This past Saturday, local hams provided communications support for the 2018 Lighthouse to Lighthouse Race. Hams were in two support boats, on Sheffield Island, in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary tower and on the beach. We used the 146.475 repeater, and also coordinated comms on various marine channels. We assist in tracking progress of the race, helping stranded paddlers, and ensuring that all paddlers are accounted for at the end of the race. We were in communications with the USCG and support boats on marine channels as well as using our repeater.
Thanks to Marilyn KB1YYO (boat), Dimitri K1DCG (tower), Jon AI1V (boat), Paul W1PPL (Sheffield Island) for volunteering and doing a great job on the radios.
Thanks also to Greg KC1CRT and Bill WG1HM who were on coast guard duty and relayed info to Dimitri in the tower.
Michael N1PLH and Joe KC1AUH also showed up on race day to help me at race control. I would have had a much tougher day had they not appeared.
N1PLH also brought his drone, and you can see some of the photos attached.If you look at the race control tent, you can see my buddipole tripod setup with a J Pole configuration on top. This was for the marine channels. A small mag mount on a pie plate was used on top of the tent for 2 meters.
Also a link to his video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YuY4Dd185o
The radio box (Yaesu FT-8800 and SeaRanger marine radio) was powered by one 15ah Bioenno battery.
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Photos from the recent outing the the lighthouse! Higher res photos are available on our Facebook page.
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Photos from the 2018 picnic have been added here (See Photos/Recent Events) and to the Facebook Page.
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Wednesday, a number of GNARC members met to review the contents of the trailer and sort out some field day equipment. Here are the results:
- All the coax was tested and passed. There are a couple of cables that need new PL-259’s. Curt has volunteered to do one at the comm center as a class, and let others practice as well. Please let me know directly if you’d like to do this. It will likely be a Wednesday night.
- There are also some coax rolls at the comm center that need connectors and testing.
- The tents were in bad shape due to wind damage last year. We have three fully operational tents, with side panels, and they are now all marked so we know what goes with what. The club board is researching getting a few more tents. PLEASE if you have an 8×8 or 10×10 pop up tent you will loan the club for field day, let me now ASAP. I will loan my 8×8, which is good for the VHF station. 10×10 is better for the contest stations.
- We have 4 six foot plastic tables and 2 eight foot heavy wooden tables. We are looking into more plastic tables. Again if you have one to loan, please advise. We usually need two 8’ tables for the kitchen area.
- All the power cables and ropes are there.
- The 40m beam is there, as well as the 80m antenna stub.
- We have not found the “tee” connectors for use with the stub. They may be at the comm center.
- The club now has a gas grill.
- Trailer is in good shape, tires were aired up, and it is ready to go.
Thanks to W1PPL, N1ZD, KC1AUH, AI1V, W1FSM and W1GIG for helping out today.
Things are looking up! Lets hope for nice weather and good prop!
73,
Due to Valentine’s day being on a Wednesday, the GNARC monthly meeting will be on THURSDAY 2/15. Take the XYL or OM out on Wednesday!
Today, GNARC members did an end of year clean up at the comm center. As guests of the Norwalk Fire Department, it is important that we show our respect for the space! It looks great now. Members AI1V, AC1DQ, KC1IRU, KC1ISC, WB2JVB and W1FSM participated. Thank you.
