[K3PZN-List] FD 2008 Thoughts

[Curt Milton]

Rich invited us to post our thoughts on FD - here are
mine, all subject to debate.  

Two key words -- quality and fun .... 

Power level.  I will enjoy it at 5 or 100 watts. 
Biggest trade-off is how we will provide the
electricity.  Batteries are 'reasonable' for running
K2's on CW and SSB.  But when we add PSK31, well, its
a large jump in batteries!  Do we want the burden of
generator(s) ?  

dB's radiated on various modes.  I suggest we aim for
more effective SSB and digital stations.  In '06 it
was fun operating SSB on 20m at 5 watts into the nice
beam.  It's less fun doing same into compromise
antennas.  I suggest we focus on providing 2 real nice
antennas each for 80, 40 and 20m.  for example, on 20m
we could have a beam and a double-extended zepp at say
30 feet, or an effective 20m vertical.  dipoles would
work well on 40m if they are up 25 or more feet.  80m
will require some thought!  maybe one dipole and one
vertical ?  

Operator hours.  Honestly I was beat after last year's
FD.  I wonder if all the 'nearly full time' ops we had
last year should operate about half as many hours, and
enlist others to operate other hours.  I dont want
anyone sitting and not participating, but I think we
may have overdone it last year at several operating
positions -- and we missed opportunities to allow
other operators participation and training.  

Transmitter quantity/logistics.  While we can still
push to keep our total transmitter count high, I
wonder if we should aim to have a manageable set of
high quality stations.  Something like 3 CW stations
and 3 other mode stations.  We would aim to place a
very good antenna at each station.  I am suggesting we
consider merging digital operations into a station
also used for SSB, because particularly if we are on
battery power I question supplying 24 hours of battery
power for digital modes versus the value of using the
same rigs some of this time on SSB (less power and
more QSO's).  I am confident the digital mode ops can
be good SSB ops also.  I do feel we are limited in how
many good antennas we can deploy, so the idea is to
make best use of them.  Another advantage, if we limit
digital operation to say 6 or 8 hours -- that means we
need to bring 1/4 - 1/3 rd the batteries we had last
year!  

More fun for ALL.  reduced workload in setup and
tear-down, focusing hours on best antennas we can
deploy and share amongst operators.  

QTH.  creature comforts, suitability to engage with
visitors, and deployment are the factors we should
consider.  what will provide the best experience?  

your thoughts, 73, curt





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