Simple Antennas for the Amateur Radio Operator--a continuing series
FIELD DAY IN HILO, HAWAII The Big Island Amateur Radio Club endured rain, heat, and wind to complete another successful ARRL Field Day at Hilo's Wailoa Visitors Center. Frequent rain showers and unsafe track conditions led to the cancellation of the June Points Meet at the Hilo Drag Strip. The closing of the track freed a few hours to enjoy the ARRL Field Day with the Big Island Amateur Radio Club. I was only able to spend about 3 hours with club members, but I did see some interesting antennas and displays at the visitors center. When I arrived for the 0800 W start of the event, the sky was overcast with scattered showers--a perfect time to erect antennas! By the time I got squared away, the club had erected a 40 meter vertical and a hardy cw operator starting logging in contacts on 15 meters. The erection of the triband beam had to wait until the skies cleared and the threat of thunderstorms subsided. While all of this was going on, the trusty vertical and a Yaesu-857