I always wondered what would happen if it was raining when everybody got up and looked out their windows on Field Day. Would they still come out or would they turn over and go back to sleep? My answer came this year after many years in a row of relatively good weather as Field Day 2007 dawned cold, grey and rainy. The temperature stayed in the 60's all day.

As usual, George N9VOK was on site first and we sat in his car talking while the rain beat on the roof. Before long, other Hamfesters started arriving and the setup began. First came the tent so we’d have some place to get out of the rain, then all the stations, generators and antennas. Everyone paid no attention to the steady, soaking rain except to make jokes about it and we were setup and ready to go in no time. We sure didn’t have to worry about the ground being too hard to drive stakes.

Mike W9MCS brought enough cold cuts and all the trimmings and side dishes for us to eat lunch not only Saturday but Sunday as well. After Saturday lunch we still had enough to divide among those of us who were still there. The leftover drinks were enjoyed at the July meeting

At 1800Z the operating began with Ray NW9S running the 20 meter station, Don K9KNZ all by himself running 40 meter CW, various operators in the trailer and Brian W9HLQ in charge of the GOTA station which used his call. Ray was our top CW op with 332 contacts. Nice going, Ray.

Right off the bat Joe KA9KBU got us 100 points by making first 5 contacts in the trailer on his solar-charged battery. Direct power from solar panels was out of the question. Joe also provided us with an awesome generator that powered the trailer and GOTA station.

The GOTA station was the big attraction as it was in the main tent and the first station everyone saw. All visitors who wanted to operate got their chance there and that station had many different operators.

Sometime during the afternoon the rain stopped and, even though more than an inch fell, the field didn’t flood as it did back at Camp Swampy. The only problem was by 86^th Avenue as the mud made the incline very slippery. It didn’t help matters any that car after car was driving on and off the field, making more and more mud. By Saturday evening it was nothing more than a bunch of muddy ruts.

My wife Judy showed up with dinner at 5:30 and brought her World-Famous Field Day Roast Beef Sandwiches along with mostaccioli, brownies and toll-house bars.

Things slowed down during the overnight shift, but we still made contacts through the night. I had the pleasure of working the GOTA station alone from 0230 to 0630 and had a ball. I’ll never forget Brian’s call after that.

I think dawn broke, but it was still overcast and hard to tell. At least there was enough light to see an inquisitive deer stop by for a visit.

Ed W9EOL brought a hot breakfast to a bunch of tired, hungry overnight operators and we were fueled up for the final sprint to the finish. When the final tally was in, the brass-pounders beat the motor-mouths by 1 contact 629-628.