CVARC hosts several portable operating events each year.
The first event this year is Winter Field Day, January 26, 2019, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Dos Vientos Park Picnic Pavilion, 4801 Borchard Road, Newbury Park.
CVARC has reserved the pavilion from 8 AM to 5 PM, so please plan on setting up no earlier than 8 AM. (We may want to use this venue again, so we don’t want to anger the Recreation and Parks Gods.) We’ll have pizza and drinks available around lunchtime.
Winter Field Day is a contest sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association: http://www.winterfieldday.com. Visit their web page for contest details.
You can participate in the contest as an individual, as a member of a group (AA6CV) or not at all. Stations outside the US are fair game (Yea) but FT8 does not count as a valid mode of operation for scoring (Boo-hiss). Otherwise the rules for logs, groups, etc. are similar to the ARRL Field Day in June. The contest commences at 11 AM. I will have pre-printed log sheets available.
This is a great opportunity to try out new gear, antennas, and operating modes prior to the ARRL Field Day. (Just watch where you point that new magnetic loop antenna, please). This is a great opportunity to ask questions, try out stuff and slide on up the learning curve.
New for this event is a newbie station build from the ground up. This is an informal Basic Radio Tech Talk class. Starting with a pile of equipment, we will build and operate an HF portable station including a self-contained solar generator (weather permitting). If you, or anyone you know, is new to the hobby and is looking for some hands-on experience, this is the event for you. The station build will start at about 10 AM.
Hope to see you all there,
Bill Willcox
CVARC Operations