We were very lucky with the weather - it remained dry although at one point on Sunday rain was threatened. Because of the Foot and Mouth crisis it was somewhat of a last minute decision to run the contest and this clearly showed in the low number of /p stations operating in the UK. We decided to run an HF station as well since this would hopefully attract more of our members to join us at some point over the weekend. This proved to be a good idea and although we did not formally enter the SSB field day there was plenty of activity in the HF tent (doubled up as the mess tent).
I had a good try at stuffing the valve, see lessons learned below!!! Other repairs which had been carried out to the Linear, Pre-amp and our Power Meter seemed ok since we had no repeat of the '99 VHFNFD when everything failed. To overcome the pager breakthrough a re-tuned, very high quality, cavity was inserted between the 225 and the linear. I was lucky to pick up two of these units, which must have cost hundreds of pounds to make, at the Dunstable Downs Car Boot this year.
The HF station used the clubs equipment and the G5RV. This line up always works very well once the auto tuner operation is mastered. It was powered by the club's generator, which was found to cause serious interference to the VHF station so I suppose it's just as well that it had a terminal failure on Sunday (see lessons learned).
Thank You to the following (Not in order of importance). Mike Addlesee M0BLP for arranging for the pump up masts and the food (and drink) goodies. Helen and Martin G8OFA (ex chairman) Cranage for making the long trip from Salisbury. Judith, my long-suffering yl and now xyl, for the food goodies and moral support. The Lacy family for permission to use the site. I do so hope the Chairman has attended to the personal thank you by now !!!, (and obtained outline permission for future activity). Ian Alexander G4AKD for linear mods. The Committee for sanctioning expenditure and their support on the day. John Parmenter G0TIL , John Bonner G0GKP, Ian Alexander G4AKD for transport and helping me return the equipment to the club shack on Sunday evening despite the three of them being OAP's, even JB had to stop for drag on his pipe. (How are the knees Ian? Did my frozen shoulder a power of good as well.) The lovely homemade cookies from the Platts. Roy Henson M1GRT for collect and return of the hire generator. Clive Hollins M5CHH for bringing the club generator (why no take it back Clive?).
By the way, congratulations to Belinda and Helen for outstanding exam results. Some of you will remember George Benton's views on parents and children, how right he was.
Finale. Will you please remember Cambridge Tool Hire at :- 29, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge 01223- 323668, who once again sponsored the weekend with the generator as they have done for many of our events over the last 15 years. They have a huge range of equipment to hire and I would hope that club members use or at least try them for any hire requirements.