[Fourlanders] June Contest Stuff

[Jim Worsham]

I spent Saturday afternoon and evening at Bob, K4SZ's place.  We got the 432 station up and running.  We got an easy 1 kw p out without even trying hard.  We didn't try to go any higher because the wattmeter we had didn't go any higher than 1 kw.  We did some on the air testing and sensitivity, voice quality, etc. all seem to be good.  I left the station setup at Bob's and he will continue to use it on the air over the next few weeks.  I still have a few odds and ends to take care of but I think I can safely say that the 432 station is looking really good!

While I was at Bob's place we talked about a few things.  Here they are in no particular order.

1. Field Day - Bob is open to doing field day again this year at his farm.  I suggested since most of the ops are fourlanders that we us W4NH this year instead of W4QQ which has been used in the past.  Bob seemed open to that but it needs to be discussed further.  Anyone in the fourlanders have an objection to that?  For those of you who have not participated in the past it is not a big operation.  We are all still recovering from the VHF contest two weeks before.  We usually operate 2 or 3 HF stations and a 6 meter station all low power.  No big antennas (mostly wires and a beam for 6), no amp[lifiers and no big generators (we ran the whole field day on Bob's small generator last year).  I need to get a count of who in the fourlanders wants to do field day this year.  Let Bob and I know.

2. Public Relations - Bob brought up an idea for increasing the ham public awareness of the fourlanders, get some more folks interested in VHF/UHF/microwave weak signal and maybe pickup some members.  His idea is to pull one of the trailers to two or three hamfests during the year and setting up a small demo station with a couple of bands like 6 and 2 for example and a single tower.  With just a couple of bands we could run just one of the smaller generators.  We could setup some scheds and maybe even do some WSJT.  I was thinking we could do this at Huntsville, Lawrencville/Atlanta and Shelby/Charlotte.  What does everyone think of this?  Who would be willing to help out setting up and operating?

3. If you need Bob and/or I to bring something to the mountain you need to let us know.  If you don't let us know then don't be upset if we don't have it.

4. Food - I haven't heard anything about food other than someone said Paul will be there and cooking again.  Paul are you out there?  Please confirm that you will be participating again in June and cooking.

That is all I have for now guys.

73
Jim W4KXY