My plan for the class flow is something like this:
- Some classroom work with everyone first- give them the basic knowledge to be able to do QSO
- Break them into 3 groups.
- 1 group will work on finishing the rest of the book requirements,
- 1 each to work in the 2 other rooms making QSOs.
This is the same flow that K2BSA used very successfully to run 2 merit badge classes a day for 9 straight days. I sat through one of their classes while I was at Scouting National Jamboree 2 weeks ago.
I don’t anticipate we’ll start before 1400 with the on-the-air part. If folks could be monitoring a few minutes before 1400, that would be great.
I’m planning on bringing the following radios:
- HF:
- Yaesu FT-891 w/ tuner (Thanks to the club raffle!)
- Yaesu FT-857 w/ tuner
- Xeigu G90
- VHF/UHF
- Yaesu FTDM-400
- (Also the -857).
- Antennae:
- EFHW
- Chameleon Lightweight Portable Off-Center Fed Dipoles OCF-40
- 20 and 40M ham sticks.
- Several VHF/UHF
I’m thinking about having 1 group make contacts on the VHF repeater, and the other group working HF. I’m thinking we can coordinate HF Freq’s on the repeater?. Each station will have list of questions the Scouts can ask on the air- not required that they use them, but, can be used if they need something to read to get over mic-fright. I’m also bring a bunch of FRS type radios, and am thinking the kids can QSO amongst themselves while they wait for their turn at the mic. I’d like to get every Scout at least 2 QSO’s- one on VHF/UHF and 1 on HF.
Ellen, my kids and I will be at the church around noon to hang at least 2 of the HF antennae (There are 2 nice tress on the front of the church along Main Street that I can at least get the EFHW into without much of a problem. I’ll also be putting the 2 VHF/UHF antennae outside the windows as well. I think there is enough separation between the 2 HF antennas- if we’re operating 2 HF stations at the same time.. each of the 2 stations will be in a different room. I wasn’t able to hit the repeater with my HT in the basement yesterday. The class will be in the basement- and I’ll be able to pass the antenna cable out the windows. If you’re familiar with the layout of the church, class will be in the Fellowship Room, and the radios will be set up in the 2 classrooms down the hall.
Jon and Drew, if you could be there by 1330, that would be greatly appreciated… Early is fine as well.
Dale, your preference if you want to assist at the church, or on the air- I think we could run 3 stations if you were at the church?
For awareness, I’ve attached the QSO card that they’ll each get when the complete their QSO, as well as the worksheet they’ll be completing in class.
73s,
Mike / AL3G
302-535-2144