Bill

I'm planning to go.

73

Fred AE0FD


At 12:03 PM 5/15/2020, you wrote:

Chris, et al.,
I appreciate the discussion thread. From the PIO teleconference you invited me to, I am glad to see many other clubs discussing the same issues we have. The memorable statement from one of the attendees was "most of our club is over 70, and I would not want to see FD cause one of them to get the virus and die".
Also another said "our club is not really about making contacts on Field Day, but really enjoys to camaraderie of the event, and a couple of beers".

ARRL made it clear that they don't think Field Day should take place as usual, but that clubs need to comply with local directions. Interaction with the public seems unlikely.

I just called Rock Bridge State Park, and they are open. Our reservation is still valid. There will be new guide lines coming out next week, and Sara will call me to discuss.Â

I think the first thing we need to do is get a read on how many of us want to participate in some kind of club activity around Field day. If there is only 5, we have a plan, if there is 35, we need a plan.

Bill N0AXZ


On Fri, May 15, 2020 at 11:16 AM Chris Swisher <Komu8ce@...> wrote:

I would like to start a on-line discussion of thoughts and dialog on what we can do or want to do for Field Day this year. It is not a normal environment to exercise in (notice I did not say contest), and changes are obviously in order from last year and years prior. This discussion is meant to bring together those thoughts and comments that may seem trivial or silly that are deemed not worthy of repeater time during the club meetings on the air. There are no stupid ideas here, in other words.

The ARRL establishes the goal of the weekend of June 27-28, 2020 from the rules, located at: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2020/1_61-2020%20Rules.pdfÂ

"2. Object: To work as many stations as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meter HF bands, as well as all bands 50 MHz and above, and in doing so to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio."

What is "abnormal" in this years' operation? An emergency. A nasty virus that prevents us from getting within 6 feet of one another and having those  collaborative moments of learning what makes a band pass filter work, or how to clear some rust from a generator carburetor. Not being able to invite large groups of the public to get hands-on demonstrations of a transceiver. Not cramping four guys in an enclosed trailer for 26 hours.

What is normal about this years' operation? Finding creative solutions to common problems that we might find during an emergency. Actually learning how to adapt and overcome. Obtaining useful skills and learning from others how to build a better operation, should we be individually needed.

Am I saying that we have to do a full blown Field Day? No. Some of the activities are just too much work to render safe for the group. Examples I would give are an operator and logger sitting elbow to elbow in a trailer. Could the same be accomplished in a pop-up tent with 6 feet of separation? I think it is possible. Or maybe an operator doing their own logging. Wireless networking helps a great deal, as does interfacing the logging software to the radio. Automatic dupe checking is a miracle in itself.

Is a basic 3A operation that concentrates on CW, SSB and digital in tents a possibility?

I look forward to the discussion.

Chris K0PHP

CMRA PIO/Trustee

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Bill N0AXZ