[HCRA] Field Day is just around the corner.

[Jim Mullen]

It's almost June and that means it's less than 30 days until Field Day.
Plans are progressing very well and it looks like this year's Field Day will
be the best one yet.

Marty and Peter are well into the planning stages. Here's a taste of what
you can expect:

Lots of stations to operate on HF. Depending on propagation forecasts there
will be at least a half dozen operating HF stations. Some on SSB (phone),
some on CW (code) and also digital. These stations will be on all bands from
80 meters through 10 meters. Anyone, and I mean anyone, is invited to stop
by and operate. Operators don't need to be HCRA members (or even licensed
amateurs) to participate in the fun.

These stations will have excellent antenna systems provided by HCRA and
designed by Steve, N1SR. So even though this is a 'field' operation expect
50' towers, mono-band yagis and wire beams getting that big signal out to
the world.

Food, and lots of it. Andy has cooked up a great menu. We start with pizza
and beverages during the Friday set-up, then move on to breakfast, lunch and
dinner on Saturday followed by breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Spit roasted
beef is the main course for Saturday supper. Only $20 buys you all the food
and drink you need for the entire weekend!

Lots of fun! Fun provided by all the HCRA members on site to show you how to
play radio for fun and profit! There will be a GOTA station (Get On The Air)
that is open to anyone that feels they don't want to try one of the main
stations but want to have some fun. Special certificates are available to
anyone making a contact with the GOTA station. Peter and Marty have been
very diligent arranging for this station to be up and running with lots of
help to get newer hams on the air. The GOTA station will be on all bands, 80
through 10 so no matter what the propagation it will be making contacts.

Also expect demonstrations of different modes including R/C aircraft and
amateur television. On top of that the FD crew will be sending messages from
people out to the world via the National Traffic System.

And there's more!

Dufresne Park is a great place to take the family too! With hiking trails, a
fishing pond, playground equipment, trees and pavilions there is plenty to
keep the rest of the family satisfied while you play radio! Or bring your
tent/camper and stay for all three days! The choice is yours.

So why not mark the dates of June 25 through 27 and come out to the HCRA
Field Day and have a boatload of fun. There is LOTS of stuff to do. We are
all working very hard to make your time a field day informative and fun but
we need you to make it all worth while! If you really want to have drop
Marty or Peter a note and volunteer for a position. The more participation
the easier (and bigger) it becomes.

Visit the FD page on our web site for the latest information:
http://www.hcra.org/fd_2004.htm. Follow the links to not only FD planning
for this year but see some pictures of the last few too. HCRA has ranked in
the top ten in our class for the last three years so you can be part of a
winning team this year.

'73 for now...

Jim, KK1W