AC4XO Field Day 2001

The Adventure Continues

This is the fourth year I've done a single op, low-power Field Day event. There was little new this year in terms of equipment, but my QSO rate improved, and I was more relaxed.

This all started in 1998 when I decided to build a QRP rig and work Field Day with it. The story is here. I also have pages for Field Day 1999 and Field Day 2K. Last year's story describes the basic setup.

This is the first year I was able to key the rig from the laptop, but I mostly used the paddle. I also tried to use the 10M double extended Zepp for 80M. The antenna tuned on 80, but it was not a very good antenna. I made one 80M contact. I was able to repair my 20M band module before Field Day, so I didn't have to borrow one from WA4DOX.

I worked 234 stations on 80M, 40M, 20M, and 15M and qualify for the emergency power and natural power bonuses, so my unofficial score is 2540 points. Last year, I made 2400 points with 100 extra bonus points. I operated less time this year, and my average QSO rate was up, although my maximum rate was only up a little.

Thanks to Sue Ellen, KD4LQO, who helped set up the canopy and took some of the photographs.