Tag: field day

Field Day 2020

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Riverside County Amateur Radio Association Field Day 2020

Here is the picture slideshow from Field Day 2020

  • RCARA Members and visitors pause for a pic along side a VW Bus
  • Moving the supplies and equipment from the parking lot
  • Juan KM6CFH packing in his portable rig
  • A new battery technology was introduced at FD this year.
  • For 2020, there was no line power in out location for even non-radio gear. Battery and solar powered the show this year!
  • Power management in a box with power pole connectors and a built in volt meter.
  • Rick KK6CTT - large battery box and solar panels included an inverter which provided line power for laptops and HT & Cellphone charging.
  • John W7RSO operating under an EZ-UP, socially distanced but racking up the QSO numbers
  • John W7RSO came wearing his FD 2020 hat.
  • APRS Map showing that Alan KM6KPW is at the park
  • An APRS controller with GPS and simple telemetry. This module uses a Baofeng UV-5R type of HT for it's transmitter and receiver.
  • An APRS controller with GPS and simple telemetry. This module uses a Baofeng UV-5R type of HT for it's transmitter and receiver.
  • Steven W7DTH brought out his shelter and portable rig
  • Steven W7DTH displays a clean power distribution module. LED indicators and fuses are a great features.
  • Field Day is great to see what others are using in their portable and mobile rigs
  • Just waiting for the 11:00 AM whistle to start making contacts
  • Our newest Extra class operator making contacts. Congrats to Juan AJ6PH !!
  • Juan finding the balance between sun for the solar panel and shade for the operator
  • Alan KM6KPW ran 10M FT8 on 15 watts QRP power.
  • Alan KM6KPW on the Xiegu working FT8 on 10 meters. The band was like a revolving door
  • John W7RSO brought out the hitch mounted extending mast antenna.
  • A close up of John W7RSO's trailer hitch mast mount
  • Alan KM6KPW brought out a 10 meter dipole that fits into the go bag.
  • Rails to save the face and rear connectors of his mobile transceiver. Lite and solid, nice!
  • All gathered around the picnic table
  • Both the US flag and our ARRL FD mascot on display in front of the pavillion


Updated Q&A from the ARRL about club totals – (PDF or Original Article)

Members operating from home, please remember to include “RIVERSIDE COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION” (NOT “RCARA” or “W6TJ”) on your submission.  See the ARRL COVID-19 2020 Waver document for more information

 

 

We may have to be away from each other but that does not mean we have to be out of reach!

Stay Safe and keep making contacts!

FIELD DAY 2019 SHINING STARS

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RCARA’S MVPs:

  • OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – PETE SELLAS – PARK PROCUREMENT
  • SCOUT TROOP 116 – OPENING CEREMONIES
  • ART AA6CA – PUBLICITY
  • BOB KG6NIB – EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR
  • JUAN KM6CFH – RADIO EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR, SET UP
  • JOHN KM6YLK – RADIO EQUIPMENT, OPERATOR & SECURITY, SET UP, GOTA CAPTAIN
  • DAVID KM6WVH – RADIO OPERATOR & SECURITY
  • JIM AG6EA – VE COORDINATOR, TESTING SITE, EQUIPMENT LOAN, SET UP
  • MADELEINE KM6QCF/AG – SAFETY OFFICER, GENERAL ASSISTANCE, SET UP, TEAR DOWN
  • RICK AI6AU – TOWER, RADIO ANTENNAS, EQUIPMENT
  • CHRIS KM6LOQ – SAFETY OFFICER, FIRST AID, SECURITY
  • LARRY WA6PMY – LOGGING SOFTWARE & MAINTENANCE, TEAR DOWN, TRUCK LOAN
  • RICK KK6CTT – EMCOMM, MESH NETWORK DEMO, COOK, PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT,             DOOR PRIZE DONATIONS AND BEHIND THE SCENES SUPPORT
  • ALAN KM6KPW/AG – WEB SITE & TECHNICAL LOGGING, RAFFLE PRIZE DONATIONS
  • EMCOMM MEMBERS – STAFFING PAVILION #1 AND PROVIDING DEMOS, SUPPORT, ETC.
  • JURUPA CITIZENS CORP – PARTICIPATION WITH EMCOMM GROUP
  • NINA – POTLUCK COORDINATOR, GENERAL ASSISTANCE
  • RON KE6RYX – PORTA POTTY PROCUREMENT, TEAR DOWN
  • CARRIE N6LMA – MOST RAFFLE TICKET SALES, VE TESTING, EMCOMM SET UP
  • MIKE AI6PD – VE TESTING, EMCOMM SET UP
  • MIKE W6OSO – CLUB PRESIDENT, LOAN OF EQUIPMENT
  • PHIL KJ6KE & MARGARET KC6UDH – DONATION OF RADIO FOR RAFFLE PRIZE, VE TESTER
  • DANA KM6YLM – DONATION OF MUGS FOR RAFFLE PRIZE, GOTA STATION ASSISTANT
  • FIRE STATION #5 – A WELCOME VISIT
  • RPD – MAKING THEIR PRESENCE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND; A TALK ABOUT PERSONAL SAFETY/NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR SERVICES:

