US Islands One Day Getaway & Picnic 2025

On May 10th NFARL celebrated the USI One-Day-Getaway contest event and held our annual picnic at the West Bank Park, Lake Lanier, GA. Many of the usual characters were present and brought their famous and delicious dishes for a most enjoyable picnic.

A few of us launched multiple antennas with serious slingshots. Bill Cassanova used his Sling Shot Arborist Throwline Launcher with Trigger and overshot the target.

This year we had some new faces and Roy KQ4OYM put on a workshop with our webmasters and those interested in directly posting on our website.

Once the antennas were operational, Mike Riley KO4OAK, began the contest with one of the club’s new FTDX-10’s and taught the master class for the operators. It’s a great radio and many of us got to practice using it in preparation for the upcoming Field Day.

Warren brought one of his Rig-in-a-box radios, shown below, that he designed and built for upcoming serious DX Expeditions. That is certainly one of the finest setups I have ever had the pleasure to use. What a beautiful design.

You will be able to operate both radios at Field Day!
Edith Collins KN4NDV favored us again this year with her fine culinary skills. Warren’s butt roast and Tony’s carrot cake were among the favorites!

We had 26 originally signed up to participate, but due to the cool rain, a few decided not to participate. The shelter provided a nice cover from the rain.

We were having too much fun to be a serious contender in the contest, but we will try again next year.

We hope to see you there!