[NLRS] VHF @ Field Day this June - possibilities?

[Richard Clem]

It would be hard to do the "free" VHF station this year, since there will
probably be very few class A stations.

If a club were operating a multi-station Class A this year, my personal
inclination would be to _not_ take advantage of the free station.  I would
count it, in order to increase the transmitter count.  I doubt if there will
be many this year with reports like 21A.  I think the 2A and 3A will stand out
this year.  IMHO, that's where the real competition will be.  Normally, I
would be 1B.  My wife might make a few QSOs, but I wouldn't bother putting two
transmitters on the air simultaneously.  This year, I'm taking that as a
challenge!

------ Original Message ------
Received: Sun, 24 May 2020 04:36:32 PM CDT
From: "Jim Froemke" <jim.k0mhc at earthlink.net>
To: "'Richard Clem'" <clem.law at usa.net>,	<nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: RE: [NLRS] VHF @ Field Day this June - possibilities?

> Rick, that's a good idea. So, we'll also run batteries (borrowed from my
> rover) to power an existing fixed station at EN26. 
> - W0ALX, Class 1E- MN - Runestone ARC, Alexandria, MN.
> - We're have HF (wire antennas on 40 & 20 meters) and VHF (yagis on 6 & 2
> meters). 
> - CW, SSB, FT-8/4 & MSK144 modes are available, depending on individual
> operator preferences. 
> 
> Our "social distancing" solution is to have participating operators (other
> than the control operator) run the station remotely from their home PCs.
The
> only FD setup is a software download & install.
> 
> Hopefully, there will be more clubs announcing their intention to operate
> during these real emergency conditions and include the "free" VHF station.
> I like your suggestion of activity times. What did you have in mind?
> 
> 73, Jim
> K0MHC
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net <nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf
> Of Richard Clem
> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2020 11:33 AM
> To: nlrs at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [NLRS] VHF @ Field Day this June - possibilities?
> 
> I'll be operating class 2E or 2B from close to home, battery QRP.  Since my
> wife is a ham, I'm going to make sure that at some point, we're on at least
> two bands simultaneously, to put us in the rare (for this year) 2
> transmitter class.  If I'm in my own backyard, it looks like it will be
> class 2E.  If I can think of a good location close to home, then it will be
> 2B.  I'll probably be on 40, 20, 10, 6, and 2.  I'll try to monitor 2 meter
> FM constantly.
> 
> I've been somewhat disappointed by the number of hams who have decided that
> the only way to participate is from their home station, on commercial
power,
> as class 1D.  There's a lot of complaining that this year, 1D stations
> should be able to work other 1D stations.  I think that misses the point.
> At least in part, Field Day is supposed to be an emergency preparedness
> exercise.  This year, there's an actual emergency going on, and we ought to
> be able to rise to the occasion, rather than bemoan the fact that we can't
> do it like we always did.
> 
> I've been doing my best to spread the word that the minimum equipment
> necessary for Field Day is a $30 Baofeng.  If someone takes their Baofeng
to
> a high location and calls CQ Field Day, they ought to be able to make a few
> contacts.  If they have a VHF mobile rig, that's even better.  If they have
> an HF rig that runs off 12 volts, that's better still.  Chances are, they
> have a perfectly good 12 volt battery in the garage that can be taken
inside
> without much trouble.  IMHO, if someone makes one QSO on their Baofeng,
> that's a lot more impressive than filling up a log book from the home
> station.
> 
> What might be useful is promoting activity times when some of the big gun
> stations will be on 2 meter FM.  (I forget right now if 146.52 is allowed
> for FD, but that would be my first choice if it's allowed.)  That way, even
> with just a handheld, it might provide an opportunity for a lot of
> first-time contesters.
> 
> 73,
> Rick W0IS
> 
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