|
ATTENTION everyone who's tired of being indoors for the past
couple months due to the cooler weather. And listen up all those who
feel ARRL's Field Day in June is just too far off. And for
the "outdoors" folks, really lend me your ears...I've got exciting news to
share.
The MDXA is going to put George and/or Greene County on the
map...or should I say more on the "amateur radio" map. After a little
research, it was discovered that there are only a handful of active hams in
George County...and we're not sure if there are any currently operating from
Greene County. So it didn't take long at all to see a great
opportunity for the club station K5MDX to gear up and make plans
to participate in the upcoming Mississippi QSO Party. The event
is slated for the last weekend in February. The QSO Party starts at 1500Z on Saturday, Feb 28th running for 12
hours and thereby ending at 0300Z on Sunday, Feb 29th. (So that's
actually from 9am to 9pm local time on Saturday.) SETUP IS PLANNED FOR
FRIDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING, AND TEAR-DOWN WILL BE TWOFOLD...SOME ON SATURDAY
NIGHT, WITH THE FINAL BEING ON SUNDAY MORNING. Getting more
interested?...well, read some more.
PRIMARY OPERATIONS will be held in the old town of
Merrill which is located northwest of Lucedale, west of Hwy 98 near the Bexley
Community, and north of the Benndale Community. Becky (KD5RHB) and Read
(W4HOZ), in conjunction with The Mississippi
Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, are graciously providing facilities at the
Upper-Pascagoula Field Station located in GEORGE County. It consists of
two unfurnished bedrooms, a large den-type room, bathroom, a nice porch,
and ample area right outside the station for cooking, BBQing, and
camping...not to mention the 5,000+ adjoining acres of pure
nature!
ALTERNATE OPERATIONS may
be possible at the McInnis Creek Camp which is located in GREENE
County and only 2 miles from the Field Station in Merrill. Details
are still being worked out. Becky is doing
an article for Nature Conservancy publication on Ham Radio,
Mississippi Day, and the MDXA. So what about equipment, supplies,
etc?
Here is a list of what Becky &
Read are already providing up front:
1 Kenwood HF Rig
1 50-amp and 1-20 amp power
supplies
1 keyer, bug and j38
20, 15 and 10 meter dipoles with feed
lines
2 tables, 10 chairs
2 antenna tuners
3 extension cords (2 regular, 1
HD)
ground rods and wire
grill, charcoal, plates, cups, paper
towels,
And get this:
Becky is planning to provide a Saturday evening cook out--Lime
chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, French
bread, salad, chips, cokes, tea, etc!!!!!!!
And here is a list of what others need to chip in and
bring in order to round out the event:
3 Laptops for logging
2 or 3 more HF rigs
1 or 2 antenna tuners (unless rigs
have inboard tuners)
2 keyers and paddles
1 Generator
1 40-meter antenna
1 80-meter antenna
Wire for very long wire
antenna
Open wire feed line
Spools of string & slingshot for
putting up dipoles
10 more chairs and 2
tables
Sleeping bag, air mattress, or cot
(if you plan to stay Friday and/or Saturday night)
Additional eats, drinks,
snacks, or pot luck items (again depends on your length of
stay)
NEED MORE INFO, WHO TO CONTACT, MAKE RESERVATIONS, GET
DIRECTIONS, ETC?
- Visit the Mississippi ARRL web site announcing the State QSO
Party (scroll down mid way of the page): http://www.arrlmiss.org/AFTERA_1/aftera_1.HTM
- Contact Read (W4HOZ) & Becky (KD5RHB) for ALL ROOM &
BOARD issues. They need to know who/how many will be spending the
night Friday, and/or Saturday night, and/or Sunday night. Maps/directions
were handed out at the January MDXA Breakfast...they can snail-mail, e-mail, or
fax a copy to anyone else. They also can advise you on what eats/drinks
would come in handy. Please call 601-766-9373 or cell
228-219-4580. E-mail goes to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Contact Glenn (K2FF) for ALL EQUIPMENT, SETUP, & TEAR
DOWN issues. He can be reached in the evenings at 228-872-4764, or
via e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I sure hope that MANY of you will be
able to make this..
It should be fun! (more laid back
than IOTA trips and FD)
GREAT ! place to operate from
.. Lots of nature to see also
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
-73-
Floyd N5FG --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.567 / Virus Database: 358 - Release Date: 1/24/2004 |
