[CQ-Contest] Stadiums as venues for Contest Stations

[Zack Widup]

Back around 1976 or 77 several people operated in the ARRL January VHF 
Sweepstakes from the press box of the University of Illinois stadium.

I've wanted to do some contest operation from there ever since, but I 
don't know who to contact or if they would let me do it. Most likely the 
people who permitted it to happen back then are long gone.

It was a great location, though, for the fact it was warm if nothing else.

73, Zack W9SZ

On Thu, 5 Jul 2007, Pat Barthelow wrote:

> Hello Folks,
>
> Pat Barthelow, AA6EG here, back after a long absence.  I have been
> investigating large ( or even smaller Stadiums  as venues,  for contesting
> and EOC-Ham Raido operations locations.
>
> I introuduced the idea on Tower Talk, and come here now to further
> brainstorm.  For background information on the topic, go to the TT archives
> and search "Stadiums"  I researched Stadiums on the internet, and as
> expected found them to be  HUGE industry undergoing a lot of change.   There
> have been 21 new stadiums built in the last 10 years, and many more are on
> the drawing boards.  You see regularly now,  the speacacular demolitions of
> older stadiums, in favor of building newer designs, serving a number of new
> communities, with more efficient cash flow generation.  There are relatively
> few "Players" in the world, who design market and manage Stadiums.
>
> There are a number of related organizations and associations that work with
> and around the Stadium Industry, includng a number "Think Tanks" who
> carefully plan and inprove new stadium desgn, and upgrades of existing
> stadiums.
>
> After making a half dozen or so phone calls, I think that a well planned,
> coordinated approacch to the movers and shakers in the Stadium Community by
> the right people, could result in Stadium planners possibly accomodating Ham
> radio communications (Both Contesting and Emergency Communications
> oeprations when necessary) as part of stadium activities.  If the emergency
> comms utility of a ham radio comm center were played up, perhaps a
> relatively wide open door could be pushed, to make it happen.   Some of the
> stadiums already have impressive structures on their premesis that could
> easily do extra duty as antenna supports.  Some, a lot, of the light
> standards, and flag poles are WELL over 100 ft tall.
>
> Is thre by any chance anyone on CQ-Contest with direct knowledge or
> connections with pro sports, or other users of Stadium Venues that are
> interested in looking further with me into how to make the Stadiums a
> mutually beneficial resource between them, and the Amateur Radio Community?
> By the way, heck out my website below about the new re use of a Big Antenna.
>
> Sincerely, Pat Barthelow     aa6eg at hotmail.com
>
> http://www.jamesburgdish.org
>
> Jamesburg Earth Station  Moon Bounce Team
> http://www.cq-vhf.com
>
>
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