CARS / NF4CQ

Columbia Amateur Radio Society

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Florida QSO Party and Field Day 2026

Big Red, a red van, set up as a portable station in a grassy lot with a mast raised from its rear bumper

Thanks to Gordon Beattie, W2TTT, for sharing these photos from two operating events this year.

Florida QSO Party, April 2026

For the Florida QSO Party, Gordon operated from his van, “Big Red.” A tilt-over mast mounted on the rear bumper held a 10 meter dipole, and an Icom IC-7300 inside the van worked stations on 28.350 MHz. Sadly, Big Red was totaled on May 1 in New Jersey, so these are among its last outings.

Big Red, a red van, set up as a portable station in a grassy lot with a mast raised from its rear bumper
Big Red set up for the Florida QSO Party, April 2026.
Tilt-over mast mounted on the rear bumper of Big Red, supporting a 10 meter dipole
The bumper-mounted tilt mast holding the 10 meter dipole.
Icom IC-7300 transceiver showing 28.350 MHz, with a pair of Morse keys on the desk inside Big Red
The IC-7300 on 28.350 MHz.
An operator at the radio inside Big Red during the Florida QSO Party
Working stations from inside Big Red.

Field Day, June 2026

For ARRL Field Day, Gordon operated as a guest of Columbia County ARES at the school, from his van, “The Great Pumpkin.” The van towed a trailer carrying the antennas, and a temporary desk inside made the operating position.

The Great Pumpkin, a red cargo van, towing an antenna trailer on a school driveway, with a mast and a tall vertical antenna raised
The Great Pumpkin and its antenna trailer at the school, Field Day June 2026.
The red van and its aluminum trailer carrying a tripod-mounted mast antenna, with a tall vertical antenna beside it
The antenna trailer: a tripod mast and a tall vertical.
Inside the empty van: a plywood desktop on two filing cabinets, with a folding director chair
The temporary operating desk inside the Great Pumpkin.
A longer view of the plywood operating desk along the van wall, looking toward the cab
Another view of the desk, looking toward the cab.

Have photos from a club event? Bring them to a meeting or send them to any officer, and we will add them to the News page.

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