Activities


Field Day 2011

When: Saturday June 25th 14:00 to Sunday June 26th 14:00 (set-up to begin about 08:30 Saturday, breakdown starts at 14:00 on Sunday)
Where: Candler Hospital, Parking Garage A (the North parking deck), 5353 Reynolds Street, Savannah, GA
Who: The Coastal Amateur Radio Society in affiliation with the St. Joseph's/Candler Amateur Radio clubs
Talk In: 147.33+
Contact: Kevin, KW4B at kw4b@kwbell.net or Guy, K4GTM at k4gtm@arrl.net

Plans for FD2011 are just about wrapped up.

It looks like we will be operating 5A, plus a GOTA station and at least 1 VHF station. Well be able to operate multiple modes, including digital. We've got dipole antennas for 80, 40 and 20 meters as well as a brand new (and very well constructed) G5RV. We've also got a 20 thru 6 meter vertical, a 15 meter Hex Beam and a 40-6 meter home brew buddy pole (which we are planning on using at the GOTA station on 10 meters). We've got several hundred feet of coax cut in various lengths. We've lined up several 5KW or greater generators for keeping the batteries charged (we'll also have at least two batteries for each of the above mentioned HF radios). We are also planning on demonstrating some solar power; we are hoping to have the solar trailer there, but if not, we've already lined up two smaller solar systems that should be fun to use.

As for antenna supports, we've got the two lamp posts on the top deck of the garage to start with, plus Ralph Quinn, W4REQ has been kind enough to loan us 100 feet of mast in 5 foot section (that's 20 sections for the math challenged in the group) plus all the accompanying hardware. The Hex Beam is trailer mounted and will sit on top of it's own 30 foot mast. I plan on mounting the 20 - 6 meter vertical to a short mast using a bucket of cement at the base.

We are planning on using computers for all logging, and I think we've got all the computers lined up for that. Since we are not using computers to actually control the radios, we can run them off the AC power provided in the garage; the computers that are being used for our digital stations will need to be run off of batteries. We are still working out networking the logging computers together and setting up our wifi connection to the internet.

As mentioned above, we have AC power in the garage and we plan on using it for what we can, most likely fans. The 5th level (where we will be operating from) is very well lit at night (almost too much) so we won't need to worry about lights; but having a few flashlights or battery operated camping lamps might be a good idea in case the garage loses power for some reason. We should have plenty of extension cord and power adapters.

We have grabbed the large cooler from the club storage and will plan on having it full of ice (we also cleaned out the bottled water supply we had, so hopefully we can plan on using that up). Additionally we grabbed a couple of tables from the club house, and the hospital is providing several more.

As I write this the forecast for next Saturday is calling for slightly cooler temperatures (high 80's low 90's) with a 30% chance of Thunderstorms throughout the day and evening.

I've asked the hospital to block off the entire 5th and 6th level of the garage for us. It's not being used much above the 3rd level on the weekend anyway, so this shouldn't be a problem. As previously stated, the antenna will be placed on the 6th level and our operating positions will be set-up at each end of the 5th level. Half of the 5th level will be used for parking for us, so you won't have much of a hike to get to the operating areas (at least not on the East end of the garage).

So I think the only thing we are lacking at this point are bodies to operate the stations (and chairs to sit in while operating) the full 24 hours; plus help with tear down after the event. Guy, Ray and myself are planning on being there for the full event (or as much of it as is possible). We have heard back from folks that are planning on being there to help us set-up (Thank You); and to at least help kick-off the event into Saturday evening. I've also heard back from at least one person interested in coming to operate a few hours during the night. Feedback regarding Sunday has been less. If you would rather avoid the heat of the day, then maybe plan on coming sometime during the night. Our goal is to stay on the air with as many of the stations as possible the full 24 hours, so we need operators. Please, if you are available to help out, even if only for a few hours, let Guy or myself know.

Kevin
KW4B