2025 marks the second year I plan to participate in Field Day.
The ARRL describes Field Day as…

Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill, and service to our communities and our nation.

To me, some aspects of this this description are aspirational. My experience with the “open house” aspects are a mixed bag but I can identify with need to showcase the “science, skill and service” Amateur Radio Ops can provide.

Some backstory…⌗

2024 was my first year as a General and operating in Field Day was a contributing force behind earning my upgrade. Consequently, it was also a proof of concept for my portable operating. Using a homebrew end-fed antenna, fishing pole used as a mast and an IC-705 I was able to make contacts across the nation. It was the first time I was able to experience 20 meters during contest conditions and I barely knew what I was doing.

One interaction between a few hams that day would set the tone for Field Day going forward.

Station Calling CQ: "CQ Field Day. This is ***** calling CQ Field Day."
Unknown Second Station: "Frequency is in use old man!!"
Unknown Third Station: "It's Field Day! Every frequency is in use!"

All the rhetoric I’d heard about proper operating procedures seemingly tossed out in the presence of a not-a-contest contest.

2025⌗

With the lessons learned from last years event and 13 completed Parks on the Air activations I would undoubtedly be more prepared.

A few goals for this year:

  • Operate multiple bands. (Last year was just 20 and 10 meters.)
  • Operate multiple transmitters. (Last year was just a single TX.)
  • Multiple antenna types. (wire and vertical.)
  • Work 17 and 80 meters.
  • QRP!

Goals in mind and fellow operator N7DEV in tow we headed to Mt. Charleston to escape the Southern Nevada heat.

Station Configurations⌗

First order of business was to get the first station online. N7DEV will be operating 10 meters. Original idea was to run the Chameleon CHA-BV but I quickly realized I could not get that into tune on 10. 20 and 17 were fine but the SWR would quickly climb to over 4 when adjusted near 28400khz. Later I would consult the manual and learn I needed to shorten the radials to achieve 10 meters but in the moment it was time to fall back to the second antenna option, an EFHW.

A wire was in the air! Progress! Now let’s see if the band is alive. Bringing up the waterfall display revealed no signals across the entire Technician portion of the band. Nothing to worry about yet as the event hadn’t officially begun yet. Leaving N7DEV with some tips to familiarize himself with the IC-705 I moved on to set up my operating position.

I’ll be operating the Elecraft Kx2 and a 35.5’ random wire from the bed of my truck. This trusty combo has served me well for multiple POTA activations. The receiver, parametric mic eq and voice keyer really are the showpieces in the Kx2.

Working out the bugs.⌗

Once both stations were online and transmitting the second issue of the day appeared.

Receiver Overload

This was a problem I was vaguely aware of but figured it would not be an issue due to working low power and working different bands. Facing my mistake head on I quickly determined I could operate 40 meters with no impact to N7DEV on 10. With that solved the only thing left was to await the official start.

And here we go.⌗

N7DEV brought some excellent Finkbombs to enjoy while the event officially kicked off. Cheers! Anyone for Tiki Bars on the Air (TBOTA)? Weekly TikiNet?

11AM Pacific rolled around and 10 meters was quiet, the band scope showed no activity. I had feared the band would just not be cooperating today. In contrast, 40 meters was alive and significantly less crowded than 20. I decided to keep my station on 40 for the remainder of the event.

With a few contacts in the log on 40 we started to hear 10 wake up. A fairly local station (KJ7JKJ) located in nearby Las Vegas was calling CQ but not for Field Day…
We’ll take it.

A short while later Victor Echo stations are heard and VE7NOR is the first 10m Field Day QSO.

Back on 40 we’ve added UT,ID and AZ to the log and multiple sub-sections of CA. This is going well…then we hear it.

This is November Seven Oscar Sierra, Microsoft Radio Club. CQ Field Day.

Dropping my station mic and immediately heading over to the 10 meter station to throw out my call.

N7OS: K7JSX we are 3 Alpha Western Washington
K7JSX: N7OS we are 2B NV and big fans of Windows Vista on this end.

We had just worked MicroHAMS, a club comprised of Microsoft Employees. It may not be the furthest contact but given the opportunity for long time Windows SysAdmins to express gratitude directly to a Microsoft employee, it will absolutely be the most memorable.

Some stats.⌗

I had intended to work more on 17 meters and at least attempt 80 meters but these goals were just not in the cards this year. Something to attempt for Winter Field Day…

Here’s the final counts…

Band QSO Count
40m 43 SSB
20m 8 SSB
10m 24 SSB

While I do not gauge the success of the operation by these numbers, this marks a 108% increase in total QSOs from the previous year and I consider that progress a success.

Lessons Learned.⌗

We quickly learned a few things:

  • Bandpass filters.
    This is simply a requirement for operating transmitters in such close proximity. I had not understood this as a viable concern while preparing for the event. Even QRP power levels are more than enough to overload the receiver of a nearby station. A collection of bandpass filters will need to sourced before attempting multiple transmitters again.

  • Contingency Antennas
    The original idea of running a vertical for 10 meters failed due to my misunderstanding of the Chameleon CHA-BV radial system. I had falsely assumed only the whip section needed to be tuned but consulting the manual revealed the radial elements required substantial shortening. While the end-fed stepped in to save the day it was not originally my intention to bring it along. Always bring alternates!

Until next time…⌗

Despite the on-air chaos that is Field Day, I look forward to participating again the in the future. It not only serves as a operating exercise but also the opportunity to share it with friends and get outside.