[K3CAL] Field Day - Calvert Marine Museum

Thu Apr 25 14:49:05 EDT 2013

I thought I had sent this to the reflector on Monday, but I see it didn't post.  So this is a resend of that message.  Pretty much backs up what Peter said but in other words.  

Subject: SITEREP CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

My personal thoughts from the meeting with the director of Calvert Marine Museum at 1100 on 23APR2013.  Peter Holt, K3SXB and myself, David Hardy KB3RAN did a site visit and discussed areas that CARA may use on 22-23JUN2013 for Field Day activities.  There seemed to be no problem for us to use one of their areas at no charge, though a donation to the Museum is always welcomed. The director was pointing out the flagpole and lighthouse as possible antenna locations.

1. Small pavilion area:  
Pros: near roadway, good auto traffic presence
        off the main walkways
        fair size for antenna field
        generators should not be a problem

Cons:  Away from area of most public exposure
        Somewhat far from restroom
        Somewhat far from hard shelter for storms

2. Tent area near dock
Pros:  Very near lots of foot traffic
        Very visible
        Lots of opportunities for interaction with public
        Interesting area for antennas:  flagpole, Drum Point Lighthouse
        Near restroom and hard shelter for storms
        Generator should not be a problem
        Good parking

Cons:  Smaller footprint for activities
        Will need some barriers for protection of public from voltages.

3. Large stage pavilion
Pros: Large covered area 
        Great visibility
        Near lots of foot traffic
        Elevated platform with access control    
        Good parking
        Fair antenna area; still near flagpole
        Good generator area
        Close to restroom and hard shelter

Cons:  Might need traffic protector for coax across driveway
        Elevated about 5 foot from parking lot, does have handicap ramp.

Personally, I like the Large pavilion due to its central location right on the parking lot and near the dock and museum proper.  With the raised area, we would be visible but not as accessible for unattended kids to get into a hot antenna or trip on a cable.  But still accessible enough for inviting folks into our work areas.

The small pavilion is, in my estimation, too far from the center of activities at CMM.  The tent area is too close to lots of foot traffic and could be harder to control for safety reasons.

All of the areas have wooden picnic tables in abundance for setting up radio stations.  All are shaded.  There are restaurants and fast food nearby along with marine and hardware stores for last minute needs.  Some within walking distance, others a short drive.

For more info about the Calvert Marine Museum go to:   http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/exhibits/

David Hardy  KB3RAN

davehardy0101 at aol.com

David Hardy
davehardy0101 at aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: mistralholt <mistralholt at comcast.net>
To: Calvert Amateur Radio Association - K3CAL <k3cal at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wed, Apr 24, 2013 2:59 pm
Subject: Re: [K3CAL] Field Day - Calvert Marine Museum

I just checked google maps, there is aerial coverage of the museum grounds.  Two additions have been made since the photo was taken.  The smaller pavilion is not in the photo as it was constructed just two years ago.  It is located south of the main (red) building in the grassy area next to the residences along the main street leading into Solomons Island.  The other feature not shown is the large tent area located on the board walk leading out to the lighthouse.  Otherwise, the main pavilion is shown facing the large parking lot.
Peter
KB3SXB

From: "Wa4prr" <wa4prr at comcast.net>
To: "Calvert Amateur Radio Association - K3CAL" <k3cal at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 2:37:29 AM
Subject: Re: [K3CAL] Field Day - Calvert Marine Museum

All-

The location(s) at the Marine Museum have great potential for Field Day.  However, if memory serves, the big stage area faces a sort of west and the sun shines into the pavilion.  It gets VERY hot in the late afternoon up on the stage!  

Is there a map or photos showing the areas under consideration?

Do we have access for cars to haul in equipment and generators, etc.?

Do we have access to a 'cool-down' area if some of our folks get overheated?

Any opinions from the club members or the committee?  

Should the committee go down and survey the site?

73,

Ron Byzet / WA4PRR - Sent from my iPad

On Apr 23, 2013, at 10:46 PM, Jack Estevez <kb3wum at gmail.com> wrote:

Good lookin' out Peter and Dave. 
On Apr 23, 2013 6:00 PM, <mistralholt at comcast.net> wrote:

Dave,
   Dave Hardy (KB3RAN) and I met with Shirley Mihurskey, (head of rentals) and the Museum's Director, Doug, this morning and had a tour of the Museum's campus.  The Director was very forthcoming about CARA - remembers the Association using the Cove Point Light House last year.
  Anyway, he offered us, free of charge (or a donation of some sort if we want), three good locations on the museum grounds.  All of them look like excellent locations for both weather protection and public exposure, particularly on a weekend.  He said we would also be welcome to use it over the entire period from Saturday AM until the Field Day closes Sunday evening.  There are facilities (bathrooms) and interesting things for families to do if they wish to join hams during the weekend's activities, the museum itself is fantastic - movies, live otter exhibits , remote sail boat competitions, the light house (formerly from Drum Point), close by Roy Rogers and other restaurants, and hardware stores.  Dave Hardy and I agree that we should take advantage of the large pavilion - stage that overlooks the parking lot. large tables and a roof make it very useable for a ham set up, and there is plenty of space to locate generators.  The director also offered the use of the several flag poles from which to string antenna's.  
     The main pavilion and stage has been used by the likes of Willie Nelson and other signing greats who come and put on shows at the museum.  Anyone coming to the museum over the weekend would park right in front of the pavilion and walk by - so for public exposure it would be fantastic to get CARA's message out.  Literally hundreds if not thousands come to visit on summer weekends.  The museum actually appreciates the public service publicity our event would attract.
     The other two locations are the smaller pavilion in a more isolated park area with direct exposure to the main road going on to Solomons' Island.  It has a roof and tables, too.  The final location is a large permanent tent with numerous large picnic tables located down next to the boat docks and light house, pretty much in the center of the museum grounds.  The tables are used for exhibits or work benches for a variety of projects and activities.  For the antennae set ups, the large stage pavilion first mentioned above appealed best to Dave and me.

   Dave and I really encourage CARA to consider the excellent facilities and the public exposure the Ham Field day would have at the Museum.  I visited the Broomes' Island facility last year, the one's offered above are considerably better for what our mission goals are.  The museum has logged us in at any of the three places we chose on 22-23 June.  Come down and take a look at this facility, we think you will be favorable impressed with what it offers.

Peter Holt
KB3SXB

PS;  I learned from Shirley that the Cove Point light house is not available for rentals and therefore it might not be able to available to our radio club this year.  Although the Director offered the light house on the museum grounds as an alternative.
The Museum has a webb site:  www.calvertmarinemuseum.com where photos are available.

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