����Loudoun Amateur Radio Group

ARRL Field Day 2024

22 – 23 June 2024

Steve N4RAF

Rev 1

15 Jun2024

6 days and counting�

COME ON OUT

Hour, couple of hours, the day

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Doesn’t matter – Be Seen – Work a Radio

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See other setups, radios, antenna, power options

SAFETY – SEVERE WEATHER WARNING – HEAT

• Sat – 98F w/Thunderstorms
• Sun – 95F w/Thunderstorms

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• Hydrate
• Watch others for heat issues
• Use Community Room / Lobby for cool down areas

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• Several coolers with water will be onsite
• But bring your own

Objective

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• To Have FUN!!!

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• Operate in less-than-optimal conditions
• Work as many stations as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meter HF bands, as well as all bands 50 MHz and above + Satellite
• Practice / develop skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness
• Acquaint the public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio
• RECURIT new club members / operators
• Scouts

Plan

• Class 3A + 2 Bonus stations
• 3HF stations – 100w max / emergency power
• GOTA
• Satellite / VHF / UHF / 6m
• Modes
• CW, SSB, Digital at discretion of station captain
• Should work all 3 if possible
• Power – Emergency
• Battery
• Solar
• Generator
• Education Session – Merit Badge session
• Public Invite
• PIZZA - Saturday
• Families, Sheriff Dept and Scouts invited

• Station 1 – 80/40m
• Station 2 – 10/15/20m
• Station 3 – digital

Location: Sheriff’s Western Loudoun Station

• Remember we are GUESTS
• No Trace Left Behind
• 47 W Loudoun St, Round Hill, VA 20141
• No vehicles or camping on grass
• Large signs required for public awareness
• Restroom in building
• Access to Community Room
• Electricity (building)
• RF noise survey conducted
• Designated area well within the 1000 ft radius rule
• Parking area for visitors – East side of Michelle Way – other side of the street from the ops area
• KEEP CLEAR FOR DEPUTIES

Parking This Sid

Station 1 /Trailer Antenna

Station 2 Antenna

GOTA Antenna

Satellite Antenna

Station 3 Antenna

Community Room / Restroom

Sat / GOTA Tent

Station 1, 2, 3 Tent(s)

Public Info

Food

Field Day Schedule of Events

LARG On-Site Lead and Safety Contact Info

• On-Site Lead: Steve Radloff, N4RAF Phone: 703.728.1483.

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• Safety:

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Captains & Key Positions – SIGN UP SHEETS

*Station Captain responsible for having equipment, antenna, connection to power, operator schedule, etc. to operated

Shortfalls should be identified early so we can figure out solution

Volunteers (cont)

Volunteers (cont)

Operations

• Each station decides what they want to do within pre-determined bands
• Chris, Bill, Steve G. anything to add on this?
• All will be using N1MM logging software
• Post meeting session to sync everyone
• Club callsign will be used for all stations except GOTA
• K4LRG
• GOTA callsign - TBD

Operator Schedule�

• Each station Captain responsible to schedule / man
• Try to keep someone on the radios at all times.
• Operators and times will change based upon who is ready and willing to operate at any given time.
• If you feel like operating for a while, please either take over an unoccupied radio or ask the current operator if they would like to take a break.
• All times are subject to friendly negotiation.

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Exchange Data – We are: K4LRG, 3A, VA

• Exchanges with other FD sites must include callsign, type station and section
• Callsign: K4LRG
• Type Station: 3A
• Section: VA
• DX stations use DX for section

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• Exchange with NON-FD sites
• Kevin – how does N1MM wants class and location
• What do we put in for ‘class’?

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• N1MM has formats for logging
• GOTA has separate log type

Site Comms

• Frequency coordination
• General support / discussions
• Save us from walking

Tactical Callsigns

• For on-site comms

Satellite Ops

• ISS Schedule – maybe an Astronaut on the radio
• Other satellites also going to be targeted

Bonus Activities

Food / Beverages�

• Saturday – Lunch
• Saturday – Dinner – Pizza
• Sunday – Breakfast / Lunch

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• Water in coolers

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• John / Tarack anything to add?

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Other Items

• Anybody have any band pass filters we can use?
• Generator owners please bring fire extinguishers

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Inclement Weather Plan�

• Lower trailer antenna
• Lower other antennas – secure to ground as needed
• Shutdown generators / solar panels
• Disconnect all feed lines / power
• Secure power cords
• Secure radios / computers / other operating equipment
• Remove side poles of tents – drop top to ground – stake / secure
• Shelter – Community Room or Vehicles

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Safety Checklist�

• Fuel for generator properly stored.
• Fire extinguisher on hand and appropriately located.
• First Aid kit on hand. – anybody have one to bring?
• First Aid, CPR and AED trained participants on site for full field day period. – anybody certified? Round Hill FD is aware we will be there
• Access to NWS alerts to monitor for inclement weather. Monitor WA4TXE repeater – notify all via tactical comms
• Tent stakes properly installed and marked. – Stakes and caution tape
• Temporary antenna structures properly secured and marked. Site secured from tripping hazards.
• Site is set up in a neat and orderly manner to reduce hazards.
• Stations and equipment properly grounded.
• Access to means to contact police/fire/rescue if needed.
• Safety Officer is designated point of contact for public safety officials.
• Minimize risks and control hazards to ensure no injuries to public.
• Safety Officer or a qualified designated assistant was on site for the duration of the event.
• As Necessary, monitoring participants for hydration and ensures an adequate water supply is available.

