The East Tennessee Contesters are a loosely knit group of operators from northeastern Tennessee. We have operated Field Day (and other contests) since 1991. We are "working class" and "retired working class" - no CEOs, bankers, lawyers, doctors, etc. in this group.

Luther N4UW and Ralph N4TG nagged Jim N4IR for some time to organize a northeast Tennessee group of contesters. In 1990, while participating a multiop SS effort at N4TG, Jim (N4IR) became involved in a rather sharp exchange of views with another station, whereupon Ralph reminded him whose call was being used! Probably as a result of this Ralph later offered Jim the bribe of using N4IR as the group call if he would organize a FD operation. That was all that was necessary to suck Jim in as FD Emirate For Life. And thus he continues to rule - harshly, tyrannically, high-handedly, but always in an unfair and abusive manner.

Currently the group consists of N4IR (Jim - our permanent Czar and chief Q-snatcher), K4DR (Dave - owner of our FD site), N4UW (Luther - our cook, antenna designer and steady op), N4DD (Dennis - our token pachyderm), N4DW (Dave - our token Yankee) and N4TN (Don - our token black sheep of the family). Jim N4IR pulled us (and others in past years) together in the desire to create a FD group that had fun, respected the intents and traditions of FD, and yet made a sincere effort to perform in a competitive manner.

In addition to the operators mentioned above, past participants have included Ralph N4TG, Charlie KA4TNN, Joe KE2JO, Martin KA4IWG, Bill W4CZ and others.

Main dudes because David K4DR (left) owns the Field Day site and Jim N4IR thought of the idea for the group, lets us use his call, and he IS the Czar.

Says Jim, "It's good to be King".

Part Of The Gang

Here is part of the crew, viewed in silhouette (by far the best way to view us). L to R: Don N4TN, Dennis Jr (son of N4DD and chief FD Gopher), David K4DR, and Dennis N4DD. Luther N4UW was behind the camera, trying to figure out the light meter. Dave N4DW was off enjoying a rare weekend holiday.

Killing Time

A slightly brighter view of the group (funny, they all still look dull). L to R: Dennis N4DD, jr op Dennis, Dave K4DR, Don N4TN, Jim N4IR