Outdoor Adventure USA

Field Day / Summer Fest Wrap-Up

The event was a success, and probably the best we have seen in the 10 years we have been doing this. We will break down the event by categories during the net, and discuss the various reasons why our unique brand of Field Day is so successful. We will post pictures and links which, we hope, will let you know just how the weekend went.

This net isn't just about our event. We know that there are hundreds of others, and we invite anyone who did a Field Day to join in the discussion. Remember, pictures are encouraged.

Before we get too far, we need to give a huge thank you to Kevin for all his efforts to scout out the camp and to organize the many things that we enjoyed!!!!!

PICTURES ARE WORTH THOUSANDS OF WORDS

We occupied most of the Mt Pinos Campground, and that meant that there were a lot of campers. The breakdown of categories below are, camp, Ham Shack, views from camp, and kitchens. Of course there are some crossovers, but these pictures should give everyone a very good idea of the event.

The pictures below were of everyone's camp (I think), and were taken very early in the morning, well before the coffee pot were brewing.

FIELD DAY HAM SHACK



KITCHENS



CAMP


VIEWS FROM CAMP

WHAT YOU ARE MISSING

Kevin and Jeff kept an excellent running account of the weekend in the link which follows. If the adult beverages, the meals, the appetizers, the deserts, the coffee, and the specialty drinks don't pique your interest, check to make sure you have a pulse. Get the full picture here: viewtopic.php?f=215&t=4257. CHECK IT OUT!!!!!

Here is just a sample of the cuisine:

Field day was great just a few photos here.

Early morning arrival
Morning View from camp.
One of many field day stations.

FIELD DAY ENFORCER

Even though the Ham shack was situated at 7,800+ feet, we still needed to get the antennas in the air to maximize our performance for Field Day. While masts worked well, we had one hombre that insisted on stringing his wire antennas in the trees. With the help of a custom made potato assault gun, he strung some impressive antennas (actually, no potatoes were harmed during the entire weekend).

MAKE MY DAY

VERY SPECIAL GUEST

Field Day is a huge national event which is very well attended every year, in the last full weekend of June. The ARRL says this about the event:

Field Day is ham radio's open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

All stations operate in a particular section, whose Manager oversees the various Field Day operations. Our location put us in the Santa Barbara section, managed by John Kitchens, NS6X. The Santa Barbara Section consists of the California coastal counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. It is part of the Southwestern Division and is bounded by the Santa Clara Section to the North, the San Joaquin Valley Section to the East, and the Los Angeles Section to the South.

On Saturday, John visited us and spent a good part of the afternoon seeing our operation and getting to know our various members. We really enjoyed having him visit. John - Thank you!!!!

SPECIAL MERIT BADGE

Just in case you are still not sure whether our brand of Field Day is unique, we submit a very special contribution made by Jack and John. On Saturday they whipped up a large chilled coffee drink for everyone in camp (and there were a lot.) This particular drink probably goes by a number of names, but Starbucks calls it a Mocha Frappuccino. Topped with whipped cream, and by whatever name it assumes, it was a pure delight. Jack and John, many, many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The baristas at work:

4-Wheel Drive Run

Sun Rise over the camp on Saturday Morning On Saturday 5 vehicle made a 4WD run to the towers on top of Frazier Mountain.
Trails 118 and 119 are very scenic and 119 had a few steep inclines with rocks.


The best surprise on the trail was a sharp switch back. So sharp that there was actually a cul-de-sac to turn around in so you faced the correct direction for the next leg.

We were also pleasantly surprised to find a 2A station at the top. We spend a good deal of time talking to the operators.
I could not get far enough away to take a picture of the top of the antenna.

Check me in please. Haven’ Been able to catch the net in awhile. Up early for work and you guys are 3 hour difference than me.

KN6FPT

Please check me in.

Field Day was a bunch of fun. Thanks to everyone that attended as that is what made the event.

Great food.
Great people.
Great camp.
Great weather.
Great networking with so many like minded individuals.