Shack Day (2009-11) Includes Field Day Planning

Saturday, November 21 was CARS’ Shack Day and it started off at the clubhouse and after some operating, computer maintenance, and the usual discussions, our Communications Officer Andrew, KI4SOM presented a thorough discussion of overhead power line safety as well as some finer points in grounding, and characteristics of our local power distribution system. A number of those present contributed to the roundtable discussion that followed Andrew’s presentation.

All present received free new dual noise canceling headsets with mics and interconnect accessories kits.

We continued Shack day after lunch at Deep Creek Lock Park, where we spent about two hours planning new antenna locations for next year’s Field Day. Our Field Day Chairman, Al WA9IWS led this effort with the goal of spreading out as much as possible to minimize interference by increasing distances between antennas. Al used a Google Earth view of the park to scale distances and plot new antenna locations.

Al’s chart will be used over the next several months to finalize an antenna installation plan, and to begin building several new wire antennas. Also, it will assist us in planning for better assigned station operating parameters by band and mode.

Richard, W4BUE, surveyed several possible sources of the power line noise we experienced last year, so that we can soon positively identify the source and get VEPCO to fix it before Field Day.

We will be trying something new next year – working to a predetermined plan for each operating station – with a structured management to provide controlled and coordinated changes as may become necessary. In theory we should be able to operate with little or no interference between stations.

Field day planning and preparation will continue through Winter and Spring. If you have any suggestions or would like to be part of the management team, please get in touch with Al WA9IWS.

Mark Saturday, June 26 and Sunday June 27 on your 2010 calendar for Field Day, and start helping to plan our best Field Day ever!

Paul – K4PRB

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This entry was posted on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 14:02 and is filed under Club News, New, President's Corner. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.