Winter Field Day Highlights
Well Winter Field Day 2026 was indeed "WINTER". Needless to say it was very cold. We braved the elements for short periods of time, and successfully set up 3 operating positions. We made 57 total contacts with 39 phone, 14 CW and 4 digital. Contacts were spread pretty evenly across the bands with 21 on 40 meters, 17 on 20 meters and 19 on 15 meters. We fulfilled 4 of the field day objectives making our multiplier 8, and our total score 600 points. We had a ham in training participate with Dad, and with a little help we had two participants complete their first cw contact. All in all we had a fun day, even with the cold.
The heat was not working well in the community center so we called an early end to the event, but we were pleased with the effort and the success of all 3 stations. Here are a few pictures from the event.
Well Winter Field Day 2026 was indeed "WINTER". Needless to say it was very cold. We braved the elements for short periods of time, and successfully set up 3 operating positions. We made 57 total contacts with 39 phone, 14 CW and 4 digital. Contacts were spread pretty evenly across the bands with 21 on 40 meters, 17 on 20 meters and 19 on 15 meters. We fulfilled 4 of the field day objectives making our multiplier 8, and our total score 600 points. We had a ham in training participate with Dad, and with a little help we had two participants complete their first cw contact. All in all we had a fun day, even with the cold.
The heat was not working well in the community center so we called an early end to the event, but we were pleased with the effort and the success of all 3 stations. Here are a few pictures from the event.
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New Years Day POTA Activation 1/1/2026
A few gathered at Owen-Putnam State Forest (US-4217) for a New Years Day POTA activation. A successful activation with everyone present getting 10 or more contacts for activation credit. Modes used by the group were FM, SSB, and FT8. A big thank you to Todd for organizing the outting, and for bringing a heat source for the unheated restroom facility.
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Technician Class January 13, 2026 - March 10, 2026
We will be conducting a Technician license class beginning January 24, 2026 at 6:30PM at the CenterPoint Community Church (208 South Cherry Street, CenterPont, IN). An exam session is scheduled for March 17, 2026 following the conclusion of the class. If you are interested, you may contact us for any questions concerning the class or the exam session.
We will be conducting a Technician license class beginning January 24, 2026 at 6:30PM at the CenterPoint Community Church (208 South Cherry Street, CenterPont, IN). An exam session is scheduled for March 17, 2026 following the conclusion of the class. If you are interested, you may contact us for any questions concerning the class or the exam session.
Altoid Tin Projects
At our October meeting Todd handed out some Altoid tins and challenged us to create a project for our ham station and share at an upcoming meeting. At our December meeting a couple members shared their projects. One a simple storage container with 3D printed dividers for small items. Another was a 9:1 UNUN built into an end-fed random wire antenna (31' of wire). Successful contacts were made with this antenna. Looking forward to future projects to be shared.
At our October meeting Todd handed out some Altoid tins and challenged us to create a project for our ham station and share at an upcoming meeting. At our December meeting a couple members shared their projects. One a simple storage container with 3D printed dividers for small items. Another was a 9:1 UNUN built into an end-fed random wire antenna (31' of wire). Successful contacts were made with this antenna. Looking forward to future projects to be shared.
Station Troubleshooting - May 12, 2025
The group gather at the QTH of Doug K9TL to assist in solving some antenna tuning issues at his station. First we tackled a off-center fed dipole that was giving the rig some SWR issues. Starting with the antenna, the swr seemed to be in line with expectations for the antenna. After working through the station, it was determined that a faulty tuner was sending incorrect tuning to the amplifier. Taking the tuner out of line solved the issue.
Next we moved to a Hy-Gain vertical antenna also giving elevated SWR readings. We quickly isolated the issue with the antenna itself. Taking a look inside the matching unit, a loose connection was spotted. A little soldering work by K9HX and the antenna issue was resolved.
Good work gang!!!
The group gather at the QTH of Doug K9TL to assist in solving some antenna tuning issues at his station. First we tackled a off-center fed dipole that was giving the rig some SWR issues. Starting with the antenna, the swr seemed to be in line with expectations for the antenna. After working through the station, it was determined that a faulty tuner was sending incorrect tuning to the amplifier. Taking the tuner out of line solved the issue.
Next we moved to a Hy-Gain vertical antenna also giving elevated SWR readings. We quickly isolated the issue with the antenna itself. Taking a look inside the matching unit, a loose connection was spotted. A little soldering work by K9HX and the antenna issue was resolved.
Good work gang!!!
Winter Field Day 2025 Highlights
Clay County Auxcom set up operation at the Cory Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday. We operated as class 3I, setting up 3 operating stations. Band conditions weren't the best but we made over 100 contacts and had a great time. New operators were able to man the stations and log contacts. Todd provided some of his award winning chili soup, although he said he tamed it down quite a bit for us!!
On Saturday afternoon a demonstration of RMS Winlink was provided. Good questions were asked and hopefully we gained some new Winlink users. Here are a few pictures of the demonstration in progress.
Clay County Auxcom set up operation at the Cory Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday. We operated as class 3I, setting up 3 operating stations. Band conditions weren't the best but we made over 100 contacts and had a great time. New operators were able to man the stations and log contacts. Todd provided some of his award winning chili soup, although he said he tamed it down quite a bit for us!!
On Saturday afternoon a demonstration of RMS Winlink was provided. Good questions were asked and hopefully we gained some new Winlink users. Here are a few pictures of the demonstration in progress.
Winter Field Day 2024
Our group set up operations at the Cory Community Center for the Winter Field Day. We set up four operational stations on Saturday morning and operated throughout the 24 hour event. Results were slightly lower than last year, but operators and band conditions contribute to the end result. We had some new operators on the air and had a great time.
Our group set up operations at the Cory Community Center for the Winter Field Day. We set up four operational stations on Saturday morning and operated throughout the 24 hour event. Results were slightly lower than last year, but operators and band conditions contribute to the end result. We had some new operators on the air and had a great time.
N9CCA WFD 2024 Results
Point calculation:
Contacts 146
Band Multiplier 4
Bonus points 500 setting up indoors away from home
Total points 1328
Point calculation:
Contacts 146
Band Multiplier 4
Bonus points 500 setting up indoors away from home
Total points 1328
Latest News on the Clay County AuxCom Station
We are back at our Clay Saint Vincent's hospital location. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Collins at the hospital, we have again been granted access to our station located in their facility. We look forward to being a part of the action plans of the hospital.
We are back at our Clay Saint Vincent's hospital location. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Collins at the hospital, we have again been granted access to our station located in their facility. We look forward to being a part of the action plans of the hospital.
Simplex Frequency
Our simplex frequency for use is 146.580. This frequency will be used in the event the repeater is down, or if it is announced that we will QSY to simplex.
Our simplex frequency for use is 146.580. This frequency will be used in the event the repeater is down, or if it is announced that we will QSY to simplex.
Regular Monthly Meeting
Our regular monthly meetings are the second Monday of each month.
Monthly meetings for Jan-Mar 2026 will be replaced by a Technician Class at 6:30 pm EDT. Regular monthly meetings will resume in April 2026
Location:
CenterPoint Community Church
208 S Cherry St
CenterPoint, IN 47840
(Please call on the 145.420, or call Todd 812-243-1920 if you need more information.)
Our regular monthly meetings are the second Monday of each month.
Monthly meetings for Jan-Mar 2026 will be replaced by a Technician Class at 6:30 pm EDT. Regular monthly meetings will resume in April 2026
Location:
CenterPoint Community Church
208 S Cherry St
CenterPoint, IN 47840
(Please call on the 145.420, or call Todd 812-243-1920 if you need more information.)