Field Day is just around the corner!? Hopefully those interested have the info you need, but just in case:
¡¤?????? Weather for the weekend is supposed to be sunny and hot.? Good if we can avoid thunderstorms, but awfully hot with highs in the mid-90s.? There are ceiling fans on the deck, but if anybody has a box fan or two it might help keep the deck a bit more comfy. I have sun screen, and will have some bottled water.??
¡¤?????? When you arrive, park at the top of the driveway too unload.? You can leave the cars in the driveway, at least until it fills up.? Just don¡¯t block in Margaret¡¯s white Subaru.? Should be able to get 4 cars up the driveway.? Also, if you park on the street, avoid parking close to our driveway where it makes it difficult for the neighbors across the street to get in and out of their driveway.?
¡¤?????? Friday all day and into the evening we¡¯ll be setting up.? Come when you can, if you can.? While it isn¡¯t the 9-towers-in-a-pasture like years ago, it does always seem to fill up the day.? Friday is the day to get the tables, chairs, generator, solar panels, extension cords, etc put in place.? I¡¯ll be working on getting the wire antennas up starting in the morning around 9am.? Friday and Saturday are both supposed to be scorchers¡ªhighs mid 90s.? So hopefully this job will be done by noon.? Eddie is coming in the afternoon and we can hopefully switch gears to getting the radios set up and tested, and ready to copy the ARRL bulletin.? The plan is to copy the ARRL CW bulletin at 8:00pm, digital bulletin at 9:00pm.? °Â±ð¡¯±ôl probably order pizza or something like that Friday evening.?
¡¤?????? °Â±ð¡¯±ôl resume setup Saturday morning¡ªJeff and Larry will arrive then and get their radios set up and ready, and we can get any last minute things done before it gets too hot.?
¡¤?????? The operating period is 2pm Saturday to 2pm Sunday.? °Â±ð¡¯±ôl operate 4A.? So there should be a radio available for someone to operate about any time you might want to.? We won¡¯t have all the stations on all the time, but hopefully there will be many hours during the day when we do.? I plan to be operating until about 1:30am, break for the satellite pass, then get some sleep.? It¡¯s sort of up to you when you want to operate, but when you do, there should be a radio available.?
¡¤?????? Here¡¯s the plan for meals:?
o?????? I¡¯ll have lunch ready around noon Saturday so we should be ready to go for the 2pm start.? I¡¯m planning lunch for AE4TQ, KE4QFB, KE4UW, N1KDO, and WB4SQ.? If anyone else plans to be there for lunch, let me know by tomorrow. (I¡¯m doing the grocery shopping Thursday)
o?????? Saturday dinner will be kung pao chicken stir fry with rice and vegetables.? I¡¯m expecting the same folks for dinner.? Again, others are welcome to join us for dinner, but I need to know by tomorrow.
o?????? Sunday breakfast will be around 8:30am, plus or minus.? The best satellite pass is 0130 Saturday night, and I¡¯ll be up for that.? Afterwards I need to get 4 hours sleep, then I¡¯ll get up and start cooking.? Menu is pancakes, biscuits, bacon, and sausage.? I¡¯m expecting the same group plus KB4SLV.
o?????? Sunday lunch will be around 2pm when operating stops.? Probably burgers and brats.? Same group as for lunch, plus Gary¡¯s xyl.?
o?????? Please let me know if anyone else plans to eat.?
¡¤?????? Bring your swim suit and towel.? It will be nice to cool off in the pool from time to time.?
¡¤?????? I have space in the basement if anyone wants to spend the night Saturday night (carpeted, air conditioned).? First come first serve for the sofa in the basement.? I¡¯d suggest you bring an air mattress.? Please let me know if you plan to spend the night so I can get things ready.?
¡¤?????? Bonus points:?
o?????? Emergency power (400 points):? for running stations off the grid
o?????? 5 qsos on alternate power (100 pts):? Eddie and I will have stations with access to solar power/solar charged batteries
o?????? Message to SM (100 points):? I have messages ready to go, and have tested Winlink and VARA HF software
o?????? Message traffic (100 points): I have 10 messages ready to go.?
o?????? Satellite contact (100 points):? With Eddie¡¯s help, I should have this one.?
o?????? Copying ARRL bulletin (100 points):? Eddie has the software ready for this.
o?????? 100 points for safety officer:? NEED A VOLUNTEER FOR THIS¡ªyou fill out a checklist for the safety inspection of the site.? Take this seriously and help us remain un-hurt.
o?????? 100 points for social media:? NEED A VOLUNTEER(S) for this.? Someone who knows what social media is.?
o?????? 50 point for web score submission:? I¡¯ll do this
o?????? So we should get 1150 bonus points
¡¤?????? Other bonus point available:
o?????? 100 points for educational activity:? There was some talk of a zoom thing from Eric, but I¡¯m guessing that was overcome by events.?
o?????? 100 points for GOTA coach:? Need to make at least 10 qsos with a gota coach.? We could do this, but it may require more effort than we have resources for.? For one, we¡¯d need another laptop set up with N1MM, NOT networked with the other computers.? Completely separate log with different call sign.?? With half the crew not arriving until Saturday to set up, not sure it¡¯s in the cards.? If anyone wants to take it on to make it happen, speak up!? We probably have the equipment, but we need someone to own it.?? Then the GOTA qsos are 5 points each regardless of mode.?
?If I¡¯ve left something out, or you have any questions, let me know.?
