OAUSA Net - June 8, 2023 - Field Day 2023

[DaveK]

Field Day 2023

Field Day is almost here, and, our 2023 Field Day will mark our 16th consecutive year of participation. In 2009, we obtained our official Club Callsign of K6OAU (the OAU standing for Outdoor Adventure USA), and have been using it ever since. We value Amateur Radio for a number of reasons, including emergency/disaster situations, communication in remote areas (where no cell phone coverage exists), APRS, vehicle navigation off-road, hiking, and many others. We will use this net to highlight the value of Ham radio, and why it can be valuable for you too. We also intend to highlight the unique way we operate for this event. Just as important, we will discuss why visiting, and hopefully participating in, a Field Day, can be to your advantage.

While we naturally promote our Field Day, we recognize that some want a different experience or one that is closer to home. For whatever reason, we believe that Field Day holds important information for every Ham Radio operator. That information includes getting to know fellow Hams and their Amateur Radio groups in your community, seeing first hand the capabilities of our communications, and, hopefully, planting a seed to equip you and your family with the means to communicate in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency. Whether you attend our event or not, we encourage all Hams to visit a Field Day this year. And, in that regard, you can check this link to locate an event nearest to you: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you choose to join our event, more information and sign-ups are available here: https://forums.oausa.net/viewtopic.php? ... 501#p37675

[DaveK]

I believe that it was Fred R. Barnard who coined the phrase, "A picture is worth a thousand words." But, while Fred was making a good point, there is much more to it than that, because a picture can convey details and emphasis that mere words cannot. And, pictures create emotional reactions that also make points, that words cannot. What follows are pictures of our various activities from past Field Day events that convey, much better than words, why our brand of Field Day events is unique.

RADIO OPERATING

Field Day Stations 1.JPG (206.77 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

Field Day Stations 2.JPG (208.05 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

IMG_1117 (Large).JPG (168.03 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

IMG_1103 (Large).JPG (137.27 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

IMG_1101 (Large).JPG (128.88 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

IMG_1099 (Large).JPG (163.11 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

IMG_1092 (Large).JPG (107.98 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

FD-5.jpg (818.01 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

FD-4.jpg (840.28 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

FD-3.jpg (858.65 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

FD-2.jpg (1.02 MiB) Viewed 4444 times

FD-1.jpg (765 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

IMG_3125.JPG (2.39 MiB) Viewed 4442 times

New Ham.jpg (508.16 KiB) Viewed 4442 times

IMG_3128.JPG (2.45 MiB) Viewed 4442 times

CAMP

Camp 4.JPG (186.64 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

Camp 1.JPG (174.82 KiB) Viewed 4444 times

KIMG0357.JPG (1.04 MiB) Viewed 4442 times

KIMG0355.JPG (1.15 MiB) Viewed 4442 times

KIMG0346.JPG (1.22 MiB) Viewed 4442 times

KIMG0338.JPG (1.21 MiB) Viewed 4442 times

KIMG0336.JPG (1.16 MiB) Viewed 4442 times

FD-SF 2019-3.jpg (89.08 KiB) Viewed 4435 times

WINE TASTING /APPETIZERS / SOCIAL HOUR

Apps-1.JPG (904.97 KiB) Viewed 4442 times

Apps-2.JPG (688.66 KiB) Viewed 4442 times

App-3.JPG (981.17 KiB) Viewed 4442 times

Happy Hour-Appetizers - Wine Tasting.jpeg (1.42 MiB) Viewed 4432 times

Wine Expert.jpg (715.26 KiB) Viewed 4442 times

[DaveK]

CONTINUED................


