In addition to your already gathered equipment, I would recommend that you obtain a dummy load of appropriate power handling capacity.
This allows you to test all your equipment with the exception of the antenna in a safe manner anytime. I use it to test unknown transmitters and also perform repairs safely and without embarrassing and inappropriate transmissions. If you had one then you could test your equipment now and verify that it was working before the warranty expires. 73, John, KI5HOC On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 9:47 AM Lone Wolf via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: > I’m near downtown Houston (First Ward). > > But I can drive anywhere on the weekends if anybody is willing to get me > started. I’m waiting for the antennas, but I have the base station, coax > cable, a power supply and a network analyzer. I also have an external > speaker, a desktop microphone and a small Morse key. > > Ideally, I’d like to verify that my station works before the warranty > expires. > > Wolfgang > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Jan 21, 2026, at 09:36, Richard Bonica via BVARC <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > What part of town are you in? > > On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 9:26 AM Lone Wolf via BVARC <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> Sorry to hear about the cancellation. >> >> I’m new and would like an expert to show me how to hook up my rig and >> what to do (tuning, SWR, sequence of events, power level, etc). >> >> Is there any other gathering coming up (indoors or out) where I could >> bring my stuff and get started? It doesn’t have to be for long, but I won’t >> turn it on (the first time) without someone knowledgeable telling me it’s >> safe. The equipment is too expensive to fry on Day 1. :) >> >> Thank you. >> BTW, I still haven’t received my antennas. Hope they get here soon. >> >> Wolfgang >> KJ5NPH >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Jan 21, 2026, at 06:36, Richard Bonica via BVARC <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> >> <image.png> >> >> Hello BVARC Members, >> >> I owe you a little insight into how we arrived at the decision to *cancel >> this weekend’s Field Day* — and yes, I did in fact lose some sleep over >> it. >> >> I spent a good part of the night staring at weather forecasts, maps, and >> mental checklists trying to figure out *how we could possibly run Field >> Day safely*. While there’s no lightning expected, the forecast helpfully >> includes *heavy rain, strong wind, cold temperatures, and the very >> Houston-specific phrase “possible ice.”* >> >> At that point, the weather stopped being a forecast and started sounding >> like a survival scenario. >> >> In the military, there’s a process called *Organized Risk Management >> (ORM)*. I used ORM to weigh the benefits of Field Day against the risks. >> The conclusion was simple: >> There is no version of Field Day where the reward outweighs soggy coax, >> frozen fingers, sliding trailers, broken gear, or explaining to spouses why >> we thought *this* was a good idea. >> >> Field Day is supposed to test emergency communications — not become an >> emergency. >> >> That said, *we’re still a radio club, and we still take care of our own.* >> >> I encourage everyone to: >> >> - >> >> Keep an ear on *146.88 MHz* >> - >> >> Check in, say hello, and see who’s around >> - >> >> Listen out for any BVARC members who may need help, information, or >> moral support while the weather tries its best >> >> This is also a great opportunity to *get on the air from home* and maybe >> invite *friends or family to sit in, listen, and even make a >> transmission*. There will be other hams on the air, plenty of friendly >> voices to talk to, and it’s a perfect low-pressure way to let someone new >> experience what amateur radio is all about. >> *(As always, unlicensed operators should transmit only under the >> supervision and control of a licensed amateur.)* >> >> Think of this as *“Field Day: Couch Edition.”* Same frequency, warmer >> feet. >> >> The good news: *the BVARC Hamfest is still very much happening*, and now >> might be the perfect time to start preparing for it — preferably somewhere >> dry and climate-controlled. We will absolutely need *volunteers*, so if >> you’ve ever wanted to help the club *without* standing in cold rain, >> your moment has arrived. >> >> Thank you for understanding and for trusting the decision. We’ll >> reschedule Field Day when Houston remembers that winter is supposed to be >> mild and weekends are supposed to be fun. >> >> Until then: stay warm, stay dry, stay upright, and keep the radios on. >> >> 73, >> Richard Bonica, KG5YCU >> President, BVARC >> >> *PS:* If you already packed for Field Day, feel free to set up your >> antenna in the living room, log a few QSOs, and proudly tell your family >> you’re “operating portable — indoors.” Bonus points if you still wear your >> Field Day hat. >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> > > > -- > Richard Bonica > C: 281.935.7222 > Email: [email protected] > Freq: 147.000 - DMR - Digital Mobile > Territory: NE Fort Bend > CERT, CST, EST, WEB EOC, HSEEP, FEMA PD, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Extra > Ameture Radio > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >
________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list [email protected] http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Publicly available archives are available here: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
