[K3PZN-List] Another approach to Field Day - Field Location

[Curt Milton]

Steve

definitely worth considering Springfield !  

let's determine our available power sources.  

let's design a good set of antennas - a common need
for all modes!  

(club antenna projects .... yes a nice opportunity -
as i am all-thumbs i would like to learn from some
experts!)

let's optimize output powers and modes to best deploy
our team.  

(some opposing thoughts are only nature for this phase
of planning -- as they are brought into harmony they
will make for a more significant overall effort).  

let's consider the 'work factor' in what we deploy and
take down.  (one metric would be to track our score vs
weight of all the gear!)

73, curt

PS - let us know when the FD committee will meet!  


--- n3sb at qis.net wrote:

> At the last club meeting I also volunteered to put
> together a proposal for Field
> Day, based on an operation from a "field" location.
> The purpose of both Andy's
> and my proposals is to stimulate discussion, so that
> the club can arrive at a
> decision concerning what type of Field Day operation
> to try this year. The
> longer we wait, the fewer options we'll have for a
> location.
> 
> Let me start by quoting one paragraph from the ARRL
> Field Day 2008 Rules:
> 
> "Object: To work as many stations as possible on any
> and all amateur bands
> (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and
> in doing so to learn to
> operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal
> conditions. A premium is
> placed on developing skills to meet the challenges
> of emergency preparedness as
> well as to acquaint the general public with the
> capabilities of Amateur Radio."
> 
> That paragraph tells me that Field Day is not simply
> a contest to make the most
> contacts. A large portion of Field Day concerns
> developing and enhancing our
> skills and equipment to improve our Emergency
> Preparedness. It's about facing
> the challenges that Murphy offers, and overcoming
> them. Its about the dirt, the
> sweat, and the bugs!
> 
> In the Club's recent history, we have operated from
> the FTC (as class A), The
> Gamber Fire Hall Carnival Grounds, Freedom Park in
> Sykesville, a school yard in
> Mount Airy, and back at the FTC (as class F). We've
> learned things from each of
> these operations. Along the way we've tried using
> one big generator, multiple
> smaller generators, and then QRP battery power. All
> were fun, educational
> things to try. Since we've operated from the FTC for
> the past two years, it's
> time to once again try a different operating
> challenge.
> 
> This proposal is about going back into the field; to
> put the "Field" back into
> Field Day, as some have suggested. Let's assume that
> we select a location such
> as the Springfield Hospital Center grounds. The
> advantages are: 1) More room to
> spread out antennas, 2) Greater station separation
> reduces interference, making
> 100W operation easier, 3) More room means that more
> stations can be set up if
> desired, 4) Trees available to support wire
> antennas, 5) Nice place to hold a
> picnic, 6) Room to put up tents and enjoy some
> camping, 7) No pre-existing
> antennas or equipment means an opportunity to set-up
> antennas and stations from
> scratch, 8) Easy access for visitors, 9) One of our
> EMCOMM customers is located
> right there at the hospital. The number of stations
> we operate depends on the
> number of operators we have to use them. A
> reasonable starting point, however,
> is: Two phone stations, a CW station, a Digital
> Station, a VHF station, and a
> GOTA station.
> 
> Andy WO3L and I are considering conducting some
> antenna building seminars. He
> has built a very nice, low-profile vertical dipole
> antenna for all bands 20-10
> meters, that could be turned into a club project. I
> can offer to conduct a
> seminar on building a multiband Windom antenna. Club
> members could build these
> antennas prior to Field Day, then test them during
> the event. The antennas
> could then be stowed in their go-kits, ready for
> emergency communications if
> needed. If there's any interest in doing this,
> please let us know!
> 
> Reminder -- President Mitchell formed a Field Day
> Committee last December. The
> Committee needs some members to plan all the Field
> Day details, including
> reserving a location, getting station captains,
> planning for food, power,
> shelters, etc. Field Day won't happen if nobody is
> willing to help with the
> planning.
> 
> I would hope that all club members would participate
> in Field Day, no matter
> where it is held (FTC or in the field), and what
> category we operate in (QRP or
> 100W). The object of Field Day, after all, is to
> learn to operate in "less than
> optimal conditions."
> 
> 73; Steve, N3SB
> 
> 
>
-----------------------------------------------------
> BREAK
> -----------------------------------------------
> 
> CCARC Elections at the next meeting on Monday, March
> 10, 7:30 PM at the Emergency Services Training
> Center in Westminster.
> 
>
------------------------------------------------------
> AR -------------------------------------------------
> 
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> 



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