[PPRAANet] Field Day Update

[Al Penney]

Hello everyone,

Here is a quick update on Field Day, 1200 Friday 25 June to 1200 Sunday 27
June.

First - the site.  I have received confirmation from the St. Gabriel Church
that the construction company has no objection to us using the same site as
last year.  For those who didn't make it out last Field Day, this is the
field in front of Liberty High School in Briargate (right in the middle of
those antenna restrictions!), just north of Research Blvd between Austin
Bluffs and Scarborough.  We will set up on a ridge that gives a great shot
in all directions!

The following people have volunteered to be Band Captains:

    SSB Station - Dan Scott, KB0PPM
    CW Station - Mike Stansberry, K0TER
    Satellite Station - Tom McDaniel, N0NTX
    GOTA Station - Rick Brown K0SU  (Get On The Air station)
    VHF/UHF Station - Tom Gill K0GIE and Brian Gauck KC9EMW

The Get On The Air station is a great idea!  It allows new hams and even
people without a license at all to operate during Field Day.  A different
callsign from the other stations is used, so there is no pressure to operate
like you are in a contest.  I hope to see a lot of the new members taking
advantage of the GOTA station!

Joanie KC0GMI has 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 think the club will provide
something for the BBQ / Potluck!  Does anyone have a small fridge we can use
for the weekend?

Three demonstration modes have been confirmed. They are:
	APRS - Lee Innman, K0QED
	Packet Node - Lee Innman, K0QED
	ATV - Jeff Ryan K0RM


I am still looking into tents.  I can get a canopy tent from Peterson AFB at
a cost of $40.00 for the weekend.  It doesn't have sides, but one would be
fine for a mess tent (eating tent).  This is the same type of tent we had
last year ie: the one that blew down in the storm!  I have a few ideas to
make it a little stronger, but would prefer an actual GP Medium from the
Academy.  If anyone has a contact at the Academy please let me know.

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 to collect an additional 100
points. Anyone know who might be able to help?

Here's an important point.  Now that the location has been confirmed, Kate
will order two port-a-potties for the weekend.  Not the Broadmore, but it
sure beats squatting behind a bush!

I intend to invite some of the local officials to Field Day, including
politicians and emergency officials.  I know some of who we should invite,
but 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) (I have the 40/80
m dipoles for the SSB station)
- 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 (we don't want to get West Nile virus!)
- 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

If a band captain cannot provide something essential for the station, let me
know ASAP so that we can canvass the club membership.

For everyone else, I recommend sturdy boots (lots of barrel cactuses
(cacti?) in the area), a cap, sunscreen, workgloves, and drinking water.

There are a few items that we are a little short of.  If anyone has a
generator we can use, we would very much appreciate it.  As well, we need
another two laptop computers for logging.  If you can help out, give me a
call.

That's all for now.

73
Al VO1NO / W0