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Safety (cont.)

• Generators
• Downwind of people, fuel, and fire extinguishers
• Floating connections (3-wire, but ungrounded to Earth at the generator)
• Rig electrical cord strain reliefs to prevent tipping or disconnects
• Must stop & cool generator before refueling!
• Batteries can be used to power radios during generator cooldown/fueling
• Fuels
• Downwind of people, upwind of generator
• Only approved fuel containers
• Fire Extinguishers
• Upwind of fuels & generators
• Preferably at Station, or easy to grab location
• Class ABC dry chemical, or BC carbon dioxide

• Cables
• No trip hazards! Route neatly, and away from people paths & areas.
• Cautions & Markings
• Place generator & fuels in marked “zones”
• Preferably in a non-flammable shelter, protected from weather & sun (& tampering...)
• Clearly mark all cables, & gear zones, with bright barrier or flagging tapes, etc.
• Personal Protective Gear
• Hard hats are recommended for all overhead work including tent setup/teardown
• Gloves are recommended for handling wires and cables including guy wires
• Sunscreen should be used
• Insect repellant should be supplied by individuals as desired

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Full Briefing at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PZ4l5epW8s-J9rP5tM04VL9pw7HhNMWx/view?usp=drive_link

Emergency Response�

• Call 911 and provide immediate fire or medical response as needed.

• OUR LOCATION

47 W Loudoun St, Round Hill, VA 20141

At the Sheriff’s Round Hill Station

• Notify the LARG On-Site Lead and/or Safety Officer.

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• Safety Officer, with LARG On-Site Lead as backup, will act at point of contact with fire / medical responders.

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Other Thoughts

• Club callsign K4LRG approved for use

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• ARRL documents updated

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• Have been invited

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• Volunteer signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CABA92EAAF5C70-48731852-larg#/

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Discussion�& �Questions

Backup Slides

Options��1. Cancel��2. Operate from QTH��3. Scale back at Sheriff’s Station

Option 3 – Scale Back

• Scale back to a 2A
• Setup in Community room
• Scouts – start ops after Scouts or concurrently?
• Could do digital
• Cooler space – need to figure out how to seal door
• Pool noodles?? Ideas…
• Still use generator
• Can still get emergency power ‘credit’
• Smaller antennas – POTA type
• Setup next to building
• Smaller masts
• Cancel family event
• Smaller team required / less setup required

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Option 3 Site Plan

• Antenna area – yard quality
• No room for trailer mast
• 2 portable antennas (no trees)
• POTA / Buddipole / Vertical?
• Satellite ops?
• Keep in same location
• Only operate outside as needed
• Smaller Tent
• GOTA can keep just alternate use of radio / antenna with one of the stations
• Don’t use big tents
• Maybe small tent near antennas
• Operate for short periods outside?

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Antenna & Generator

Community Room / Restroom

Satellite Antenna

Sat Tent

Community Room (not to scale)

• Classroom type setup
• Movable tables
• 9?
• 30 chairs?
• Can rearrange

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• Will need to keep it clean

SCREEN

Community Room (not to scale)

• Both stations against near outside wall
• Visitors in via Lobby – show them around
• Maybe small table there
• How to show them if scouts still in room?

Public Info

1

2/Gota

SCREEN

Outside

LOBBY

Restroom

Public Info

Contact

General Discussion

members@k4lrg.org

Field Day Chair

Steve / N4RAF / 703.728.1483* / black08ufo@gmail.com

*will roll to voice mail unless in my contacts list

Field Day Planning

field-day-committee@k4lrg.org

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Sheriff Station – Round Hill

RF Survey

• Conducted 25 Feb 24
• Who:
• Paul - N4PD
• Steve - N4RAF
• Kevin - WA4KBM
• Fairgrounds – unacceptable
• Sheriff Station
• Much better
• Large area RF acceptable
• Smaller area lower RF

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• Power lines on south and east boundaries

Lowest RF

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Possible Antenna Setup Area

Community Room, Restroom

RF levels acceptable

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Larger Antenna Setup Area

Option 3 – Scale Back

• Scale back to a 2A
• Setup in Community room
• Scouts – start ops after Scouts or concurrently?
• Cooler – need to figure out how to seal door
• Pool noodles??
• Still use generator
• Can still get emergency power ‘credit’
• Smaller antennas – POTA type
• Setup next to building
• Smaller team required / less setup required

​

Option 3 Site Plan

• Antenna area – yard quality
• No room for trailer mast
• 2 portable mast mounted antennas
• Satellite ops?
• Keep in same location
• Only operate outside as needed
• GOTA can keep just alternate use of antenna with one of the stations

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Antenna & Generator

Community Room / Restroom

Satellite Antenna

Sat / GOTA Tent

Bonus Activities

Station 1 /Trailer Antenna

Station 2 Antenna

GOTA Antenna

Satellite Antenna

Station 3 Antenna

Community Room / Restroom

Sat / GOTA Tent

Station 1, 2, 3 Tent(s)

Public Info

Food