[HCRA] Field Day - the HCRA way!

[Jim - KK1W]

OK gang, time is running out and you wouldn't want to miss Field Day 2009,
would you?

 

The best news is cooperation from that glowing thing 93 million miles away.
There have actually been some cycle 24 sunspots lately really helping to
stir up action on the HF bands. Add to that the possibility of actually
'seeing' the sun will make this a super weekend.

 

All the moving parts are in place for a fantastic weekend. John, Kx1x has
assembled another great HCRA Field Day operation. We will be a class 7A
again this year. That means we will have at least seven stations on at the
same time. To see a breakdown of stations and band captains take a look at:
http://www.hcra.org/fd_2009.htm. Back this year after a four year hiatus is
a 10/15 meter SSB station. With the aforementioned sunspots W1SQ's shack
could be hopping with contacts! Also back this year is a VHF/UHF station
captained by Eric, KB1JVI. With any luck at all Eric will be on 6M and 2M
looking for SSB contacts both near and far. The addition of the 10/15 meter
station will allow them to work 75M SSB too, freeing up the 20M station to
try their hand at 160M in the late night hours. New to digital this year is
our new Secretary Mike, KB1PKJ. Mike will be in the Gazebo racking up
digital contacts and showing off some of the latest modes for all to see.

 

Another change this year is the alternate power station. Most years past we
have taken off one of the operating stations and used a solar powered IC706
to make the five required contacts. This year we have an alternative powered
station on 15M CW. Jim, K1JAW will be setting up and running a solar powered
K2 and if the sun cooperates making lots of contacts.

 

Cooking this year is Jim, NN1Y. He has put together a scrumptious selection
of meals for your eating pleasure. Take a look:
http://www.hcra.org/menu.htm, hungry yet? The costs are nominal, the food
will be good and there should be plenty for everyone. Just a reminder to all
that the prices are cheap, take all you want but please try not to waste so
there is plenty for everyone.

 

Also new this year is Richard, KB1NOX pitching in as Public Information
Officer. Richard has already put the word out to all the local news outlets,
TV and print. Let's hope our hobby gets some good exposure from his efforts.
KB1NOX will be minding the information table and showing guests the fun and
importance of our great hobby.

 

And of course the Field Day raffle will be held early Sunday afternoon.
There are still a few tickets left (very few I might add) and for a measly
$5 you could leave the winner of either a Yaesu 2M HT or mobile radio. See
Jim, K1JAW if you would like one of those last few tickets (only 75 being
sold).

 

So when does all this start? Friday afternoon at 2:00 PM in Dufresne Park,
Granby, MA, that's when. Here's a tentative schedule of events:
http://www.hcra.org/schedule.htm. To save park rental fees this year we will
only be shooting lines for the wire antennas and marking tower locations on
Friday. The real work starts early Saturday morning around 6:00 AM. Ed,
KB1NWH and crew will start erecting towers, assembling antennas, running
cable, setting up generators and all the other stuff required to get an
operation like this off the ground by 2:00 PM. Hand in hand with Ed, Jim
will be making sure the crew has plenty to eat and drink. It all comes
together at 2:00 when all seven station start calling CQ Field Day, CQ Field
Day. This is W1NY, Whiskey One November Yankee, Field Day. For the next 24
hours it will be a race to make as many QSO's as possible, keep the stations
on the air, the operators (and generators) fed and show off to our friends
and neighbors how amateur radio can 'be there' when communication in times
of emergency becomes necessary.

 

This operation is open to everyone with an interest in radio and
communications. You don't need to be an HCRA member, or even an amateur
radio operator to participate. So tell your neighbor, bring a friend and
have fun. To heck with mowing the lawn this weekend, plenty of time for that
on Monday.

 

Hopefully I've convinced you to join us in Granby but if your schedule just
doesn't permit see if you can find some time to work us from home. You'll
get the satisfaction of helping out the club effort AND get some radio time
in to boot.

 

'73..

 

Jim, KK1W