- Field Day Tech - w8wky.org

Field Day Meeting
by Jason McCormick 21 Mar '24

21 Mar '24

All, Since we didn't get much response from the team, there will be no pre-meeting meeting tomorrow before the club meeting to discuss Field Day. I will arrive at the Eagles sometime between 6:00 and 6:15 if anyone wants to talk Field Day. Jason N8EI

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Field Day 2024
by Jason McCormick 04 Mar '24

04 Mar '24

All, I'd like to move ahead with holding Field Day at the Legion Hall again. The conversation was good here but kinda died out. Part of the returning to the legion hall would involve the purchase of the following: 1. Purchase of and construction of sound-proof booths. Jeff's link to the PVC booth is probably the best for a lightweight, reasonably-transportable-and-stored setup. We'd also purchase a number of moving blankets. These booths would be arranged roughly as shown in the diagram I circulated earlier. We would also need to buy and/or borrow some lights and fans for in the booths. 2. Purchase of multiple new, longer feedline to run into the field behind the hall. This would likely need to be a custom build of 275' to 300'. If we go with the lighter and cheaper RG-8U, the loss is 2.7 dB at 30MHz for 300'. I would assume we want two runs out to the field for 20m and under bands. 6/10/15 could be kept on the side of the building where we have deployed other years for shorter runs. 3. Power. The club should consider purchasing its own Honda EU generator (or perhaps several cheaper models given low use?). Are there any fundamental objections to this plan? I would also like to propse that the Field Day Tech team meet at 5:30 on Thursday, March 21st at the Eagles before the club meeting to hammer out details and next steps. Any thoughts about that? Jason

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Re: Field Day Location - Rittman American Legion Hall
by Scott Talbot 28 Feb '24

