The file below is the PDF presentation Mark West presented at our November meeting via “Zoom”.
Field Day 2020
On Saturday, June 27 seven hearty hams turned up at 8 AM to setup our operation at Desert Vista Community Center. Canopy tents were erected, antennas were put up (including a G5RV Mini in the trees), radios were mounted & made ready.
By contest start time at 11 AM we were ready to operate on HF Voice, HF Digital and VHF Digital. However, the bands were acting like a wet sock – absorbing and killing most of our attempts at making contacts. I spent a frustrating 3.5 hours trying to make contacts on the FT8 HF Digital mode to no avail.
In the end as temperatures approached 109 degrees, Ken (W7BES) made 6 contacts on HF Voice and we were able to claim 300-500 bonus points (depending on the acceptability of our documentation).
Next year, we’d like to operate from an indoor location and perhaps monitor the propagation to determine if there is a better time of day to operate in.
Participants included:
K5LX, Fred
KC5CJ, Paul
W7BES, Ken
WB7EHN, Bob
K7RKO, Paul
N7GET, Robert
W6MW, Mark
We’d love to add your call to our next operation on the fourth full weekend in June!
73 de Mark!
W6MW
Field Day Photo Gallery
Click photo to enlarge
Grounded
W7SCS Repeater
The FCC granted our request for the call sign: W7SCS (for Sun City Summerlin) and we are in the process of changing the ID to reflect that. Ken Johnson (W7BES) is still the Trustee of the machine but this call is available to use for any of our Group Events – perhaps a Field Day Operation? Come on out and give us a shout on the W7SCS Repeater!
Clouds

Monthly coffee meeting – location change!
Neighborhood Preparedness Team, Amateur Radio Subcommittee
Our Monthly Meetings Will Be on the 3rd Wednesday (Next meeting 6/19)
Desert Vista Room #3 @2:00 PM
Coffee will be served.
Sun City Radio Net Monday @ 7:00 pm.
For information please contact
Bruce Spitzer
My tuner can tune a bowl of custard!
Ham operator Michael Cullen had heard that tired phrase a dozen times before deciding to find out if his antenna tuner could actually tune a bowl of custard.
Someone, somewhere, has probably tried this before, but now thanks to the Internet, Mr. Cullen has wove it into our permanent, collective conscious…
Swapmeet Saturday Morning
On the first Saturday of every month, the local “HAMS” gather at the parking lot of the PETERSON CENTER 6455 Dean Martin Drive. The swap meet is a non-sponsored event. It is held rain or shine and on holidays. There is no charge to set up and sell at this gathering. Selling begins at sunrise and typically runs 2-3 hours, depending on the amount of items and buyers present.
Swap meet space is generously provided by:Houdini Magic Shops, Munari Auctions, and KIYQ 107.1 FM
Gene Munari K7MGM