Winter Field Day has come and gone, and while the bands might have been buzzing, my own experience was… well, let’s call it “educational.” It wasn’t the pileups or dx contacts I was envisioning, but rather a stark reminder of the importance of preparation. Along with a splash of reality on some of my own expectations and experience.
The Concept of Winter Field Day
You know how it goes, we all have those grand plans, picturing ourselves sending out our callsign from some frosty vista. My vision was no different, however, my execution left a little something to be desired. Let’s just say my “operational output” this year was pretty minimal.
But first - Chores?????
I had planned on spending the whole weekend operating, either from a local park or the location of my Ham Radio Club. But Saturday morning comes and I do a bunch of other chores. I work on the laundry, I get my son to Hockey Practice (yes we have Hockey here in North Texas). I do a few honey-do-tasks my wife asked for. I did anything except prepare, pack and get out and on the air. I really don’t know why I did this?
My guess is that it was part fear, part shyness, part who knows what. But I do thank my wife for kicking me out of the house and to go get on the air.
A detour for a Small Confession
I’ve had a Ham Radio License for about 4 years. First a Technician’s license then in summer of 2023 I passed my Generals test. In all of this time I’ve had a lot of fun with HT’s on 2M and 70cm etc. Operating on repeaters, hotspots and the like, but I have not operated on HF.
To be honest, a big part of my lack of planning stemmed from my own inexperience and, dare I say, a touch of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. I sometimes find myself hesitant to get on the air, worrying about not doing things “right” or messing up a contact. This fear, coupled with not knowing exactly what I needed, definitely contributed to my delays both in preparing for and actually operating during Winter Field Day. Recognizing this has been a crucial step for me, and it’s one I’m determined to overcome in the coming year.
But I did get out there and I finally did make a couple of contacts. So maybe I just need to get out and on the air more? More about that later…
Back to WFD and Issues right from the start
My problems started before I even hit the field. It turns out, despite all the planning (or lack thereof!), my equipment was woefully unprepared. My radio and laptop were not playing nicely together. Missing cables, forgotten adapters, software that needed updates I didn’t have. It felt like a comedy of errors and a real test of my patience. I was spending more time fiddling with connections and settings than actually making contacts!
The Silver Lining
But, every cloud has a silver lining, right? While my radio wasn’t singing, I did have the opportunity to meet some fantastic new faces. It was great to share tips, and just soak up the camaraderie of the local ham community. This alone made the trip worthwhile. I was reminded that this hobby is as much about the people as it is about the technology. I got to pick some brains, and hopefully, learn from more experienced operators.
Thunder before…..
So with equipment struggles and weather moving into the area, I ended up packing up and heading home. At this point nothing had worked, made a total of ZERO contacts, so I was pretty upset.
But when I got home we still had some sun (albeit cold temperatures). So I grabbed my 891 and laptop put up a vertical antenna and fired up FT8. The radio and laptop were still not playing nice, but I got it figured out and made a couple of contacts. Success!!!
Now Looking Back
This whole experience, while not the operating triumph I had dreamed of, has actually fueled my motivation for 2025. I’m not going to let a little (okay, a lot of) disorganization and frustration get me down. I’m declaring 2025 as the year I really get myself out there and operate! My main goal is to work more regular on-air time.
Prepare, Test, Practice, Repeat….
This all starts with preparation! So, I’m embarking on a mission: Modular Packs. I want to create several grab-and-go packs, each meticulously curated for different scenarios. One pack for my portable HF rig, another for VHF/UHF, and maybe even a dedicated one for emergency situations. The goal is that when I’m ready to grab a radio and go, I’ll know that everything I need in convenient, organized package. No more rummaging for forgotten cables or hoping that I’ve got the correct adapter.
So, consider this post my “official” announcement! In 2025, I’m aiming for more QSOs, less frustration, and, most importantly, more time spent enjoying our amazing hobby. What about you? Did you learn any lessons during Winter Field Day? What are your radio goals for 2025? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
73,
Chris - K5CTW