[ARRL-OK] Field Day Announcement

[ocapa at juno.com]

FYI

73  ---  Mac, K2GKK

k2gkk at juno.com
      OR
ocapa at juno.com



-----  Begin Forwarded Message  -----

From: "Fusaro, Norm W3IZ" <w3iz at arrl.org>
To: <clubs at arrl.org>
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 10:08:49 -0400
Subject: ARRL Field Day


CQ Field Day

Field day is fast approaching.  Has your club made plans yet?  Whatever
it is that your group decides to do, make sure that you have plenty of
food on hand and make the focus on having fun.

Check out the rules for new changes this year.

http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/rules-fd-2005.html



Field Day T-shirts

Be sure to order Field Day T-shirts and pins for everyone in your club
or group.  Also be sure to have extra Field Day pins on hand to give to
visitors and operators at your stations.

All orders received by Monday morning June 20, 2005 will be guaranteed
delivery by Field day.

Order on line http://www.arrl.org/fieldday or call TOLL FREE
1-888-277-5289


Field Day Tip From K7BV

Many seasoned FD organizers have learned what a great QSO asset 6 and 2
meter stations can be.  When these VHF bands open (enhanced tropo or
sporadic Es), your FD team can log hundreds of surprise contacts from
all over the United States and Canada.  Many 6 and 2 meter band-fans who
cannot make it out for FD are delighted to have so many stations
operating portable in the field, frequently from sparsely populated
parts of the country.

Many of these VHF enthusiasts collect "grid squares." To draw the
attention of this valuable score-building resource, be sure that your
team knows the answer to the question many will ask "What's your grid
?!" While this information is not a necessary piece of information that
has to be exchanged in FD, responding to their inquiry will likely draw
others to your frequency. ARRL can help you discover what grid you will
be operating - visit http://www.arrl.org/locate/gridinfo.html


Bulletin

Here is a bulletin that was designed to be used in a high school
newspaper.  Perhaps it can be used by some of our clubs.

Be proactive and have a date scheduled for a licensing class so that
when guests ask how they can become Amateur Radio operators you can
give them the information.  Invite them to your next meeting and have
information packets to handout.  Make sure that you have a greeter on
hand at your FD site to welcome visitors.

If you like to get outdoors and enjoy a good friendly competition in a
social environment, then ARRL Field Day may be just what you're looking
for.

The premise of Field day is to prove that in an emergency Amateur Radio
operators or "hams" are capable of setting up radio stations in the
field and by using portable antennas and emergency power (generators,
batteries, solar, human generated) they are able to contact as many
other groups around North America doing the same thing.  There are over
2500 clubs, groups and individuals that participate in Field Day.

Since it's inception in the 1930's Field Day has evolved into one of the
most popular Amateur Radio events by far.  Sponsored by The ARRL, The
National Association for Amateur Radio, the event runs for 24 hours from
Saturday to Sunday and is a test of human endurance as well as the
endurance of your radio equipment and power source.

During emergencies and natural disasters normal modes of communication
such as telephones, cell phones and the Internet usually become
overloaded and fail.  It is during these times that licensed Amateur
radio operators fill the void and serve their communities by passing
along health and welfare messages to the non-affected areas of the
country.

This is not Citizens Band.  Amateur Radio operators must pass exams that
test their knowledge of electronics and communication procedures in
order to get licensed by the FCC.  Once licensed they are issued a
unique call sign and have earned the privilege to use frequencies in the
radio spectrum that are allocated for the Amateur radio Service.  Some
of these frequencies are for short-range communications while others are
capable of contacts over distances of several thousand miles.

Most people think of ham radio as short wave, and while these may be the
most popular used bands hams also use VHF & UHF FM radios, television,
repeaters and digital modes to communicate with other Amateur Radio
operators.

There are even satellites deployed solely for use in the Amateur Radio
Service.  These birds are capable of operating in digital or voice modes
and require relatively modest stations to use them.  Amateur Radio is on
board the International Space Station and the astronauts on board are
licensed to use it.

Many clubs and groups plan large cookouts that coincide with the
drill/contest making it an event for all radio amateurs and their
families.

Even if you are not a licensed Amateur, come on out to Field day and see
what it's all about.  There will be plenty of experienced and friendly
people to show you around and perhaps guide you through an on air
contact.

The event is free and open to the public.  Bring your appetite for food
and fun.

73, and have fun.

Norm Fusaro, W3IZ
ARRL Affiliated Club/Mentor Program Manager
225 Main St.
Newington, CT 06011

w3iz at arrl.org
860-594-0230