[HCRA] Field Day - 2003

[Jim Mullen]

Hi everyone.

The HCRA has just raised the Field Day Activity Advisory System status to:
"HIGH"

A "HIGH" (or Orange) level means Field Day activity is immenent. All Field
Day participants should be preparing for an "Elevated" level of activity by
month's end.

The next meeting of the Field Day non-committee will be this coming
Wednesday, June 18th at 6:00 PM at Dufresne Park, Granby, MA

What does this mean to you? All depends on how active you plan on being for
this year's Field Day event. What's Field Day? Good question. For answers
you can check out the following web links:

http://www.hcra.org/field_day.htm
http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/?con_id=13

Ths simple answer is this: Field Day is the time all amateur operators
gather up their equipment, head out into the field (i.e. away from home),
and set-up operation using makeshift antennas, emergency power, etc.  The
purpose of this is to keep us prepared for the time we may be called upon
for communication in the face of natural disaster. Additionally it offers
the amateur radio service a perfect opportunity to show our local towns and
municipalities how important a part we can play in times of need. And.. it's
a lot of fun too!

So if you would like to participate this year (first timer or old timer)
come join the HCRA this year at Dufresne Park, Granby, MA on June 27th, 28th
and 29th. The HCRA will be setting up at least seven complete stations on
the HF (high frequency) bands, all capable of worldwide communications. All
stations will be powered by gas generators or solar power. Some of the
stations will be using voice communications, others traditional CW (Morse
code) or other digital types of communication. Expect to find as many as a
half dozen 50' towers sporting beams and supporting dipoles, tents, pop-ups
and camping trailers, food, drink, a public information table and lots of
active amateurs that will be happy to let you try anything you would like
during the period. We will be active on at least five of the amateur HF
bands during the period. There will be demonstrations of amateur television
(slow scan and fast scan), and radio controlled cars and aircraft. Sound
like fun? It is. Bring the family also, there's lots to offer at the park.
Hiking trails, a fishing pond, playground and a picnic area will round out
their experience.

Now that you've decided, here how to get there and a schedule of events:

Dufresne Park, Granby, MA is located on Route 202 about 8.5 miles West of
Holyoke.

If you are approaching from the North or South the easiest route is to take
I-91 to Exit 16. Follow the signs to Route 202 North towards Granby, MA.
After you pass through the center of Granby keep your eye open for the sign
for "Dufresne Park" on your right hand side. Shortly after you see the sign
take a right on to Kendall Street and your next right into the park. Once
you see all the antennas you will know you are in the correct place! During
Field Day there will also be special road signs placed by the club to help
guide you into the park.

If you are coming from the East or West, simply take the Massachusetts
Turnpike to exit 4 in West Springfield, then I-91 North, get off at exit 16
and follow the directions above.

Click this link for an interactive map from MapQuest if you need to get a
better look at the place or want some detailed driving directions.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?savedMap=1055133202

Now you know how to get there, here's what's happening and when.

June 18th, 6:00 PM.

This is the pre-field day meeting. Any and all interested parties should
plan on coming out to survey the location and help up firm up the plans for
the actual event later in the month. At this meeting we hope to decide on
all the antenna locations and types, determine what housing will be needed
and where it will be placed and generally review our plans to date and
hopefully plug any major holes we may have missed. The more the merrier at
this meeting - don't be shy.

June 27th, 2:00 PM until dark.

This is the set-up time for the towers and antennas. Everyone converges on
the site with towers, antennas, tools and what-have-you to start the
preparation for Saturday's operation. We hope to get the majority of the
towers and antennas erected by the end of the day. This is a perfect
opportunity to learn about tower erection, antenna constuction and tuning,
feedlines and coax switching.

June 28th:

Dawn until 2:00 PM:

The time to put the finishing touches on the antennas, get the housing
located, rigs hooked up, computer logs running, information table set-up and
of course... LUNCH.

June 28th and 29th:
>From 2:00 PM on the 28th until 2:00 PM on the 29th.
Operate! This is when we get on the air and attempt to make as many contacts
as possible within the 24 hour period. Stop by and help out with operating,
logging, cooking or just shooting the breeze. And of course... SUPPER &
BREAKFAST!!

June 29th, 2:00 PM until done.

Take down, break down and pack up all this stuff so we can do it again next
year. If you only have time in your busy schedule to stop by and help us out
with this - that's great. After 24-36 hours of construcion and operation you
will find a lot of 'tired' hams that will welcome your assistance.

What more can I say? It's fun, it's exciting, it puts ham radio on the map
and if we are needed for this type of communication in an emergency - we
will be ready!

Remember our motto: When all else fails, then there's ham radio!

Expect to see quite a bit of communication about Field Day on this list and
also on the web site. On the HCRA web site right now you can find Field Day
information, maps, previous scores and a list of this year's participants.
Check the site soon and you will be able to download a complete spreadsheet
detailing the stations and installations. Stay tuned to HCRA for the latest
in Field Day activities.

A note to folks who may not be members of HCRA. Although this is an HCRA
sponsored and funded event it is open to everyone interested in the hobby of
amateur radio. You need not be a member of our club or even a licensed ham
to participate - we welcome everyone. There are other Field Day events
happening in the area but this is one of the largest and we make every
effort to include everyone in the operation. I hope you and make to Dufresne
Park for at leat one of these three days, I'm sure you will come away with a
great experience.

Jim, KK1W