[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Volunteer Opportunity Supporting One of Our Own

[Sean Gallagher]

Fellow Members,
 
We have a radio operator support request from Mike Tyner for one or two operators to facilitate an amateur radio setup for the Boy Scouts at Camp Manidokan in Knoxville MD on 17 Oct.  This pristine location is across the Potomac River from Harpers Ferry approximately 50 miles / 90 minutes from Alexandria.  Mike is a fellow ARC member and has consistently supported ARC events like the City parades and special events over the past many years.  
 
The scouts will be camping at Camp Manidokan for the weekend of 16-18 Oct and Mike is setting up HF, UHF/VHF FM and Digital DMR via Hotspot.  Given the number of scouts that will be in attendance, Mike would like to have 1-2 operators (preferably generals or extras) managing scout throughput at the stations, explaining amateur radio features and facilitating on-air amateur radio operations allowing the scouts to actually get on the air.  Mike needs support primarily on Saturday the 17th but wouldn’t turn down assistance on the 18th if anyone would like to work more than just the one day.  He is camping out at that location for the weekend so if anyone wants to setup on Friday night, Mike will be there.  If you would like to stay in that area overnight, there’s a Holiday Inn Express, Travelodge and the Hilltop Hotel located in Brunswick MD.   Mike conducted this event last year single handedly and was substantially overwhelmed.  We need to rescue him!
 
What would you need to participate?  Preferably you should bring your own HF gear just like a POTA outing (Radio, Antenna and Power Source).  Additionally, you could bring a VHF/UHF FM 50W mobile with power and an antenna and DMR HTs to talk thru the hotspot to demonstrate digital radio operations.  Got a license but short on equipment, please let me know as I may be able to assist.
 
Given the camp’s location, you could even run a little POTA activation drill and activate US-0015 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park and US-4564 Potomac Heritage Trail National Scenic Trail!  Now that’s a real two-fer!
 
Contact Mike Tyner directly if you can assist the weekend of the 17th/18th (tynerm at gmail.com mailto:tynerm at gmail.com) or have additional questions and contact me for some potential equipment support (comms at gallagher.us.com).
 
Thanks for supporting a great cause!
 
73,
 
Sean