[FCARC] ARRL Field Day 2017 approaches, time to start planning

Tue May 9 13:11:31 EDT 2017

Hi folks,

First and foremost, the Club Field Day web page can be found here:

http://k8bxq.org/fieldday

Field Day 2017 is 45 days out and it's time to start thinking about club
participation.  We will be setting up at the Roth Family Woodlot in
Tedrow/Wauseon again this year, and since we usually only run the 24 hour
period, we can begin setup after 8:00pm on Thursday, June 22.  Remember the
event starts on Saturday, June 25 at 2:00pm.

If you are bringing your rig and are planning on running the full 24 hour
contest, let us know what bands and modes you are capable of running
(remember your license class restrictions, you can only run where you are
licensed for).  If you have a laptop for running the logging software
please bring it along, along with your rig and antenna system.  Make sure
to bring plenty of power extension cords to tie into the generator, as well
as plenty of antenna feed line so we are not setting up on top of each
other.

On the note of laptops, we run a networked logging software which aids
immensely in filing the report with the ARRL, as well as keeping track of
who is running on the allowed bands and modes.  This software will work
work with Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Please keep in mind we run 100 watts or less to stay in our category.  If
you are not planning on running the full length of contest, please note
that in your reply.  Consider sharing antenna/rig space with another
participant that might also want to only run part of the time.  Remember
that we are restricted to only three simultaneous modes on each band: CW,
Digital, and Phone.  All bands are open except 12, 17, 30, and 60.

If this is your first time running Field Day, or if you have been doing
this for years, please take the time to read through the contest rules
here:

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2017/2017_Field_Day_Packet_-_with_Logo-2.pdf

I'll try to put out routine updates on where we stand and what our
participant count will be.  We ran a 7A last year, and I suspect we will be
around the same again this year.

A quick note on bonus points, the following points are up for grabs.
Please take time to read through these, we are looking for people to
volunteer in certain rolls and are also looking for additional information
on if we might qualify for some of these points:

1. 100% emergency power (100 points per transmitter): Covered.  We claim
this every year since we run a generator.

2. Media Publicity (100 points): Volunteer Needed! The ARRL has a pretty
easy to follow press release.  A club member would need to take the press
release in the ARRL packet, alter any club related specifics, and send it
out to newspapers in and around the county.

3. Public Location (100 points): Covered. We have claimed this in the past

4. Information Table (100 points): Volunteer Needed! We are looking for
someone to take this on, any help would be appreciated, I can give you
pointers on what I have done in the past.  This is a fun task if you want
to help out, but don't want to run.  You would also act as a liaison for
any visitors, explaining the contest and other aspects of the event.

5. Formal message origination to section manager (100 points): Volunteer
Needed! We have not tried to get this in the past, but it might be
worthwhile with all of the emergency traffic passing we have done in the
past.  See the rules.

6. Message Handling (10 points per):  Volunteer Needed! We have never done
this in the past either, see rules from ARRL for info.

7. Satellite QSO (100 points for one QSO): Volunteer Needed! Must be
successfully complete, see the ARRL rules, I do not believe we have ever
done this in the past, I don't believe the ISS counts.  There are several
of us that have dabbled in satellite communications, now may be a good time
to test those skills

8. Alternate Power (100 points for 5 QSOs): Worthwhile?  Very specific
requirements, check the rule packet, but might be a fun one for someone to
try if you have access to Solar Panels or some other alt power source.

9. W1AW Bulletin (100 points): Covered.  We tend to get this every year
from a CW or Digital station.

10. Education Activity (100 points): Volunteer Needed!  Another bonus we've
given up in the past few years.  If you think you have a good topic to
present, please let us know.  Check the ARRL Field Day packet for ideas.
If you want to present a Education Activity, make sure to schedule the time
accordingly on Saturday.

11. Elected Official Site Visitation (100 points): Volunteer Needed! We
usually ask Paul Barnaby out, which is always nice to have him stop by, but
he is no longer an elected official.  We need someone who might have a good
line of communication to invite an official out.

12. Agency Official Site Visitation (100 points): Volunteer Needed!  We
have invited our past county EMA director, Heather, out in previous years.
We need someone to take this on, see the rules packet for suggestions.

13. GOTA (complex point structure): Volunteer Needed!  If we do this again,
we need a dedicated member to be present at the station, and it should be
more then just one new HAM taking part.  If we should only plan on
declaring this if we have a firm commitment from someone to manage that
station.

14. Web Submission of Points (50 points): Covered. We do this every year.

15. Youth Participation (complex point structure, see rules): Volunteer
Needed! We have never filed this bonus either.  See the ARRL packet for
details, and let us know if you have suggestions.  It might be nice to have
a youth group like the Scouts out to make some contacts.  This could work
in conjunction with the GOTA station.

16. Social Media (100 points): Covered.  This is pretty easy, but we need
to actively post updates on social media (Twitter/Facebook/G+) to qualify.
We did this last year with very little effort.

17. Safety Office (100 points): Volunteer Needed! The ARRL has outlined
various safety precautions for the event in the Field Day Packet.  A
designated person must sign off and produce a written statement indicating
the club has adhered to safety measures.  Please see the Rules Packet on
this.  If you think you might want to take on this roll, let us know ASAP!

We have a club meeting next Monday, so bring your ideas along regarding
Field Day!

-- 
Craig Szczublewski - KD8KBU