  • CLAIR – K6LG – CW OPERATOR, eESL CARD COORDINATOR & MAINTENANCE
  • DAVID – K9LMR – EMCOMM, MESH NETWORK, EDGAR ANTENNA
  • MATHEW THURMAN – PHOTOGRAPHER
  • KATRINA SCHIRMER – GOPHER
  • CHERYL THURMAN – GOPHER, MOTHER STABILIZER, SOCIAL DIRECTOR
  • THOMAS JUNKER – TEAR DOWN & TRUCK LOAN

Thank you to all the folks who contributed to the potluck picnic.  There was an abundance of food and goodies to more than please the most discerning tastes.

MUCH APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED, CONTRIBUTED AND DEDICATED THEIR TIME, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES TO MAKE FIELD DAY 2019 A HUGE SUCCESS.  If I forgot anyone, please remind me and forgive me for the oversight.  We had a great team of volunteers… your time and efforts have not gone unnoticed.

The July 11, 2019 RCARA meeting will consist of an “AFTER ACTION REVIEW” for the purpose of discussing Field Day 2019 … goals, what was accomplished, what was successful, what went wrong and what the club can do to make future Field Days better.

Please come prepared to critique the FD but be mindful that if you have a criticism, you are expected to follow it up with a solution.

This is a meeting to help iron out some of the “wrinkles” that were observed followed by a suggestion for change to those areas that are in need of “fixing”.

 Plan ahead and bring your constructive thoughts and solutions.

 APPRECIATIVELY,

~Marlene

KK6CTX

 

UPDATES – Members Only – Field Day 2019

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If you wish to volunteer for specific duties or as needed, please sign up at the June 13 meeting OR contact Marlene

Boy Scouts from Troop 116 will facilitate the Opening Ceremonies at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday

Volunteers needed:

  • Setup crews (Friday beginning at 11:00 a.m.)
  • Cleanup/pack-up crews (Sunday, 11:00 a.m.)
  • Overnight security (4 hour shifts) for Friday and Saturday nights
  • Radio equipment and operators
  • Folding tables
  • EZ-ups
  • Potluck food donations or $5.00 for Saturday night dinner – contact Nina at ninaacosta72@yahoo.com
  • Cook(s) for BBQ
  • Overnight campers
  • Ticket sales for raffle by members (see Marlene KK6CTX for tickets)
  • Donations of items for Door Prizes
    • Raffle prizes will be for an Anytone AT-D878UV Digital DMR Dual band handheld radio
    • An Alinco UHF-VHF Dual band Transceiver DJ-500
    • $100 gift certificate from Home Depot; $50 gift certificate from Starbucks
    • Field Day pins, t-shirts, stickers
    • Gift certificate for an official RCARA embroidered polo shirt
    • Coffee mug with RCARA logo
    • Mini spy camera

WALK-IN LICENSE TESTING AVAILABLE AT FIELD DAY

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Saturday, June 22, 2019 – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park – Pavilion #2
5759 Jurupa Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504

All 3 testing levels are offered:
• Tech
• General
• Extra

Requirements:

Technician:
• FRN # obtained from the FCC web site
• Picture i.d.
• $5.00 administrative testing fee

General & Extra:
• Copy of current license
• Picture i.d.
• $5.00 administrative testing fee

Walk in Testing Flyer

FIELD DAY 2019 COMMITMENTS

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The members listed have pledged to provide the following:

 

JIM WILEY AG6EA

RAFFLE PRIZES (RADIOS)

CERTIFICATES – $100 – HOME DEPOT & $50 – STARBUCKS

GENERATOR/FUEL/EXTENSION CORDS

COFFEE POT/SUPPLIES

CACHE RADIO SETUP FOR TALK-IN – PICK UP FROM PEOC

12 VOLT BATTERY

PICK UP EQUIPMENT FROM MARLENE’S – FRIDAY MORNING

 

DAVID HUNT KM6WVH

MOTOR HOME FOR OVERNIGHT SECURITY

 

JOHN SALISBURY KM6YLK

RV FOR OVERNIGHT SECURITY

GOTA STATION CAPTAIN KM6YLK CALL SIGN

2M/70CM RADIO, HF RIG, LAPTOP & ANTENNA

WHISPER?

