Field Day, 1999 June 25^th, 26^th, 27^th

The planning has begun

To successfully pull off a large field day exercise requires alot of upfront planning. Planning for Field Day 1999 started with the first planning meeting in July 1999 which was also the Field Day 1998 Wrap-Up meeting.

Planning now begins in earnest. There are six additional planning meetings scheduled to take us up to the week before field day weekend. The tentative dates of all the meetings are:

Unlike prior years, the meetings will be held at the Nashua Public Library main building (Where we have our meetings). The meetings will be downstairs in the east wing. Meeting time is NARC Standard, or 7:00 PM Local Time. If you're a key player in the club's effort, or you want to be a key player, or even if you're just curious about what goes on at these planning meetings come on down.

Any questions contact Fletch Seagroves, N1MEO - Field Day Incident Commander (603-673-3036)

See ya there.

18 July 1998

1998 Field Day Wrap-up / 1999 Field Day

Important Safety Issues

We had some serious hazards during teardown this year!
Folks were very tired during teardown. An antenna at tower 1 got tangled up in guy wires. While getting untangled elements were almost run through the 20CW tent which was still occupied!
The last 30 feet of tower 3 came down uncontrolled! It hit with enough force to break some of the bolts holding the sections together. Screw-ups included:
1. Insufficient people involved in teardown (Three or four).
2. No acknowledged (or acting) ground crew chief.
3. People not paying attention and not thinking.
Only 1 guy wire needs to be removed to lower the 30 feet. Loosen, add slack and retighten the other 2 guy wires.
If you see something wrong, Speak up!
If you think you see something wrong, Speak up!
If you are confused about what's coming next, Speak up!
If you are shorthanded, don't put it up!
If you are shorthanded, leave it up!
We do not have sufficient resources (people) for teardown of a 100 foot tower.
Tower 3 will NOT go to 100 feet next year.
Everyone is responsible for everyone else's safety.

Important Stuff to Do or Avoid

Need to assemble section 1,2, and 3 of tower 3, rotating each tower section through the 120 degrees and perform a visual inspection of ALL welds.
40m CW beam (KE1GI's) was resonant in the right place, but had a 2:1 VSWR bandwidth of about 5KHz.
Station Masters need to commit to show up at the Planning meetings.
Gin poles are not to be used as masts!
Tools should be available to drive pipe (1" rebar?) for guy wire anchors.
80CW had infinite VSWR with the RF Filter. Filter #6 needs to be checked.
Need to plan for and coordinate the RFI trackdown at start.
Consider backing off on power levels approximately 25%. Especially for 10 meter SB, CW, and Novice.
Tower school needs to include ground school.
Meals need to be on time.
Water must be available for cleanup.
Set rotors to mid rotation.
Pay attention to leaving the vacant/occupied signs in the right position.
A snatch block need repairing.
CT clock setting requirements and effects of changing need to be mad clear to all loggers.
Prep the tower buckets for instant use.
Also include in each tower bucket:
1. Emery CLoth or nolox available for antenna corrosion
2. Updated tower bucket inventory
3. Full antenna instructions
4. Duct Tape
5. Electrical Tape
6. Torpedo Level

Wrap-up Notes

Task descriptions (of various field day actions) need to be done and/or redone. Lack of readily available documentation is causing good history to be lost.
Novice 10 Meter antenna put together wrong. Had to be repaired at height.
75SB and 20CW had lots of RFI. Source not determined. NO1V thought it was a sideband station.
Consider having some CW stations be RTTY capable for when rates slow.
We need to consider serious efforts on 6 and 2 meter CW for next year.
Investigate having the 10 meter stations run 50 watts. Try simultaneous ops >50KHz apart
Meals were late, sometimes as much as 1 to 1.5 hours.
There was no canopy for the food line.
No water for cleanup.
Jack wants spaghetti with 3 different sauces (e.g. meat, no meat, Alfredo) for meals.
Refridgerator needs to be mnoved from henhouse to trailer. If not used in the next year or two, consider getting rid of it.
Consider "formally" pairing inexperienced people with experienced ones who will Elmer them.

