2011 Field Day The Palmetto Amateur Radio Club Saturday June 25, 2011 "Always the last full weekend in June"

Field Day! We do it for fun and to show the public what amateur radio is all about. This year we will again be doing a small field day event with the Broward County Medical Reserve Corps at the Broward County Health Department 2500 SW 8th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

(Please park along the outside of the fence on SW 8th Avenue)

GPS: 26.091571, -80.150589

We will use this opportunity to get everyone exposed to H.F., PSK-31, VHF, UHF, etc.

Remember, ANYONE can attend and operate at the PARC Field Day - licensed or not, club member or not!

Field Day FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Field Day \field day\ noun: 1) Competitive event where Amateur Radio operators 
nation wide set up radio equipment in the field to compete for score; 2) An event to test the readiness of Amateur Radio Emergency Communications; 3) A chance to meet new friends and test the limits of your favorite hobby; 4) Check out the newest Amateur Radio technology (SSTV, ATV, APRS, PSK31,??).

Object: To work as many stations as possible on any or all amateur bands (except 10, 18 and 24-MHz bands) and, in doing so, to learn to operate in abnormal situations under less-than-optimum conditions.  A premium is placed on skills and equipment developed to meet the challenge of emergency preparedness and to acquaint the public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio. All the operating equipment, rigs, antennae, etc. must be inside a 1000' diameter circle.

With the help from you, we can set up H.F. stations, PSK-31, UHF/VHF stations, and ?? The whole goal is to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the public, let people (licensed or not) operate and log, tryout bands you don't have rigs for, try H.F. or packet. We also have a good time. Plan to bring family and friends out to Field Day.

Q. Where is Field Day?
A. 
Palmetto Amateur Radio Club 2011 Field Day site is located at Broward County Health Department 2500 SW 8th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 (GPS 26.091571, -80.150589) Talk-in to the Field Day site will be on the club repeater 442.250 +5MHz. PL 114.8.

Q. When do I arrive?
A. We need lots of folks to help with setup starting at 10 AM on Saturday. Everything must be in place so we can start Field Day at the official time of 2 PM EST time. Field Day will continue all day Saturday until 6 or 7 PM.

Q. Where do the Rigs & Equipment come from? 
A. From YOU, we need you to bring out your H.F.,VHF/UHF, cable, tuners, power supplies, antenna, keyers, headphones, mikes, etc. Someone will be there the whole time to watch over the equipment. Remember, we have to share!! Please treat others equipment like it was your own. If you bring your rig and it is used as a station, it MUST stay for the entire Field Day Event.

Q. Who can operate? 
A. EVERYONE, can operate at Field Day, we will have control operators to assist you.

Q. What callsign will we use? 
A. The Palmetto Amateur Radio Club will use the club call sign K4PAL for 2011.

Q. I can't stay out there for 12 hours, so what do I do? 
A. Well, come for an hour, or two! We don't have a schedule. Come when you can and operate, log, or ask questions about Amateur Radio.

Q. I don't want to operate so what can I do? 
A. Help with setup, take photos and/or video, log contacts for operators, bring supplies (drinks, ice, food), help us tear down the station, spray for mosquitoes, enter the logged contacts into a computer, there is always plenty to do.

Operating equipment required of each station:
• [    ] HF Transceiver and Power Supply
• [    ] CW keyer
• [    ] Microphone
• [    ] Antenna for the bands your assigned
• [    ] Mast, base plate (rotor?)
• [    ] Antenna tuner (if required)
• [    ] Guy lines and the means of supporting your antenna
• safety markers for wires
• ground stakes
• [    ] Dummy load with coax
• [    ] SWR/Power Meter (an SWR analyzer will be on hand)
• [    ] Headphones
• [    ] Ground Rod (4 foot variety) with clamp and ground wire
• [    ] Feedline 100' to 200' with connectors installed, (rotor cable?)
• [    ] Coax seal tape, incase it gets wet
• [    ] Computer for logging (Windows, Linux, or Macintosh)
• [    ] RTTY interface equipment (ie. Kam) if possible ready to go
• [    ] Mark all your equipment with a label and your callsign
• [    ] Operating Table
• [    ] Comfortable Operating Chair(s)
• [    ] 25 foot extension cord (12 gauge with ground)
• [    ] AC power strip with multiple outlets and circuit breaker
• [    ] Watch or clock set to UTC
• [    ] Desk Light 60W or less
• [    ] Small fan if it looks like it will be hot
• [    ] 2 meter HT
• [    ] copy of the field day rules
• [    ] sample exchange and callsign taped to each station

Tools you might need:
• [    ] Tools (ie hammer, screwdrivers,shovel, pliers)
• [    ] Multimeter
• [    ] Soldering Iron and Solder
• [    ] Electrical Tape
• [    ] Extra coax connectors
• [    ] Fuses
• [    ] Extra rope or cord
• [    ] Fire extinguisher

Field Day Operators and Loggers will need:
• [    ] Set of Headphones and adapters
• [    ] Copy of the Band plans and Game plans
• [    ] Spiral Notebook and pen
• [    ] Copy of the Rules

Staying over night?
• [    ] Bringing your own Tent for sleeping if you must
• [    ] Blanket, sleeping bag, and pillow
• [    ] Extra Clothes, Rain poncho, boots, jacket (it gets nippy at night)
• [    ] Sun glasses and your hat
• [    ] Personal First Aid Kit, sun screen, and any medications
• [    ] Bug spray
• [    ] Deoderant, toothbrush, TP, etc.
• [    ] Flash Light with fresh batteries
• [    ] Camera
• [    ] Citronella candles, lanterns, safety and work lights