On 7/11/2012 8:04 PM, Stuart Rohre wrote:
> However, SET is much smaller than Field Day has become. Could that be
> because points are under-emphasized and SET is sometimes a county ARES
> group made up of members of several clubs? Thus, you don't have that
> direct competitive reward.
That is a good question... I suppose it may be
because FD is open and intended for all hams of
all stripes, while the ARES event is really only
open to ARES guys... and is more focused on its
specific purpose.
> I guess the ambiguous nature of FD has evolved because it either was
> directed to offer something for the non emergency comms ham, or it
> gravitated towards that direction to provide something for everybody in
> a club to participate in.
YES... I suspect all of this is true. FD has,
indeed, become a multipurpose event and does
appear to be intended to get all hams to come
out and 1) promote ham radio as a PR event, and
2) have a modicum of emergency communications
experience so that everybody is (sorta) trained and
on board in the event we are needed. It provides
exposure and educates guys who are not in the em-com
loop, broadening our ability to step up and serve if
needed.
I think both of these goals are worthwhile.
I am always amazed at those who come out but
> do not operate when given plenty of chances. My hat is off to those of
> that group who do come out early and help set up! (and take down, the
> next day). But, most groups find a larger turn out just before the
> announced meal serving time.
Yep... I have worked with various charity groups
for nearly 30 years - some very large organizations,
and that seems a universal attribute. It has always
been true that 80% of the crime is committed by
20% of the criminals.
There is strong sentiment in the Southern ARRL
> divisions for moving FD to a milder weather time of year for all, like
> Spring or Fall. Or have a choice of having one in Winter or one in Summer!
I would second that motion.
Of course the problem with the Spring and Fall
is that is the rainy season in many places, such
as my home state of Michigan, where it rains
a lot in the Spring and Fall.
Separate from that, many organizations cannot get
volunteers for events during the school year,
because families are so blamed busy and scheduled
during the school year, so the three summer months
have the best chance of turning out the younger
set.
We have an awful time doing charity projects in
Sept and May - when the weather turns OK, but remains
cooler and comfortable.
> But, another thing has changed. Emergency communications no longer
> operates from a tent outdoors. There are comms vans, with built on
> antennas, or you operate a real emergency from an EOC. There is now
> provision for that in FD, thankfully (EOC operation). If they change up
> FD to be more of an emergency comms exercise you lose many of the casual
> hams, who otherwise often come to FD for the first time and get lured
> into exploring more about Em Comm.
I agree -- although I believe many hams do not
turn out for FD because they see it as a contest, and
they are not contest types. This is why I favor a
shift form the contest paradigm to more of an em-com
paradigm, with emphasis on the need for everybody being
prepared - and continuing to promote it as a huge PR
event - showing the community how and what we can do
and how many can be called upon to do it... which makes
ham radio look good, and serves the purpose of providing
every ham with a modicum of em-com experience.
>
> I don't think most realize how much preplanning has to happen to put on
> a FD. I speak from putting on my first with four stations in 1958.
> Now that was an experience on OJT!!
YES... if you do it "right."
BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHY FD IS A GOOD IDEA... AS
IT PROVIDES A CHANCE FOR ALL HAMS TO LEARN WHAT
IS ENTAILED WHENEVER WE MAY BE CALLED TO SERVICE.
WITHOUT FIELD DAY, EVEN FEWER HAMS WOULD HAVE
ANY CLUE AS TO WHAT IS NEEDED, AND BE STUMBLING
AROUND LIKE ROOKIES IN AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY.
So, while not perfect, it is SOMETHING toward educating
the entire ham community - which is a lot better than
nothing.
> With the many Public Service requests clubs get once they look for other
> events where communications can be practiced, and with multiple SET type
> events for ARES in some states, groups are finding that too much
> training wears out the members, or takes too much time away from family.
Quite right.
May I add another factor...? In my area (SW Michigan)
some of the radio clubs have alienated members by
asking them to turn out for events which provide
community service, but which do not require or utilize
our radios. An example is the Spring Lake 10K road
race, where hams end up standing on various corners
keeping runners on the course. The only time they
use the RADIO - is to tell us when we can go in for
coffee and doughnuts. I suppose we might use the rig
if somebody stubs a toe or suffers heat prostration,
but that never occurs - so it is hardly a radio thing.
I do it because it is public service, but grumble
because it is NOT a radio service. A lot of hams
won't turn out for these events, preferring to wait
for a radio related call.
> But trying to get back on Ten Tec topics, how many used an Eagle at
> Field Day, and what were your experiences in operating it?
THIS IS INTERESTING STU... I started the thread
with a brief comment on how the local rabble had used
Ten-Tec radios for our local field day station.
So, I guess it has come full circle ! ;-)
==================== K8JHR =======================
bb.
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