[CC-ARES-RACES] Cobb Island Day 2007

[Darryl L Flick]

Here is a progressive report on the CCARC participation in Cobb Island
Day 2007.

Action Item #1.
I plan to arrive at Mr. Saunders' place at 4:00pm on Friday, June 15,
2007, and will begin installing a dual band vertical and radio to
immediately establish Talk-In on 443.700 (either place radio inside, or
temporarily outside depending on WX).  Place CCARC Banner.  Rope off
entire front parking lot.

Action Items #2.
Install a dipole, and an HF vertical.  All coax leads will head for the
building's office, however if the WX is suitable, may consider setting up
in the front lot under a canopy (complete with insect screens....thanks
KE3GG).  Antenna analyzer on all three antennas to confirm completion. 

Action Item #3.
If operating outside, set-up canopy (ies), tables, chairs, electrical
extension cords, power strips, etc. 
If operating inside, clear space in front office, and run electrical
extension cords, power strips, etc.

Action Item #4.
Place radio gear, power supplies, etc., to include.
*        Locate existing dual band to chosen operating location
*        Install digital station consisting of HF radio, tuner, power
supply, interface and computer loaded with Digipan, MMTTY, MMSSTV, etc.
*        Install HF voice station consisting of HF radio, tuner, power
supply, mic, log sheet (or logging computer).  This station may also be
utilized as CW, thus provide key.

Action Item #5.
Prepare for food and drink. Ensure cooler is iced. Set up charcoal grill
(charcoal and lighter). Cook hamburgers, sausages, chicken breasts,
accouterments.  Cooler chilling pop, water. Coffee pot brewing coffee,
with sugar, creamers and cups. Ample utensils and napkins.  Line trash
cans prior to use for ease of taking our trash with us upon departure.

Action Item #6.
Prepare for and conduct CCARC Meeting at 7:30pm.  All chairs provided by
attendees.  Consumptions concurrent with Meeting or whenever you feel the
urge.

Action Item #7.
At conclusion of meeting, tally who is remaining for the night, and begin
to operate. We are not advertised as a Special Event Station, however
typical voice exchange will be as follows:

CQ CQ CQ  This is K3SMD, Special Event Station operating from (do not say
"..broadcasting from" as if we were Super Gold 1580 WIYQ and the best
Country coming your way this evening!!!) Cobb Island, Maryland, in
celebration of the annual Cobb Island Day weekend.  Cobb Island is 50
Miles south of Washington, DC on the Potomac River and is home of Radio's
First Voice, whereby Reginald Fessenden, in the year 1900, uttered the
first spoken words over the air.  Depending on how busy the exchanges
are/are not will depend on how long you wish to chat. You may only get a
quick call sign exchange, and others may want to casually talk for a
while.  It is not a contest and is not field day, so take it at a
comfortable pace and have fun. Some may want an IOTA, which is MD020R. 
Some may want a QSL, however we don't partake. 

Action Item #8.
Prepare breakfast, consisting of eggs (scrambled, hard, or dippy), bacon,
coffee, and OJ.  Plug in electric frying pan, and go at it.  Coffee
should have been brewing all night long.

Action Item #9.
Depending on WX and foot traffic, may secure the site anywhere between
10:00am and 2:00pm.  
Pack all gear, clean up any/all trash and return site as found on Friday
afternoon.

Comments:
1.        This is not a contest, so please enjoy the exchanges, do not
rush, have fun, and enjoy radio.
2.        Bring Your Own Chair.
3.        Port-A-Pots across the Common Area, and no facilities in Mr.
Saunders' building.
4.        Visit the Cobb Island Day sites, booths, food vendors and the
Historic Commemorative Plaque regarding Radio's First Voice.  They always
have very good soft shell crab sandwiches.
5.        Be aware that power lines are over head on Cobb Island.  While
stringing/raising antennas, be careful and mindful of overhead power
lines.
6.        If you have a copy of your FCC license, bring it along.  Some
passersby like to see the official Federal document.
7.        Because of my current load of deliverables, I will not bring my
solar power system, and will depend on SMECO. Again, no rules, no regs,
and we just operate.


So far, here is a listing of who will bring what.


Lee        Chicken Breasts, hot dog/hamburger buns, ketchup/mustard,
potato salad, drinks, a cooler and some ice (everyone should try to bring
some), dual band antenna (diamond), antenna analyzer, coax. Coffee pot,
coffee beans, electric frying pan, eggs, bacon, OJ.  Also EZ hang kit for
stringing antenna.

Bob (OSE)        Hamburger, sausages, canopy

Bob (GG)        Charcoal grill, charcoal, lighter fluid, canopy with bug
screens, HF and antennas (from his mobile) and a special Hattie treat.

Rob (OMC)        Banner, G5RV, coax

Bob (KOW)        (advise what gear you plan to bring). Hopefully, you can
return in the am on Saturday.  



I am hoping for a refined equipment list following this e-mail. So please
advise what radio / computer gear you intend to bring for Friday, and
advise if you are working all night. If not working all night, are you
leaving with your gear on Friday?  As in any event. most of the
commitments are in the few final days leading up to the event.  This is
because our schedules and priorities change.  So please send me a
following e-mail advising your attendance and what you can bring to the
table. And as always, in the words of our esteemed President Rob (N2OMC),
if you have it to bring, bring it along just in case.  That includes
anything from lengths of coax, to barrel connectors, to radios.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks
Lee Flick
N3YWZ