14 Feb 1500Z - 15 Feb 0300Z - Louisiana QSO Party
22 Feb 1700Z - 23 Feb 0300Z – North Carolina QSO Party
28 Feb 1500Z - 01 Mar 0300Z - Mississippi QSO Party
07 Mar 0000Z - 08 Mar 2400Z – ARRL International DX Contest – AARC Jr.
07 Mar 1400Z - 09 Mar 1900Z - Oklahoma QSO Party (with an 11 hr break in middle)
08 Mar 1800Z - 09 Mar 0100Z - Wisconsin QSO Party
14 Mar 1800Z - 16 Mar 0200Z – Virginia QSO Party
14 Mar 1900Z - 15 Mar 1900Z – Idaho QSO Party
21 Mar 0000Z - 22 Mar 2400Z – Alaska QSO Pary
28 Mar 0000Z - 29 Mar 2359Z – CQ WW Prefix Contest – AARC Jr.
11 Apr 1800Z - 12 Apr 2359Z – Georgia QSO Party (with a 10 hr break in middle)
18 Apr 1600Z - 19 Apr 0400Z – Michigan QSO Party
25 Apr 1600Z - 26 Apr 2200Z – Florida QSO Party (with a 10 hr break in middle)
25 Apr 1700Z - 26 Apr 2700Z – Nebraska QSO Party
73
FD09
