You couldn't have asked for better weather! The day was just perfect. As FYBO fell on our regular meeting day, we decided to setup WQØRP right out in front of our meeting location, the Minnetonka Community Center. The setup team met for breakfast at 7:00am at a local restaurant. About eight we headed for the Center and got going. First order of business was the antenna and then shelter for the equipment in the event it snowed.
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Gently the R7 vertical is raised into position and secured to the railing. We shoveled the snow from an area of the grass next to the parking lot. Tables were set up, then the dining tarp and chairs. Next batteries, two rigs and a laptop computer were connected and checked out. Of course the SWR wasn't quite right, so the antenna came down again for a quick adjustment just minutes before the 10:00am local start time. |
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On the air and in the sun, winter in Minnesota is never this cooperative. All during setup we watched the temperature rise, 14, 16, 18.5, 19, it was getting close to 10:00am! Would we get the six multipiers with the first 'Q'??? No! Staring time and the temperature was 22 degrees! Ouch, cheated by nature again. Oh well, maybe it would get colder after sunset. Time to start working some Q's. |
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Here's where we started to learn lessons about FYBO. Jim NØUR (shown here) works out a couple bugs! Our laptop computer screen doesn't like the cold! We managed to get a good enough view and started logging the points. Gloves make it very tough to press the keys too, back to using a pencil, sort of! |
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Larry KBØR, doing a stint at logging, and Les NØPPF listen intently trying to help hear a weak one. The R7 was working very well and the temperature was still climbing. El Nino wasn't all bad, everyone was commenting on how good the weather was. We even wished that the weather had been this good last Field Day! |
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Howard KB4UY helped log while Jim NØUR operates. We had dual headphones setup and that really helped from time to time. Doc KØEVZ came up from Rochester to help out too. Unfortunately, we missed getting a picture of him. Sorry Doc, we'll get you on Field Day! (Hint Hint - Nudge Nudge) |
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Meanwhile, in the warmth of the Center, Wayne KBØPCI operates the Minnetonka Amateur Radio Club's station. QRP of course. Wayne worked Q's from about 10:00am FYBO start until after 6:00pm shortly before the Center closed. Thanks to MARC for their participation and the additional contact for the rest of us. |
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Most important in the compliment of equipment was the Weber grill! Without that there would be no hot dogs and steaming coffee! We invited all our members to join in a picnic and use the grill too! Here's Arnie WAØDFT putting the equipment to good use. Bill NØBSN, one of our photographers, kept the crew well fed and buzzing on coffee. Notice that winter coats were optional here in Minnesota! |
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Around meeting time we had quite a crew with the temperature near 40, sun shining, wind low and the band working really well. Already we were showing a respectable score, but must important, we were having fun! |
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Larry KBØR (left) and Jim NØUR (right) were our backbone operators and worked well as a team. That's me Cla KA0GKC in the rear taking a shift at the logging. It's late afternoon and the sun is low in the west and pouring under the tarp. It was quite nice but still to warm! |
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The sun had set and so did the bands, working 40 and going ok until NA sprint started at 6:00pm local. Wow, big guns with no ears, still we were working the Q's. Coats are no longer optional and the temperature is dropping. Another FYBO lesson. Propane lamps don't work as well in the cold, not enough gas pressure. Holding the cold gas bottle between warm hands would "turn up" the light! |
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Finally, about 9:00pm the temperature
dipped to 18 degrees. We made two more contacts and that
was enough. We were cold and tired and we still had to
pack up. It was a great day and effort. Thanks go to all
the helped out. Final Score |