[SMCARA] Countdown! FOUR Days left until the SMCARA Field Day Begins...

[Pete Butt]

Hi Folks.

  Just a reminder that we are fast approaching the
start of the once-per-year rite of summer... AMATEUR
RADIO FIELD DAY.  As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the
St. Mary's County Amateur Radio Association (SMCARA)
will once again be sponsoring a major field day site
in the field (literally) at the rear of the parking lot
of the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Station.  The location
is only 1/2 mile north of the traffic light at the
intersection of MD Route 235 and 245 in Hollywood,
Maryland.  Turn into the fire station access road at
the blinking lights and proceed up to the rear of the
upper level parking lot by the base of the large radio
tower.  Look for the large 30' x 30' tent which will be
our base of operations.

  This event is open to ALL amateurs, their families
and guests.  Visitors and non-hams are welcome!  Please
pass the word to anyone you know that might be interested
in ham radio that this would be an excellent time to
learn all about the hobby while having a good time.
Members of other clubs are especially invited to join
us in showing off this great hobby to the public.  Our
goals are simple:  have a good time!  While making points
is always the desired result, we'd rather stop operating
for a couple of minutes and show a newcomer what the 
hobby is all about or let them operate if that might help
get them interested in the hobby.

  Here's the planned timeline:

  Saturday, 22 June 2002
  10 AM - begin setup of site (everyone welcome to help).
          This is when we will be putting the tables in
          place under the tent, setting up the radios,
          installing antennas, hooking up the lights, etc.
  12 Noon - lunchtime!
  2 PM - begin operations for the 24 hour period
  6 PM - All hands picnic on site (see below)
  7 PM - continue operating throughout the night

  Sunday, 23 June 2002
  2 PM - shutdown & begin breakdown/cleanup of site
         (Field Day completed)
  3 PM - time to go home and get some shuteye

  Some site information:

  - we will be operating 3A (3 HF bands on emergency power)
  - callsign is K3HKI
  - talk-on station on the K3HKI 146.64 2-meter repeater
  - we will be operating on APRS and satellite bands
  - we have multiple HF radios and antennas available but
    you are welcome to bring your favorite radio, keyer,
    paddles, mike, headphone, bug repellant, etc. if you wish
  - electrical power will be from a 5,000 watt generator
    with comprehensive electrical filtering, protection and
    outlets at each operating position we set up
  - site will be fully lit at night
  - site is handicap-accessible
  - modern indoor bathrooms with running water available
    on-site less than 25 feet away from operating positions
  - plenty of room for putting up antennas
  - hard surface parking less than 50 feet from operating
    positions for hundreds of cars and vehicles

  Picnic information (6 PM on Saturday evening):

  - SMCARA will provide gas grill, cooking utensils, sodas,
    ice water, ice, cups, plates, eating utensils, napkins,
    condiments, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese, tomatoes,
    lettuce, etc.
  - Everyone else is requested to bring some sort of covered
    dish that we can all share (i.e., casserole, salad, dessert,
    cake, baked beans, fried chicken, cookies, etc.)
  - Also bring your own meat or fish to cook on the grill if
    you don't like hot dogs or hamburgers that we arre providing!

  So there you have it!  The makings of another fine Amateur
Radio Field Day... please come join us this weekend for an hour
or for the entire 24 hour period and bring your friends.

  Call me at 301-862-2214 (evenings) this week if you have any
questions or send me an e-mail at petebutt@ameritel.net

  Very sincerely,

  Pete Butt, WA3UMY
  President, St. Mary's County ARA

  
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