[NevadaARES] FD 2003 - CA here we come?

[Matthew Parker]

Greetings to all -

At the NNARS third quarter business meeting, I threw out some ideas of what I
personally might do for Field Day 2003.  One of those ideas was that I 
might get together
with some friends, take some radios, and go play at the railroad museum in 
Portola,
California.

Following the meeting, several members in attendance approached me saying 
they thought
the museum idea sounded fun and expressing interest in participating should 
this plan
come to fruition.  Well, based on the interest expressed, I decided to see 
if operating from
the museum would be a possibility.  Although I was unable to attend last 
Saturday's
Board meeting of the Feather River Rail Society due to my participation in 
the assault on
Ophir Hill, I did request an agenda item and submit a written proposal for 
operation of a
Field Day station at the museum.  I have since been advised that the FRRS 
Board
approved occupation of the museum property for the purpose of operating an 
amateur
radio Field Day station on June 28-29, 2003.

Although I am not committed to this plan as of yet, the door is now wide 
open to go
forward with this idea.  It is not my intention to make this a NNARS 
event.  I feel that a
Nevada EMCOMM group would be out of place operating across the state line and,
besides, as I expressed at the meeting, FD 2003 is going to be my year for 
doing
something that does not involve planning an event for others.    Although I 
would like to
see NNARS do something for FD 2003, even if it is just to assemble a small 
crew to
operate station W7ANG at the Air Guard (Rob has already mentioned hosting 
us again
next year), it will be up to someone else to plan it if a NNARS Field Day 
is to happen in
the coming year - last year burned me out and it is time for me to take a 
break.

If I go forward with the museum operation, it is my intent for this to be 
an open event for
all with a mutual love for radio and trains, without regard to membership 
in any particular
club or organization.  The museum site will provide a unique, relaxing, 
picturesque setting
for a fun weekend.  Passenger trains will be running on the museum's tracks 
during the
weekend (all-day ride passes are $5), providing some interesting background 
QRM.
This would also be an opportunity for those interested to find out how 
(easily) they can
join the FRRS and become a part of operating the museum, from building and 
grounds
maintenance all the way up to earning their "stripes" as a locomotive engineer.

If this sounds interesting to you and you think you would like to 
participate in Field Day
from an operating railroad museum, please let me know.  Again, I have not 
yet committed
to this but I am leaning heavily toward it as I think about what a fun and 
unique adventure
this would be.  No planning will be involved in this - it is fun time, 
which means show up,
bring your own provisions, and "run what you brung."

73,
Matt, N7TOD
Matthew B. Parker, N7TOD
Chairman, Northern Nevada Amateur Radio Services
http://www.qsl.net/nnars
ARES Emergency Coordinator - Washoe County