28 Feb '24

Somehow your message was just to me. You must select "reply all". Anyway the GOTA station must use a separate callsign than the rest of the radios. I'm not sure what call it would use. I was just looking through the rules. On Fri, Feb 23, 2024 at 2:51 PM Lane Yerian <kd8jjf(a)gmail.com> wrote: > All, > > We should also look at having a GOTA (Get On The Air) station. > > GOTA station, per rules gets five points per contact, regardless of mode. > > Lane KD8JJF > > > On 2/22/2024 11:07 AM, Scott Talbot wrote: > > I volunteer my Yeasu FTdx10 for the 10/15/160m station. > > On Thu, Feb 22, 2024, 9:16 AM Jason McCormick via Field Day Tech < > fd-tech(a)w8wky.org> wrote: > >> See the attached for some proposed layouts I've been working on. >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* Lane Yerian via Field Day Tech <fd-tech(a)w8wky.org> >> *Sent:* Thursday, February 22, 2024 7:49 AM >> *To:* Jeff Royer via Field Day Tech <fd-tech(a)w8wky.org> >> *Cc:* Lane Yerian <kd8jjf(a)gmail.com> >> *Subject:* [Field Day Tech] Re: Field Day Location - Rittman American >> Legion Hall >> >> >> All, >> >> I do have a good supply of aluminum extrusion (tubing & angle) that >> could be put to work. >> >> Also our table setup could be changed (maybe a long line so we are not >> facing each other). >> >> Lane KD8JJF >> On 2/17/2024 1:29 PM, Jeff Royer via Field Day Tech wrote: >> >> All, >> >> >> >> If we can solve the sound issue with the American Legion Hall, it sounds >> like a win, especially with the new area we have for antennas. >> >> >> >> I was watching some DIY sound booth ideas and noticed some of them making >> them from PVC pipe and connectors just quicky pressed together, hanging >> moving blankets on them they put some grommets on, and then zip tied to the >> frame. You can get a 12 pack of blankets from a place like AliXpress for >> next to nothing comparatively, although rental may still be cheaper. >> >> VEVOR 35/65 lbs Moving Blankets 12 Packs 80" x 72" Packing Blanket Heavy >> Duty Mover Pads for Protecting Furniture Appliances - AliExpress >> <https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806352868746.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.…> >> >> >> >> Again, just throwing out info for discussion. >> >> >> >> Jeff >> >> >> >> >> >> *From:* Jason McCormick via Field Day Tech <fd-tech(a)w8wky.org> >> <fd-tech(a)w8wky.org> >> *Sent:* Saturday, February 17, 2024 11:33 AM >> *To:* fd-tech(a)w8wky.org >> *Cc:* Jason McCormick <jason(a)mfamily.org> <jason(a)mfamily.org> >> *Subject:* [Field Day Tech] Field Day Location - Rittman American Legion >> Hall >> >> >> >> All, >> >> >> >> Just to continue the good discussion we've been having, here's the >> thoughts on returning to the American Legion in Rittman. The first >> interesting thing is that I looked up is the property maps in Wayne Co for >> the site. The field behind the hall is in in fact owned by the Legion - >> we've always been under the impression that it was owned by the city and >> part of Fritz Park. I've attached a map of the approximate area owned by >> them. >> >> >> >> The biggest two issues with the Legion hall are the noise level inside >> and sometimes we've had HF interference on 20m at that location. One >> possibility is to use the hall itself as "home base" but actually do >> operating outside. There are several options for that including locating >> the operators on the gravel behind the hall with longer feedlines - which >> doesn't really harm HF ops. Or locate them dispersed out throughout the >> field. Obviously having them together helps with the power situation. >> >> >> >> Alternatively we could get serious about noise dampening inside the hall. >> We could construct A frame around the operating stations and rent a bunch >> of moving blankets to hang from it as sound deadening. We'd also likely >> need to put a fan in each "booth". Downside of the framing is just like a >> tent, we'd need to store it somewhere. This would also require some longer >> feedlines out into the field. >> >> >> >> >From the back door if the hall out into the middle of the field, it's >> roughly 185ft. So we'd be looking at 225-250 foot coax runs. We could >> optimize the field layout and keep 10/15 close to the building on shorter >> runs and put 20/40/80/160 far out in the field. LMR400 is 0.8dB loss per >> 100ft at 30MHz. LMR600 is 0.4dB / 100 at 30. >> >> >> >> Pros: >> >> - Familiar site >> >> >> - Full kitchen >> >> >> - indoor sleeping/resting >> >> >> - Bathrooms >> >> >> - Water / electricity >> >> >> >> Cons: >> >> - Severe room noise issues must be addressed >> >> >> - Potential for HF interference (field may solve though) >> >> >> >> Jason >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Field Day Tech mailing list -- fd-tech(a)w8wky.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to fd-tech-leave(a)w8wky.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Field Day Tech mailing list -- fd-tech(a)w8wky.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to fd-tech-leave(a)w8wky.org >> >

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Field Day Location - Rittman American Legion Hall
by Jason McCormick 22 Feb '24

22 Feb '24

All, Just to continue the good discussion we've been having, here's the thoughts on returning to the American Legion in Rittman. The first interesting thing is that I looked up is the property maps in Wayne Co for the site. The field behind the hall is in in fact owned by the Legion - we've always been under the impression that it was owned by the city and part of Fritz Park. I've attached a map of the approximate area owned by them. The biggest two issues with the Legion hall are the noise level inside and sometimes we've had HF interference on 20m at that location. One possibility is to use the hall itself as "home base" but actually do operating outside. There are several options for that including locating the operators on the gravel behind the hall with longer feedlines - which doesn't really harm HF ops. Or locate them dispersed out throughout the field. Obviously having them together helps with the power situation. Alternatively we could get serious about noise dampening inside the hall. We could construct A frame around the operating stations and rent a bunch of moving blankets to hang from it as sound deadening. We'd also likely need to put a fan in each "booth". Downside of the framing is just like a tent, we'd need to store it somewhere. This would also require some longer feedlines out into the field. From the back door if the hall out into the middle of the field, it's roughly 185ft. So we'd be looking at 225-250 foot coax runs. We could optimize the field layout and keep 10/15 close to the building on shorter runs and put 20/40/80/160 far out in the field. LMR400 is 0.8dB loss per 100ft at 30MHz. LMR600 is 0.4dB / 100 at 30. Pros: * Familiar site * Full kitchen * indoor sleeping/resting * Bathrooms * Water / electricity Cons: * Severe room noise issues must be addressed * Potential for HF interference (field may solve though) Jason

