[SMCARA] SMCARA Field Day announcement

[petebutt at comfac.com]

Hi Folks,

Well, it's that time of year again...

Hot, sultry and humid :)

It MUST be time for the annual ARRL FIELD DAY!


WHAT:  ARRL Field Day Amateur Radio Operating Event

- This is an outdoor, 24-hour event designed to introduce the general
public to the amazing hobby called Amateur or "Ham" Radio.  This is NOT a
contest or emergency event.  It is intended to offer the general public an
opportunity to learn about the hobby, how to get a license, what equipment
is typically used, how to install simple antennas to communicate with
others around the world, and how to have fun!  Visit our displays and
spend an hour (or more) learning how simple it is to contact and talk to
other other individuals all over the United States.


WHERE:  Hollywood Fire Station, Hollywood, Maryland

(at the rear of the main parking lot under the big tent)


WHEN:  Saturday/Sunday - 26-27 June 2010

(initial site setup begins at 10 AM sharp)


CALL SIGN:  K3NHK


WHO:  Everyone is welcome... SMCARA members and their families, relatives,
friends, public officials, etc.

  New Hams (or those of you interested in learning more about the amateur
radio hobby) are especially welcome.

  This is a FREE event that is intended for the entire family.


Step number 1:

- Point your web browser to the WWW.ARRL.ORG web site and locate the link
to the ARRL Field Day information pages or simply click [ HERE ] to take
you there right now

- Check out the field day site locator tool [ HERE ] for the exact
location of our FD site location (it's on the map).  Select 'Maryland' and
then 'K3NHK' to see the information about our event.

Check out the 'satellite view' for a high resolution image of the exact
site we will be using.


Step number 2:

- Show up at 10 AM to help prepare the site for the event. We will be
setting up the tables, grill, fans, installing the antennas and radio
systems, setting up the generator and electrical distribution wiring,
putting up the lights in the tent for night operations, checking all
equipment for proper operation, getting the food and beverages iced down
and setting up the literature table.

The actual 24-hour operating event begins at 2 PM local time on Saturday
afternoon.


Step number 3:

- Get ready to have some fun!


Here is what you can do at the SMCARA Field Day this year:

- Operate one of our multiple radio setups and talk to other amateurs
located all over the United States

- New to ham radio?... Try out our GOTA (Get On The Air) station to see
what the hobby is all about.  Experienced ham radio operators will sit
with you and answer all your questions.  This is your chance to get
immersed in the hobby using actual radio equipment in a real operating
event

 - Help put up the antennas

- Check out our high frequency digital station and learn all about modes
like 'PSK31' and what you can do with it

- Eat some food (we'll have lot's of food and drinks for all)

- *** IMPORTANT *** Don't forget the Saturday evening PICNIC at 6 PM
sharp! EVERYONE is welcome (hams, spouses, children, friends, relatives,
etc.)  If you'd like to bring something to share for the picnic, that
would be even better.  The club provides the hamburgers, hot dogs, chips &
dips, grill, condiments, eating utensils, paper plates, napkins, soft
drinks, bottled water and ice.  Some suggestions for additional side dish
items that you might consider bringing to share include:

- fried or baked chicken

- baked beans

- chili

- salads (garden, potato, macaroni, etc.)

- fruit

- desserts (pies, cake, cookies)

- what ever else you would like to share



We have only one major request though...

No PETS please!!!

(we usually have a number of small children around who don't want to get
accidentally bitten and we certainly don't want animals doing their
business right where we will be operating, eating and sleeping - please
leave them at home)

So that's it... we hope to see all of you sometime during this weekend's
event... This is the biggest SMCARA event of the year... let's have a
great turnout!!!

Vr, Pete (WA3UMY)
    President, SMCARA