[SJRA-Members] Free SJRA Centennial Car Magnet for Field Day Participation

[Richard VonLintig]

The attachments to the previous email probably did not get past the email
system.  You need to submit a W1AW bulletin or have your name in the Field
Day sign-in log in order to get your free magnet (bumper "sticker").
Burton NJ2IT is coordinating GOTA participation and Rich KV2R will
coordinate most other bonus points items unless indicated otherwise below.
Band captains coordinate operating, except for Burton with GOTA.

Rich KV2R

The attachment:

SJRA needs better participation in Field Day for operators, set-up and
take-down, GOTA, and for Bonus Points.  So this year we have decided to
award to anyone who participates in Field Day a genuine SJRA Centennial
Commemorative car magnet.  It is an amazing fact that in recent years only
about 25 per cent of members show up at Field Day.  Nearly as many visitors
help out in one way or another.  But there are many ways by which a small
effort by a member can be a big help, especially if he commits ahead to do
something for just an hour or half hour.  Many of these tasks involve the
Get on the Air (GOTA) station or bonus points.  NJ2IT is helping to
coordinate these efforts this year.  Below is a list of activities where
more help is needed:

*GOTA Operators* – Infrequent radio operators, whether licensed or not, can
learn the basics of radio communication and at the same time earn points
for the club at the Get On The Air station.  Usually with the help of a
coach, an inexperienced person can make 20 contacts in an hour.  If he
reaches 20, his score is doubled.  If he does this with a coach, the number
of points earned is 60.  That’s more points that some regular operators
contribute.  Further, if you sign up in advance with Burton NJ2IT, we can
guarantee you the spot and a coach.

*GOTA Coach* – We need GOTA coaches to help swell the total GOTA
points.  Operators
who have just finished their shift or who are soon to go on duty can do a
great service for the club by coaching at the GOTA station.  Even better,
if you sign up with Burton, you can help to guarantee there will be a coach
at GOTA at all times.   Other persons, of course, are also welcome as GOTA
coaches.

*Documenting Field Day activities with pictures – *We need to document some
FD details with pictures to be put in the FD report.  These include the
generators that provide emergency power, the fact the we use a public
location, and the FD SJRA information table.  These can be sent to Rich
KV2R after FD is finished.  SJRA gets 700 points for using emergency power,
100 points for the public location, and 100 points for the info table.  So
these are important pictures.  Sign up with KV2R.

*W1AW Bulletin* – We get 100 bonus points for copying the W1AW Field Day
Bulletin any time and from anywhere during the FD weekend.  CW, voice, or
digital (RTTY, PSK31) all are ok.  Yes, you can use your own station with
no risk of embarrassment if you fail.  But send your copy to KV2R to make
sure SOMEONE copies the message.  Note the message is normally sent at
about 18 words per minute CW and in voice faster than you can copy, so
record it and write it down at leisure!  Or use digital.

*Public Information Table* – It’s a simple thing worth 100 points, but only
one person has done anything for this in the last 10 years.  All that is
needed is a few Harmonics, Car Magnets, QSTs and a couple tubs or table.  Some
other props are also available if you commit in advance.  Sign up in
advance with KV2R.  We need a picture.

*Educational Activity* – This is just a documented session with a handful
of the members to introduce or review a ham radio topic.  Typically it has
been led by someone who has his hands full setting up, operating, and
perhaps also acting as a station captain.  It would be nice if someone less
busy could take on the responsibility.  The best times are Saturday
afternoon or Sunday morning.  Last year, it was just a tutorial on making
contacts for new operators associated with the GOTA station.  A few props
are appropriate.  It could even be “how to attach a connector to a raw
piece of coax.”  Notify KV2R of your idea in advance.

Some other bonus point items have people who have agreed to lead the
efforts but who can definitely use some help or an understudy.  In a lot of
cases these people are not sticky-wicket experts on the topic, but have
just got stuck with the job (for 10 years or more).  So they welcome and
usually need help.  And we might need someone else to do the job next year.

*Message Origination* – We have to send 11 messages to the ARRL section
manager and ten other arbitrary hams in order to get 200 bonus points.  Holden
KD2JPV did this last year and has agreed to do it again, but he needs some
help.  The messages (including name, full address, call sign, and telephone
number) must be prepared in advance on National Traffic System (NTS)
message forms.  Then they will be sent from the FD site about 8 pm on
Saturday.  Holden as a minimum will need someone to hold the messages and a
flash light.  The messages are trivial; we use generic “NTS message
50”.  Contact
KV2R or KD2JPV for help and to volunteer.

*Satellite QSO* – Joe KC2TN is an expert on satellite contacts, but he is
very approachable.  He needs help to have someone at least position the
antenna and/or help set up the automated antenna while he makes the contact.
It’s an interesting activity and a source of respect among hams to anyone
who can pull this off.  And it’s worth 100 points.  Evidently you need to
be there when the satellite passes overhead.  Contact Joe or Rick W2JAZ if
you can help out.

*Alternate Power (Solar) QSO* – Jon W2MC again is an expert with the
required QRP contacts, but his rig may wear out someday.  Plus he has a
station to captain.  This is usually done starting at 2pm on Saturday when
new contacts are numerous.  The job is easier if an assistant is available
to record contact information and provide encouragement.  Contact Jon W2MC
for information.  Five contacts are needed for 100 points.

*Site Visitation by Invited, Elected Government Official* – If you know
such a person (from anywhere) be sure to invite him and drag him to the
site.  He must sign the sign-in sheet.  We can send a formal invite if you
contact KV2R in advance.  We like to take a picture.

*Site Visitation by an Emergency Management Official* – If you know such a
person (from anywhere) be sure to invite him and drag him to the site.  He
must sign the sign-in sheet.  We can send a formal invite if you contact
KV2R in advance.  We like to take a picture.

*Safety Officer *– We must have a person assigned to this for the entire
weekend, but shifts and multiple persons are allowed.  Too often in the
past this task has fallen to people who are up to their ears in other FD
problems the whole time.  Contact Bob KE2D or Ken K2WB to help out.  100
bonus points.

*Social Media* – If you are into social media come to the FD site and plug
Field Day while you are there or afterward.  Then document your posts and
send the evidence to KV2R.  100 bonus points.

*Youth Participation* – If you know a youth with a little interest in
radio, bring him/her to the GOTA station and help him make one contact.  20
bonus points per youth.  Separate from GOTA points.