Various and Sundry

We were on the air almost all the time.
10 meters was open all night.
6 meters was open to Texas.
Write up, or create a setup/teardown video?
Move the NARC remailer to a better (i.e. automatic) location (QSL.net?).

Attendees were: Jim, WW1Y, Fletch, N1MEO, Rich, W1HZN, Jack, WB4MDC, David, N1XOT, Bob, KD1AW, Dave, N1SUE, Mike, K7CTW

06 April 1999

The traditional Battery/Harder QSO's versus Generataor/Easier QSO's went with the gennie.

Club callsign N1FD will be used.

Site one again for the last time will be at KA1OMJ's.

Explorer Post 200 will have people supporting at the site. They will also be at Tower School.

Sterling, AK1K will handle Soda & Ice in place of Kenny.

Tower three will only go to 70 feet. 40m SSB will use single beam

New Action Items:

Sanitary facilities need to be in place Friday afternoon
Sterling, AK1K needs access to BOB (Big Orange Box)
Check with Rex, K1HI on his 40 and 20 meter beams
Check with Jim, WW1Y on what rev of CT
Check with Ken, KE1GI on his 40 meter beam - AK1K
Check with Gene, K1NR, on 2 meter vertical.
Check on 2m Ringo.
Check lower 30 feet of tower 3 for damage.

Attendees were: Fletch, N1MEO, Mike, K7CTW, Ray, KB1SO, Steve, WA4LDL, Ron, NU1U, Dave, KW1DX, and Sterling, AK1K.

20 April 1999

Tower school at 11:00 June 12th at K7CTW's.

W1AW message needs to be copied early.

New Action Items:

Check with Rich, W1HZN, on natural power battery.
Check on KA1GOZ tent for Kitchen.
Check with N1SUE for 902MHz.
Check with N1WIR for climbing.
Check with Henry on FD filters.
Check out Equipment at trailer. May 8th.

Old Action Items:

Sanitary facilities need to be in place Friday afternoon - Fletch
Check with Rex, K1HI on his 40 and 20 meter beams
Check with Ken, KE1GI on his 40 meter beam - AK1K
Check with Gene, K1NR, on 2 meter vertical.
Check on 2m Ringo.
Check lower 30 feet of tower 3 for damage.

Resolved Items:

Check with Jim, WW1Y on what rev of CT - 9.latest (9.39)
Sterling, AK1K needs access to BOB (Big Orange Box) - Done
Attendees were: Fletch, N1MEO, and some others...
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04 May 1999
No minutes available
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18 May 1999
New Action Items:
1. Check on meal prices and contents - 5% more on meals?
2. Check with WS1U for 40m CW station master.
3. Tarp needed for Kitchen
4. Need separate generator for fridge at Kitchen.
5. Check on spare generators.
6. Someone hard boil the chicken...
Old Action Items:
1. Check with Rich, W1HZN, on natural power battery.
2. Sanitary facilities need to be in place Friday afternoon - Fletch
3. Check with Rex, K1HI on his 40 and 20 meter beams
4. Check with Ken, KE1GI on his 40 meter beam - AK1K
5. Check with Gene, K1NR, on 2 meter vertical.
6. Check lower 30 feet of tower 3 for damage.
Resolved Items:
- Check out Equipment at trailer. -Done
- Check on 2m Ringo. - In trailer.
- Check on KA1GOZ tent for Kitchen. - Not available
- Check with N1SUE for 902MHz. - Yes
- Check with N1WIR for climbing. - Yes
- Check with Henry on FD filters. - Done
  Attendees were: Fletch, N1MEO, Dave, N1SUE, Al, K1ALH, and Ray, KB1SO.
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  01 June 1999
  
