Field Day HOW-TO
Generated by KCØIOG, comments welcomeJuly: Tabulate score and submit to ARRL. Present results of our field day, WØCRC, WØMCR, and WØSV scores. Discuss previous Field Day(s), identify what went well and what needs improving. Update this HOWTO if needed.
August: Show off received QSL cards to members, send return cards. Identify Field Day director. Solicit site ideas from the club and assemble a survey team
September: Perform site surveys
October: Present photos and findings to the club, make recommendations. Contact property owners of interested sites, get the OK on reservation for Sat 8AM-Sun 3PM, and check on camping, campfires, etc.
November: Have site locked in. Start working out logistics such as shelter, power, and antennas. Identify who's bringing Radios, antennas, feedlibne, power, shelter (including tarps), tables, and other core itmes. Also work with owners of the property to secure the site and get OKs on overnight camping, etc.
December: Identify core items still missing and start scouting loaners/rentals if need be.
January: Start building ops list. Also start on incidentals such as food, beverage, computers, software, etc.
February: Have shelter, power, radios, antennas, and computers figured out. Make sure whoever is bringing whatever knows they are bringing it, and are comitted.
March: Start promoting the crap out of field day on the list, in meetings, on the website, and at Hamfest. Start assembling materials for publicity such as flyers and press releases for local newspapers.
April: Re-visit site with equipment list in hand. Figure out antenna layout and radio placement. Review any needs that have been overlooked. Promote to the membership again.
May: Resolve outstanding needs from April, finalize press releases
1st week in June: If anything is needed, find it. Rent it, borrow it, steal it. Make sure everything needed has a way to get to the site (including ops!)
2nd week in June: Finalize meeting time at field day site, final head count on ops. Send press releases to newspapers.
3rd week in June: Have computers collected, built, and FULLY tested. Make sure members have tested their gear they've promised, as some of it has not been touched since field day last year
4th week in June: GO! Make sure those who are bringing equipment have their packing lists complete and have maps to the site (Hi Dallas! ;-).