Montana's Ham Radio Forum

OK so let's have a little discussion about this years Field Day. Should we have it again in the Wal-Mart parking lot, King's Hill, or someplace else?

I like Kings Hill because on off time we can go ATVing. I liked Wal Mart because we were much more public and made many more contacts. Either way I'll go along with the majority.

My opinion is: Wal-Mart. I too, like to go atv'ing before and after field day but I think the public exposure is waaayyy more important and needed. we could get together on another weekend for four wheelin'

I would like to ALSO recommend we hold FIELD DAY 2009 at Wal-Mart. . . or some other public area here in town. The public awareness (even for those that don't physically stop in) is priceless. Also we can (and did) have more participation from those who couldn't justify the time or fuel to make the journey to the hill top.

I do, however, have a comment on the site layout, to be discussed at a planning meeting... Are we going to start preliminary discussions soon ?

CAM - N7NBB

Yes, I too believe Wal-Mart would be the best location for PR reasons. I still really miss having it at King's Hill, Oh well! :-( I'll get over it....

As for planning, yes we should start that soon.

I think walmart is the best choice also for the exposure......... want to go 4 wheeling though too :xd:

I wonder what the possibility of doing both would be? I believe the PR exposure for this event is a great for the club...but how about this...

Perhaps it would be impressive to demonstrate that we have our main base up at King's Hill and then have a remote base (maybe operated by those that can't make King's Hill?) here in town! Then give guest operators a chance to talk to those up at main base vhf (or around the country HF).

Also, with the other club in town, we can together (???) demonstrate the wide communication (and geographic) area covered by the local Amateur Radio Service. This could be even more impressive to the general public.


Just some food for thought!

73, Doug, W7MEX

I spoke with Deanna at Wal-Mart today. She is going to speak with the store manager about the dates etc. for Field Day operations and get back with me. I'll let everyone know as soon as I hear something.

I kinda like Doug's idea...and was going to bring that up last night...The only thing I think might hamper it is, WHO, gets to be where?????

Up on Kings hill, we would need someone with some portable antenna setups and rigs...and the room to share. Or, multiple people with their setups, and working whatever band they want.

How would that work for ID??? (If we use club call's and etc.) Can we set up two separate stations?

NO.

FIRST, to be a "legal" Field Day Station. ALL radios, antennas, generators, etc etc HAVE to be within a 1000 ft diameter area. (I think that 's the distance) If we were to have TWO stations then only ONE of them could be counted as a W7EAC station (for field day purposes).

(rules is rules)

Second, (from a more personal standpoint than the rules)
The point of operations like Field Day is to bring the club together, to work on a common goal / problem,,, NOT DIVIDE THEM, and force them to make a choice - ONE or the OTHER.

There are 52 weekends in a year, (Granted some better suited to camping than others) but ONLY ONE weekend is Field Day.

I'm sure there will be plenty of camping and 4-wheeling opportunities other than Field Day weekend.
(just my opinion, I'm sure there are contrasting viewpoints)

JIM: Any Change in the STATUS of the Wal-Mart Location ?

I have not heard anything yet. I will see what I can find out.

I think the PR is the most important aspect of field day and maybe the best such opportunity of the year. Even though I voted for Wal-Mart any such location would be fine. If we can't do it at Wal-Mart we should look for another location with as much exposure. Cam is right about the contained area too.

I still haven't heard anything, however the store manager was away for awhile. I don't want to bug them. Let's give them a little more time.