Field Day Hoopla::KF4YEA Repeater::

I have been a Amateur for 42 years at this writing , but that doesn't mean that I have done it all..... I certainly haven't. I did what I wanted to and helped or assisted when I could, but never really got deep into much of anything. You can get too deep into Nets of all kinds and get ridiculous, you can do the same with too many preset schedules, you can get too embroiled in Emergency nets that do some good and others that just sound like CBer's trying to sound professional. You can also get wrapped up in contests, stuff like Field Days etc. ,to which unless you have a very understanding wife, your married life somehow is not what you thought or remember before you got into this non-interfering, family oriented, cheap hobby. (Who said that?)

The first thing that comes to mind when someone begins to look into ham radio is "why is ham radio so great?" People have told me right to my face at demonstrations, "I can pick up my (cellular) phone and call this guy, why use radio?"

Well, most important is to remember that ham radio is a hobby. Some hams tend to feel it is a way of life and tend to get a bit carried away, but most people realize it is a hobby and treat it as such. There are aspects of ham radio that do venture outside of the "hobby," namely during public service.

In past years I have participated in WX nets, some scheduled contacts, but I tried to keep it down to a low point. My interest in the aforementioned paragraphs , was not strong enough to interfere with all of my other hobbies...(also family oriented ..right?) ..Field Day was the very lowest on my list of Important Ham related issues, and I usually made that known to anyone asking me to participate in one. Now, the year is 2004 , and I found myself assisting and even participating In a FIELD DAY, (can you imagine that). I actually found myself enjoying setting the equipment up and even calling CQ Field Day. Now, is this where I get bit with Field Dayitis?,well, I don't think so, However I did enjoy myself, and the food (picnic),and My XYL even sat back with me part of the time and she enjoyed the other part of the Field Day with the other XYL's and YL's.

The planning for this started a good 3 months ago, and it worked out very well.....Thanks to John KC4KLM, Mel W4MZR,and Tom KB4KBE ,and all the many others that helped make this event a successful endeavor for Field Day 2004 Lake Wales.

Rick WB9IJW