PDF version of the SACMARC membership application is attached. Many thanks to Dar.
----- Original Message -----
From: Mitchell, Dennis (FNN Info Sec)<mailto:dmitchell@fnni.com>
To: J A Sheffield<mailto:n4owg@msn.com> ; kc0ykn@cox.net<mailto:kc0ykn@cox.net> ; Ron Clark<mailto:n0pom@cox.net> ; Bob McCoy<mailto:bob@mccoy.net> ; ken lemke<mailto:kclemke@gmail.com> ; George Bellairs<mailto:kb0zzt@usa.net> ; SACMARC LIST<mailto:sacmarc@sacmarc.org>
Cc: Frank Taylor<mailto:AA0ZP@juno.com> ; Darwin Piatt (W9HZC)<mailto:W9HZC@cox.net> ; Piatt, Darwin<mailto:dpiatt@fnni.com>
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 11:53 AM
Subject: RE: Crazy idea - K0AIR station at air show?
John,
Could you resend the SACMARC application form again please? It didn't seem to come through with your previous e-mail.
Along with any display information at the station we'll want to have SACMARC application forms for interested hams. In fact, we might want to have application forms for all the local groups.
Dennis Mitchell
FNN Information Security
Ph: (402) 633-7072 Fax: (402) 633-2586
________________________________
From: J A Sheffield [mailto:n4owg@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 11:23 AM
To: kc0ykn@cox.net<mailto:kc0ykn@cox.net>; Ron Clark; Bob McCoy; 'ken lemke'; George Bellairs; SACMARC LIST
Cc: Frank Taylor; Mitchell, Dennis (FNN Info Sec); Darwin Piatt (W9HZC); Piatt, Darwin
Subject: Re: Crazy idea - K0AIR station at air show?
RE: para 3, George is absolutely correct. Therefore, my permission to use the K0GRL call sign is modified that it may only be used by members in good standing of SACMARC.
An easy solution to this is for all licensed hams interested in operating as control operators of K0GRL, (and/or K0AIR if permission is granted) is to join SACMARC. Dues are $5.00 per year ($7.50 for family membership). See application form attached.
----- Original Message -----
From: George Bellairs <mailto:kb0zzt@usa.net<mailto:kb0zzt@usa.net>>
To: kc0ykn@cox.net<mailto:kc0ykn@cox.net> ; 'Ron' <mailto:n0pom@cox.net<mailto:n0pom@cox.net>> ; 'Bob McCoy' <mailto:bob@mccoy.net<mailto:bob@mccoy.net>> ; 'ken lemke' <mailto:kclemke@gmail.com<mailto:kclemke@gmail.com>> ; 'George Bellairs' <mailto:kb0zzt@usa.net<mailto:kb0zzt@usa.net>> ; 'John Sheffield' <mailto:n4owg@msn.com<mailto:n4owg@msn.com>> ; ALL SACMARK <mailto:sacmarc@sacmarc.org<mailto:sacmarc@sacmarc.org>>
Cc: 'Frank Taylor' <mailto:AA0ZP@juno.com<mailto:AA0ZP@juno.com>> ; 'Mitchell, Dennis (FNN Info Sec)' <mailto:dmitchell@fnni.com<mailto:dmitchell@fnni.com>> ; Darwin Piatt (W9HZC) <mailto:W9HZC@cox.net<mailto:W9HZC@cox.net>> ; dpiatt@fnni.com<mailto:dpiatt@fnni.com>
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 8:08 AM
Subject: RE: Crazy idea - K0AIR station at air show?
As president of SACMARC, I want to add my comments regarding K0AIR station at air show:
1. This is a SACMARC club issue, not a BARC club issue.
2. This item is on the agenda for the next SACMARC meeting, June 20, 7:00pm at Wendy's. A decision will be made by club members in attendance.
3. SACMARC club calls signs can only be used with SACMARC permission, and only by dues paid SACMARC members.
George Bellairs, kb0zzt
SACMARC President
------ Original Message ------
Received: Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:10:50 PM CDT
From: "Dennis Mitchell \(kc0ykn\)" <kc0ykn@cox.net<mailto:kc0ykn@cox.net>>
To: "'Ron'" <n0pom@cox.net<mailto:n0pom@cox.net>>, "'Bob McCoy'" <bob@mccoy.net<mailto:bob@mccoy.net>>, "'ken lemke'" <kclemke@gmail.com<mailto:kclemke@gmail.com>>, "'George Bellairs'" <kb0zzt@usa.net<mailto:kb0zzt@usa.net>>, "'John Sheffield'" <n4owg@msn.com<mailto:n4owg@msn.com>>
Cc: "'Frank Taylor'" <AA0ZP@juno.com<mailto:AA0ZP@juno.com>>, "'Mitchell, Dennis \(FNN Info Sec\)'" <dmitchell@fnni.com<mailto:dmitchell@fnni.com>>, "Darwin Piatt \(W9HZC\)" <W9HZC@cox.net<mailto:W9HZC@cox.net>>, <dpiatt@fnni.com<mailto:dpiatt@fnni.com>>
Subject: RE: Crazy idea - K0AIR station at air show?
