As in years past, I’ll be the head coach of our Field Day GOTA station. (As I live in Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan, I’ve been calling myself the “Jim Harbaugh” of Field Day.) So, I don’t forget to bring anything, I thought I’d come up with a checklist for the station. Please have a look at the list below and see if I’ve missed anything:
- Tent or some other kind of shelter. This year, we’re going to use a 10′ by 10′ canopy to make the station open and accessible. When we’re not operating, we’ll put the rig in one of the other shelters.
- Table and two or three chairs.
- Radio. As we normally do, we’ll be using the club’s ICOM IC-746PRO.
- Antenna. We’ll be using my 40m/20m inverted-V supported by my surplus fiberglass mast set. This year, I’m even hoping to get around to tuning the antenna a little better. Last time we connected an antenna analyzer to it, the resonant frequency was a little low on both 40m and 20m. I also plan to bring my box of assorted antenna parts, just in case I need another pully or insulator or something.
- Coax cable. I’ll be bringing a 100-ft. spool of RG-8X coax.
- 20A or more power supply.
- Power cable to connect the rig to the power supply.
- Extension cords to connect to the generator.
- Laptop computer for logging. Don’t forget the power cord!
- Pad of paper and pens and pencils for keeping track of the GOTA station operators and for making notes.
- Cheat sheets with instructions on how to say the station callsign phonetically, how to call CQ, and how to answer a CQ and exchange Field Day information.
Some other things that aren’t essential, but that you might want to bring include:
- Camera to take pictures.
- Business cards or QSL cards to hand out to people that might be interested in learning more about amateur radio or your club.
- CW key of some kind, just in case someone like Stuart (now W8SRC) shows up.
- Bug spray.
- Sun screen. Bug spray and sun screen are, arguably, essential items.
So, what did I forget?
Koos van den Hout PE4KH says
My suggestion: a banner advertising the ‘Get On The Air’ station so even visitors who had no idea and just stumble on your site get an idea what is happening. Maybe a bit late for FD2016.
RickB KA8BMA says
Are you going to get the folks to send their names in morse code? Need a code practice oscillator & key?
Robert Leonard-KK4UTA says
Would you please post your cheat sheet?
Dan KB6NU says
I will post them, but basically, there’s going to be one sheet that explains how to reply to a “CQ Field Day.” It will read something like:
(The callisgn we will be using, obviously, is W8PGW, and we will be 3A.)
I might also make up one for calling CQ, although I’m not sure we’re going to be doing much CQing.
Dave New, N8SBE says
How about a cable to connect the radio to the laptop? Nice addition so you don’t have to keep track of the band and mode for the log.
A flap or two for the open-side shelter, to keep out the sun. Otherwise, at most times of the day except local noon, you will have the direct sun beaming in. You might want a makeshift hood for the laptop screen, so you can see it in the strong daylight.
It so happens that we already a power supply and cable for the IC-746Pro, but the supply belongs to me, and was purchased after the previous MFJ supply disappeared a couple of Field Days ago. Seems like the club needs to purchase their own supply for that rig.
Headphones, at least two pair (one for the coach, one for the operator), with an audio splitter of some sort. It’s frequently hard to hear over the local generator, and the conversations that frequently take place close to the operating position (showing it off to other visitors, etc). It you want the visitors to hear what’s going on, set the radio so it doesn’t mute the speaker when the headphones are plugged in.
Dan KB6NU says
I have a power supply that we can use and a CI-V cable. I’ll have to see what I can do about headphones/speakers.
Dave New, N8SBE says
By the way, I have an ICOM CI-V interface box, if your laptop has a serial port (or a USB to serial adapter). Should work, if you want to tinker with getting the IC-746Pro to talk to N1MM+
Chris KQ2RP says
Soldering Iron. Even if it’s just a pencil iron. Never know when you’ll need to fix a connector, etc. On the bug spray – avoid ones with DEET – it melts plastic. Look for ones with Picaridin or Lemon/Eucalyptus. Or, a Thermacell unit, which can protect a 15 foot area (as long as it’s not windy).
Dan KB6NU says
Thanks for the tips on bug protection. I usually bring a soldering iron as part of my toolkit.
Carol Rivermoon/WE0IRD says
Water, Coffee, Coffeepot, Favorite snacks ? I know it’s not absolutely necessary, but a bunch of Hams, much like an army, tends to run on its stomach. Perhaps a cooler to hold some ice and soft drinks.
And at least a basic first aid kit. You know you’d have one of more if you were actually deployed somewhere !
Dan KB6NU says
In our club, we have guys who take care of the basics like water, food, and first-aid kits, but your point is well-taken. If you’re the GOTA captain, you should make sure that provisions are made, and if no one else is arranging for water and food, make sure that you provide it.
Fred says
I am confused about the GOTA call sign. Normally we use a club call sign. I have a young man that is studying for his license but does not have it yet. So he could use the GOTA, but what call sign? and will he have to use a xxxxx/xxxx in addition to that call sign? I have read the rule over and over and I must be stupid because its does not seem right to have a super long call for someone new. And please don’t copy and paste the rules, that’s not helpful.
Dan KB6NU says
The GOTA station uses a call sign different from the club call sign that the other FD stations use. The reason for this is so that the GOTA station can work stations that the other FD stations work. It doesn’t have to be a super-long call sign. If you’re the GOTA coach, just use your call sign.