FARA Field Day 2023:
2023 was the first year since COVID that FARA operated in class 2A (two transmitters) during Field Day. Thirty-four people signed in during the event. A good-sized crew showed up at the club container on Friday to load and transport the gear to the school site. Preliminary setup of the towers and related items was completed Friday. Mike-KC1HKW, brought scaffolding and platforms to make installing the beams on the towers much easier and safer. On Saturday, the towers were raised, coaxial cables run and stations setup. Ralph, N1YHS brought the communications trailer from storage and set it up on-site. Jim, "Killer Mouse Electric" provided the generators and propane. We were ready to go well before the 1400 start time on Saturday.
The traditional Saturday cookout was well attended. Mike-KC1HKW organized the food and beverages for the entire weekend. Jim, KC1KM, made his usual sausage and egg breakfast early Sunday morning with assistance from Charlie, K1CB. Gene-KX1C, cooked on Saturday and the "leftovers" lunch on Sunday.
ARRL Section Manager Jon McCombie-N1ILZ and ARRL Eastern Division Director Fred Kemmerer-AB1OC visited on Friday. FCTV visited the site and interviewed Chris-WA1CMR. The interview will be posted on the FARA website when a copy is available. State Representative Steve Xiarhos visited with a copy of the proclamation of Amateur Radio Day in Massachusetts.
Mel-KC1ELB, Henry-K1WCC, George-K1GRH, Ralph-N1YHS, Patrick-KC1SBO, and Jeremy-WA1JRC operated the SSB station. They made 621 SSB (voice) contacts working on 20 and 40 meters. Greg-W1KM, Nelson-W1CN, and Tom-K1TH made 1,146 CW (Morse code) contacts working 15, 20, and 40 meters. Larry-W1IZZ, made one satellite contact via the ISS. Chris-WA1CMR, setup and manned the GOTA station.
Contacts were made in 48 of 50 states, 12 of 14 Canadian provinces, and 11 countries, including China, and one through the ISS (space station).
FARA's Field Day score is a mixture of points for contacts, and bonus points for completing various items that promote or demonstrate amateur radio:
Contacts:
CW - 1,146 x 2 points per contact = 2,292 points
SSB - 621 x 1 point per contact = 621 points
Total contact points 2,913 x 2 (power multiplier) = 5,826 points
Bonus points = 1,150 points (includes 100 points for the satellite contact)
Claimed Score = 6,976 points
This is good score for a 2A operation, particularly considering that we did not operate for the full 24 hour period. Band conditions were also not optimal.
FARA Field Day 2023 was successful thanks to all of the volunteers who contributed their time, effort, and expertise.
Field Day 2024 is just around the corner. Save the dates now, June 21-23, 2024. (always the 4th full weekend in June)
A few photos of Field Day 2023 are below. Additional photos are in slideshow format on the bottom left of the website homepage.
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 Loading gear from the club container |
 Tower setup with TH5 beam installed |
 Mel operating SSB |
 Greg operating CW |
 Jim and Charlie preparing Sunday breakfast |
