Getting Ready For Field Day

[UPDATED 6/20/2013]

Field Day Planning Meeting Minutes by: WBØRUR

The Noise Blankers Radio Group held their first and only Field Day 2013 planning meeting at 12 noon, Thursday, June 20, 2013, at Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ in Bentonville, Arkansas. The record will reflect that this meeting is being held 48 hours prior to the Field Day event.

Roll call was taken. In attendance: Gary, WB0RUR; Andy, K5PO; Kevin, K5KVN; Steve, K5OY

Not present: Nathan K5KAC, who is still recovering from eating a container full of bacteria-laden lunch meat several days earlier.

The meeting was called to order: Two members opted for burgers; two opted for variations on smoked chicken. Three members had regular tea; one had sweet tea.  Jokes were made about “wet chicken” followed by a short discussion regarding the positive attributes of regular versus sweet tea.

Field Day discussions began with WB0RUR indicating that he will go to K5KVN’s residence this evening to “check out his rig.” This was met with curious looks from the other two members wondering if this was a euphemism. IT IS NOT AND CUT THAT OUT.

K5PO and K5KVN have taken the lead on early preparations and everything seems to be in order thanks to the due diligence of these two members. They may receive recognition at the next club meeting for their efforts; BUT PROBABLY NOT.

K5PO led the discussion on last-minute needs. This included the topics of folding chairs, a brief overview of antenna/transceiver combinations, operator schedules and that it was really funny that some people thought our Dayton Hamvention Ham Hijinks stories were real. THEY WERE NOT.

This year, the Noise Blankers will inaugurate the callsign WR5P and there was much discussion regarding SSB phonetics for identification.  A final decision was not reached. Top contenders include:

1)    We Ruined 5 Pair (of Underwear)
2)    We Requested 5 Prostitutes
3)    Who Removed 5 Parsnips
4)    Willie Repeated 5 Performances

For obvious reasons, none of these received a majority of votes. OBVIOUSLY.

(left to right) K5OY and K5KVN

The Noise Blankers will be providing a live video feed of the operating positions again this year via the Noise Blankers HAM-CAM.  Throughout the course of Field Day 2013 there will be regularly scheduled “HAM-CAM” events, such as topless hour and “look we’re all barefoot” hour. All present indicated eager anticipation for the “Australian Crawl” bonus multiplier (see the Ham Hijinks story here.)

The meeting ended with agreement that we had no more idea of what we are doing now than before we started.  However, we will enjoy ourselves immensely.

The final piece of business took place when Kevin K5KVN  presented Steve K5OY with his official Noise Blankers club t-shirt (see photo).  Steve would have received this shirt last year when we activated Horseshoe Island in Beaver Lake. BUT HE DIDN’T SHOW UP.

The meeting was adjourned.

A Rundown of Our #FD13 Plans

Like many of you, our field day operations are part contest and part promotion. We use the event to hone contesting skills, use alternative power, try new gear/techniques and promote the hobby we love.

Kevin K5KVN, an Alderman on the city council of Elm Springs, Arkansas, secured an “Amateur Radio Day” proclamation for the city. Read it here [PDF]. Ask your mayor to do a proclamation. It’s easy!

Here is a rundown of our plans:

• Operating WR5P (for the very first time!) as category 2E from the shack of K5PO.
• Once again, the wildly popular live webcam in the shack! We will feed rig audio to the webcam, too.
• Photos uploaded throughout the event in our photo gallery.
• Videos uploaded to our YouTube channel.
• Real-time info on our various Twitter handles, using hashtag #FD13.
• As for anything else: we’ll wing it.

What are you doing for field day? Tell us in the comments below.

If you are in Northwest Arkansas, you can also experience field day with ARKAN, the Benton County Radio Operators and the University of Arkansas club.