FARA Field Day 2023 Dedicated to Geoff, W1OH

FARA Field Day 2023 will be dedicated to the memory of Geoff Allsup, W1OH, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.  Geoff was a very active ham and managed the GOTA station at Field Day for many years.  He was a member of FARA for nearly 40 years.

Believe it or not, Field Day is less than 30 days away--how did that happen?

Henry, K1WCC and his committee have Field Day preparations well in hand.  Stay tuned for further announcements.  Contact Henry, K1WCC if you are available to help with Field Day

Location: Morse Pond School, front field near the shelters.  Setup 23 June, Operations 24-25 June.  We will be using the comm's trailer as in the past few years.

Stations/Modes: SSB, CW/Digital, and GOTA, 3 tower setup

Generators and Grill: Jim, KC1KM, "Killer Mouse Electric", as in past years

Food: Mike, KC1HKW will purchase food and cook.  Jim, KC1KM, will do breakfast on Sunday am.  Cooking help is always appreciated, as are food donations other than dessert.

Setup:  Setup will start at 1PM on Friday, 23 June.  Pickup trucks are needed to transport gear from storage to Morse Pond.  Assistance in setting up antennas is always needed.  

Operators:  Field Day operations run from 2PM on Saturday, 24 May until 2PM on Sunday, 25 May.  Operators are needed to cover the 24 hour period on both stations, so there are many opportunities to operate--don't be bashful.

Bonus Points:  Field Day scoring includes opportunities for bonus points for completing specific activities, as listed below.  The items in bold need a volunteer.  These items are an easy way to earn score points.

7.3.1. 100% Emergency Power: We are all set using the generator
7.3.2. Media Publicity:  Larry, W1IZZ
7.3.3. Public Location: All Set using the school
7.3.4. Public Information Table: Need a volunteer to setup a table.  W1IZZ has brochures
7.3.5. Message Origination to Section Manager: Need a volunteer, can be done using VHF/VARA/Packet via Winlink
7.3.6. Message Handling: See 7.3.5
7.3.7. Satellite QSO: Need a volunteer
7.3.8. Alternate Power: Henry, K1WCC solar/battery.
7.3.9. W1AW Bulletin:  Larry, W1IZZ will copy digital version, others can also copy
7.3.10. Educational activity bonus: Need a volunteer to create/do an activity
7.3.11. Site Visitation by an elected governmental official: Need volunteer to send/extend  invites
7.3.12. Site Visitation by a representative of an agency: A Falmouth Fire member will be fine
7.3.13. GOTA Bonus (UPDATED FOR 2023):  Need a volunteer
7.3.14. Web submission: We always to this, so okay.
7.3.15. Field Day Youth Participation:  Need a volunteer and some young visitors
7.3.16 Social Media: Larry, W1IZZ will do this7.3.17 Safety Officer Bonus: Mel Trott volunteered

Home Operators:  FARA members who participate in Field Day from their home station can add their scores to the Club score.  They just need to enter the club name, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association, in the club "box" when submitting their score to the ARRL.

#ARRLFD #FARA

Cape Cod ARES Exercise Spring Comm 13 May 2023

 Amateur radio operators from FARA participated in the recent Cape Cod Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) exercise "Spring Comm".  The Falmouth Field Station was active on HF,-80M, and on VHF simplex during the exercise.  Participation seemed to be down, as the number of check-ins was lower than previous exercises.   This may have been due to the exercise being held on Mother's Day weekend.  Band conditions were also relatively poor due to solar activity.  

A nation-wide Winlink exercise was held on the same day.  Amateur radio stations around the US send simulated emergency messages to regional clearinghouses via radio using Winlink.  The exercise also included direct messaging to "target stations" setup around the US on several amateur bands.

Exercise such as these are an important part of maintaining readiness to provide radio communications in the event of emergencies that interrupt normal telecommunications.

 Images courtesy of Frank, WQ1O

International Marconi Day April 22, 2023 - Special Event Station W1AA

International Marconi Day April 22, 2023

Registered IMD Station W1AA, Marion Station, MA.

Henry Brown, K1WCC, will be on the air today using the callsign W1AA on 20 and 40 meter phone from the old Marconi Transmitter site in Marion, MA. Hours of operation will be 0900-1500 depending on WX and propagation. He will be spotted on DX Summit. QSL cards are available with an SASE. Hope to work you!

