SCARC members: (Welcome back all RVers):

Good news! We have a new Field Day site finalized at the CMC Spring Valley campus for this year’s operation on June 27 – 29! This site will be more accessible and a shorter drive for many of the members, will better support club efforts to inform and involve the public and youth in particular about ham radio, and very nicely accommodate members whether they plan to stay in a tent, camper, motor home, or return home for rest. HOWEVER, no alcohol is allowed on campus.

More specifically, the site is the large flat field on the west end of the main campus and the adjacent parking lot (on the left after turning into the campus). NOT where we visited on Saturday). Although not that far from the power lines, we listened to nice quiet HF bands yesterday. (Just pray for no rain). There are good launch angles and views available in most all directions, so propagation should be good. Campers, RV’s and motor homes will be in the parking lot and won’t leave the asphalt. Tents can be pitched in the grass. A Porta-potty will be on site, and showers are even available for $5 at the campus field house in the mornings and afternoons.

Please see the map below for access to the site…all on paved roads. Easy access for big rigs this year!!

We plan to (and the college expects us to) conduct more outreach and education than we have in the recent past. We will have a canopy in place with members who will welcome visitors, hand out info sheets, answer questions, and give a tour of the site if requested. I am asking for a volunteer to coordinate this onsite outreach / communication effort, and recruit assistants to make sure someone is available for this during the daylight hours. It won’t be a big task, printed material is available from ARRL online, just be ready to welcome and inform visitors and curiosity seekers…Clark has already agreed to assist with this effort.

The SSB station will be the usual setup of Bob K9MWM, the tribander on tower sections and low band dipoles. The CW station is different this year. The plan is to run my TenTec OMNI 7 (with good CW filters), likely in my A – frame camper. The planned antenna is the “YagVee” Vee Beam wire antenna as described in my presentation at the April club meeting, along with my Hustler whip on the roof (which works surprisingly well on the higher bands).

Interest has been expressed in GOTA, FT8, and 6M stations as well, although no concrete plans have yet emerged. Volunteers??

Since there are no trees, I’m also looking for two push-up rigid masts (ideally 30′ high, but at least 20′..) that can support one end of a 120′ wire antenna for the CW station (let me know what you have). I hope to avoid tower sections for this.

UPDATE June 17  We will begin setup of camp and stations at 11:00 a.m. Friday morning.  The goal is to have the antennas up and stations operational by 5 p.m. Friday evening, so assistance with raising push-up masts and  antennas is important during the early afternoon.  Completion of set-up by 5p.m. Friday will allow those wishing to return home Friday evening to do so.  The actual operation time is from noon Saturday to noon Sunday, mountain daylight savings time.  There will be a schedule coordination meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, an hour prior to the start of the operation, to finalize operating schedules and assignments – please make every attempt to attend!

Our goal is to get everyone to operate, we will help newcomers. It takes a couple hours to take down and pack the equipment, we should all be on the road by 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the latest.

Similar to previous years our plans include logging computers with N1MM software. We need operators for the SSB voice HF station, CW (Morse
code) HF station, an FT-8  digital HF station, and possibly a GOTA (Get-On-The-Air) HF station, UHF/VHF station, and all mode 6 meter station. We’re listed on ARRL’s website as a public Field Day location, everyone is welcome.

You will have fun. Bring the family, the kids will have a great time.  Any pets must be leashed at all times.  You can attend for an hour or 3 days, it’s up to you, stay both nights if you can.  Stations and tents can set up in the grass.  Cars, campers, and RV’s should park in the adjacent paved lot.  There are no utilities available on-site. There will be a commercial porta-potty for the event. NO OPEN FIRES – PLEASE BRING FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. Gas camp stoves are ok. Bring sun screen and a hat, there are no trees in the area. 12’ x 12’ pop-up canopies work well with tie downs. You are responsible for your own camping accommodations, food, beverages, clothing, etc. There will be a group photo and social gathering around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, (please remember, no alcohol is allowed on campus) followed by our potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m. Bring something to share, although there is usually more food than is needed, so don’t bring too much. The nights can be cool, a jacket or fleece will keep you warm. Mosquitos shouldn’t be a problem but it’s a good idea to have repellent with you. Thunderstorms are less common in June but possible. So, come on out and participate in our nation-wide emergency preparedness operation!

Only the official Field Day Stations may be on the air during the emergency operation from noon Saturday until noon Sunday. If you would like to operate (test) your personal rig, please do that before noon on Saturday. If you would like to operate one of the five stations, check the operator assignment sheet. Feel free to observe any operating station by quietly walking in to observe. The SSB phone station will use rotating operators. There will be an operator and logger. After an hour, the logger will become the operator and a new logger will be scheduled. We will do software and operating education Friday evening and Saturday morning. For any last-minute changes check www.k0rv.org. Try out one mode or all five. We plan to monitor 146.88
during the entire event. VEC Tests can be given during the event, please mention to our VEC coordinator, Bryan, NØTHY that you would like to take a test and he will arrange the time with you. That’s the plan as of this notice, subject to changes typical of any field exercise. 73 from the Ski Country Amateur Radio Club.

Mike Ferguson KØMF skiflyr3@gmail.com