[XWARN] Field Day 2020

[Bob Baker N8ADO]

ARRL Field Day is this coming Saturday and Sunday (June 27, 28). Once 
again we will have a joint operation sponsored by XWARN and DARA. Anyone 
wishing to join the activity is welcome regardless of whether or not 
they are affiliated with any particular group.

In the past, we have had a picnic that was well-attended, but our 
facility host has asked that we do not conduct the picnic due to the 
need to minimize social contact. Accordingly, we request that you do not 
come out to the operation just to "hang out". If you do not have a home 
station or you wish to be mentored in setting up and operating a Field 
Day station, please feel welcome to join in. It will be necessary for us 
to keep the group size to a manageable number; it is OK to just show up, 
but call me if you wish to know that there is an operating seat 
available (try 147.165 (+,123.0) or 937-477-3431).

This year, there is a change to the rules that makes it practical to 
participate from home and still identify with the group. Should you 
choose to do so and assuming that you operate a maximum of one 
transmitter, use your call sign and your exchange will be 1D OH (one 
delta oscar hotel). For the complete set of rules go to 
www.arrl.org/field-day  Keep a log. (Computer based logging is SO 
convenient--check out the reasonably priced N3FJP software). At the 
conclusion of your Field Day operation, go to 
http://field-day.arrl.org/fdentry.php and fill out the form. Identify 
the group with which you wish to affiliate on the line for "Club or 
Group Name". For this operation, you can use "XWARN", "DaytonARA", or 
"XWARN-DARA" as it suits you. You do not need to submit a log, but you 
are supposed to upload a dupe sheet (see the info package on the arrl 
page to see what that means, if you aren't familiar with it; logging 
software will generate dupe sheets for you).

For the on-site operation, set-up will commence at 10:00AM EDT on 
Saturday and the radios will go on after 18:00 UTC (2PM). We will have a 
significantly simplified equipment arrangement, but we can always use 
help putting it all away on Sunday, beginning shortly after noon.

The location will be as before: Beavercreek Twp Fire Station 61 on 
Dayton Xenia Rd at Orchard Lane. Bring your own chair and bring your own 
water and food. Please, no pets! Consider wearing a mask whenever 
practical. If you have a piece of equipment that you wish to try out, we 
will try to help you get it on the air.

In an effort to keep things as simple as possible, there will be a few 
procedures that need to be followed, so so not expect everything to be 
as you remember. The point of this exercise is to learn how we can serve 
public agencies in time of communications emergency. That is the goal. 
Hopefully, things will return to more normal conditions and we can get 
back to having a picnic and making fellowship opportunities together 
with the serious side of what we do.

Questions? n8ado at arrl.net
Bob Baker N8ADO
Field Day Chair