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Field Day 2016 After Action Report

FD Checklist - https://www.icloud.com/numbers/01iAMumu0tzyKedvSqCNN5PxA#FD_2016_Checklist

Summary

Items Missing from my bag

  • Extra wire
  • Elect tape
  • Sleep Matt
  • Blanket
  • More tie wraps/big ones
  • Ground for antenna/radio
  • End support for antenna
  • Lights for tent

Things that worked

  • Go Box
  • Mesh Network (See Note 6)
  • Logging Software (See Note 6)
  • Generator (See Note 1)
  • Fans

Things to Improve

  • Antenna (See Note 5)
  • Sleeping Arrangement (See Note 8)
  • PSK31 on 40M (See Note 2)
  • Ice for Water (See Note 3)
  • Lights (See Note 7)
  • Noise from Laptop (See Note 9)
  • Headphones (See Note 10)

Detailed Notes

Go-Box worked well. Need to always take generator and fan. The fans make the heat of the day much more tolerable.

01. Gas

The generator was full of gas when I arrived at field day and started the generator at 10am. We had to refuel the generator around 11:30 PM. An additional 5 gallons of gas was more than sufficient. After refueling at 11:30 PM it ran until the next morning without issue. We ran 3 stations (KM4ACK, N0JPD, & W4WFC) including fans at each station & the primary MESH gear for the duration of the event.

02. PSK31 Interference

Did have issues with PSK31 interfering with mouse in the laptop on 40M. Think this could be eliminated with external mouse. This interference didn't happen on 20M or 80M.

03. Water

Had my old construction cooler full of bottled water and then ice. Ice was gone by end of day. Need to consider either a bigger cooler or an extra cooler with additional ice. Temps around 96.

04. Bugs

Bugs were pretty bad at night. The mosquitoes were not too bad but the June bugs drove us nuts. Maybe some sort of netting around the canopy.

05. Antenna

I ran the EFHW antenna with 61.5 feet of wire. Half of it vertical and the other half was supposed to be horizontal. Could not get it hi enough in the tree to be horizontal. It ended up being a sloping V. Need to either explore the idea of a new antenna or a way to deploy the one I have as an inverted L. Maybe use the extra MJF push up pole on the far end to get it more horizontal.

06. Logging/MESH Network

We ran AC log for our logging for the first time. The software was configured on a server on Freddy's laptop and we configured ours as clients. This was run over the Mesh network. Kemper setup a 5ghz connection to short mountain and then tied it to a 2.4ghz airrouter to provide internet and a link to others on the Mesh. All in all, Mesh network was a huge success. I successfully used a Linksys router loaded with the broadband ham firmware. This will become obsolete in the future. Just placed an order for a new NanoStation M5 and Air Router HP to future proof my components. Might be possible to reconfigure my Linksys router as a DDWRT access point.

07. Lighting

Lighting was something that could be improved. While the USB lights worked, might consider a bigger light source. Also need to move this away from the operator so that the bugs are not drawn to the box/operator.

08. Sleeping Arrangement

Slept about two hours. Since I didn't take anything, I ended up grabbing a towel from my jeep and spreading it out over the concrete by the picnic table. This was uncomfortable at best. At a bare minimum I need one of the hiking air mats and a thin blanket. Even with temps at 96 during the day, I awoke chilled a couple of times.

09. Noise from Laptop

The power cord for the laptop produced horrible noise levels on HF bands. It would jump from S5 to S9+ when plugged in. Need to either replace with a quality charger or will have to charge at a distance from the radio and work voice while it charges. I charge during every break and while I slept. It worked ok but was always a concern since logging was done with the laptop. Have additional log sheets on hand to use if the laptop goes dead.

10. Headphones

Used the iPhone headphones with a right angle adapter. This worked as long as you didn't plug the headphones in completely to the right angle adapter. You had to leave it out about 1/8" to get sound in both ears. Probable need to invest in actual headphones for the 857 with a boom mic and foot/finger switch. This would help greatly when logging.

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