CW SFARC FIELD DAY RETROSPECTIVE
By Jack Quense K6ZK

Jerry Back (K6JB) and I both pounded brass at our site…well, actually Jerry was using an iambic paddle and did a fine job of it too. To my zero contacts logged over three hours Jerry put in a solid six and logged eight CW contacts! Not only has Jerry set a high bar for next year but we both learned what to expect CW-wise:

- Solid copy at 20 WPM will get you about a third of the potential contacts; a solid 13 WPM will get you 5%-10% and at less than 10 WPM you should just send "CQ" at the speed you can copy and hope that someone will answer.

- The bands are wall-to-wall QSO’s squeezed in so tight that you can hardly tell one from the next. Lots of QRM (man made interference), lots of QRN (static interference) and occasional QSB (fading).

- Filters, particularly narrow CW filters are really important to pull out the stations.

- Know the gear you will be using; if you're able, bring your own.

- Setting filters and adjusting speed is easier on the fly when you are familiar with the radio and equipment.

- A battery powered radio with a 5-watt output may work fine when the bands a quiet and uncrowded but it is not a good choice for working field day.

- Know the band characteristics. During the middle of the day 20- meters is going give San Francisco access to more field day hams than will 40-meters but by sunset the situation is reversed. By 1am you could hear the difference even in the strong 20-meter signals...the band just went. In contrast, 40-meters was wall to wall QSO's at 1am.

- It's cold at night! Don't forget to bring gloves.

- Above all, it's FUN.

See you next year, 73 Jack K6ZQ and Jerry K6JB