Page 2 of 5

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 7:05 pm
by NotAMog
Dave,

Here are a couple of possabilities -

Tehachapi Mountain Park -

http://www.co.kern.ca.us/parks/tehachapi.asp

They have a group campground and a the developed Mountain Camp with cabins and other facilities. Both would work although Brite Lake does enforce a quite time at 10PM. The mountain camp is pretty nice if it is available and there is power so generators would not be needed. Both the group camp and the mountain camp are located at about 7000 feet on the North side of Tehachapi Mountain. There are large trees which could be used to string antennas.

Brite Lake -

http://www.tvrpd.org/facilities/facilit ... -lake.html

Brite Lake is relatively open with some moderate sized trees. Quiet time could be the only problem with this site.

There is no four wheeling in the immediate area but the El Pasos, Red Rock Canyon, and Dove Springs OHV area are only about 20 road miles away. I'd be happy to lead a run over Bird Springs Pass and back Jaw Bone Canyon. There is also Burro Schmitd's Tunnel and the talc mines near by. There are a few local runs I haven't done yet which could be interesting like Cow Haven and Lost Grove.

I should have thought of these possabilities sooner.

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 7:07 pm
by DaveK
Very interesting possibilities, Bruce. We need to talk - I'll give you a call tomorrow.

Camp-O-Alto!!

Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:25 pm
by SP Jon M3
Well, had a chance to head up to Frazier Park yesterday to check out this camp site I've been meaning to look at. I have to say, so far this is my favorite site. I'll let the images do the talking:

Camp-O-Alto

More info on the camp site: forestcamping.com

Image
Click topo image for Google Maps Topo

Here is the main camp site area. There are about 15 total sites:

Image
Click image for larger image file

Image
Click image for larger image file

And here is the group site:

Click for interactive pano


Image
Click image for larger image file

Image
Click image for larger image file

The group camp parking lot:

Image
Click image for larger image file

Here is the view out to the east just before you get to the camp site!

Image
Click image for larger image file

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:48 pm
by SteeevO
I think this is it...

the First come first serve arrangements for this spot is kind of risky but I think if we have people up there early we should be able top hold down the fort for the group.

What do you guys think?

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:20 pm
by BigDave
Looks nice.

Is it time to go yet?

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 11:25 pm
by SteeevO
Apparently we can't run generators after 10:00 at cap-o-alto and we can't reserve the place.
We would need to get up there early to hold down the fort and also would need to run batteries at night... it's really not a big deal but we really need to pull this together.

Jon and I have agreed to go up there mid week, play radio, and take a little bit of an extended vacation to hold down the site.
I have a few solar panels that we can use to help keep the batteries topped off during the day. if we get enough batteries we may even be able to run off batteries the entire time.
In my experience we only need about 2 deep cycle batteries per radio to last us 24 hours.

Jon has a second battery in his truck which he can charge up by starting his truck once in a while.

Antennas are really the least of our worries right now.
Getting wire antennas together is quick and easy.

I really think we should roll with this campsite as long as we don't run into any large hang-ups. I feel the bumps we have hit so far are relatively minor given the nature of the planned activities.

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:21 am
by Crismateski
I will email the boyscout camp in Holcomb Valley and see if it might work out. I dont have a phone right now, but if someone can call it may be an option. If not, it looks like Campo might be the best bet since we are quickly running out of time.

http://www.sgvcbsa.org/programs/camping ... eservation

San Gabriel Valley Council Office Hours
Smiser Scout Center Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm
3450 East Sierra Madre Boulevard
Pasadena, California 91107

Phone: 626-351-8815

Tour Plan Fax: 626-351-9149
Gourley, Doug Camp Holcomb Valley Ranger Doug.Gourley@scouting.org

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:52 am
by Crismateski
I just sent an email, but a phone call would probably be more effective.


Crismateski wrote:I will email the boyscout camp in Holcomb Valley and see if it might work out. I dont have a phone right now, but if someone can call it may be an option. If not, it looks like Campo might be the best bet since we are quickly running out of time.

http://www.sgvcbsa.org/programs/camping ... eservation

San Gabriel Valley Council Office Hours
Smiser Scout Center Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm
3450 East Sierra Madre Boulevard
Pasadena, California 91107

Phone: 626-351-8815

Tour Plan Fax: 626-351-9149
Gourley, Doug Camp Holcomb Valley Ranger Doug.Gourley@scouting.org

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 2:41 pm
by Crismateski
Just heard back on the boy scout camp, they have a group coming in on the 24th so it looks like campo alto may be the only option

Re: 2012 SummerFest - Field Day Planning/Discussion

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:18 pm
by cruiserlarry
SteeevO wrote:Apparently we can't run generators after 10:00 at cap-o-alto and we can't reserve the place.
We would need to get up there early to hold down the fort and also would need to run batteries at night...I have a few solar panels that we can use to help keep the batteries topped off during the day. if we get enough batteries we may even be able to run off batteries the entire time.
In my experience we only need about 2 deep cycle batteries per radio to last us 24 hours.

Jon has a second battery in his truck which he can charge up by starting his truck once in a while.

Antennas are really the least of our worries right now.
Getting wire antennas together is quick and easy.

I really think we should roll with this campsite as long as we don't run into any large hang-ups. I feel the bumps we have hit so far are relatively minor given the nature of the planned activities.
I have at least 3 deep cycle loose batteries, along with 2 in my truck. In addition, i'll have a Honda EW200oi generator with a battery charger to top them off during the day...However, I may need some one to help transport them, as I'm quickly running out of room :o

Also, Radiowavz makes some very highly regarded dipole antennas, called double bazookas...and they have a deal this month - buy 2, get a 3rd free. The 20 and 15 meter are $40, and the 40 meter is $60...but it would be $100 for the 3 - so if anyone is interested, I'll be glad to go in on this...