Field Day has pre-occupied the last couple of month's worth of South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club meetings. Fortunately, we're on target and pretty much raring to go. W2LJ on the other hand? Not so much. There are several important things that I need to get done. Fortunately, next weekend is the three day Memorial Day weekend here in the US, so I'll make the best use of the time that I can.
1) I want to construct that 4 States paddle that I purchased.
Last year, I brought my March paddle to Field Day. I'd prefer to leave both my "luxury Ferrari" keys - my Begali and my March paddles home in the shack. Not concerned about pilferage, but more of exposing either to the elements if we get really crazy weather. Last year we experienced a lot of windblown rain during a period of thunderstorms. We managed to keep the equipment dry, but it was an adventure.
2) I will be building a base for my Jackite mast holder. In the past, I've deployed it like this:
The PVC pipe held in place by the three tie down ropes. It works quite well, but dealing with those ropes while simultaneously trying to keep the pipe upright as currently configured is quite a pain in the butt cheeks. If I had eight arms like an octopus, it would not be a problem. But I don't, so some aid is needed. I want to build a base for it, and I purchased the PVC that I need to do that. I'll still use the tie down ropes to anchor everything in order to keep it all from being blown over, but this base idea that I have in mind will keep everything upright while I fiddle with each individual tent peg and rope. I'll post pictures next weekend, hopefully.
3) The shack needs some straightening up. I need to do that so I can accomplish #s 1 & 2 above. I have a three tier cart thing right next to my bench that holds a lot of stuff. The cart that I had been using is old, was never the epitome of strength to begin with and now a caster has caved in and it's a wobbly, unstable mess.. I purchased this one from eBay for under $30. It actually has some metal to it and is not entirely plastic.
This should help clear up some space, because I moved everything from the old cart onto the benchtop to keep things from falling and breaking. It should come early this week.
In addition to the shack work, I need to update NJ2SP's QRZ page with our Field Day info. I also need to write and submit Field Day articles to our town's local publications. One is a print publication and the other is web based.
I also want to go through my VE paperwork for the last 12 months and want to extend invitations to Field Day to the new licensees that are relatively local to us.
Not too much to do .....right? Actually, I can work on the invitations and the news stories during the evenings this week after I get home from work and have dinner.
Finally, to end this post, a tip o' the cap and a hearty round of Congratulations have to go out to John Laney K4BAI. John, who I know from the QRP Fox Hunts, and various QRP Sprints - and, who is a stalwart participant in the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt, was elected to the CQ Contest Hall of Fame at Hamvention this past weekend. FB, John! I can't think of a more well deserving and top notch operator than you.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!