The SPAR Winter Field Day
January 28, 2012 - W4THA's Farm

-- Important: Please submit the form on this page if you are planning to attend --

The annual ARRL Field Day competition is one of the most popular events in amateur radio, bringing out thousands of hams in early summer to campgrounds, back yards and
parks in a spirit of camaraderie and emergency communications practice. However we all know that the need for on location amateur radio emergency assistance can happen at any time, particularly here in the south where winter ice storms can be devastating.

Several years ago the Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio (SPAR), instituted an annual Winter Field Day competition to encourage emergency operating preparedness in the winter. This year the Columbia Amateur Radio Club will setup radio stations outdoors at the farm of one of its members, Thom Ashton W4THA. 

This Link will take you to the SPAR website with information about the event, rules and scoring.

All club members are invited to participate whether you bring a station or not. There is always the need for relief operators, loggers and help in setting up. Stations will be operated under the club callsign (W4CAE). Operating privileges will be governed by the control operator's license class at each station. Ideally it would be good to have a station for each of the bands as outlined in the rules. Digital modes and CW can be operated simultaneously with voice on the same band. You can arrive as early as 08:00 to begin setting up your station and antenna system. The plan is to work the contest for one day, terminating in time to tare-down before dark.

WHAT TO BRING:

 1 - Warm Clothing

2 - Food and Drink (a gas grill will be available)

3 - Table and chair(s)

4 - Optional tent, awning, etc. to keep out of the sun or stay dry.

5 - Radio Station  including radio, microphone, key, antenna, DC power supply, etc.

 

6 - We will be using Gen Log for logging, here's a link to download.

Of course a vehicle equipped with an HF mobile radio and antenna meets the requirement of portable battery operated station. There are many places to work from your vehicle at the farm. For additional information contact Thom W4THA@W4CAE.com

In order to facilitate planning please submit the form below.