Activation Details

Activation Team Logistics:

With the recent visit of my favorite four letter word, (snow) I am reminded that Veterans Day can be quite chilly, and there may be some items that will be helpful:

Personal Items:

Dress in layers, so you can peel clothes off, or add additional layers. We'll be on the ocean, so be prepared for wind, and drizzly/ wet weather - maybe even driving rain or snow! 😊

Outer jacket that is somewhat windproof will be good. I'm not a fan of "water proof" gear, since it tends to make me quite sweaty - and sweat is the last thing you ever want if you're out in the weather. The sweat issue is why layers are so important. A huge part of my outerwear is wool, because wool will still insulate even if it is totally drenched. I will also wear coverall/bib pants, since the overall part is very functional and keeps the drafts down.

Hats
Mittens, preferred over gloves
A rain shell is good to have available as well to throw on as last resort.
Good boots and socks.

Hard gear

For facilities, the intent of course is to use the existing picnic tables, and be working in perfect 60 degree weather, but in case the WX doesn't cooperate, I've got a few ideas:

Everyone brings:

folding chair
spiral bound notebook & pens/pencils

Club brings:

propane heater
enclosed cargo trailer that we can use for shelter if it gets real bad
ez-up also for rain shelter
one folding table

Talk-in

Definitely bring your fusion handheld! (or, a non fusion radio I suppose.)

• frequency of 147.555

Food

Bring a thermos with some hot beverage
Bring some snacks
We are planning on just heading out for subs or pizza, or something similar, so bring some cash to throw into the kitty.
But also be prepared with lunch too... we really don't know how much activity there will be.

Timing:

Wednesday, November 11

Fort Stark is 70 minutes away from my house, which is Hudson. So, if we want to be on the air by 10, we should leave the Greater Nashua area by 7:45

7:45 + 1:10 = 8:55 + 1:00 setup = 9:55, on the air by 10.

We're all coming from different locations, but if someone wants to ride over with me, we can meet at my house that morning. I have room in the truck for 4. But wheels are turning at 7:45!

Sunset is at 4:30, and I don't think we are allowed to stay in the park past 5, so we should plan on coming off the air by 4.

So, 10:00 - 16:00 is a good solid 6 hours, and with the sunspots going up, I predict a fairly good day on the air.

Come and go as your schedule allows - this is supposed to be fun, and we should be packing up BEFORE it starts getting NOT FUN!

Please let the group know what you're thinking, what I missed, what you would like to bring. But basically, this is literally a walk in the park - we just need to be prepared.

On the air:

We are using the club callsign KC1MXF. The club callsign provides no privileges on its' own. But, a Technician licensee may operate in the Extra portion of the bands when an Extra class licensee is on site and is considered the "Control Operator." This means everyone gets to operate. Heck, if an unlicensed member of the public wants to operate, they can - and any class of licensee can serve as the control operator - but only in the bands that the control operator is allowed to work in. Still, everyone can get on the air if they want to.

Lets log on paper, I have two brand new spiral bound log books for the club. Lets fill those things!

Stations:

• W1YTT: inclement WX will be mobile operating, otherwise will be looking for high ground in the wild.

• N1SFT: 100w station ready to run the entire day, and can operate on any band with a full size end fed antenna off a 31 ft mast. The mast this time will be hitch or trailer mounted, and guy lines *hopefully* won't be necessary. I'll have a QRP radio with me for backup, but I'm going all-in! Battery power with Solar charging.

• W1STJ: FT-3200 (VHF radio) to put the Wolfden on the air, as well. Using a mag mount antenna for that to connect to the Farmington repeater 147.240, and I've got a spare battery to run that radio. It will be nice to log fusion contacts, since this isn't a contest or a non-contest like Field Day. Of course we can also put that VHF FM station on .52 and call CQ.

• N1RKB: planning on using Mobile antennas mounted to vehicle

• K1BRM: 6m SSB with a Buddy Pole or inverted V dipole

• KC1LKO: Truck operation 40m or 20m using Icom7300 100w, also 918 available for 10w QRP, battery power. will be using the Eagle1 antenna, either truck mounted or tripod mounted, with buddipole for backup.

Please let us know what station you'd like to operate.