  We need a 10 meter CW station master!!!!!!!
  Remember to bring a snack or desert to the site to share. Only items that do not need refrigeration or heating.
  Trash cleanup: Since the henhouse is gone we can no longer rely on leaving our trash there for later removal. When you leave the site, especially on Sunday, take a bag of trash home.
  Jon, W1SU, is officially the Bert designate.
  Consider putting 15 CW in the funmobile.
  New Action Items:
  1. Check with Kenny on 40m beam - overall status
  2. Check with Bob, KD6LFW on large canopy for Kitchen area.
  3. Verify K2TE is station master for 160m CW, SSB, and 75m SSB.
  4. Check with Chris, K1SI on Funmobile Inventory, personel, and removal of rigs. - WW1Y
  5. Check with K1NR on attendance, desires, rigs, and antennas. - WW1Y
  6. We need to find 1.2GHZ equipment. - WW1Y
  7. Check with Marc, KB1DFE for Satellite station master.
  8. Select and post simplex frequencies for passing Q's between 6 CW and SSB, and 10 SSB and Novice. - WW1Y
  9. Check with KD1AW for water tank loan.
  10. Check with KA1OMJ on mosquito spraying
  11. Need a large (100cup) coffee pot - WA4WIJ
  12. Check with KE1EB for signs, climbing. - WW1Y
  13. NARCprop needs to get to information booth.
  Old Action Items:
  1. Check on meal prices and contents - 5% more on meals?
  2. Tarp needed for Kitchen
  3. Check on spare generators.
  4. Someone hard boil the chicken...
  5. Sanitary facilities need to be in place Friday afternoon - Fletch
  6. Check with Ken, KE1GI on his 40 meter beam - AK1K
  7. Check with Gene, K1NR, on 2 meter vertical.
  8. Check lower 30 feet of tower 3 for damage.
  Resolved Items:
  - Check with WS1U for 40m CW station master. - Yes
  - Check with Rex, K1HI on his 40 and 20 meter beams - Available, as is his tent. KB1SO will get.
  - Check with Rich, W1HZN, on natural power battery. - Done
  - Need separate generator for fridge at Kitchen. - WA1TYB
    Attendees were: Jim, WW1Y, Jack, WB4MDC, Dave, N1SUE, David, N1XOT, Fletch, N1MEO, Al, WA1TYB, Jeremy, KB1AWE, Daryl, KB1EBO, Ray, KB1SO, Al, K1ALH, MaryJane, WA4WIJ, Ron, NU1U, Matthew, N1ZYY, Jon, W1SU, Bill, KA1SSR, Tony, N1UZR, Justin, N1TZD, Les, N1HPF, Gary, W1GRY, and Dave, KW1DX.
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    15 June 1999
    
    Two rotators in BOB. W9WW's (ex KA1T) seems to be together again.
    K1SI getting bob's water tank. Only 150 gallons needed.
    Ron, NU1U needs relief op. Looking for Nick, WB2EYB again.
    N1MEO has some FD KD1AW Maple Syrup for the ICOM guy.
    N1MEO getting 10ghz stuff from KA1DT.
    Meet at BOB 9 AM Local time.
    WA1TYB suppling 2nd generator for kitchen. Brooks wants it started 8 AM Local Saturday
    
