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Preparing for the NERG
VK3CNE John Moyle Field
Day 2009
Date: 14-15th
March
2009
For a copy of the contest rules, Click here , or download from the WIA web site at www.wia.org.au
Location
Our location on Mount Macedon is at the end of Lions Head Road.
To get
there, take the Mount Macedon summit road North from the Mt. Macedon township.
Near the top there is
a intersection. Don't turn to the left for the Cross lookout!
About 100 metres beyond the cross turnoff there is another intersection
- turn right into a gravel road and then almost immediately follow the road to
the left (towards Sanatorium Lake and Days Picnic Ground) – follow the road past these to the
very end – that’s where we’ll be.
LAT:
37° 22’ 6”S; LON:
144°
36’ 42”E; Maidenhead
Grid: QF22hp
Bands operated
VK3CNE will be
operating on all
bands 160 Metres through to 1296 MHz, primarily on voice (FM & SSB) with CW and digital modes possible.
Working us during the contest (Common Call Frequencies)
All contacts for the contest are simplex, so listen out for VK3CNE on the VHF/UHF local and national call frequencies as recommended in the WIA band plan (in Callbook or at WIA web site). You may need to tune around - we may QSL up or down to avoid QRM from other stations using the call frequencies. Also, be patient - we may be operating on SSB while you're listening for us on FM or vica-versa. Also if we don't respond immediately, it may be because we can heard everyone in Victoria calling CQ at once or may be letting other stations finish their QSO before we take over the frequency!The most common call frequencies are:
6m FM 52.525 MHz, 53.500 MHz
6m SSB 50.150 MHz, 50.200 MHz (no contest operation allowed below 50.150 MHz)
2m SSB 144.100 MHz (prim), 144.200 MHz (sec.), 144.300 MHz (chat).
2m FM 146.500 MHz, 146.450 MHz, 146.550 MHz (+/- 25kHz channels), and occasionally on the NERG net 146.575 MHz
70cm SSB 432.100 MHz (prim), 432.200 MHz (sec), 432.300 MHz (chart)
70cm FM 439.000 MHz (prim) and +/-25kHz channels
23cm SSB 1296.100 MHz (prim), 1296.200 MHz (sec)
23cm FM 1294.000 MHz (prim)
Activity is spread across each of the HF bands without any specific call frequencies.
Catering
At this stage Saturday lunch, and
tea, Sunday breakfast and
light lunch as we pack up will be
provided at a nominal cost.
Please
tell us if you are coming so we can cater accordingly and you won't
go hungry.
The Team
The field day is open to
all members and no experience or radio license is required.
Click here to send a message stating your interest in joining the group: Send a message
Interested parties so far include Mark BYY; Don KDT;
David UQ; Gerhart EWM; Peter DU; Stephen SN; Colin VGB; Bryce FBGE; Chris JCN and several others.
If
you can’t be there then please, please call VK3CNE during the contest and exchange a few numbers as often as possible on all
possible bands!
Planning and Operations
The
plan is to get to the top of the mountain by 9am Saturday and have
everything
set up in 3 hours to start the contest at midday!
The event runs for 24 hours until midday
Sunday.
We need to recruit volunteers to organise Radio Equipment for each band, Accommodation (tents and caravans), and Catering.
Each
organiser doesn't necessarily have to provide all the items - but has
to make sure everything arrives and is set up on the day.
See the table below and click on each band to see what's required.
Shelter: large tents, camper vans, caravans, covered trucks, etc would all be useful.
Masts:
additional portable masts never go to waste, with assorted guy ropes, mounting hardware, spare nuts and bolts.
Cables and Adaptors: Short patch cables from radio to meters & switches, Long cables to top of mask, adaptor cables to antenna.
Power: Generators, Fuel, Suitable Fire Extinguishers;
Extension Cables & Power Boards:
Batteries and
spare 13.8 V power supplies always useful.
Logging:
Notebook PC running VKCL logging program is highly recommended.
Paper Log sheets/Pencils/Erasers as a backup and only if absolutely necessary (paper logs make the log
keepers job a LOT harder!).
Recommend only one PC per band - do
not use seperate PCs for FM and SSB on same band.
Make sure EVERYONE uses same time standard! (prefer local DEST time).
Misc: More Coax and adapters;
Insulation
Tape; Gaffer Tape; Toolkit (soldering iron, Screwdrivers, Spanners,
Hammer, Hacksaw, Battery Drill + bits; Cable Ties; Axe; Shovel; Broom;
Mop);
Drinking Water; Sink; Detergent; Soap; Towels; Eating Utensils; Cooking Equipment;
Bottle of Don's favorite wine;
Contact numbers for Park Ranger, CFA, and other emergency services.
Safety Equipment: Firefighting
Knapsacks, Extinguishers for electrical/fuel fires; First aid kit
Operators: extra radio
operators are very welcome. No experience required, and in fact you
don’t even
need a license!
Things visitors and operators should bring:
Drinks
of your choosing (non-stop tea and coffee provided),
Mug, Water bottle, Esky or car fridge if you have perishable foods;
Sun screen, hat, cold
weather gear (even in summer it can be very cool, damp, and windy at night); Insect Repellent;
Sleeping bag & stretcher (or thick mattress as
it’s VERY
rocky ground! ( and ear plugs if you plan on sleeping in the communal
tent!!).
Toiletries (there are showers and toilets at the Cross tourist centre).
Money for share of generator fuel and food;
Labels for everything you own;
Weather Prediction: Based on past experience the temperature will range from –5 to 40 degrees Celsius; wind from 0 to 100kph; visibility somewhere from 1 m (fog) to the Milky Way; humidity 5% to 110%.
Cancellation/Relocation: If there is a Total Fire Ban then the Park Rangers may cancel our permit - we probably wouldn't want to be there anyway due to the very limited escape routes. If the fire danger level is extreme (but not a total fire ban day) then we may not be able to use generators and will have to rely solely on battery power. In either case we'd consider moving to a safer location somewhere closer to home (yet to be determined). Attempts will be made to contact all registered attendees by phone (and email if time permits) if the venue changes.
Equipment check lists
Equipment
organizers – (Click on band for complete checklist for that band)
Send changes to Mark BYY at the usual email address.
Status last updated Sunday 22 Feb
|
Band |
Band Organiser | Radio & headphones | Power | Antenna | Mast | Table & chair | Logging Computer |
|
| ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
|
volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
|
volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
|
Mark BYY | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
|
volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
|
volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 144MHz FM | volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
|
volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 432MHz FM | volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
|
volunteer required | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Item | Organiser/Provider | Status |
|
Fire Extinguishers |
NERG knapsack, | ? |
|
First Aid |
volunteers required | ? |
|
Generators |
NERG, | ? |
|
Petrol |
volunteers required | ? |
|
Masts |
NERG, | ? |
|
Tents /
Caravans |
Mark
BYY(tent), | ? |
|
Toilet |
Mark BYY | OK |
| Catering | volunteers required | ? |
Last Updated 25th Feb 2009