[Fists] Hamvention Special Event Station

[nancy at tir.com]

To the members of FISTS and The Sideswiper Net

This year's Hamvention Special Event Station W8BI/8 equipment list has been pretty much confirmed.

RADIOS -- mid-grade Icom with voice chips for our visually challenged guests, and a FLEX 5000 SDR
ANTENNAS -- small Cushcraft beam and TarHeel screwdriver vertical

...and the most fun of all...

CW implements of mass communication -- Begali   http://www.i2rtf.com/  has graciously offered us the loan of our choice of their fine instruments.

At this stage, we will be asking to borrow their HST single lever paddle/sideswiper  http://www.i2rtf.com/html/hst.html  -- and it WILL be wired for use either as a paddle or sideswiper.
The station staff is currently mulling over what else to ask for, but if I have my way, we will also have the "Blade" straight key  
http://www.i2rtf.com/html/hst.html 
and the  "Intrepid" bug 
http://www.i2rtf.com/html/intrepid.html  .
We also are working to have a separate outboard keyer/CPO just for off-air adjustments and demos of these instruments for our guests.
These instruments are not just for display -- the operator on the air gets first crack at which one they want to use (and we will bite our tongues giving our guests as much operating time as possible -- even if that means we have to show up at 4 AM to get our own personal op time).

At this time, I'm authorized to extend an INFORMAL invitation to members of FISTS and The Sideswiper Net to stop by Dayton Hamvention Special Event Station W8BI/8 and sit down and get on the air. The Dayton Hamvention's dates are May 14 -- 16, 2010. Full details of open hours etc can be found at 
http://www.hamvention.org/  . 

Currently, W8BI/8 operating frequencies will be on 40m, 20m and 10m novice section (so everyone gets a shot at operating).
Full details of times and specific frequencies will follow as soon as they're finalized.

Hope to see you all at Dayton 2010!!!

for the Dayton Hamvention Special Event Station W8BI/8
Charlie Cotterman KA8OQF