Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society

BRARS Field day June 26-28 2020

Location: 175 Riverbend Rd, Greenville SC 29617
Riverbend park

Site communications
Starting Friday night at net time until end of event 146.610 will be monitor for talk in to site and questions regarding the event

Cross band repeat to 146.610 will be set up on site (UHF frequency to be picked once on site)

147.610 will be the site simplex frequency

Sanitation
The Coronavirus outbreak has created an unusual set of problems this year, resulting in some interesting challenges, however we are going to go on with the event. Normally this event is open to the general public, and public participation is encouraged, to raise awareness of Ham Radio operations, however, this year, Coronavirus issues cause us to curtail public involvement somewhat.
You are welcome to come stay for the whole event, or for a portion of it. If you just want to swing by for a couple of hours and try communicating, or just sit and have a cup of coffee with us, you’re more than welcome to.

A handwashing station will be provided with the expectation that all  attending will make use of it

Gloves and masks will be the responsibility of individuals attending the event

Please take the time to observe social distancing and keep items that are common to the group disinfected

Rest rooms provided by the park service are available on site.

Camping
BRARS Field day Campout: 6:00 PM Friday until end of event Sunday
Water as well as power hookups may require extra long hose and power cords depending on where RV is parked

Power is available in the form of 20 amp 120, 30 amp 120 RV and 50 amp 120 / 240 connections

Tent camping as well as RV’s are welcome.

The event
This ARRL sponsored event is a National gathering that is sponsored by the ARRL and local grops such as The blue ridge amateur radio society other wise known as BRARS.

The  purpose is to set up radio equipment and communicate with others in the nation doing the same.

Set up will begin at 10 AM Saturday morning 06-26 with the contest beginning at 2:00 PM Saturday (1800 UTC) lasting until 2:00PM Sunday (1800 UTC.

ARRL Field Day

Field Day rules

refreshments / Saturday  evening dinner
Sandwiches, soft drinks, bottled water and coffee will be provided for individuals participating in field day activities such as transport,  infrastructure, setup, tear down and operating.

Participation in Saturday evening dinner is encouraged however due to the Coronavirus Individuals wanting to eat on site are encouraged to bring your own food
A grill will be provided for those that would like to use it

For those that prefer Travelers Rest is about 10 mins away where a number of restaurants can be found

Equipment
The club will provide and set up 2 Kenwood TS-2000 rigs, power supplies in the form of generators, logging equipment / software and antenna system needed to operate as a 2A event

See link below for information regarding radios listed above
Support – English Instruction Manual

Laminated TS-2000 ‘cheat sheets’ will keep by the radios.

You are welcome to bring your personal equipment – radios, antennas, etc.

This event is, as much as anything, a way to get out and test remote setups, and to practice emergency communications in an ‘away from home’ setting.
The real advantage of doing a coordinated event like this, is that there will be others to communicate with. Tens of thousands will be on the air during the event.

Note:
you may also need to bring poles, cables, rope, etc. to get your antennas in the air.

GOTA
A go to station in the form of at lest one 2 meter rig for those wanting to  experience operating a radio without interrupting the contesters will be set up

Schedule
(still slightly tentative)
June 26, 2020  5:00 PM Friday – Collect the club’s gear at the storage site in northern Greenville County and load it onto the trailer
June 26, 2020  6:00 PM Friday – We will arrive at Riverbend park, begin unloading
June 27, 2020  10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Saturday – Equipment setup & testing
June 27, 2020  12:00 PM Saturday – Sandwich lunch, Review of equipment, procedures, schedule.
June 27-28 2020  2:00PM Saturday to 2:00 PM Sunday – Ongoing ‘event’ communications.
June 27-28 2020  6:00 PM Saturday – Dinner
June 28 2020 8:00 AM Sunday Morning  – Coffee, doughnuts
June 28 2020 12:00 PM Sunday – Sandwich Lunch
June 28 2020 2:00 PM Sunday – Wrap-up meeting (5 min)
June 28 2020 2:05 PM Sunday – Take down equipment, pack
June 28 2020 after take down Sunday – Unload trailer at club building

If you are unable to make it to the event, please plan on communicating from home

Due to the coronavirus the ARRL has rules set up for individual operators that allow for operators to log communications from off site locations

See link below
Field Day rules

Weather
It’s likely going to be hot and humid, so plan accordingly.
Even if it’s generally rainy, we can still operate, as the facility buildings are large.
In the case of thunderstorms, we will disconnect the antennas and wait out the storm

General rules
RiverBend is a small commercial park.
Please be courtious and respectful, keep the grounds clear of litter.
In particular, there may be horses in the area or passing through.
Please be calm and avoid loud noises or sudden movement if there are horses present.
In case you’ve never been around horses, DO NOT go close behind them.

Things to bring
A place to sleep
Your medicines
Any snacks and drinks you want
Water container
Lawn chair
Fans (Plug-in, or the 12V or battery types)
Umbrella
Rain jacket & a hat
Sunglasses
Radios, antennas & gear
Gloves and facemasks, at your discretion

Things we will need
A trailer to get club equipment to the site.
Pat K4OSH helped with this last year.
One particular item we do not have, which would be very useful is closed-cup studio type headphones.
The noise cancelling type is excellent but expensive.
The drone of the generators is very difficult to listen to in long sessions.
If any BRARS members have these and would be willing to bring them for use in the event,
they would be much appreciated.

Sign-up sheet
Please edit the sign-up sheet and indicate how many people you will be bringing.
Also, we will need help with things like loading and unloading equipment,
and setting up antenas.
Your willingness to help with the various tasks is much appreciated.
__________ Your name & callsign
__________ How many attending? Callsigns? _____________________________________
__________ How many for dinner Saturday?
__________ How long are you planning to stay?

Please put your callsign on the slots below.
I will send out updates as signups occur.

Note: K4OSH and Kevin (I think KN4UBG) are bringing trailers.
__________ I can bring a trailer (need 1)

Note: I have Johnny WD4DYH & Nathan, Pat K4OSH, Kevin KN4UBG and myself.
Jason Morris, KD2RKN will help with the barrels and radios.
Jason has a 6ft trailer for the barrels.
Scott Vey will be handling the generators.
__________ I can help with the loading  & unloading Friday night (need 4-6)

Note: We’ll start around 9:00 AM. Whoever’s there….
__________ I can help with setup Saturday morning (need 6-8)

Update: Saturday meal will be ;bring your own’ a grill will be provided,
but each group will bring their own food and cook it themselves.
__________ I can help with the Saturday meal

Note: Again, I have Johnny WD4DYH & Nathan, Pat K4OSH, Kevin KN4UBG and myself.
__________ I can help with the teardown & loading & unloading Sunday night (need 4-6)

Note: I didn’t get any response on this. Hopefully the older guys will help?
__________ I can help with ‘Elmering’ newbies

Update: We will have a whiteboard with a schedule and sign-up sheet.
__________ I would like to participate in the ‘Contest’ Event (enter preferred times below)

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Please fill in the questionnaire and return the email to K4RHF.
Many thanks to all who have participated in the past and, in advance,
to all who will participate this year.
Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there.

I have heard from:
Johnny WD4DYH
Scott & Mary
Rich
Will
Dan
Jim KO4BDM
Kevin KN4UBG
Pat K4OSH
Randall KO4AYQ

Please direct questions to
Bob Finley K4RHF K4RHF@mail.com 864-436-5000