Just received word from John that we have the approval of the airport
authorities. Here is his last communication to me on the subject:
>Per guidance from General Urshler, I today contacted Don Smithey, Executive
>Director of the Omaha Airport Authority. I answered several of Mr Smithey's
>questions and received some guidance from him. He also had a Don Spevac from
>FAA contact me regarding frequencies, etc. Based on these conversations and
>a recommendation from Don Spevac, we have authority to operate the ham
>station from the B-29 with the following provisos.
>
>a. There will be no shelters (tents, canopies) erected; we will operate
>from within the aircraft or from under a wing, etc. A small operating desk
>is permissable (and I think we could have a second table for handouts - as
>long as we can assure everyone that they will not blow around the airport).
>
>b. No vehicles on the ramp or close to the airplane(s). A small two wheeled
>handtruck to carry equipment is permissable.
>
>c. We will have to operate with Ray's Outbacker or similar 8 or 9 foot
>antenna. When I mentioned a vertical 25 feet tall he said "No!" Also,
>antenna will have to be close by the aircraft - no long pieces of coax
>running across the ramp.
>
>d. No generators; solar recharged batteries okay.
>
>e. We are approved for both HF 3 - 30 MHz and 144 - 148 MHz VHF (FM). WE
>MUST CEASE TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY IF WE ARE NOTIFIED OF ANY INTERFERENCE TO
>AIRPORT SYSTEMS.
>
>These provisos are based on Mr Smithey's concerns about flight safety,
>airport systems, and liability associated with safety of personal on the ramp
>(all very good concerns, and the reason I suggested we coordinate with them).
>
>I still believe we should make a trip out there in the very near future (this
>week) to view the site, provide any further assurances to Mr Smithey, and to
>clarify any questions we may have. Let me know when you want to go and I'll
>set it up with Mr. Smithey.
>
>One other thing regarding access to the site. General Urschler advised me
>his people (CAF) will be controlling access to the site. He wanted to know
>if we had any IDs or anything to use for access. I told him we had FCC
>licenses and he said that would be good enough. However, (and this is my
>idea, not the General's) I think each of us scheduled to work at the site
>should have a letter stating such signed by Paul to be used in additioin to
>the license. This way - hams just visiting should have to donate the $2.00
>like the rest of the general public. I don't think we should take advantage
>of this situation to allow every ham in the Omaha Metro Area free access to
>the B-29.
>
>73 de John, N4OWG.
Rather than write a letter for each person, I'll probably just make a
letter for the benefit of security with an "access roster" of amateurs.
Such a roster would contain individuals who have committed to at least a
half-day of operation, and are there substantially to either operate or
interact with visitors about the static display and amateur radio.
Obviously, the free access is for you only. Any guests who are not
directly participating in the operating event will have to pay
admission. Volunteers of any license class are welcome, as we are sure
to have opportunities either for operation in the 10 meter Novice/Tech
band, or under the direct supervision of a higher-class control
operator. My tentative list is:
K3FU
N4OWG
N5SEZ
N0TQJ
KA2NIC
(I'm sure I forgot a few people, no slight intended)
I'll add to it as volunteers let me know they can make it (I'll make
another pitch to the BARC meeting for operators and equipment).
Volunteers on the access roster should present their amateur radio
license and (if requested) some photo ID at the gate and they should be
allowed free access. We'll probably be monitoring 146.94 for any
required talk-in or negotiation of access. Right now, we're going to
definitely commit for one day (Tuesday, June 24th), and decide if we
will do a second or third day based on operator availability.
Individuals who aren't sure if they can commit to operating are welcome
to come on an as-available basis, but should probably pay the $2
admission so, as John notes, we don't abuse the privilege of the free
access (i.e., if you come in free, it's with the understanding that you
are there to work, and you've given me advance notice that you're coming
so both security and I will expect you). I assume at least part of the
admission goes to the Confederate Air Force to support their good work
in restoring, maintaining, and flying the aircraft. Let's leave a good
impression of amateur radio with our CAF hosts. John is also sending
press releases to the local newspapers and TV stations, so let's insure
we also leave a good impression with any visiting media.
In short, you're welcome to come visit the site, talk to us, and maybe
do a little operating, but since space will be very tight and we'll
likely be very busy, use good judgement to avoid loitering or
inadvertently obstructing the SACMARC's or CAF's operations on the
ground at Eppley.
Here's what we have in terms of equipment:
- two HF radios
- two ground-mounted antenna tripods
- one Outbacker HF vertical
- one 40m dipole (uncertain condition)
- (barely) enough wet and gel cell batteries
- solar cell array and regulator to keep batteries charged
- several runs of coaxial cable with PL-259 connectors
- PK-88 data controller
- battery-powered 8088 laptop (with enough gel-cells to power it the
entire day)
- volunteer operators' 2m HT's
- One class ABC fire extinguisher
- a full set of ARRL promotional literature (including pamphlets
aimed at recruiting pilots and aviation enthusiasts)
- cameras and film
Here's what we additionally need:
- a suitable banner to identify ourselves (I will follow up on this one
with Kinkos)
- tables/chairs (I could rent these items, but that seems silly if they're
in someone's garage, N0TQJ possibly has some which I will check out
this weekend)
- more batteries (better more than not enough) with associated harnesses
and connection wiring, wet or (preferably) gell cells
- sandbags and weights (lots of wind on an airport runway)
- bungee cords and nylon rope for tethering (re-read last item)
- butane soldering torch and solder (I'm *sure* we'll have some
soldering needs on the ground, though we may have to do our soldering
off the runway, possibly in the parking lot, for safety purposes)
- extra insulated wiring capable of supporting 12V at 20-30A
(I'm also *sure* we'll have additional wiring needs on the ground)
- tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, wire cutters, etc.)
- another ABC fire extinguisher (not that we're going to set ourselves
on fire, just that it's a good safety precaution, considering our
proximity to irreplaceable vintage aircraft; just the presence of
such equipment may reassure our hosts that we know what we're doing;
this is also another one of those "better too many than not enough"
items)
Things that would be nice to have:
- two-wheel hand-truck or wagon (unless you want to carry everything in and
out of the airfield by hand)
- A 2m mobile radio for a dedicated packet terminal (would be nice to
run some data modes), 10-20 Watts (probably our safe limit for
VHF operation near air-traffic-control systems)
- mag-mount VHF whip, or small beam, for the mobile radio (beam would also
be preferred for RFI reasons)
- HF RTTY data controller (such as a KAM or PK-232)
- additional HF vertical or small dipole or loop antennas
- another laptop computer with its own battery power (computer logging
*and* running packet simultaneously would be desirable; I'd prefer
to use the 8088 for the packet terminal for performance reasons)
- more still cameras and film (if the media doesn't show up, they
*may* accept our pictures after the fact to run a story)
- camcorders and videotape (would be nice to make as much visual
recordings as possible for posterity, bragging rights at club
meetings, etc.)
Roy had the excellent suggestion of having some sort of "signing
ceremony," with a photo op, under the wing of the B-29 to formally
reactivate our FCC licenses (both of our calls have been off the air for
at least 20 or 30 years). In the interest of simplicity (both for us
and for observers), I would recommend just using the K0AIR call for this
event and setting aside a special event to honor General LeMay
specifically, for the K0GRL reactivation. Any strongly contrary
opinion?
I'll get with John and Roy about visiting the site prior to the event
and getting the "lay of the land" for our setup. I'll also be calling
those who have donated equipment, but will not be there, to coordinate
pickup. Watch this mailing list, and come to the BARC meeting this
Thursday, for further updates.
73, Paul, K3FU
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