UPDATE - January 20

Yesterday Jesse (W1BBT), Mark (WM3R) and Jerry (N5SGM) did a mock setup for the Mobile Operations Center. They were able to test working off grid and ensured that we would be able to operate on various bands including 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2 and the elusive 1.25m band on 223.5mhz. Weather looks as if it will be taking a turn for the worse, meaning Mother Nature will ensure we get the full Winter Field Day experience. For those that will be playing from home, we will be using the repeater to spot where we are at, so be sure to listen for our announcements.

UPDATE - January 22

The WFD team has been monitoring the weather situation for this weekend and will make a go/no-go decision this evening. Updates will be posted here once a decision is made and a bulk email notice will be sent out.

UPDATE - January 22

After watching the weather forecast for the past few days, we are a GO for Winter Field Day this year. Conditions will be safe enough to get the Mobile Operations Center to and from the site, so there will be a crew manning the radios. If you are participating in WFD from home, listen to the 146.640 repeater for frequencies and modes we are operating on. That will especially help us meet the minimum contacts required for credit on the 6m, 2m, 1.25m and 70cm bands. Keep track of how well KARS is doing by visiting World Radio League under Contesting / Winter Field Day.

UPDATE - January 24

WFD is in full swing up here at City Park and the Agricultural Museum. Jesse (W1BBT) and Mark (WM3R) toughed out a pretty cold day in the MCO, while Jerry (N5SGM) and Rick (N5RCT) sat comfortable in the Pioneer Cabin. Getting to the location this morning was fairly easy since temps were just above freezing, but the rain came down pretty good while we were setting up the tent and antennas. The temp under the tent wasn't too bad, until the wind picked up. We eventually just lowered it and used it to cover outside equipment. Using a combination of propane heat and electic heat with the generator we managed to get the temp in the trailer up to 65 degrees at one point. We've made 52 QSOs so far, and accomplished many of the objectives including making at least 3 contacts on 6 bands! Thanks to those who were listening to the repeater and were able to make contact with us over simplex. Although the plan was to spend the night in the trailer, we chose to opt for safety due to the inability to keep the trailer warm enough. Jesse & Jerry will be at the Agricultural Museum overnight as conditions in the morning may prevent an early return to finish out WFD.

FINAL UPDATE - January 25

Another Winter Field Day complete. Boy did Mother Nature come through to ensure we got the full test of winter. Last night an ice storm came through the area. Thick ice on the antennas, locks to the trailer frozen solid, you name it. Even with those challenges we did very well getting 67% of the objectives and 69 QSOs for a total score of 1360. Official results have been posted to Winter Field Day website.