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Field Day is one of the activities enjoyed by amateurs every June and offers an opportunity for camaraderie and a chance to test our ability to set up operations in less than ideal circumstances, however, emergencies and natural disasters don't always happen in the summer. To test our abilities to operate in the winter, the Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio (SPAR) has established a Winter Field Day event and invites all amateurs to participate.

The first Winter Field Day was held from 12:00 noon on Saturday January 13, 2007 to 12:00 noon on Sunday January 14, 2007 local time. The object of the event was  to set up emergency-style communications and make as many contacts as possible during the 24 hour period. The rules encourage as many contacts on as many bands and modes as possible, because during a real emergency, the most important factor is the ability to communicate, regardless of band, mode or distance.

Local amateurs Jim, W9UUM, Mike, N0EXE, Rich, KB9RNO and Tom, KC9ECI participated by setting up at a remote location deep within the wilds of Jackson County, near the small community of Milston.
Many perils were faced, from the fierce Wisconsin Winter to possible badger attack.  Weather reported during the event included a visual confirmation of several really large snowflakes, and severe darkeness during the overnight hours.
The day started out with the assembley of a variety of antennae.
Before you knew it, everyone had their stations set up and started calling "CQ Winter Field Day this is W9IDX..."
Sunday morning was started with the only thing more dangerous than the badgers, blizzard, or severe darkness...a hearty if not greasy breakfast of burnt bacon, burnt eggs, and burnt pancakes. Mmmmmmmmm.....
Thanks to John, W9RPM for letting us use the W9IDX club callsign, and providing plenty of encouragement, as well as QSO's on a number of different bands. 

A big thank you as well to Rick, for letting us use the cabin, and to his son Nick, and daughter Sadie, who also helped us get set up.

Watch for us as W9IDX again in June for the ARRL Field Day.