Every year the confederation of loose cannons known as “Los Chupacabraderos” heads into the woods to compete in the ARRL Field Day. Fueled by venison and beer, we like to rough it and operate single transmitter, five watts power (QRP) on battery and solar power only, out in the woods in a secluded campsite in Central Texas. This is known as category “1AB”. In 2013 operating as callsign K5AXW, we were first place in category in the South Texas division, and 7th place in category nationally.
The event was hallmarked with voice, CW, and PSK31 QSOs on HF and six meters, some satellite work, a workshop on how to build a rigid six meter dipole, and a visit from the local constable. A photo & video montage of the event is here, courtesy of KC2QJA’s Flickr page.
This venerable event always occurs the fourth weekend in June and is easily the largest amateur radio contest with tens of thousands of participants. It may also be the most fun you can legally have with a radio.
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