Last year ('99) we decided to try Class 1A Battery (5 watts max). We approached this competition with great trepidation as we basically had no experience using QRP in a full-fledged contest. QRP definitely requires a different mindset, and we had a "few things to learn", but we feel pretty good about the result: WE WON 1ST PLACE IN CLASS 1A BATTERY
Our cook was Luther N4UW (also a major player at the console of the mighty Omni-VI). Saturday evening he treated us to "20 db Over S9 Goulash", a real crowd pleaser. And on Sunday morning he restored us to life with a delicious "Rise and Scratch" breakfast. Luther, you're worth your weight in grits old buddy! And BTW, Luther also provided all photos on this webpage. We call him "The Edge".
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We had a super weekend - good food, great fellowship and very little sleep! And friends, it just don't get no better'n that! |
The N4IR Field Day Shack - BEFORE....Many years ago, back in pioneer days, old 'Sparks' Rotenberry sat out on his way to explore the land west of the Appalachians, in search of the legendary Tierra Del Antenna Mas Grande (Land Of The Beeg Antenna) .
Carrying primitive gear of the era on his back (separate xmtr and rcvr, external VFO, CW key made of shells, home spun coax, old oaken tri-bander, 2 KW coal-fired generator, etc), Sparks topped a small rise and faced the vision seen at the left.
He immediately fell to his knees, claimed the land in the name of His Majesty, Hiram Percy Maxim, and called it "Feeled Hay" because that, and some poison ivy, was exactly what he felt when he fell to the ground.
And AFTER....Now here it is. This IS the N4IR Field Day shack. All of it. All fixed up nice and modern and everything. We are just waiting for 'Southern Living', and 'Architectural Digest' to get word of it. Folks, you just gotta love it! Man, doesn't this place just reek with the spirit of every cartoon hamshack that old Gil ever drew for QST?
Built many years ago, apparently for some agricultural storage purpose, it now lies unused and unoccupied except for (a) one year-round resident, a very large, highly sociable Black Snake, and (b) the crusty little group known as the East Tennessee Contesters - occupants for just over 24 hours each Field Day.
Despite the pleas of FD Czar N4IR, his lovely (and extremely sensible) XYL, Miz Sandy, has thus far resisted his overtures to claim this location as their retirement home. "Forget it Bozo"! she stated graciously.
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The builder certainly seemed to have our needs in mind.
Just enough room to comfortably fit 2 tables topped by an Omni VI, a laptop computer, keyer, antenna tuner, satellite rig, an operator (and a couple of kibbitzers). And several cans of stale beer. |
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This fine estate is the property of Dave "Baron" Rotenberry K4DR (shown at right, destroying some perfectly good equipment). It is a rural plot of about 35 acres, located just east of Bristol, TN, near the foot of Holston Mountain. |
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By east Tennessee standards the site is very level It certainly has more than enough tall trees to provide adequate, well-placed supports for our single all-band loop antenna. |
| THE SOUTHERN WHITE HOUSE Well, you gotta have some creature comforts! |
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Last Modified: May 29, 2000