[HCRA] FD 2005 - Two days to go!

[Jim Mullen]

Another FD update from FD central.

Many interested participants met at Dufresne Park last night to review
station selection, antennas & support placement, and station & generator
placement. The weather was perfect and the park was busy.

Jim, KB1JVF confirmed the PVRCC (Pioneer Valley Radio Control Club) should
be on site both days doing flying demonstrations. Also, information has gone
out to all the BSA locations in the valley. We should expect a pretty good
group of young people this year. Thanks Jim!

Eric, KB1JVL reviewed the GOTA set-up and said he and Luke were ready for
the hoards of new operators over the weekend. This station will be hosting
the Boy Scouts, new and/or inexperienced hams or anyone else with a yen to
operate. Fitted with a top line IC746, a dipole and a tri-bander should make
this a fun station to use.

Dennis, N1WCW will be back again this year with his VHF/UHF setup. He is
prepared to operate 6M, 2M and 440 MHz. A plus this year will be having the
antennas on a 'rotatable' tower so he can quickly hone in on the stations
calling.

Steve & Greg, N1NPC and N1MMT will be fully set up for digital modes on all
bands. With a better antenna and quieter location they should do really
well. Be sure to visit them if you want to learn more about these exciting
new modes.

Steve, N1SR will be set up for 75M and 20M SSB. Operating out of his trailer
and running a 20M monoband beam and a 75M dipole this station is the one to
visit for DX during the daytime.

Earl, Tom & Dave (KD1UU, N1MUV and KB1MU) will again be set-up in their
screen house operating 40M SSB for the duration. Running into a 2 ele beam
(Moxon) this station is always a hot spot for lots of operating. And you can
always count on them to step back from the rig and give other operators a
chance to have fun too.

Jim, KK1W will be set up on 20M, 40M and 80M CW. With the help of KC1V, W3SM
and AA1UE it is hoped to keep the CW station operating all 24 hours. Want to
increase your CW skills. Stop by the pop-up camper and have some fun. Any of
the operators will be glad to help you with CW, do some logging - whatever.

So, with the lineup above we are all set and ready to go. If after reading
all this you still don't think you want to stop by - here's a few more
reasons:

Andy will be cooking up a storm all day Saturday & Sunday. Dogs & burgers,
grinders, desserts, salads, breakfast and of course 'spit roasted beef' for
the Saturday evening meal. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Dufresne Park is a beautiful spot to take the entire family. Hiking trails,
fishing ponds, playgrounds, all in a beautiful setting with (ta da - flush
toilets!). So you can bring the family, you can play radio and they can have
fun in the park.

Come help HCRA demonstrate emergency communications to the public, show off
ham radio and support your club. It's all set, all we need is you.

The weather promises to be excellent so I really hope to see you there.

'73...

Jim, KK1W