Link to study guide by Dan Romanchik - KB6NU

[KK4HGY-Ron]

You can use the link below to download the free PDF version of the guide or to purchase the ebook or printed and bound version of the guide.

http://www.kb6nu.com/tech-manual

[KK4HGY-Ron]

Please give your wife a big THANK YOU for being a test subject.

[kb6nu]

Thanks for your kind words about my study guides. They're now available as e-books, too. For information on that, go to www.kb6nu.com/tech-manual.

I'm almost finished with the Extra Class study guide. That should be ready by the end of September. As I've been writing it, I've been posting excerpts to my blog, www.kb6nu.com.

73!

Dan KB6NU

[KK4HGY-Ron]

Well you have  helped thousands of people, including me,  become HAMs with your great study guides.  Thank you so much for that.  I will dig right into the exerpts on your log and your Extra Class study guide when it is published.

[Pat-WA4VKD]

Ron - I downloaded the free Tech PDF to get a feel for study guides. Its time to get serious about upgrading HI

[KK4HGY-Ron]

Yes it is Pat.  Let me know what you think about using the guide for the Technician class.  I think it is just what we  need.  Students can download and print their own copy or buy one already printed.  I also like it because the same author has guides for General and Extra Class.   I bought the Extra Class Guide and am hoping I can test at Field Day.

[Steve N2CEI]

We are going to have Testing at Field day again?  I don't want to be a party pooper but  that seamed to be a bit counter productive last year as far as having people to operate and man the station. AND-- When some of us did walk around, we got Shushed"! Not at field day guys! No Shushing allowed!   The 24 hr period of Field Day  is to get everyone operating with the clubs call and learning how set up and operate. Yes its nice to upgrade, but that can be done anytime. FD is once a year.  THEN-- there were not enough "Bodies"  out front handling the Media, the traffic our banner will be attracting, and  answering general questions. I had a Voice recorder  stuck in my face while I was calling  CQ on 20M  last year because the media had no one else to talk to.  That should not happen.  So-- I'm not for using the available "Man power"  at field day for a testing session. Yes, it has great appeal, but only if we have more than 6-8  people  (minimum) holding the station down to start with.  It would be great to have the testing material around for show and tell, in fact thats what the Media should have seen but they didn't because  no one gave them the Tour or there was a test in session when they were there  and could not disturb it with questions. So-- we need to figure out and plan out job assignments for set up,  operators, and Tour Guides.
 

[KK4HGY-Ron]

Good point about the testing Steve, and as you know, the Extra Exam takes 3 Extra Class VE's so that would tie up our most experienced and knowledgeable hams. 

Maybe we need to assign you, Randy, Pat and any other operator an assistant to field questions from the media so they don't interfere with you all making QSO's.

[Steve N2CEI]

Well, Thats another point. I can't speak for Randy or Pat, BUT-- I don't need to go to Field day to operate. The operators  should be those that don't have the opportunity to play radio at home because of various reasons such as, No radio or  No licensee to operate on  20 or 40 M. I have no problem being the  "Front Man"  but not while I have a Microphone in my hand.  This exercise should be for those of us  that have,  to show and  teach and for those that don't have , to do and learn.   

[KK4HGY-Ron]

Well I have only been at this for a year and you and Randy and Pat have been at it (together) for about 100 years, so I am looking to you all for advice on how to get the most bang for the buck.  However, that X 2 multiplier for CW contacts makes me hope you all can spend some quality time racking up some points too.

[Steve N2CEI]

Well, No problem on CW. If some one wants to play, I'll help. BUT-- Field Day is not a real contest or competition. Its an exhibition of what a station can do. Last year was the first time I have ever operated on 20m and I have not been on since. Its just not my cup of Tea!  BUT-- some through the experience of field day could find out for them selves what they like or dislike. It would be great for some club members  if they wish to experience some aspect , they should speak up and  let  all know!   Ron, you want CW contacts?  Well, ------ there will plenty of beginners on the air using what ever skills they may have (or not have)  attempting  to make contacts. You want to throw the N4SVC call into the pile up?   

[KK4HGY-Ron]

Well if they award points for QSO's and publish a list of the clubs ranked in point order, it sure sounds like a contest to me.  It is good to step back and ask what do we want to accomplish at Field Day though.

As far as pile ups with 5wpm novices, I am guessing that all you experienced CW'ers avoid that like the plague and have your own quiet spot you all gather at.

[Steve N2CEI]

Pile Ups are pile ups. BUT--in real contests, you make a decision if its worth possibly wasting your time with slower ops. Don't get me wrong, I'm not worth a crap above 20-22 WPM in a contest ( Call sign and Exchange) If you are exchanging Name and QTH 15- 18 WPM is a push for me. BUT-  The good ones motor along @ 30+!
During field Day, you take the time to work the 5 WPM stations because thats what it is for and therefore not a real contest  to contesters!  Yes , you keep track  of score and there are Grudges, but-- I have never ran across anyone bragging about how they won Field Day!  Field Day is about making QSO's and then seeing what your score is. A contest is making QSO's, and adjusting your operation to increase you score as fast and as much as possible.  That means  some times skip over slow ops and  local QSO's then look for new multipliers and DX.  Its a different mentality. 

[KK4HGY-Ron]

Thanks for explaining that Steve.  As soon as we get  a group together that is interested in participating in Field Day we will have a meeting and I am looking forward to getting input from you and all the other experienced hams.

[AJ4RW]

What field day means to me and the way it was presented to me many years ago was an event where amateur radio could engage in camaraderie while enjoying a common interest, amateur radio.   The public is invited so that we (club) can demonstrate goodwill and the fun of amateur radio.  Some make it a contest environment but that's just an extra.  Keeping score always adds a little extra to the pot but is irrelevant to the meaning of field day.  Ron, it doesn't matter the CW speed you use, in fact I would like to see the speed stay under 10 WPM so that "YOU RON" could use a straight key.  That's the traditional Morse code key recognized around the world by common folk.  KISS (keep it simple stupid) works real well for me.  This whole statement is my own opinion.
Randy