Our Camper at the ARCS Field Day Site
The Amateur Radio Club of Savannah voted to hold its annual "Field Day" emergency preparedness exercise, June 24-25, 2006, at the National Guard Recreation Pavilion located at Travis Field.
Beth Ann and I decided to take our camper to the Field Day Site again this year. With Beth Ann in the Trailblazer towing the camper and me in the truck, we left home Saturday morning around 9:30. Within 20 minutes we stopped at the military check-point, presented our ID's, declared our purpose for being there and then were allowed to enter the Pavilion area. Beth Ann parked the camper. The camper was setup, then I was then free to help the other ARCS members with the set-up of antennas and stations. The weather was almost perfect for set-up. There were clear skies, but it was hot and humid. For those who setup, a lunch meat plate was available.
At 2pm, the Amateur Radio Club of Savannah Field Day Station, W4HBB, was "on the air, "calling "CQ Field Day."
While I was involved with the "Field Day" activities, Beth Ann would occasionally come out of the camper to see what was going on.
During the afternoon, ARRL GA Section Manager Susan Swiderski, AF4FO, and her husband Mike, K4HBI, visited our Field Day. We also had 4 baby armadillos and their "Momma" to check out our activities.
Around 6:30pm, dinner was served. WOW!!!! What a spread!!! It was a "covered dish" meal, with the ARCS providing the "fried turkey."...Mmmmmm Good!!!! There were also some delicious desserts.
Later in the evening it began to rain. The Pavilion shelter protected the equipment and operators from the elements.
Radio operations continued sporadically throughout the night. Refreshed operators arrived Sunday morning to help continue operations until around 10:00pm when it began raining again.
The local CBS affiliate, WTOC, came by, shot some video, and did an interview with me, WD4AFY. The presentation turned out nicely, giving a "plug" for amateur radio and the Amateur Radio Club of Savannah. The short segment was aired several times over the weekend.
A little after noon, the rain slacked-up again. Stations and antennas were disassembled and packed away. After helping with the cleanup of the Pavilion facility, Beth Ann and I packed-up the camper and headed home around 2pm.
Here are some pictures taken during Field Day:
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