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2¢ From the desk of the incumbent Field Day Chairman
by Nick Traweek 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

My focus, my understanding of the focus this field day, is to score more points: more butts in seats at radios, more of the time, with antennae that function as advertised. I've been reading and pondering these emails all weekend long. I appreciate all the input, the legwork, and web searches that have ensued. I plan on visiting alternate locations tomorrow, when it's warmer. Some thoughts and responses in no particular order, from this operator: To achieve the goal of more points, I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel. We've put up the 160 over the field behind and we can put up more antennae there since we now know that it belongs to the Legion. We can drive on and park on the grass, within reason. Think crank-up tower. The Legion Hall is a known quantity and quality: 1 phone call, 1 check, and 2 visits to pick up and return the key. Value pricing. I like the sanitation of running water and restrooms. I have a radio there that strangers are touching. We need power for more than just the operating radios: several operators used monitors, laptops, the wifi for the reporting system. the reporting monitor, and food preparation and storage. As for noise, take the party outside. The only people down the steps into the hall should be the operators and visitors to see the operators and radios. Set up tents and tables outside to serve the food, to dispense water and sodas, to mill around and socialize, to sign into the guest book. 6 radios, a few of them doing FT-8, and the others with headphones, should not be making enough noise to disrupt each other-it's the party on the other side of the room that's noisy. Are cicadas, crickets, and traffic easier to manage, noise-wise, than people? No one complains about the acoustics or noise when it's just radio operators at 2 am. I don't want to spend the first 2-3 hours of my 30+hour run counting on the seamless erection of tents and shelters. Let's spend that time and energy on the antennae, radio set-up, and operating. We can have radios and everything operating inside and still be organizing food service, tents/shelters outside. Radios/antennae need to be functional by 1400. Food can wait until 1700 or 1800. Same with teardown. Weather... we keep getting lucky. Can we count on that luck continuing? A/C. Before filter purchases, let's configure what antennae we'll be using and where we'll be placing them. If we are working off multiple antennae, as we have discussed, we can split up the filters we have differently and re-consider how we set up radios inside. If we split the filters/duplexer/triplexer we have, run the coax in from the back door instead of the window, we can separate the operating stations and reduce the concentrated noise level inside. Or run one coax for one set of filters in the window and one feed from the back door, commandeer what is now the food/social table area for radios and give the operators more individual and separated space. My 2¢ KD8SLG/Nick Silvercreek Amateur Radio Association kd8slg(a)gmail.com 412-779-1717 W8WKY FM analog 147.390+ PL114.8 /Allstar #48496 W8WKY FM digital 442.275 + D-Star, C4FM, DMR #311070 Wires-X room 80134 / 40557

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Field Day Operating - Times
by Jason McCormick 17 Feb '24

17 Feb '24

All, A point for further consideration - do we want to operate Field Day overnight and through Sunday morning? My quick reaction is "No" but I'd like to hear thoughts. Typically our overnight operations are pretty dead. Sometimes people pound out a new run on Sunday morning, but that's been infrequent. Here are some Pro/Cons I came up with - feel free to expand. Pros * Shorter commitment for the key people * No staying/sleeping outside in the elements * Shorter time may lead to greater focus on operating due to the time limit - less chance to "put it off" * Park permit would only be needed for 1 day Cons: * Tear down and pack up in the dark (unless we quit really early - 8pm) * No opportunity for operating on Sunday morning * Isn't the full "Field Day" experience Jason

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Field Day
by Bill Storr 17 Feb '24

