[SMCARA] Start thinking about field day 2014.

Mon Jan 27 16:38:58 EST 2014

Rene,

Thanks for picking up the load! Here are a few observations from last year. 

First question is to decide on configuration.  3A has worked in the past for us. Not cast in stone, but keeping more than 3 stations on for the duration might be an uphill climb.

Callsign? K3NHK worked well last year.  At one stage of the game we were going to try to get W3SI as club call to honor Garner. Seems to have lost traction.

GOTA or demo station?

VEC?

Your observations about Night Ops are right-on also. Taking an 8 hr break at night loses us a lot of points and fun too. In the "good ole days" of yore, we had some hard core CW ops like Dave Willenborg and Sam Leach who would pound brass all night and fill the logbook (or Log Ram, as the modern case may be!). Early commitment is essential.

I will be doing FD from Arizona this year, but the following club equipment is available (stored on base at K3NAL) and can be delivered pre event as needed:

Club Generator (used as backup last year- KB3UUN genny was primary)
HD Extension cords and multiple outlets.
Lights and cords for tent lighting.
Coax
G5RV antenna.
Surplus "green" antenna mast ( 2 avail )
ICOM 751A (This is the best of the 3 Icoms for use in high RF environment)
ICOM 735
ICOM 725
IC-F5021 2 M rig for talk-in.
Yaesu 736 (HF plus UHF/VHF Satellite)
10-15-20 Meter Triplexer
Indiv bandpass filters for 10-15-20-40-80 meters
10 Meter Ringo type vertical
Two meter Ringo Ranger for talk-in.
Two Meter Yagi-13 elements
We may also have a GAP Titan vertical (pending repairs)

The Triband Yagi we used last year is proudly flying over the museum, so another one needs to be sourced. Either a spare from someone's "collection" or the club might consider purchase.

Other club gear is stored in various garages/attics around the county!  Others can chime in with details!

Harry Dalton can put you in touch with his son, who provided the tent (at a reasonable price).

Logging network. Our intrepid county EC Ray has supported us in the past.  A dry run/training session is helpful, but a few minutes OJT Saturday morning will work too.

Food Chairman?
Publicity Chairman? Pot Luck is the biggie, plus enough munchies/coffee/water/soda for other times. 			  healthy items were a hit last year.

I will put us on the ARRL Field Day locator map like last year.

Standing by, let me know what you need.

73 Tom/W4OKW

Tom Clarke
Wyle, Inc  Aeronautics
P3 Product Lead, PEO(A)
USN/USMC National Airworthiness Office
Naval Air Systems Command, AIR-4.0P
(301) 995-3793/DSN 995-3793
Fax: (301) 342-3776
Cell (301) 904-2053
frederic.clarke at navy.mil

"A good Navy is not a provocation to war. 
It is the surest guaranty of peace."
President Theodore Roosevelt

-----Original Message-----
From: smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rene Ramirez
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 3:15 PM
To: SMCARA Reflector
Subject: [SMCARA] Start thinking about field day 2014.

Afternoon everyone.

I have accepted the position of 2014 field day co-ordinator.  And as in
previous years, no time like NOW to start planning what we want to do and
where we want to do it at.

And for the first official request:  Gene T, we good for the usual spot
this year at the Fire Station?

I want to bypass most of the other details and bring up something that a
few folks have already brought up as an important concern for 2014.  Night
ops!  This year, we need to set up a night ops watch.  I really need
everyone to think of this and see what your body/schedule can handle.  We
need at least 2...TWO...AWAKE...operators on site starting at 2345 on 4hr
shifts going to at least 0800.  Yeah just like back on the ship again
folks.  The reason behind this is well, safety and security.  there is a
significant financial investment just sitting there on tables with no one
up and looking after them.  it would be a shame to wake up and find out
they went missing or if only one person is up and there was an issue that
required two people (WX stuff, rig issues etc).  Another issue is a control
operator.  Technically (and legally) if there is only a technician on site
then that person can only work tech bands not all over the extra class
spectrum just because it's field day.  So we would like to make sure that
we have a higher license class operator on site (and awake preferably) to
act as control as well as provide guidance to the junior operators that
wish to stay the night.  We will more than likely secure the higher band
stations and just run 40/80m and maybe 20 if we have enough but 40/80 at a
minimum.  If we cannot get commitments on operators (minimum 2 per shift)
to man night ops then I will suggest right now that we will need to secure
the site and lock up the radios, computers etc prior to 2300.  We have been
fortunate all these years that nothing has come up missing or damaged and
we do not need to press our luck.

Food tents modes etc.  Make notes for the next meeting or start sending
emails to me personally or via the group and I will send out a digest
weekly of what we have and want.  But seriously, NIGHT OPS!  we need to get
hard commitments so think about your physical  capabilities/commitments and
look at your schedule!

Ok, nuff for now...And think about being a Night Owl with us!

73,

Ren...W3BNY.
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