June 28, 2012 - Summer Fest/Field Day Report

[DaveK]

Join the net tonight for a recap of the Summer Fest and Field Day event. Also, if you attended another Field Day, join the discussion and let us know how it went.

Check here for information on the OAUSA Field Day and Summer Fest event: viewtopic.php?f=163&t=3225

[SteeevO]

I just wanted list a few things that came up during the net that could easily be addressed for next year as well as a few others that are in mind.

-getting the kids involved!!
-take more time to introduce the radio to other people (maybe have a radio set aside on a slower band to break in the newbies?)
-multiple radios on the same band?
-get more involved with CW & digital modes
-160m? ( I think this is where i come in, I like big antennas
-more people needed to operate in shifts so radios are working consistently, and through the night.
-put the 80m radio on an active band during the day, returning it to 80m in the evening and throughout the night.
-Dirt Bike event: every year the dirt bike event is on the same day as field day as we run into them on the trail. we need to look at their maps and plan accordingly to avoid them or at least travel in the same direction as them.
-More operators, more new people, more kids, more modes, more more more.

Thanks for the input on the net!
Feel free to add to this list here on the board so we can knock it out of the park next year.

[cruiserlarry]

Sorry I wasn't able to join the net tonight - I was in radio-free zone today

I would agree there are several things that would make for a better experience next year:

1) We need more operators and loggers to man the radios for the full 24 hour period. If we can inspire and motivate folks to participate next year, we'll continue to increase enthusiasm for the event, and for amateur radio overall.

2) Using multiple radios on the same band when other bands are dead would greatly increase our score, as well as allow more people to work busy bands - an exhilarating experience, to say the least, but more importantly, a chance for more folks to get "in on the action", and to contribute to the end results.

3) Spending time before the Field Day event commences demonstrating the functions of the radios, and methodology for making contacts, logging contacts, etc...maybe even having some other HF events to get folks more comfortable with this part of amateur radio, leading to more people wanting to be involved during Field Day.

All that being said, I thought we had a great event this year in Big Bear. The campground was perfect for the event; the new masts and antenna (obviously) worked very well; We had no equipment or personnel failures, and we had all the equipment we needed (thanks to the contributions of many). While this year's economy, and personal scheduling played a little havoc with attendance, we still ended up with a good turnout, and the potluck, while not well organized, produced a lot of fantastic food. The weather couldn't have been better, the ham bands (well, except for 10 meters) were active, and we had the cleanest, most odor-free pit toilet I've ever had the privilege of occupying

I am looking forward to Field Day and Summer fest next year, as well as trying to organize a few HF days / weekends during the year to improve my technique, and test and improve our equipment assortment for future events...

[SteeevO]

Thanks for chiming in Larry.

Going off of your #3..
With the group I did field day with before OAUSA, in the summer months, once in a while we would do 'Radio in the Park' which wasn't an organized event but more of people from the group come together to hang out for a few hours and work hf.
We would just take a few batteries and we'd hang out till they died. this kept things simple. no generators etc. simply put up an antennas (which was usually something different every time to experiment with differ home brew pieces of "art")
Maybe we can do something similar to get people on the air and familiarize the newer people to hf protocols etc.

Maybe even make HF a big deal at meet & Greets, similar to a special event station and we'd send out OAUSA QSL CARDS!!!

[DaveK]

I really like the idea of having a HF station at the Meet and Greets. Great thought.

[cruiserlarry]

Having an HF station at the Meet and Greets would be fantastic - we certainly have enough equipment to get one set up easily. For that matter, some of us have them ready to go in our vehicles as well, so it would be easy to work multiple bands to demonstrate the propagation differences (Although it would be easier to gather folks around a table with chairs ).

I think we should add this to the SD M&G we are working on now

I think we could also add a thread topic to the forum home page - "HF Events" , so that folks who want to go out for the day / weekend to play with radios have a place to announce the detail where anyone can quickly find them

[SteeevO]

I'm glad you guys are liking this hf radio at a meet n greet idea.

If we had a small table and just a couple chairs for the radio operator and introducing radio to a few new people at a time, thats all we'd need.
nothing crazy. keeping it simple is key here.

If people start doing a "radio in the park" kind of hf events, then I think larrys idea of a new section is the board could be a good one.

[BigDave]

I have done "hf in the park" thing a couple of times. Usually I do it up on Santiago Peak with my own fiberglass military poles to make a 30ft mast and a G5RV style wire antenna with coax just running out of my truck. Lots of fun. Get in a little wheeling time as well as play hf. I'm up to do that anytime. Always more fun with others.

[lehn20]

Maybe have 2 runs planned for the wheeling people.
Maybe get in Thursday night so we all Friday.

I had a good time overall.Looking forward to next year.