17 Feb '24

Jason, my preference would be to cover the entire event through its termination on Sunday. In the past I have had very very productive runs early Sunday morning on 40M as stations are firing up and new operators rejoin The Fray. That said, I do understand the logistical difficulties and extra expense of 2 days Park rental versus one, and we MUST have enough commitment for 3-4 people to man/operate the site overnight. I am a bit concerned that if we announce Field Day as a Saturday only event, we will lose a lot of interest amongst amateurs who may decide to do something else that weekend, or stay home and run the entire 24hr Field Day out of their shacks. There's also some more discussion we need to have about the Food Arrangements whether or not we need a field kitchen, who can bring water etc etc. If we are going to a park without full facilities, it would help immensely if someone with a travel trailer(s) or RV can provide a base of operations. Then as you say, we can supplement with tents and such for those people willing to stay overnight at the site. In the past, most of us Field Day diehards worked the radios up till about midnight, then went to sleep in our tents, got up first light at 5:30 or 6:00 A.M., and went back to work on the radios. Also, some quiet discussions are needed on security arrangements, should we stay in a public park. I also wonder how much lighting, if any, this park has at night. I will probably check this out next week. Was The Eagles site a no-go?

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Field Day Location - River Styx Park
by Jason McCormick 17 Feb '24

17 Feb '24

All, I'd like to propose that we try to hold Field Day 2024 at River Styx Park. River Styx Park is located just north of the intersection of River Styx Rd. and Blake Rd. Here's a link to a map: https://www.bing.com/maps?cp=41.042533%7E-81.782887&lvl=13.3 It would be roughly a 10 minute drive NW from the Wadsworth Eagles as an estimate. There is a nice, open, oblong field that has some nice trees that could be used for antennas. It's about 400ft long and about 75ft wide. I've attached a marked-up picture of the area below. Pluses: Restrooms, Reasonable Parking, Out of the way of most of the park which bodes well for a special use permit. Cons: No water or electricity. No nearby picnic shelter. At this location, we'd have to rent or borrow some large tents for shelter. Some pictures of the site: https://1drv.ms/a/s!AmTf252DFWWchfgas7anNZvvs_KIqg?e=Rf5pCl [cid:0926b0a3-2091-4a41-800b-b0708eb7a51f] Thoughts? Jason

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Field Day Operating - Filters
by Jason McCormick 17 Feb '24

17 Feb '24

All, Do we want to consider purchasing additional filters for Field Day? There are a few options to consider: https://www.hamation.com/?BandpassFilters-SingleBand.html https://www.dxengineering.com/search/part-type/transmit-band-pass-filters/p… Open to other suggestions. Thoughts? Jason

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Field Day Locations
by Jason McCormick 30 Jan '24

30 Jan '24

All, Haven't heard more discussion recently on Field Day locations. However I've been thinking about this a great deal and I am concerned about some of the proposals on the table, notably the Skypark on 18. Looking at where it's located and the geography of the available space, I would be concerned that we'd be creating interference and safety hazards at the airport. Tall masts right next to a runway aren't exactly appropriate for an airport. I was pondering this especially today as I drove past an airport with those balls on the powerlines. Those powerlines are lower than our antennas would be. Looking at maps and some other ideas, i wanted to throw these out for discussion: River Styx Park http://www.medinacountyparks.com/index.php/parks/parks/river-styx-park Pros: * Reasonably close to our existing location * County park * Shelter has water * Bathrooms * There's lots of space in the "Pollinator Meadow" if we're allowed to setup there and use it Cons: * Would require special use permit * Severely limited space if we couldn't use the "Pollinator Meadow" * would need to have more safety, fencing, etc. than we normally need to do Silver Creek Metro Park https://www.summitmetroparks.org/Silver-Creek-Metro-Park.aspx Pros: * A "known" location for SARA events * County park * Plenty of open field space * Plenty of parking, restrooms nearby, and water assuming we can secure use of the "Boathouse Area" * Parking and restrooms if we can operate near Pheasant Run Shelter but NO WATER Cons: * Would require special use permit * Busy park - would need to have more safety, fencing, etc. than we normally need to do

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