[PPRAANet] Field Day Update

[Al Penney]

For those who might be unable to attend the meeting tomorrow evening, here's
a quick update on Field Day.

First - mark the following dates in your calendar: Friday 27 June to Sunday
29 June 2003.  Don't do anything stupid like plan to get married on that
weekend!  (Not that getting married is stupid...  Its just that getting
married on Field Day Weekend would be a stupid thing to do!!)

Next - the site.  We still have no word from the manager of the Sportsman
Club near the south entrance of the USAFA.  The letter has been sent, but
they seem to take a while to respond.  I have been investigating other
locations however.  There is a big field just south of Liberty High School
(Research and Scarborough).  Vehicles can access it, and the whole area is
pretty high - looks like a great place!  I just have to figure out who owns
it.  If anyone can give me any info on that, please drop me a line.

The following people have volunteered to be Band Captains:

    SSB Station - Dan Scott, KB0PPM
    CW Station - Mike Stansbury, K0TER
    Satellite Station - Tom McDaniel, N0NTX
    GOTA Station - Mike Anderson, WV7T  (Get On The Air station)
    VHF/UHF Station - Still Vacant!  I need a volunteer!

Kate KC0EGJ and her husband have volunteered to organize food and meals.  We
plan on the following meals:
    - a snack Friday evening for those setting up
    - lunch Saturday
    - BBQ / Potluck Saturday evening
    - breakfast Sunday
    - snack Sunday

There will be a nominal charge for food, but I might be able to talk the
Executive into springing for something for the BBQ / Potluck!  Does anyone
have a small fridge we can use for the weekend?

Two demonstration modes have been confirmed. They are:
    APRS - Lee Innman, K0QED
    ATV - John Roth, N0QJS

I have sent a request for the Edge of Space Science people to give a static
demonstration, and am waiting for a reply.  I would like someone to provide
another demonstration mode however.  Is there anyone into SSTV out there?

I am still looking into tents.  I can get canopy tents from Peterson AFB at
a cost of $40.00 for the weekend.  They don't have sides, but one would be
fine for a mess tent (eating tent).  Again, if anyone has leads on good
operating tents, drop me a line.

We still have no one for Natural Power.  This could be solar power or wind
power (or a hand cranked generator!).  You are allowed to charge a battery
before Field Day, and make 5 QSOs with it. Any volunteers?

Here's an important point - once the location has been confirmed, I'll be
ordering a port-a-potty for the weekend.  Not the Broadmore, but it beats
squatting behind a bush!

I intend to invite some of the local officials to Field Day, including
politicians and emergency officials.  I am new to the area however, so I
don't know the names of who we should invite.  Please send suggestions!

As we get closer to Field Day I'll be looking for volunteers for jobs such
as copying the ARRL Field Day message, taking photos of the event, setting
up etc.

Here is a checklist for the band captains:

- rig and power supply, plus backup
- mic, key, keyer (all stations should have cw and SSB capability)
- coax switch
- transmatch
- SWR meter
- coax, barrel connectors, electrical tape (it just might rain!)
- tower, guy ropes, stakes, sledge hammer
- triband beam, dipoles for 40m and 80m (for HF stations)
- mast and mechanism to turn beam (armstrong method)
- headphones and a splitter box
- speaker
- tables, chairs
- tent
- clock (battery operated)
- light and extra bulb
- logging computer and power supply (check time before FD starts!)
- paper, pens
- power bar, heavy extension cord
- mosquito coils (at least in Nova Scotia!)
- yardarm with pulleys and halyards (ensure rope cannot jam in pulleys!)
- 12 volt battery and power cord (to operate when the generators are being
refueled)
- fan
- fire extinguisher (important!)
- all necessary jumpers, cords, power supplies etc
- generator

For the satellite and VHF/UHF stations, include all necessary antennas,
rotators, amplifiers etc.  Don't forget 2m FM antennas - easy points!

That's all for now.

73
Al VO1NO / W0