When Field Day 2021 occurs 15 months
after a pandemic
This was the 75th anniversary of the San Fernando valley amateur radio club
(W6SD.com) so we acquired the call sign W6S.
The Pierce college campus facilities manager is a ham and he understood the
importance of amateur radio and Field Day. He generously invited us to use the
equestrian center, on the campus, for Field Day.
After months of planning on Zoom meetings we met multiple times at the college
to figure out the logistics. Everyone participating and suggesting where we
should put up radios, antennas, generators, and batteries. Some even wanted a
floor plan mapping out each radio and where the chairs would be placed. In the
end, we decided to play everything by ear and even the number of radios were a
last minute decision.
We spent the Friday before Field Day cleaning the bathrooms and the Air
conditioned trailer. That area of the campus hasn't been used probably in over a
year due to the pandemic.
The morning of Field Day many of us showed up at 8 am, keeping in mind we have
not seen each other in person for 15 months. Some we have not met at all, except
on Zoom. We installed antennas on the parking lot light posts and others set up
antennas on the ground with radials.
In the trailer, operators set up their
radios, power supplies, and laptops. A food table was also set up with drinks
also, in the trailer. The trailer had a small refrigerator where we put
drinks. The campus facilities manager also brought us large buckets of ice to
keep the drinks cold.
After everything was set up, 11:00 am quickly arrived, we had a small problem
getting the generator to work but after that was solved it was time to get on
the radio.
Something was different this year. Everyone sat around and just wanted to talk
to each other and catch up on what we went through in the last 15 months. People
formed small, medium, and even large groups and just wanted to socialize and talk. We
were beginning to realize that this Field Day was unlike any other. The contacts
we wanted to make were with each other and not on the radio. Some people went
outside and talked while others stayed in the trailer that was air conditioned.
Even the ARESNW Field Day site had people sitting around and talking that would
normally be on the radio. Don't get me wrong, they had four or five stations
operating and we're vigorously trying to make contacts.
I brought some Nestle drumstick ice cream cones to their site and they enjoyed
having a frozen treat when it was between 90° and 100° outside.
Back at the college, we had dinner catered by Maria's Italian kitchen. There
were about eight pizzas, an entire tray of spaghetti, and multiple salads.
Typically at Field Day people would take turns stopping on the radio and going
to eat something. This time everyone stopped what they were doing came inside
and we all enjoyed dinner together.
After dinner, I passed out the last few Nestle drumsticks. One of them, I gave
to the facilities coordinator from Pierce college. He really enjoyed having ice
cream when it was about 90° outside.
Then it was time for the cake that was made by Hanson cakes locally. A chocolate
cake with white frosting that had the logo that we just finished designing a
week before. The cake was absolutely delicious and again, everyone stood around
and talked and hesitated to get back on the radio.
We had operators show up after midnight to work DX. Sunday morning we had
visitors and other hams show up, most were excited to socialize with everyone
rather than getting on the radio to make contacts for Field Day.
This was probably the most educational Field Day I've ever intended in 21 years
as a ham. It was fantastic to talk to people in person after 15 months of seeing
their face in a rectangle on Zoom. Hopefully, next year Field Day will return to
be the event to score points and to talk to people across the country and if
you're lucky Canada. This Field Day was definitely an education in socializing
after 15 months of staying at home.
73,
Bernard
kg6fbm
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