[MRCA] Map of Beltsville Lake for upcoming MRCA event

[Ray Fantini]

I worked you several times before including MRCA Gilbert.  You were solid with Brown (W1NZR) last year from NCS onboard the mutt running an inverted V, and I also worked you direct running a GRC-215 backpack into a vertical and a twenty-foot counterpoise. Got a good shock from the vertical on the 215 when I touched the antenna mistakenly.
I am always amazed when we can work from backpacks in the field to stations that are not at the event and will have a spare radio or two for anyone who shows up and wants to try it out. An opportunity to experience both near field and far field propagation. Think back in the old days that's a lot of the reasoning about spacing things out and Al  (N3FRQ), our Fearless Leader wanted to do experiments with NVIS antennas. Would be great to get someone to do a full blown NVIS installation in the field and see real world results in both the near and far field. Think the founders did this but if we do it today, we can have pictures and video.

Ray F/KA3EKH





________________________________
From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Michael St. Angelo via MRCA <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 12:19 PM
To: mrca at mailman.qth.net <mrca at mailman.qth.net>; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [MRCA] Map of Beltsville Lake for upcoming MRCA event


Ray,

Most of my portable operation uses a 60 meter Hustler whip against four radials since it is difficult getting up a wire antenna and I work ME down to you with 80 watts so the vertical may work. My proximity to the ocean helps but don't count out the vertical.

I will try to make it there Friday if my schedule allows. If not I will work you guys from NJ



Mike N2MS
On 09/16/2026 11:33 AM EDT Ray Fantini via MRCA <mrca at mailman.qth.net> wrote:


Attached is a PDF of the sites commonly used at Beltsville State Park for Fridays Field exercise.  Any additional locations at the Fairgrounds or through the local area are cool too.
I will be set up as NCS at the Boat Ramp in the park with the M151A1 running a GRC-106, have not decided if I will be running an inverted V or just using the fourteen-foot vertical on the mutt. Think the inverted V works best for both local and distant stations.
Remember that the event is not just for people attending and operating from around Beltsville Lake but also an opportunity for those who cannot attend in person to take part from the home QTH and see how many of the vehicle, portable and backpack stations they can work during the event.
The 5403.5 USB Net will start at 1400 local and is expected to run until 1500
Certificates will be provided for all stations at the event that participate, maybe for distant stations too if I can con anyone into mailing this stuff.
Past events run from ten to twenty participants with about half being local running from military vehicles and backpack with the Hard Corp running things like PRC-47 sets!

Ray F/KA3EKH

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