Also note that there will be 4 other Cape-area Marconi Stations on the air as well today.

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association Field Day 2023

 

FARA Field Day 2023 will be held on June 24-25 on the field in front of the Morse Pond School on Jones Road in Falmouth.  Setup work will take place in Friday, June 23.

The current plan to to operate in Class 2A with two antenna towers/radios.  One station will be SSB and the other will likely be a combination of CW and digital modes.

As in previous FARA Field Days, there will be a cookout on Saturday afternoon.

Henry, K1WCC, has formed a small committee to organize the event.  The event runs for 24 hours, so there are many opportunities to operate during the event. Setup/teardown assistance is always needed.  

Contact Henry if you are able to operate or assist with setup/teardown.

As always, the public is welcome to attend.  There will be a Get On The Air station operating to allow anyone interested to make radio contacts.

#ARRLFD

Geoff Allsup, W1OH Silent Key

Geoff Allsup, W1OH, became a "silent key" (SK) on March 23, 2023.  The term "silent key" is used by amateur radio operators (hams) to denote a ham who has died.  The term refers to the sending key used to send Morse Code (CW), which becomes silent upon a ham's death.

Geoff was a life-long ham who was licensed for nearly 60 years, being first licensed at the age of 12.  His interest in building and experimenting with radios led him to a career as a engineer working in research and development in the oceanographic field.

Geoff was a member of FARA for nearly 40 years.  He was a past President and a Board of Directors member for many years.  Geoff captained the GOTA (Get On The Air) station for several Field Days, introducing ham radio to the public.  He was particularly interested in encouraging young people to become licensed. 

Geoff was a "ham's ham", always willing to offer help or mentoring to less experienced hams.  He was a very active FARA member who made substantial contributions to the continuing success of the club.

Geoff, W1OH, SK, will be sorely missed by all of us.  

Titanic Special Event Operation - April 12-14, 2023

From Barry, KB1TLR:

I'm trying to put a Titanic Special Event Station together for April 12, 13, & 14 at the National Seashore Visitors Center in Eastham. I have calls in and have filled out an application. We will be restricted in the hours that we can operate.  I'm planning on operating on April 12-14 from 9 am until 4 pm EDT.  Operations will continue into the early hours on April 15 when she sank.  Those of us close enough to the operating site can finish up the event at home and send me the logging files.

I plan on setting up on the afternoon of the 11th, around 3 pm.  I could use some help. I will use an off center dipole 80-10 m and an R5 which covers 10, 12, 15, 17 & 20 m. For radios, we will be using 2 stations, both ICOM 7300's with power supplies, tuners, linked computers, foot switches (or hand pushbuttons) and headsets.  We will also have additional headsets available for extra loggers if necessary. 

This was originally a CW operation, so I am especially looking for CW operators.  SSB operators are always welcome. If you are CW operators you will need to supply your own keys or paddles.

Shifts each day will be 9-12, 12-2, & 2-4. I plan to be there all day each day.  I will operate as needed and also be a "tour guide" as it is a school vacation week.  We will have displays setup relating to the Titanic and the disaster. Take down will be after 4 pm on the 14th.

Contact Barry, KB1TLR, (w1mgycc@gmail.com) if you are interested in helping or operating during the event.

FARA Demo's Amateur Radio at Mashpee Maker's Fair

BARC (Barnstable Amateur Radio Club) and FARA members attended the Maker's Fair held at Mashpee High School on March 25 to provide demonstrations of amateur radio to Fair attendees.

Two ARES GO Kits were brought in for display by Henry, K1WCC and Jon, N1ILZ.  Jon’s portable antenna mounted on a commercial speaker stand was used to make contacts.  The antenna is one of  Frank O'Laughlin's, WQ1O, many creations. Visitors to the Fair were able to try the radios and make contacts with club members via the local repeaters.

Thanks to everyone who supported this event.

Photos courtesy of Chris, WA1CMR and Jon, N1ILZ

Booth Activity	Booth Activity
Go Kit	Go Kit
Go Kit Using a Small Cooler	Cooler Go Kit Ready to Go