HOT SAUCE TASTINGS

KIMG0381 (Large).jpg (204.69 KiB) Viewed 4435 times

KIMG0410 (Large).jpg (203.76 KiB) Viewed 4435 times

AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE TESTING

License Testing-1.JPG (1.54 MiB) Viewed 4403 times

License Testing.JPG (1.09 MiB) Viewed 4403 times

GREAT CUISINE AND GREAT CHEFS

Pot luck 1.jpg (1.35 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

Pot luck 2.jpg (1.37 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

Pot luck 3.jpg (1.22 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

Pot luck 4.jpg (1.26 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

Quad Chocolate Cake.jpeg (1.84 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

Kitchen-1.jpg (2.1 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

IMG_0215 (Large).JPG (152.25 KiB) Viewed 4434 times

IMG_3131.JPG (3.19 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

COFFEE TASTINGS

Jack and John's Coffee House on Wheels.jpeg (2.67 MiB) Viewed 4435 times

TRAIL RUNS

20191005_101718.jpg (351.84 KiB) Viewed 4435 times

Trail runs.jpg (201.25 KiB) Viewed 4434 times

Miller Jeep Trail-1.JPG (3.94 MiB) Viewed 4434 times

Miller Jeep Trail-2.JPG (185.16 KiB) Viewed 4434 times

RELAXING

FD-6.jpg (997.75 KiB) Viewed 4434 times

IMG_1078 (Large).JPG (190.38 KiB) Viewed 4435 times

FD-1.jpg (969.99 KiB) Viewed 4435 times

FD-9.jpg (961.61 KiB) Viewed 4435 times

[attachment=13]IMG_1097 (Large).JPG

[KK6DYO]

Product Spotlight: LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePo Mini Battery

Field Day often means figuring out a way to power a radio for a couple of days off the grid. What better way than a lightweight battery of fairly substantial capacity?

I came across this review on YouTube from Hobotech regarding a new LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePo battery. Such batteries are approaching commodity status, but this one was claimed to be a "Mini". Hobotech seems to provide trustworthy, complete reviews with detailed tests on various products related to off-grid power.

LiTime 100Ah Mini.png (257.61 KiB) Viewed 4427 times

Comparing to a 100Ah LiFePo Renogy battery, this LiTime "Mini" with discount code was $350 compared to the Renogy's $620, it weighed 27% less (26 v 19 pounds), and was 17% smaller. The Renogy has other nice features such as self-heating when the temperature drops below 40 degrees and Bluetooth monitoring (if you buy a separate dongle), but I was interested in a cheaper and smaller "dumb" battery. (Note: My controller has a temperature sensor to avoid charging LiFePo batteries in low temperatures.)

LiTime 100Ah Mini Physical.png (333.86 KiB) Viewed 4427 times

The overall electrical specs are similar to the Renogy battery. Note that while charging a LiFePo battery below 32 degrees is not good, you can still use (discharge) one down to -4 degrees.

LiTime 100Ah Mini Specs.png (102.26 KiB) Viewed 4427 times

Based on Hobotech's positive review, especially testing battery capacity and maximum discharge rate, I purchased one. So far, it has worked very well. My main purpose is to use it to collect solar power during the day at camp for transfer to a power station during the evening / night, and possibly to run an electric blanket.

I noticed today that a Renogy battery maintained 14.2V a week after charging to 14.4V while the LiTime battery dropped within 15 minutes to 13.7V after charging. I'm not yet sure what this means.

Link to battery web page: LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePo Mini Battery. Currently unavailable until June 20.


For reference: Jim AG6IF's (R.I.P.) Review of Miady Battery which convinced me that cheap LiFePo batteries could be acceptable quality.

[KA9WDX]

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie

[Diesel4x]

Please check in
Randy KF6KOC and
Becky KF6RGR

thanks!

[AK6DH]

Please check in David AK6DH

[lrsrngr]

Good evening! Online check-in for KK6CTT please: 06/08/23

[Geoff]

Please check me in tonight.

[AK6DH]

The Antelope Valley Amateur Radio Club (K6OX) will be holding its Field Day in Wrightwood at the Mountain High North Resort Parking lot. Starting 10am on 24th thru 10am on 25th. Various stations set-up: GOTA (Get On The Air) a station where anyone can talk on the radio or even do some Morse Code, info table, Microwave radio info, education area where Hams will answer any questions. All are welcome to explore the hobby. Email for info officers@k6ox.club