Host: Ron WA3VEE
In this Field Day follow-up edition of the 985 Workbench Net, operators reflect on a successful weekend packed with radio fun, new experiences, and even a few Scrapple-fueled mornings. We welcome several voices fresh from the field, including newcomers sharing their first HF contacts and long-timers offering encouragement and war stories. Topics included:

• Why the GOTA station uses a different callsign
• Using light-duty rotors for a hex beam setup
• Comparing end-fed half-wave vs. random wire performance
• The usefulness (or not) of computer screens and waterfall displays in HF operation

This episode includes thoughtful questions from newer hams, practical advice on antenna installation, and shared learnings from the unpredictable world of Field Day propagation. Plus, we hear reflections on gear choices, coax losses, remote tuning, and the ever-enticing temptation of buying another rig (instead of studying for General!).

Whether you're brand new or a seasoned op, this net is full of valuable perspective and good radio camaraderie.

Highlights:

• Field Day 2025 recap and community thanks
• GOTA vs. primary callsign discussion
• TV rotors and thrust bearings for light beams
• NFED Half-Wave tuning challenges and transformer losses
• Screens and spectrum scopes — helpful tools or distractions?

Recorded On: June 30, 2025
Repeater: W3GMS 146.985 MHz, Parkesburg, PA