[SHARCbits] Field day 2011 around Florida from the SM

[kc4mts]

I just got this in from or SM Paul KJ4G and wanted to share it with you, 73, Alan kc4mts
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ARRL Field Day 2011 was alive and well in the NFL Section. Saturday morning was a bustle of amateurs working to set up a wide variety of stations for the 14:00 EDT start time. This year's NFL Section Manager's tour started by arriving in Casselberry, FL on Friday evening. Donna and I collected all the latest data from the league website and the emails sent containing the latest location data, and then planned the route to make contact with as many FD sites as possible. 

Starting out, the LMARS Breakfast was a real treat and this year over 30 members were in attendance. The LMARS  FD site was on public land and the set up was well coordinated by all teams. Along with the traditional bands and modes, they set up for satellite operations. Ron, WB4GHU and Andy, KG4QCD were our tour guides and we definitely got in our morning walk going around all the various stations on the property. The site had a well managed appearance and the public would feel comfortable visiting this operation. 

OARC was in full setup mode when we arrived at the "Orlando Hamcation Site". Louis, KG4QPQ and Peter, AI4KM showed us around their site. I immediately spotted the full size loop, an all time favorite. Everyone was in the setup mode and doing good. One noticeable attribute these folks had, was the large roofed-in area for parking and operating. Antennas were sprouting up everywhere and this group will have a good FD adventure.

Onto Lake County and LARA. We were welcomed by Paul, K3NON and Ed, W9CHA. Doug, K4AC and Strait, KT4YA were busy as team leaders getting last minute issues fixed. As one of the top point getters in FD, this team puts on a great presentation of teamwork, equipment and spirit. They have the support of the local county government and when visiting this team, it is apparent how they do so well. They used every inch of land allocated for a site and the "RF" engineering was set up to have the lowest intermod and interference as possible. All stations computers were on the same wireless LAN. It was obvious that every detail was planned for. Not only can this team score high in the top category, they are well trained to operate in an emergency, which is part of the FD goals.

The Villages team was set up at the sheriffs office in Sumter County. The SO provided a full command post with aux power and air conditioning. Members were at their stations and it appears 6 meters was participating in providing scores for FD. It was impressive that all were in business casual in their Yellow club shirts making a nice presentation to the public. Displays provided the story of amateur radio for the public to learn from. Thanks to Dennis, W4DIH.

The longest single run to a site was Springhill and Hernando County Clubs. This leg was a 150 miles round trip from the Villages taking approximately 5+ hours. Oak Hill Hospital provided the Spring Hill club a building for meetings and functions, including FD. We were met at the door by Dave, KB3GYN who explained the whole operation. This well rounded club is an example of what amateur radio is all about.
The Spring Hill Club is public service minded, teaches amateur radio, has seniors, welcomes young folks, has some great cooks, and will score many points. They are fully capable of being ARES members and help in an emergency. Alan, KC4MTS, EC was present. Steve, AI0W was advised that his tenure as a TS from Colorado will continue in the NFL Section. His appointment to TC for the NFL Section will take effect July 1st, 2011.

Within several hundred feet of the Gulf of Mexico in SW Hernando County we found the Hernando team operating in a public park. A wooden observation tower was just outside the small utility building and hosted several antennas for the team. It also gave us a few minutes to see an over the water sunset. We saw four different sloper antennas, some dipoles and a 6 meter vertical. Public access was good and there were folks passing thru. W1LBV was the CW op and there was a satellite station ready to go.

Arriving in Ocala just before 23:00, we found John, W4FID holding down the fort. This team has took the evening off and will return early in the morning. There were several antennas set up along with a 6 meter beam. There was a small camper trailer for the 20 meter folks. Because of the genset not being delivered, the team switched to grid power, but kept on working. We stayed overnight ourselves, had breakfast with some of the team and continued onward early Sunday morning.

Volusia team was set up at the fair grounds near I-4 and SR44. There was a West Volusia trailer outside with a operator and several stations in the small auditorium. This operation was using a logging program and stations were on a LAN. Doug, K4DMH was at the mic and showing Victoria, KJ4PLF the ropes. Using 6 Meters, we gave this team a point and KJ4PLF her first contact. 

Just over an hour driving time, we arrived at the FPCARC FD site. This team had to change their location because of the fires in the area. John, W8JW sent us a new set of directions and when we arrived, the welcome mat was out. On the tour of the site, we saw PSK, an original Heathkit HF station in mint condition and being used for contacts and an assortment of antennas. Of interest was two vertical antenna homemade mounts. We got to meet the new Flagler EC, William, WS1C and we all sat around a coffee table and just had a great conversation about ham radio. Of particular interest, during our stay with these folks, we never heard the words; "I, me or my". This team of people all pull the chain, they don't try to push it !!! 

We are beyond the time it would take to finish the tour. I did call John, W4IJJ in Jacksonville and told him our problem. Hopefully he passed the word.
We feel bad that there doesn't seem to be enough time to make a complete trip in the time allotted. We apologize that we couldn't get to the remaining clubs and teams working FD. You weren't forgotten and some how we will make a trip to your club meeting or event in the future. One event will be the Stark hamfest.
This trip was nearly 800 miles long and very time consuming especially at 60 MPH top speed.

We thank you for participating in the FD activities and please send your pictures and story to the web master of www.arrl-nfl.org for posting. 
Next year we will need to start in the Crown District.Thank you all for forwarding your FD information to us.

Congratulations to all participants and thank you for preparing for an emergency.

73,

Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G at arrl.org    
NFL SM
850-591-0442

Donna Barker, WQ4M at arrl.net
NFL DBM

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