[PPRAANet] Field Day!!

[Al Penney]

Good day everyone,

Unfortunately, I will be out of town this week (in cold Florida!), and will
miss Wednesday's meeting.  I wanted to pass on information about Field Day,
so I'll send it by e-mail instead.

First off, the site.  We are attempting to use the Sportsman Club on the
grounds of the Air Force Academy.  Rob N7LV has sent a letter on behalf of
the club requesting permission to use the site, but we have not had a
response yet.  The club is open on Thursday evenings, and Rob intends to
call them this week.  In the meantime, if anyone can suggest another
location, please let me know!

Several of the Band Captain positions have been filled.  They are:
    - CW Station:    Mike K0TER
    - Satellite:          Tom N0NTX
    - SSB Station:   Vacant
    - GOTA:           Vacant    (note: GOTA stands for Get On The Air - for
new or inactive Amateurs)
    - VHF/UHF:     Vacant

Unfortunately, some of the people who have traditionally been band captains
in the past have had to bow out this year because of other commitments.
This is a great opportunity for a new person to jump in!  If you want to be
a band captain, then please let me know.  The job is not that difficult, and
I can certainly help you out.

I have been talking with the Mountain ARC.  They are considering operating
in the local Emergency Operations Center under the new category announced
for this year's Field Day (Class F), and so will probably not be available
for our operation.

This is the point where I now ask for volunteers!  There are a lot of jobs
that must be done or equipment provided to make Field day a success.  Here
is a partial list of assistance that will be required:

- Band Captains for SSB, GOTA, and VHF/UHF.
- Generators to power the stations.
- Propane BBQs and, most importantly, chefs to prepare fine meals! (A small
fridge to keep pop cold would be appreciated as well!)
- A source of natural power.  This could include wind  or sun power to
charge a battery (I'll assume that hydroelectric power is not available in
this area!).
- People with pickup trucks or trailers who can help transport equipment
to/from the FD site.
- People able to bring a demonstration mode to FD.  This could include SSTV,
APRS, ATV or even a portable moonbounce station (anyone into portable
EME?!!).
- Operating tents.  I am trying to obtain tents from the military, but if
someone has a source already please let me know.
- A computer expert who can set up the logging system for FD.
- Tables and chairs, rigs, coax cable, heavy extension cords, fire
extinguishers (very important!).
- A photographer to capture everything for posterity (or at least for the
0-Beat!).
- Operators for the stations!!
- Anyone with contacts with the local media, emergency officials and
politicians.

I do have leads on a lot of these items, but it never hurts to have a bigger
list to choose from.

If you can help out please let me know, preferrably by e-mail, or by phone
at 282-9134 (after this Friday).

73
Al Penney
VO1NO / W0