W5TI operated as 4A this year in the ARRL Field Day. This was the first year in recent history that we operated more than 2A. We decided that anyone who wanted to bring a rig and antenna could come and operate. At the peak of activity Saturday afternoon, we had 4 stations going, but during the evening it was down to 3 stations and at night it was only 2 stations. But, everyone had fun and anyone that wanted to operate could. George and Lawson operated through the night.

We were joined this year by an old timer that hadn't been with us in the last couple of years, Bill Novak (KA9IKK). Bill drove down from Dallas and brought a rig & antenna.

We were a little more serious this year than in the past couple of years. We made a total of 416 SSB contacts and 41 CW contacts (457 total contacts). We worked 47 states (missed ME, AK & ND) and 72 of the 80 sections (missed ME WMA, NNY, AK, ND, NL, SK & NWT). Most QSOs were with TX & CA. We received 100 bonus points for 100% emergency power and 100 points for a message to the section manager. Our total score was [(416 x 1) + (41 x 2)] x 2 + 200 = 1196 points. {View W5TI Field Day Log}

The weather this year was very good by Houston summer standards. It was dry and the temperature was in the low 90's in the day and mid-70's at night. A nice breeze kept us cool. The mosquitos were almost a no-show. A light coating of OFF kept the few that showed up under control.

We will try to include another new twist into next year's contest. Stay tuned.......

73..de Lawson (N5ATT).

Click on small pictures to enlarge them.

^ Left to right: Bob Wolters (W5XC) shows Bill Novak (KA9IKK) how to make contacts on 6 meters.

^ George Ontko (KM5VP) sets up an impressive dual-band dipole system.

^ Left to right: George Ontko (KM5VP) takes care of the logging while his son, Robert (KD5IGP) works the pileup.

^ Lawson Cook (N5ATT) shows how it's done on 40 SSB.

^ Left to right: Kay Cook and Gail Wolters (KC5QDQ) take life easy on the shore of Lake TI.

^ Left to right: Chris Maltba and step-father Ron Lerner (N5GXW) rack up the points on 20 SSB.

^ Left to right: Glenn Chamblin (N5AV) and wife Betty operate from under the trees by Lake TI.

^ Ted Kehoe (KD5LUP) finds that using a butternut vertical is not the only way to catch some live ones on Field Day.

^ Bill Novak (KA9IKK) comes all the way from Dallas to show us how to do it correctly on Field Day.

12/24/02