Greetings all,
Well, it’s getting very, very close that time again…time for field day in weather that doesn’t cause us to spontaneously combust! Here are the details:
The 2012 Winter Field Day will be held from 1700 UCT (12:00 noon EST) Saturday January 28, 2011 through 1700 UCT (12:00 noon EST) Sunday January 29, 2012. The object of the event is familiar to most Amateur Radio operators: set up emergency-style communications and make as many contacts as possible during the 24 hour period. The rules encourage as many contacts on as many bands and modes as possible, because during a real emergency, the most important factor is the ability to communicate, regardless of band, mode or distance.
I’m looking at this as a 24 hr operation, so here’s the bed space count: 1 single air mattress, 2 queen air mattresses, one king bed and one couch. If you are planning on staying overnight please let me know. I don’t want to have a repeat of last year where someone got sent home because of bunk space! From memory, I have Richard and Owen. If there are others, please remind me.
For antennas, I’ve got the Butternut which now works on 80/40/30/20/17/12/10. I have a low 80m dipole which does very well in CONUS. I’ve also got a 160m Inverted L up which covers the states quite nicely. If you have an antenna you want to experiment with, you are more than welcome to do so, but be sure to bring whatever you might need to get it supported. I do have a fishing line slingshot, so that will be availible for getting lines up into trees. I also still have (!) the KARS field day antenna boxes and coax (Sorry Dave) so those should be able to be used for this event too. The only thing I ask is to avoid running antennas that require walking on the roof. Hopefully we will have some cool weather, (if you don’t need a coat like last year, it’s not cool!) and also remember that the back of the property and the big metal building is availible to operate out of too. I’ve been able to burn off my brushpile, so we can have a bonfire in the back if we like.
Now, as for food, Sachiko has sent out the list for folks to contribute to. PLEASE fill in what you plan on bringing. This is so we don’t end up with 10 relish trays. If you can’t open the file, or don’t want to fill it out, please at least communicate to her what it is you intend to bring so we can avoid duplications. Also, my grill will be availible for whatever anyone may want to put on it.
For the folks who didn’t make it out last year, you really missed a good time. Even if you don’t plan on staying the whole time, come on out and enjoy the food and fun. It’s definitely a nice time to be outside, much cooler than the field day in the summer!
