[NLRS] VHF and up FD

[John P. Toscano]

Matt Burt (KF0Q, EN44ea) wrte:

> Mark, N9UM is looking for clubs that will have VHF and up going this coming
> weekend for FD '06.  Please let Mark know what bands etc (and if you have CW
> ops) your group will have.  Still waiting myself to see what the group in
> Winona will have ... I know that we will not be at the usual spot in EN44da as
> before so things will not be like prior years.  You can reach Mark at  
> martho1 at comcast.net

The Twin Cities Repeater Club will be operating Field Day for the last 
time from the site in Empire Township (EN34kq) that we have been using 
for the last many years.  Our 3 HF transmitters and VHF/UHF/Satellite 
station will operate as W0BU 3A MN, and the GOTA station will operate as 
KC0DMF 3A MN.  (After this year, the farm is being turned into a housing 
development, and we will be unable to return there for Field Day.)

I will be bringing out 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 432 MHz for sure (three 
antennas, three feedlines, one radio...  might run "barefoot" 100/50/50 
watts, or might bring out PA's to bring the two higher bands to 150/100 
watts...).

If I get a little more ambitious, I'll bring out the 10368 MHz, 2 watt 
tripod-mounted portable system.  We have a nice view of downtown, plus 
decent views for many direct paths.

If I get even more ambitious, the next band to come would be 222 MHz 
(one more antenna and feedline, one more IF radio, one more transverter, 
one more PA...).

If I have an exceptionally high ambition level, 902 & 1296 MHz would 
follow along (two more antennas, two more feedlines, two more 
transverters, one PA, one interface box, one more IF rig...).

If I lose all self-control and forget how much work it is to bring it 
all out and then bring it all home again, 2304 and 3456 MHz could also 
make the trip (two more antennas, two more feedlines, two more 
transverters, two more PA's, one more IF rig, one more transverter 
interface box...).

Right now, I wouldn't hold your breath for anything except the first 3 
or 4 bands mentioned, but you never know...

I will try to be prepared for CW as well as SSB, but that's easier said 
than done.  If I were to bring out all 9 bands, that would be one 
stand-alone radio and 3 IF radios, one of which has no internal keyer 
and refuses to work with my external keyer (and even with a straight 
key, it sometimes balks).  As bad as I am with paddles, my skill with a 
straight key is even worse.  But hey, we are talking about communicating 
under less-than-optimal circumstances, so if you want the QSO's, you'll 
have to put up with my (lack of) skill, or hope I can wrangle a "real" 
CW operator into the pilot's seat for the duration of our QSO's.

You can also look for us on the FO-29, AO-7, and VO-52 satellites.  I 
only expect to be operational on modes VU and UV.  (No L-band or S-band 
gear will make the trip this year, and I do NOT plan to operate the FM 
satellites on Field Day.)

Before 1 PM on Saturday, we plan to use the 147.21 repeater for talk-in, 
set-up communications, etc.

73 de W0JT for W0BU 3A MN FD2006, VHF/UHF/Satellite Station Manager