Thanks, Colin, and your priorities are absolutely on target.
The frustrating thing for me was that the software worked flawlessly Friday
night, but such is the nature of the computer beast, I guess.
I still think my problem stemmed from the fact that I set things up with the
TS590 at home, and then tried to run the operation on the TS480 out at the
RV.
I had thought that since everything was Kenwood, I would be ok.
Anyway, your overall assessment is a good one, and lots of fun was had by
all.
Will sure sleep well tonight!
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Colin McDonald
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2014 5:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Murphy Lives in Mississippi
Tom:
Good food, good company, and some excellent adult beverages is the absolute
key to any successful field day operation.
The radios, computers and antennas all come in down the list, especially
from that third absolute necesity hi hi.
However, what is field day if you don't have to trouble shoot
something...the whole point is to make sure all your equipment is working
and operational and able to get on the air and make contacts...you obviously
got that part right so all and all, it was totally successful.
And, nice to hear you were actually in the field, using a portible station
rather than most of these crazy contesters that sit in their home shack and
rack up the points.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:21 PM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Murphy Lives in Mississippi
> Mike:
>
> You need to know that Murphy paid us a Field Day visit here in
> Michigan as well.
>
> Right before Field day, a developing family medical situation with my
> wife's mother, and the need to help a family friend with another
> problem cauased some delays, and I didn't get out to the RV until
> approximately 3 p.m.
>
> Then, I discovered a computer glitch with the N3FJP logging software
> that took about an hour to troubleshoot. The glitch involved a
> windows handling exception com port error that was ultimately fixed
> for the most part, but unexpectedly re-appeared a number of times
> throughout the rest of the Field Day operating period. I think the
> com port error stemmed from the fact that I had set up the N3FJP FD
> logging software at home with my TS590 since that was most convenient
> at the time in light of the visit of our grand-kids last week. The
> logging software seemed to perform flawlessly Friday evening, but that
> obviously was not the case later on.
>
> A ham friend and his family also stayed with us at the camper, and,
> since he had helped me put up my DXCC antenna, I wanted to allow
> everyone to make some contacts as well.
>
> The bottom line is that I got 223 contacts in the log. They were
> mainly CW on 20 and 40 meters, with a scattering of phone contacts as
> well. I did use N8OE, our local club call, if any list memember
> happened to hear it.
>
> As you said, the bands were also not in the greatest shape, with 40
> being especially noisy due to thunderstorm QRN.
>
> In summary, the Field Day effort was not a bust, but was a bit of a
> disappointment. However, we had good company, and lots of good food,
> so it wasn't all bad either.
>
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Duke, K5XU [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2014 9:44 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Murphy Lives in Mississippi
>
> Hi, Tom.
>
> We wound up as a 2A operation, rather than the 3A we had planned.
> Even at 2A, both stations were idle too many times due to lack of
operators.
>
> I was running my Kenwood TS570, and a G5RV that was only up about 30
> feet in the center.
>
> I only made 90 CW contacts before I left for the night. Those were all
> on
> 15
> and 40 meters.
>
> The bands are nothing to write home about, as I'm sure you know.
>
> I'm going back out at about 7:00 tomorrow morning.
>
> --
> Mike Duke, K5XU
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