[K3CAL] Maryland QSO Party.

[Dennis N3QHC]

FYI >

 

1.     Fair Grounds is own by private company and is not county property.
Parks would be a good shady location or maybe the MHCC.  Need to acquire
MHCC permission.  Should be zero cost since this a hobby and that is why
there is a recreation center.  I have gotten permission from the
Commissioners to waive cost in the past when this became an issue.  MHCC was
never an issue.  Hollowing Point Park, Rt. 231 in PF, we have used in the
past > requires generator.  We just showed up, asked no one, operated at a
shady pavilion near the tree line.  Dunkirk Park was crowded with many games
being played on their fields and some company having a picnic.  Stay away
from Kings Landing Park for the time being.  KLP is operated as a State park
I believe. I will explain in person to anyone later.  

 

2.    SKYWARN = NWS Sterling offers classes throughout the year to become
SKYWARN observer.  Go to http://www.erh.noaa.gov/lwx/skywarn/skywarn.htm  to
read about the SKYWARN program.  

When weather events occur the meteorologists at NWS Sterling are looking for
specific real time ground information, i.e., they are not interested in
"it's clear here" < THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.  

 

Basic I SKYWARN training is required.  In addition, to be a Net Control for
SKYWARN one must take their class to be a NCS.  The Sunderland Repeater,
146.985 MHz, was the SoMd SKYWARN repeater for years, so this project is
do-able but wanted everyone to know about some requirements needed to become
a SKYWARN observer or NCS.  Schedules for training are shown on the URL
noted above.  Probably would be best to contact the Amateur Radio liaison
person for SKYWARN NWS Sterling to help speed up and help coordinate this
project.  I have her name if someone wants to follow through. We would need
her okay to become a NCS and she has all the latest information to aid us.

 

Finally, the NCS may be activated for several hours for some weather events.
It can be 8+ hours sometimes.  NCS can be extremely intense job, so beware.
Most NCS for SoMd occurs between 2pm to 7pm time frame (that's the time most
weather events occur in our area), hence, requires someone being available
during these hours most of the time.  It can be very time consuming and busy
task with a lot of self-reward for taking this task on.  A NCS really
requires a minimum of two stations so one can hand-off to another so one
station can take a break.

 

Berryville is a very good hamfest.  There will be a SKYWARN table there if
anyone was interested in going to the hamfest.

 

SKYWARN with all it good intentions is still a Virginia based organization.
All storms originate in the west before coming east.  The NCS, operated by
amateur radio operators like ourselves, at Sterling spends lots of hours at
the desk and sometimes secures a little bit too early, right when the
weather event in over top of us here.  Of course, the more popular we can
make SKYWARN here may keep the NCS Sterling on-the-air longer.  And then it
depends on what type of weather event is occurring, too.  

 

Once weather moves across the Bay, NWS Mt. Holly becomes the NWS responsible
for the Eastern shore > so we are the end of the line for NWS Sterling.  But
our reports are very important since Doppler radar fails to pick up ground
conditions this far east (CALV & STMA).  Meteorologist Sterling needs the
real time ground information SKYWARN observers can provide. [Doppler radar
is pointed up at 5 to 10 degrees at NWS Sterling, so 60-80 miles out towards
the east ground information becomes missing.  Recently, NWS Sterling has
started using Maryland State Highway and U.S. Naval Base Patuxent weather
stations information to monitor conditions.] 

 

From: k3cal-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:k3cal-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Jim Tetlow
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 6:06 PM
To: 'Calvert Amateur Radio Association - K3CAL'
Subject: [K3CAL] Maryland QSO Party.

 

To all,

 

I don't seem to be making any progress with getting information on the use
of the school down in Broom's Island. Time as usual is running short and I
am up for any ideas or suggestions. If we can't get a building situation to
work out of, there is always setting up in some of the local parks, Dunkirk
or the Fair Grounds. We can set up with a complete radio station with
antenna, table and chairs (2) for phone operations 20, 15 & 10 meters. Radio
and accessories for digital operations but we need an antenna solution for
this. I don't know if Ron WA4PRR will be able to participate but he has a
complete set-up station if he does. I can again furnish a generator if we
choose to operate where no power is available. So we are 75% ready although
I would prefer to say out of a parking lot scenario as for the reflected
heat from the surface. One thing for outside that would be nice is a tent
like cover to block the sun. 

 

The most important is participation in manning the radios. We don't have to
work all 12 hours each day of the contest but it would be nice to get in
some hours, and since we may be doing this in a non secure location the
equipment suppliers will have to set up and pack up our station each day,
thus being there at the beginning and closing. Hopefully they will get some
relief (with volunteers).

 

We can also choose to go mobile as individuals or a group this would
preclude us from using the club call k3cal but we can still participate as
individuals, even from your home station. We have to be in a fixed location
to use the club call, and that is what seemed to be the consensus at the
meeting a few weeks ago, but this gives those that didn't make the meeting
or the Monday night 2 and 10 meter nets a chance to cast you vote or let
others hear your thoughts. Remember this is for everyone, why let a few have
all the fun!!

The other item is do we want to do food? Cooking or fast food? Pot Luck or
no luck, Drinks etc. That may have to be determined once we have a location.

 

Let's hear from some that weren't able to attend Field Day this year it is a
second chance to have some fun! I know the guys that attended field day will
be participating so give me some feedback so I can stop all my whining, it's
driving my wife crazy! Don't forget the meeting to finalize our efforts to
kick this off will be a breakfast at the IHOP in PF on Saturday July 30th at
9am ( I think Les is arranging a spot there for us) 

 

To reply to this email hit the links below to register or send me an email
direct to jimtetlow at chesapeake.net . Please remember to reply to this email
when you have multiple email accounts you have to use the account you
registered and other account will bounce back!

 

As a second item of interest John N#EDD, Bob N3PPH and I are looking into
Skywarn net for the club and if anyone else is interested in this please
shoot an email to John's attention, more to come on this!

 

Once we get the repeater back in operation check in to Dave's W3PQS coffee
net between 6:30 and 8:30 Monday through Friday mornings. Since the repeater
is down a few of us have been having simple exchanges simplex on the output
frequency 146.985 no pl tone. 

 

Later Guys, 73's

 

Regards,

 

Jim Tetlow

 

K3UGA

jimtetlow at chesapeake.net

 

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