[MRCA] Aberdeen MVPA/MRCA AAR

Mon May 15 13:04:47 EDT 2017

Hi Ray - Thanks for the report..

"If it's Sun, it's fun.  If it's Raining, it's training"

Tim
N6CC

On Mon, May 15, 2017 at 7:53 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.
>
> Attached is a picture of the setup at Aberdeen.
>
>
>
> Ray F/KA3EKH
>
>
>
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