[MRCA] Fort Miles / Delaware Goes to War Event

[MICHAEL ST ANGELO]

Moose and Squirrel Net operation has been sketchy for that last couple of weeks.

Do they allow Metal Detectors in Cape Henlopen park? They are not allowed at Sandy Hook because of the UXO from the Fort Hancock Proving Ground days.

Mike N2MS

> On 04/25/2022 1:23 PM Ray Fantini <rafantini at salisbury.edu> wrote:
> 
> 
> Additional information, attached is a picture from the Friday location. Wonder if having the antennas in the pine trees make a difference? Although the 40 meter net was solid and the sixty meter net out in the open was sketchy?
> Also liked the sign just behind the mutt, and extra credit to who ever finds the Howitzer in the background.
> 
> 
> Ray F/KA3EKH
> 
> 
> From: MMRCG at groups.io <MMRCG at groups.io> On Behalf OfRay Fantini via groups.io
>  Sent: Monday, April 25, 2022 10:50 AM
>  To: mmrcg at groups.io; Military Radio Collectors Association <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
>  Subject: [MMRCG] Fort Miles / Delaware Goes to War Event
> 
> 
> What was supposed to be achieved by this project?
> 
> The Annual Delaware Goes to War event was last Saturday at Fort Miles, Cape Henlopen State Park Delaware.
> The last two years it was canceled due to Covid, but they did have the event this year featuring a large group of WW2 reenactors that occupy the center of the complex along with a number of period correct vehicles and equipment. Outside of their perimeter we have a Military Vehicle show of M-38, M-151vehicles and other post war vehicles.
> I always try to take every opportunity to drag out the mutt and operate from the field and the Fort Miles site is a favorite because it’s only a hour from home and also the site of the annual AA83 event in November.
> 
> What was actually achieved?
> 
> I arrived Friday and unloaded the mutt. Did not have anything scheduled for Friday but did set everything up and had an opportunity to test all the gear. Set up across the parking lot from normal location to try something different this year being the old location is right next to the 3-inch guns, they do a couple blank shots on Saturday and that requires having to leave the vehicle because of the proximity, also very loud!
> The new location was not bad, was able to get local power from the bathroom building about sixty feet away but the new location did result in having all antennas in the trees.
> Did try a couple CQ calls on forty and sixty meters but no success. Also monitored six and two meters while on site but no activity there.
> On Saturday I did check into the MMRCG Net on 7.296 and talked with a couple stations before the Net, good copy on all stations on that net and looks like no one had any issues copying me.
> After the Net was asked to move over to the old location with the rest of the post war vehicles, we only had four or so vehicles show up and think they wanted us to look like a larger group so they gave me a space right up next to the gate and I moved over to the other side of the parking lot. No big deal being I had to drop the inverted V that I use of forty and swap it out with a V cup for sixty anyway.
> Worked the Moose & Squirrel Net on 5.357 without much issue although copy not as good as the early net on forty. After the net spent most time up on seventeen meters working Ham stations using the vertical on the mutt.
> The event ended at four that afternoon and don’t know why because Friday was warm to hot with lows in the seventies with Saturday being cooler and got cold later in the afternoon so that was a incentive to pack up and get out as soon as the event ended.
> Packed up and was clear of the site by five thirty.
> 
> What aspects of the project work?
> 
> For once every radio worked. The GRC-106 with external inverted V antennas for forty and sixty and the onboard whip for seventeen. The big RT-524 along with the PRC-77 and the URC-110 for VHF/UHF all the power distribution and all that stuff along with the mutt running well. Did have to change the water pump over the winter and also installed a new rocker arm cover and think I have finally fixed the oil leak over the top of the engine.
> Antenna mast, set up and tear down have gotten to be almost second nature and relocating from one location was both quick and easy.
> 
> What didn't work and why?
> 
> Think the biggest failure was not getting any contacts on Friday. Maybe if I played around with seventeen or twenty meters could have done some regular Ham QSO but would have been good to have some mill radio people active.
> 
> 
> What would you change if given a second chance?
> 
> Work harder on getting others active. Try to develop a Coastal Fort, or Field Operation Net that operates when these events take place. Always a good turn out for the regular scheduled nets on sixty and forty but not much interest beyond that.
> Also, I now know that need to set time and frequencies, have been told several times that on Friday people were looking to work me but without setting a schedule in advance and just relaying on maybe nothing happens. So, for Hagerstown next month will try to do better.
> 
> Submitted by Ray F/KA3EKH
> 
> 
> 
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