Amherst placed first out of 65 stations throughout the US and Canada in its category which is operating from a 'command center' (there are many operating categories, and the total number of stations is in the thousands). The Amherst Fire District HQ satisfies this requirement. The several operators here contacted 1, 751 stations in all states and most Canadian Provinces in the 24-hour activity. We continuously operated two radios: one on voice (sideband), and the other on code (Morse code). The purpose of this 'Field Day' is to demonstrate the potential usefulness of amateur radio on time of emergency.
A portable solar panel charges a small 12 volt battery which was used to make Morse code contacts during the event. This system could prove invaluable in an emergency if commercial power were not available.
Mike Pagel (Amherst), Mike Gorniak (Minnesota), and Art Wysocki(Stevens Point) watch as one antenna is put in place.
Jasper of Plover operates the Morse code station. Code can be sent either on the keyboard or via a 'paddle' seen to its right. The transceiver (left) transmits with a power of 100 watts and can be powered either from emergency sources or the commercial grid. Contacts are logged on the computer
Mike Pagel of rural Amherst operates the 'phone' (voice) station. He turns the dial on his 100 watt transceiver (right) and logs contacts on the computer
Todd Fonstad of Amherst operates the phone station
Here is most of the crew, all of whom are experienced amateur radio operators. Names and federally-assigned call signs left-to-right are: Mike Pagel, K9UW; Rob Lyon, N8BQV; Mike Gorniak, NM7X; Todd Fonstad, N9NE; and Art Wysocki, N9BCA.
IHere are the two operating positions at the end of the 24-hour event. Lines going out the windows 'feed' the wire antennas strung from utility poles. This station placed first in the USA and Canada in its division with a total of 1,751 stations contacted