[Milsurplus] Aberdeen MVPA after Action Report

Thu May 18 09:08:07 EDT 2017

> On May 16, 2017, at 8:45 AM, Ray Fantini <RAFANTINI at salisbury.edu> wrote:
> 
> Aberdeen MVPA after Action Report
>  
> The goal was to set up a display and operate from the Aberdeen Maryland MVPA this past weekend that would include displaying the MRCA banner, some form of radio display with the self-propelled GRC-106 and at the very least check into the M&S Net.
> The intent is not to compete or take away from the events at Gilbert or Sussex but to try to establish another event for us southerners.
>  
> Available resources included the M151A1 with the combined VRC-12/GRC-106 installation, tables, chairs, pop up tent and the MRCA banner. Walt, KB3SBC was also there with his PRC-47 operating battery power and we all had access to a number of military radios for operations on 51.00 FM
>  
> I transported the mutt to Aberdeen on Thursday and arrived on site around nine. The drive was uneventful but as soon as I arrived it started to rain. Unloaded the mutt, set up a table next to it and then the pop up car tent from Harbor Freight. The ten provided a good attachment point for the MRCA banner. 
> In addition to the antennas on the back of the mutt also set up the twenty four foot push up “Wilbert” mast system to support an inverted V antenna. The space that was provided for our use to MRCA members by the MVPA association was located in the first or A row, spaces eleven and twelve that back up to a grassy island that was very useful for attaching ground points for dipoles and stakes for securing tents and the like. With that had no issues working with a large antenna system. With the antenna installed did check into the Thursday M&S Net without issue. The rest of that rainy and cold afternoon was spent wondering around the event and seeing what was for sale.
> Because of the cold and wet conditions only a third of the available spaces were occupied. And attendance was low. Friday morning appeared more promising with broken clouds and internment sun first thing in the morning. Arriving on site uncovered everything and stored the tarps in the truck and around that time Walt arrived with his PRC-47 and he proceeded to set that up and operated for an hour or two from that location. We were going to attempt a QSO between his and another PRC-47 located in Bernie’s M151 but things did not work out with the jeep mounted 47 being converted for LSB operation. Other radio opps were carried out with most coordination occurring on 51.0
> The weather deteriorated as the day went on but Friday did provide opportunity for both radio operation, talking with a number of vehicle people who have an interest in radios, there installation and operation in their own military vehicles along with some time to do shopping out in the flea market.
> There were at least three or four exclusive dealers of radio items with sets from WW2 all the way up to PRC-104 and that type of equipment, in addition to this there were maybe a dozen more sellers who had mixed collection of vehicle parts and radio equipment along with many more that were selling accessories like headsets, microphones, intercom systems or other assorted electrical and electronic items. I would say there were more sellers of military related radio equipment at this event then there are at the regular or larger Ham fest.
> Friday concluded with the annual auction.  Items included an SP-600 receiver with case for $50.00 a couple SX series “Ham“receivers and a PE-108 generator set for a BC-669, along with a bunch of vehicle related stuff. I was able to obtain a nice five gallon “Jerry” can for the back of my mutt for just $8 thanks to Jeff.
> I covered up everything and departed around four that evening.
> On Saturday morning on the drive to the event noticed that there were none of the signs that were there on Thursday or Friday. Upon arriving noticed that almost all the sellers were gone and those that were left were packing up. Apparently although I cannot confirm it I think that the event was canceled for Saturday. It was raining the entire trip out and the entire time I was on site.
> With this in mind I set about packing up everything and departed prior to noon. And as such did not participate in the Saturday M&S Net, Just packed everything up and went back home.
>  
> Think the following things were learned. First weather has direct and often catastrophic effect on activities. This event had the bad luck of not just rain every day but weather forecast that predicted huge and heavy amounts of rain for every day. Only a fraction of the people show up when the forecast are bad.  Second was despite the bad weather field operations can still be carried out. Having a tent and top for the 151 helped out a lot, next year will plan on maybe some additional foul weather gear. The radios themselves don’t mind the weather. At one point had water running down the back of the GRC-106 and had no effect on its operation except to maybe make it run cooler. The VRC-12 did not care about the weather and worked well although think next year will invest in side curtains for the mutt.
> Considering that this was the first outing for the MRCA at Aberdeen I will call this a limited success with the only failure being not participating in the Saturday net but beyond that will look forward to next year and possibility better weather then.
>  
> Wanted to attach a couple images but size restrictions won’t allow with this group. Will be doing a web page later after Dayton with pictures.
>  
> Ray F/KA3EKH
>  
> ______________________________________________________________
> Milsurplus mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/milsurplus <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/milsurplus>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> Post: mailto:Milsurplus at mailman.qth.net <mailto:Milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/>
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/milsurplus/attachments/20170518/c41077c2/attachment-0001.html>