This post is to gauge interest on putting together an event for Winter Field Day 2021. I plan to participate regardless but figured some of you may be interested.
For those unfamiliar, Winter Field Day is a ham radio contest with an emphasis on emergency communications. What does that mean? Well it means that you set up a portable station in the field somewhere and make as many contacts as you can in a 24 hour period. Starts at 1900GMT Saturday and ends 1900GMT Sunday which works out to 1100-1100 here. Bonus points are awarded for not being home, being outside, operating using off-grid power, and working multiple bands and modes.
WFD is open to all class hams and runs on HF, VHF, and UHF using Phone, Digital, and CW modes.
Here's the website for more information:
I have my technician's license and doing something like this would help me learn possibilities beyond my weak handheld. I'm interested and will keep my eye on this thread.
With the right location (i.e. a high point) you might be surprised what you can do with a handheld. While not a direct comparison, I hit some little island SE of Puerto Rico on 5w on HF. Power isn't everything. A handheld with a better antenna from a peak can reach out quite a ways.