[HCRA] Winter Field Day

[John Ewell]

In the last Zero Beat Harold (N1FTP) and I (John N1JIE) let everyone know we would be glad to have others participate in the Winter Field day with us. We have the ability to setup 2 radios, covering Tech and General frequencies, so that new hams (and hams that are not new)  can try out portable operations and a POTA park activation. So far, we have not heard from anyone that is interested. If you want to participate, please contact us so that we know you will be there. 
The Winter Field Day (https://www.winterfieldday.com/) is this coming weekend Jan 29 - 30 from from 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Saturday to 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Sunday. Due to the Penguin Plunge at Hampton Ponds State Park on Saturday Jan 29, we will be operating on Sunday January 30 only. We will be setting up at the pavilions next to the main parking area shortly after the park opens (about 0830) on Sunday. We will stay until anybody that lets us know they are coming is done, or until we are done. If nobody contacts us, we will likely be done in a couple hours. 
We will be glad to go over our experience with portable operation, and how our rigs are setup for anyone that is interested. We will also try to help get enough contacts (10 minimum) to get a POTA activation if you are interested in POTA. Review the November 21 HCRA meeting video about POTA activations. and go to https://parksontheair.com/ to sign up. POTA signup does not have to be done in advance - those folks keep up with contacts, and once you sign up and submit your log, you will get credited for the activation.
We will be using paper to log, but the log MUST be submitted electronically in cabrillo format. We can help you with that if it is new to you. There are many electronic logs available. 
We will be operating as a 1O (1 station Outdoor) when only 1 station is in use. If we get multiple folks using both radios, we will go to 2O (2 station Outdoor) for everyone. I'd prefer to have only 1 station operating at a time (and may just setup an antenna switch to do that).
For club members that will be operating from home - keep an ear on 10M frequency (around our monday nite freq) for any techs that will be operating. We may also get a 2M antenna up, so 2M simplex (near but not on 520) may be heard also. Spotting and text / phone is not allowed to get contacts so we may be challenged. But I hope to get enough contacts on 10M to have fun. 
If you are interested, again, contact Harold and I. If not, we will have fun, and will document in the March Zero beat in a bit more detail than last year.

73,John N1JIE  (n1jie at arrl.net)Harold N1FTP (n1ftp at yahoo.com)