    Icom Funmobile inventory:
    1. HF:
      1. IC-746
      2. IC-756
      3. IC-775
      4. IC-707
      5. IC-706
      6. IC-706
    2. VHF/UHF:
      1. IC-821 2m/440MHz all mode
      2. Three 2m/440MHz mobiles
      3. One 2m mobile
    3. RX Only:
      1. R-8500
    Rigs can be remove from the funmobile if needed. Ray, Novak, KD7CNW, will be supporting. Funmobile is PSK31 capable. New Action Items:
    Old Action Items:
    1. Check with Kenny on 40m beam - overall status
    2. Check with K1NR on attendance, desires, rigs, and antennas. - WW1Y
    3. Check with KA1OMJ on mosquito spraying
    4. NARCprop needs to get to information booth.
    5. Sanitary facilities need to be in place Friday afternoon - Fletch
    6. Check with Gene, K1NR, on 2 meter vertical.
    7. Second gin pole should be at WS1E's. Need to check.
    8. We need a hospitality person (That should be everyone!!!!)
    9. Where is the club's Guest book? Do we need a new one?
    10. New pipe needed for tower 2 guy - KB1SO will provide
    Resolved Items:
    - Check with Chris, K1SI on Funmobile Inventory, personel, and removal of rigs. - Done
    - Check with Bob, KD6LFW on large canopy for Kitchen area. - OK
    - Verify K2TE is station master for 160m CW, SSB, and 75m SSB. - Yes
    - We need to find 1.2GHZ equipment. - From NK1M
    - Check with Marc, KB1DFE for Satellite station master. - Yes
    - Select and post simplex frequencies for passing Q's between 6 CW and SSB, and 10 SSB and Novice. - See June meeting brief
    - Check with KD1AW for water tank loan. - K1SI to get
    - Check on meal prices and contents - 5% more on meals? - Same prices as last year
    - Tarp needed for Kitchen - From KD6LFW
    - Check on spare generators. - WA1TYB Kitchen is spare for prime power. Others available whithin the hour.
    - Check lower 30 feet of tower 3 for damage. - KB1SO staightened top of section 2. Dry fit of lower 30 ok.
    - Check with KE1EB for signs, climbing. - David will do signs, KE1EB/N1ZBS can climb.
    - Need a large (100cup) coffee pot - WA1TYB to provide to WA4WIJ.
    - Sterling needs two coolers for setup. - One from WW1Y, one from N1MEO by 6/25
    - Fridge needs to be on site and cold early - N1SUE/N1XOT to pickup, check out, chill, and deliver on Saturday.
    - Main entrance sign needs to be up early for sanitary facility dropoff. - WW1Y to hang sign Friday AM, N1MEO to be on hand with money and exact locations.
    - WW1Y check with chappels on gennie service. - About $75 if a simple tuneup, and there's a 3 week wait.
    - N1MEO to inform N1UBD about 5KW transformers at WW1Y's. -Done
    - Check on availability dates for FD pins - Available from ARRL $5/each in a club purchase.
      Attendees were: Jim, WW1Y, Jack, WB4MDC, Dave, N1SUE, David, N1XOT, Fletch, N1MEO, Sterling, AK1K, Jeremy, KB1AWE, Chris, K1SI, Ray, KB1SO, Al, K1ALH, MaryJane, WA4WIJ, Ron, NU1U, Matthew, N1ZYY, Mark, N1ZYZ, Martha, KB1EFL, Andrew Wagner, Bill, KA1SSR, Gary, W1GRY, Marc, KB1DFE, Ed, K2TE, Ernie, NO1V, Mike, KE1EB, Linda, N1ZBS, David Zaharee, Neil, N1DMA, and Nancy Rosenberg (Qu1lt).
      
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      Late Breaking Info
      
      Anyone have a missing guy wire?
      
      Gene, K1NR, and the lovely Lady Di will be gracing us with their presence from about 10AM on Saturday to no later than 3PM Sunday (All times are local)
      146.52 MHz is not allowed for field day use. All other calling frequencies are fair game...
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      Last Modified: 26 June 1999
      Jim Heedles, WW1Y

Field Day, 1999 June 25th, 26th, 27th

The planning has begun

18 July 1998

1998 Field Day Wrap-up / 1999 Field Day

Important Safety Issues

Important Stuff to Do or Avoid

Wrap-up Notes

Various and Sundry

06 April 1999

20 April 1999

04 May 1999

18 May 1999

01 June 1999

We need a 10 meter CW station master!!!!!!!

15 June 1999

Late Breaking Info

Anyone have a missing guy wire?

Field Day, 1999 June 25^th, 26^th, 27^th