FT8?

 

CLAIR CESSNA K6LG

CW (MORSE CODE) OPERATOR ON SUNDAY

 

ROBERT RANDLEMAN W6CEU

NOISE CANCELLING MODERATOR?

 

ALAN SERL KM6KPW

4 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER

PRIZES FOR RAFFLE:  T- SHIRTS

ROUTER FOR LOGGING (WiFi)

SERVER FOR LOGGING (Scoreboard Laptop)

 

MICHAEL ANDERSON  W6OSO

PA EQUIPMENT

EXTENSION CORDS, TABLE, EZ-UP, OTHER

 

MARLENE KK6CTX

EZ-UPS MARLENE – X2

NOTEBOOK & PEN FOR EACH STATION

SCRIPT FOR EACH STATION

COPY OF W6TJ LICENSE

PARK PERMIT

COPY OF UPDATED INSURANCE COVERAGE

501C3 PAPER WORK – CURRENT COPY

CLUB MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS & PENS

LOG NOTEBOOKS & PENS FOR EACH STATION

GOTA SIGN

CLIPBOARDS & PENS RAFFLE PRIZES (RCARA MUG, GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR CLUB POLO SHIRT, ASSORTED OTHER DOOR PRIZES

SIGN IN SHEETS FOR CLUB MEMBERS

SIGN IN SHEETS FOR VISITORS

INTERESTED IN GETTING HAM LICENSE SIGN UP SHEET

TRAFFIC CONES

YELLOW CAUTION TAPE

SIGNS FOR PARK ENTRANCE

TABLE CLOTHS

PLATES/NAPKINS/FLATWARE

AMERICAN FLAGS X2

CLIPBOARDS

CHARGERS FOR BATTERIES X2

FOLDING TABLES X4

2 12 VOLT BATTERIES

POWER STRIP

RAFFLE TICKETS & CAN

100′ EXTENSION CORD

COOLERS

SCREEN TENT

BANNERS

BROCHURES (HAM RELATED)

SAFETY OFFICER CHECKLIST

TOOL BAG (NAILS, TAPE, ZIP TIES, BUNGEE CORDS, SCISSORS)

FLYERS FOR DISTRIBUTION (AVAILABLE AT JUNE  MEETING)

POT LUCK COORDINATORS NINA ACOSTA & MARLENE WILL COORDINATE FOR SAT. NIGHT

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS X3

FIRST AID KITS

 

DON WILLIAMS KD6UVT

BOTTLED WATER & ICE DONATIONS FROM PUBLIC UTILITIES?

 

RON BRALEY KE6RYX

PORTA POTTY ARRANGEMENTS

 

RICK GOLDEN AI6AU

TOWER

LADDER

GENERATOR/FUEL

EXTENSION CORDS

 

LARRY JUNKER WA6PMY

INSTALLATION OF LOGGING SOFTWARE ON MEMBERS LAPTOPS

 

MATHEW THURMAN

PHOTOGRAPHER

GO-FER

 

PHIL ALBANESE KJ6KE

HT FOR DOOR PRIZE RAFFLE

 

CHRIS ACOSTA KM6LOQ

SAFETY OFFICER

FIRST AID (EMT CERTIFIED)

CHARCOAL

 

MADELEINE HAASE KM6QCF

ALTERNATE SAFETY OFFICER (AS NEEDED)

 

ART SUTORUS  AA6CA

PUBLICITY/ADVERTISING

BROCHURE HANDOUTS

 

BOB TRUJILLO  KG6NIB

RADIO, TO GO BOX, RADIO EQUIPMENT, SOLAR PANELS, FT8

 

BOY SCOUT TROOP 116 – WILL CONDUCT THE OPENING CEREMONY?

