Good morning all,
I've been reading the emails back and fourth regarding field day, and
thought I'd share some of what I'll be bringing and some of the planning
Chris Knox and I have been doing behind the scenes.
Chris and I visited the site on 7/11 to get a better feel for what we're
working with regarding facilities and antenna space. We came to the
conclusion that it makes the most sense to locate the RACES trailer
containing the "GOTA" station and Contest Station 3 directly next to the
picnic shelter, with contest stations 1 and 2 in their own separate
tent/canopys at the far ends of the parking lot area. Station 2 will be
across from the skateboarding equipment on site closer to the entrance.
Station 1 will be in the grassy area near the rear of the site, possibly
near the fence boundary of the bike path. The reason for separation is to
prevent interference between radios. My biggest fear Is interaction between
40 and 20 meters. The spacing also allows us to take advantage of all
antenna real estate on site.
Chris Knox has most of the equipment for Station 1. I will be bringing most
of the equipment for Station 2. The equipment I'll be providing includes:
FT-1000MP
Heil Pro 7 + Hand Mic
MFJ-994 Tuner
Rigblaster (primarily for voice Keying)
Laptop (Will also serve as logging server)
25' LMR-400
Bandpass Filters for 20 and 40 (hopefully these arrive before field day)
VHF talk-in radio
There are many things I'm sure I'm forgetting to list here.
In addition, I'll be setting up and maintaining the LAN during the event.
Operations occurring near the picnic shelter will be connected via Ethernet
cables to the primary router. Both remote operating positions will be
connected to the LAN via a 5ghz link. Although there will be WiFi
connectivity at the event, no internet access will be available. Anyone
brining a laptop for logging must have the latest updates installed for
their operating system and must have antivirus software with up-to-date
definitions. For the safety of hardware and information, nobody will
connect to the network without these prerequisites.
For the networking I'll be bringing:
1 Laptop (Will also be used for logging)
1 WRT54g with DDWRT
3 Ubiquity 600mw CPE
3 5ghz antennas with gain
3 POE power injectors
Misc Ethernet cables
In terms of logging, we will try for N1MM. If for whatever reason there is
difficulty with this, we will revert to N3FJP. The field day log database
will be backed up at around 0200 on Sunday, and again at the end of the
event. The log file will be given to a designated party who can then submit
the required documentation to the ARRL.
All of the above information is assuming that we will be running as a 3A
station for the 2017 event. Chris and I have been in communication almost
daily, working hard to make sure this field day is successful and fun for
everyone involved. Please share any questions or concerns you may have.
73,
Chris Craig
K1MHZ
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Sent from a mobile device: please excuse any spelling errors or brevity.
