@N4JAW@chrisfarnham All right, so I'm thinking about #FieldDay and trying an antenna that is not the usual (hamstick on a mag mount). I don't know if I will be permitted to put anything in the trees or even stood up (e.g., on a tripod) though I will ask...
I have to build or buy whatever I use, and I don't have much time (and no experience) to build...
I also want to keep the cost at a minimum, thoufh I will trade $ for saving build time by buying of reasonable.
Happy my Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 (originally loaded with Microsoft XP, LOL) worked for #hamradio#FieldDay! I love that these machines just keep on running, milspec, could leave it outdoors and running even in cold/damp conditions and not have to worry at all about it. Ran N3JFP software under WINE (not trivial to load, though). Lots of comments about how cool looking the PC was too, LOL. Running #Debian 11!
Whew! Long weekend. Around 50 contacts, as I spent a lot of time coaching new #hamradio amateurs on how to make Field Day contacts. How much money you spend on your rig has zero relationship to your ability to work a radio. My $50 vintage Kenwood TS820S and scrap wire dipole did awesome. #FieldDay#ARRLFieldDay2023
My two daughters helped me call CQ at the end of the event and my 7-year-old worked an entire contact with someone in San Francisco. Maybe we're making some progress here? Thanks @Dot5M for putting up with Field Day this weekend. #ARRLFD#AmateurRadio#HamRadio
Both my daughters (17-year-old KE0YXG and 14-year-old KF0GNS) participated with the local club during setup and then returned late last night to work contacts on 20m. This was their first real field day experience as for the last ten years we have been out camping and hiking in national parks during field day. Both enjoyed their experience and want to join the local club. The 17-year-old heard about SOTA and thought that sounded like fun.
New Mil-Spec 3D printed full legal limit Premium 15m dipole antenna I paid $600 for #FieldDay... err... I mean, scrap wire, wood block, and scavenged SO239 connector antenna which I paid $0 for.