The beginning of June marks the unofficial start of Summer. There are still the various state QSO parties you can work (see Contest Calendar dot com), but the weather is finally nice! Wouldn’t you rather get out of your shack and operate in the great outdoors? June is a great month to operate VHF/UHF from a mountaintop, QRP portable from a picnic table, or with your friends on Field Day.
June Contests
ARRL June VHF Contest [1800Z June 8 to 0259Z June 10]
Exchange: Maidenhead grid square (RST is optional)
Go to the top of a mountain with your all-band, all-mode radio. I’ve done VHF contests QRP with an FT-817 (now being sold as the FT-818). These radios are not very economical with your batteries, but since I was driving to the top of the mountains when I did this I could bring all the power I wanted. No problem! Other radios such as the FT-857D offer the same all-band and all-mode features but have 100 watts.
I’ve always been partial to Icom radios (if I can’t use an Elecraft), so the IC-7000 was a go-to radio for me. Same deal with being something of a power-pig. But, if you’re operating from your car then you have no problem.
Finally, if you do have a hankering for Elecraft, the KX-3 can take an internal 2-meter module that allows you to run on both 6m and 2m. If you can’t bring a whole power plant worth of power with you then this is an excellent option.
ARRL Field Day [1800 June 22 to 2100Z June 23]
Exchange: 11A NH (“11 Alpha New Hampshire” on phone)
The NARS club is going all-out (again) this year planning an 11A. There is so much going on for this event that I won’t even try to give you a synopsis here. To catch up go to the Field Day page and see the fine article written by Fred.
I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful Field Day can be to someone a little tentative on the air. Field Day is a very relaxed event, and there will be a whole host of Elmers present that WANT you to get into the game. We will sit with you, explain everything, let you make some contacts, give suggestions and encouragement, and generally have fun because YOU are having fun!
Please come to the June main membership meeting, and the June Tech Night to receive the full orientation. If you can’t make those meetings, no worries. The point of the meetings is to help the members feel comfortable and informed (and safe) during the event. There will be additional instruction before on-air activities begin.
Until next time
This concludes the June contest notes. I hope all of you with a portable radio will try to get outside and make a few contacts. SOTA, POTA, and IOTA all have programs that reward the adventurous. Get out there and get a little sunshine!
Scott, NE1RD