In the next 2 weeks before Field Day I’ll be using the AARC group email list to send out updated notices as
needed about our Field Day preparations. The reason for this is two-fold: Some members think they have to
have a password to get into our website or to read the Beacon newsletters (not true) so they haven’t as yet
tried to keep up to date on Field Day activities; and we now have passed the time for Beacon
announcements 1st of the month). In short, we’re coming down to the wire and more rapid fire notices are
needed as we approach June 27-28, 2015.
Our Field Day location is different this year. It will be at the 911 Emergency Communications Center located
at 2306 Ivy Road Charlottesville. If you go to the Home Page of AARC
is at the top of the list. Go down that Field Day segment until you come to “Read More†as a link, click on the
link and it takes you to the larger page devoted to all things Field Day here in Albemarle County. We even
have a map of our location listed on the AARC website and instructions on parking at this event. Please
check it out in advance of your arrival! Read up on our preparations and plan your time with us accordingly.
Many thanks to Mike, KQ9P who has set up a Volunteer Spot Listing that I encourage every AARC member
to sign up for various time slots and duties. Hopefully you will be albe to attend and contribute in one way or
another to the success of our Field Day efforts. We need operators in SSB, CW, and Digital for 24 hours if
possible, but I realize that is probably asking too much. If you don’t like to operate, you can certainly assist
an operator input contacts into the N3FJP software that will be used as our logging program. Or you can
help our publicity unit welcome the public, escort VIPs, hand out information on ham radio, or encourage
people to try out our new “Get on the Air†Station. We also need hams and family members to help set up
the pot luck supper that is scheduled for 6PM Saturday June 27. We’re providing the chicken (baked and
fried) and drinks and paper products, we ask members to bring one side dish of a salad, veggie dish or
dessert sufficient to feed 6-8 people. Please remember our ECC hosts do not permit any alcohol on the
premises and grilling or cooking on your own grill is not allowed. Infractions of these rules could
jeopardize our return to ECC next year so please don’t abuse the hospitality of our ECC hosts.
Because we don’t have access to the chairs and tables that we once enjoyed at the Earlysville Volunteer Fire
Station, members are asked to please bring the following: at least one folding chair, at least one folding
table; and ice coolers filled with ice. It promises to be a very hot 24 hours and water consumption is
important. We do not have access to the facilities at the ECC building but thanks to Cavalier Septic Service
we will have 2 portajohns available for use by AARC members and the Public.
Since we have our Field Day operations in close association with the Emergency Communication Center
the ARRL Rules permit us to be in a different cateogory compared to years past. Our callsign will be W4DO
3Foxtrot Virginia instead of last year’s version of W4DO 3Alpha Virginia. In this new category we probably
will enhance our chances of getting higher points.
Set up this year will only be Saturday morning, June 27, starting at 7AM and going until 2PM when Field Day
commences. This is to not interfere with ECC weekday activities. We still need a number of volunteers to
make sure everything is in place during this shortened period however. Please note that AARC members
can unload equipment in the front parking lot of the ECC but then please move your vehicle to the larger
parking lot off Reed Lane just off Ivy Road. Do NOT park in the ECC’s rear parking lot. That is reserved
exclusively for the ECC and UVA police vehicles. Tear Down commences at 2PM Sunday June 28 and
again we will need help from AARC members so that we clear the area compeletly by 5PM.
That’s enough for now. More to come as we get closer to Field Day weekend. Collect your tools, gear and
radio equipment and get ready to join us for a fun and sociable outing with your fellow AARC team
members. This should be a lot of fun for everybody if we all pull together.
If you have trouble registering for the Volunteer Spot, or have any additional questions, please feel free to
contact me at
73,
Larry Eicher, K4JZQ
Chair, Field Day Committee