[Fourlanders] Contest plans update

Tue Aug 26 09:41:58 EDT 2003

Bob et al:

RE:  Generator:  I had this ready for Huntsville, but wound up unable to 
make it. 

I called the folks who rent the one to Mile High Campground.  the 
generator is approximately $65/day and $195/week.  When evaluating these 
numbers, remember that the rental outfit considers a "day" to include up 
to 8 hours of running time on the generator, and a "week" up to 40 
hours.  Just to cover the contest period of 33 hours , we would 
therefore need five "days" worth ( 33 / 8 = 4.125 ).  This means that 
paying for a week would be appropriate.  These rates assume someone 
picks up the generator in Asheville.

RE: Shelby.... Meeting/Cookout

Where and when is this cookout planned?  I'd like to attend, but not 
sure I'll be able to, although I do plan to be at Shelby sometime Saturday.

73,

Paul

Bob Lear wrote:

>Sept 2003 VHF QSO Party  September 13th and 14th
>W4NH, Fourlanders, EM85jm at Mile High Campground, 
>
>Well the planning meeting at Huntsville didn't happen as not enough
>folks showed up there.  Neal and I went and had a good time.  We did run
>into Kim Hensley WG8S from Huntsville there.  Kim had been at the SVHFS
>conference earlier this year and is interested in coming with us to
>operate, even after seeing the video at the conference!!  We certianly
>hope he'll be able to make it.  We've also been in contact with Russ
>K7CDJ from Cumming and he also plans to come with us.  Also confirmed to
>be on the mountain is Robins friend Terry (?call) who was with us in
>June.  Sean (?call) who was also there in June will go roving with Robin
>this time.  Steve K4RF is still planning to come.  Ivan K4VJM will be
>able to come for part of the time and we also expect Jeff W0ONR to be
>able to make it. Jeff also volunteered to help with the cooking duties.
>Still waiting to hear from Ryan W4RLW. Maybe we'll finally have enough
>operators, but we still have room for more if anyone else wants to come
>with us.  
>
>Band news
>6m:  Band Captain, K4EA.  Neal has tested the transverters and gotten
>some advice from Ray about the 6m station.  Dick hasn't had time to
>complete the new stacked antennas for 6 (or 2) so Neal will use one of
>the usual antennas for 6m.  Johnny K4TW has also confirmed to be a 6m op
>for the contest.  
>
>2m:  Band Captain, K5AND.  Dick has tested the amp and power supply on
>the air for some time and they are happy together again.  He will use a
>single m2 2M5WL for the contest.  
>
>222:  Band Captain, NX9O.  No changes.
>
>432:  Band Captain, W4KXY.  Jims transverter is off to DEMI for a power
>transfusion of one of the new higher power bricks.  Steve promised to
>get it back in time.  K4SZ's transveter is already back from DEMI with
>minor repairs made and ready for back-up or primary duty.
>
>Microwave:  Band Captain, K4SZ.  I have settled on two IF rigs.  My
>FT920 for 903/1296 and a FT897 for 2304,3456,5760 and 10GHz.  I have
>built custom switches to handle the multiple transverters and the
>associated keying lines.  Some problems with 5760 gear but I think I'll
>get it done.  
>
>Food Band:  Culinary Impresario, W4SKI.  Be sure to get in touch with
>Paul at pyeager at tektone.net to confirm your meals.  Let him know how
>long you will be there.  Maximum is Friday evening dinner thru Monday
>morning breakfast.  He needs a count so he'll know how much food to
>purchase.  I'll leave it to each of you contact him on your own.  Paul,
>send an update sometime to the reflector of all who have signed up for
>food so we'll know and also it'll prompt those who haven't to do so.
>
>Computers and Networking:  NO change
>
>Generators:  I haven't heard anything different than Brians and Jims
>that we usually have.  Paul was going to check on a rental diesel
>generator but I haven't heard anything.  Paul?
>
>Power Distribution:  No change
>
>Logistics:  I may need someone to pull one of the tower trailers from my
>place up to the mountain if W4RLW doesn't make it.  It will be the Green
>Hornet, the smallest one, which is just a lightweight converted boat
>trailer.  Jim and I will pull the other two.  We usually leave from my
>place in Dahlonega with a small convoy about 9AM if we can.  That way we
>are on the mountain in time to do some trailer and antenna set-up on
>Friday afternoon and evening for a head start (that we always need). 
>I've never had a station ready at 2PM contest time despite my best
>plans.  It's about a three hour trip and we stop for lunch somewhere on
>the way.
>
>Ground Transportation:  NO change
>
>Rover stuff:  We saw Jack AB4CR at Huntsville and he's still planning to
>come and follow the same route that Robin works out although he probably
>won't start from the campground.  Sure hope he'll make it.
>Robin now has Sean for a rover partner so they are well on the way. I'm
>also setting up a three band 2304/3456/5760 rover system with an FT817
>IF and a dish with tri-band feed for Robin to take with him.  He's
>working on his 10GHz white box.
>
>Second ops:  covered above
>
>Planning meeting:  Since so many of the contest group are going to
>Shelby we will probably have an impromptu meeting there about contest
>plans and any last minute needs or questions.  I'd say the best time
>will probably be during the cookout Saturday evening.  Anyone coming to
>Shelby that's not yet in on the VHFers cookout, it's not too late if
>you'd like to join us.  Let me know ASAP and we'll get you on the list. 
>The Shelby meeting is not required, but if you'll be attending the fest,
>we'd love to see you and talk about the contest plans.
>
>New folks:  We have written directions on how to get there along with
>maps that can be e-mailed.  Just let me know what you need.  We have
>plenty of room for parking if you sleep in your vehicle or to pitch a
>tent.  Just like to know ahead of time for planning purposes which
>you'll do.  Also, we just let Paul know how many will be there for each
>meal and he gets all the food for us and we split the pro-rated cost at
>the end, along with the cost of renting the campground and generator
>fuel.  I can give you an estimate based on what we've done in the past
>if you need that.
>
>We'll put out another update after Shelby with any final info or details
>about what transpired there.
>
>73 Bob K4SZ
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