 

FREQUENCY FOR SIMPLEX WITHIN PARK AREA – 147.510

 

JUAN MEJIA KM6CFH

OVERNIGHT SECURITY SHIFT (TIME TBD)

TO GO BOX W/BATTERY

4 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER MODERATOR

 

FIRE STATION #5

WILL STOP BY ON SAT. JUNE 22 BETWEEN 3:00 – 4:00 PM

 

ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED

VOLUNTEERS FOR FRIDAY SET-UP

VOLUNTEERS FOR SUNDAY TEAR DOWN

VOLUNTEERS FOR CONTESTING SHIFTS

VOLUNTEERS FOR OVERNIGHT SECURITY

RADIOS, ANTENNAS

LOGGERS  (MARGARET/NATHAN?) (MADELEINE?) (PHYLLIS?) (LOREEN?)

FOLDING TABLES

EZ-UPS

CONTRIBUTIONS/HELPERS TO SET UP POT LUCK

COOK FOR BBQ

BBQ TOOLS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FRIDAY TO LOAD EQUIPMENT IN JIM’S TRUCK (10:00 AM) AT MARLENE’S HOUSE TO TRANSPORT TO FD SITE:

JIM WILEY W/TRUCK

RON

MATHEW

MARLENE

 

 

Members Only – Field Day 2019

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Members Only – Field Day 2019 (Updated 6-18-2019)

If you wish to volunteer for specific duties or as needed, please sign up at the June 13th meeting.

Boy Scouts (Troop 116 – not confirmed) will facilitate the Opening Ceremonies at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday

RCARA Field Day 2019 Technology Plan

Volunteers needed:

  • QSO Loggers – Software to be used will be the N1MM Logger
  • Setup crews (Friday beginning at 11:00 a.m.)
  • Cleanup crews (Sunday, 11:00 a.m.)
  • Overnight security (4 hour shifts) for Friday and Saturday nights
  • Radio equipment and operators
  • Folding tables
  • Potluck food donations or $5.00 for Saturday night dinner
  • Cook for BBQ Pot Luck
  • Overnight campers
  • Donations of items for Door Prizes
  • Offering of Tickets for raffle prizes by members (see Marlene KK6CTX for tickets)
  • Main raffle will be for a new DMR radio with programming cable, HT, $100 Home Depot gift certificate; $50 Starbucks gift certificate and other assorted items.

 

W6TJ’s Field Day eQSL Cards

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FIELD DAY BEHIND THE SCENES:

  W6TJ’s Field Day eQSL Cards

 

The tradition of exchanging post cards (QSLs) to confirm radio contacts goes back to the very first ham radio operators.  The cards usually bore the call sign, and station and contact information, of the station sending.  Many ham shacks even today have these cards plastered on their walls.  ARRL Awards such as Worked All States, DX Century Club etc. required the submission of these cards as proof of contacts made.  The ARRL manages bureaus for incoming and outgoing paper DX QSL cards, primarily for this purpose.  For information go to ARRL.org web site.

In recent years online electronic QSLs have become popular through eQSL.cc.

These are often received in one’s inbox, shortly after a contact is made.  Registration and use, is free, and set up is easy.  Check it out at www.eQSL.cc.

For the past twenty years, Clair, K6LG, has been managing the W6TJ eQSL account.  We have received many (800 to date) from our Field Day contacts, and other public demonstrations .  All incoming eQSLs have been sent the W6TJ QSL shown below.  Some of the incoming eQSL’s for Field Day contacts are also shown:

  • W6TJ to VE7NSR
  • OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Field Day 2017

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Highlight photos from Field Day 2017:

  • Antenna setup crew
  • Break time
  • Contesting - Bob Trujillo (KG6NIB) on the mike with Don Bower (AG6HQ) logging. Clair Cessna (K6LG) looking on
  • Councilman Jim Perry and Bob Trujillo (KG6NIB)
  • Rick's (KK6CTT) Setup
  • Dick Norton from ARRL pays a visit
  • Dave setting up
  • Dutch Oven by KK6CTT - Cheesy Bread
  • Dutch Oven Monkey Bread
  • Edgar - Fan Dipole. Wow!
  • Edgar - Inside
  • Edgar - Our Antenna is bigger than yours! Hi Hi!
  • Field Day Chair - Larry WA6PMY
  • Fire Station 5 arrives for a visit
  • Firefighter signs in
  • First Aid Station
  • Manning the Get On The Air (GOTA) station
  • Helping hands make for light work
  • How many Hams does it take to...
  • Iron Chef Rick (KK6CTT)
  • J Pole works fine
  • Not an antenna...
  • Ray (N6KZM) at the BBQ. Carne Asada at it's best!
  • Rick explains how it works to a new Ham
  • Socializing
  • There will be food!
  • Comfort zone
  • An unusual visitor
  • We are patriotic too
  • Taking a break
  • What we do!
  • Who we are!