All,
________________________________
From: Ron [mailto:n0pom@cox.net]
Gents, (my added comments in blue)
At 07:34 AM 6/5/2008, Bob McCoy wrote:
Dennis, the BARC board has no say in this whatsoever. However, I am wrapping in some of the other SACMARC board members. There is an overlap with BARC in terms of members of SACMARC also tend to be members of BARC. And that may impact the availability of operators to work the air show. On the other hand, if we can actually get a booth to operate from, it could provide a drop-in point for some of the roaming hams that day.
I'm also cc'ing Ron so he knows that there may a competing pull for ham operators for the event.
It should not draw operators away from the air show staffing. It might even give those who are working the air show an opportunity to sit down
Overall I like the idea. It's a great recruiting tool for amateur radio in general. But the KØAIR/KØGRL slant to it makes it much more aligned to the activities of the day as opposed to just another group from off base.
The major technical issue is going to be an antenna(s) for operating on HF. We really kind of "fudged" it with the Outbacker antenna for "Spring into Safety". The Outpost antenna mount really should be on a grassy surface for proper ground coupling. So I wouldn't expect it to work very well on the tarmac. And I doubt we'll be able to string a dipole or other wire antenna. So the antenna experts out there need to noodle on this one.
If anyone can pull this off it will be Ken! But do not hold your breath for getting down on the grassy area where everyone else is. And I will tell you
As Ken said generators are a pain in the rear. The Air Force allows them on the tarmac however once the gates open at 9AM and close at 5PM you are
Good luck in getting it Accomplished. I suggested the club do this years ago. But be prepared to jump through some hoops. Between Ken, Larry Lavelle and I we may be
Ron N0POM
I will not be available to operate, since I plan on operating both days from inside the MCC at the base clinic.
Bob/NBØB
From: ken lemke [ mailto:kclemke@gmail.com<mailto:kclemke@gmail.com> <mailto:kclemke@gmail.com<mailto:kclemke@gmail.com>> ]
No problem with frequencies. There are no conflicts between mil and ham freqs. To make it "legal", I'll do a "to whom it may concern" letter stating that it's ok to operate whereever ya want.
Ron thinks it may be a hastle getting the station equipment on base, but I can work that fairly easily. I asked the Air Show boss, Major Shook, about setting up a both/station and am waiting for his response.
Good idea about K0AIR...that would be fun. Plus, it would give an element of credibility to the operation. Shoot, go all the way and do K0GRL also!
I'm guessing that battery power would be the way to go, since generators are a pain to get permitted, as I understand it. Also, the probability of getting power is pretty slim. That said, Dar and I both operated off my 2 batteries with 2-100w stations at field day and had plenty of power. Can recharge at the LMR site overnight if necessary.
73 de Ken, AC0DQ
At the picnic last weekend one of the side discussions was regarding setting
Frank, you're the custodian of the Strategic Air Command Memorial Station
Ken, you admitted being the frequency manager for Offutt. What procedure(s)
Bob, could you bring the topic up at the BARC board meeting on Thursday to
Dennis - kc0ykn
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29
: Fri Jun 06 2008 - 20:47:14 CDT
It sounds like I've struck a chord. Let me summarize what appear to be the key issues and what I see 'between the lines'.
1 - Authorization to operate on base: From Ken's (AC0DQ) comments that doesn't look like a problem. It will require paperwork and coordination, but it's doable.
2 - Authorization to use the K0AIR and K0GRL callsigns: We have yet to hear from Frank (AA0ZP), but if John's (N4OWG) response is anything to go by, I think it's a go. John, thank you for pointing out the requirement to have a copy of the station license(s) on site for legal operations. I'm so used to carrying my license in my wallet that I don't even think about _not_ having a license to operate! Proof once again that rookies (such as me) need mentors and elmers to keep out of trouble.
I had already considered the need for an explanatory display. That's part of the charm of the airshow. It wouldn't have to be complex, a lot of the display aircraft have fairly simple display placards themselves. Does SACMARC have any existing display material which could be used? If not, may we use the information on the SACMARC web site in building displays?
I'd also like to have a 'flyer' to hand out to interested attendees. It should include links to the www.sacmarc.org<http://www.sacmarc.org/> web site as well as the web sites of other local amateur radio clubs and organizations. That would keep it small (economical) but give people who want more information a place to go for it.
3 - Authorization to take vehicles/radio gear into the air show area: It's been done before, so it should be doable again. Who can tell me the process?
If Jim Wescott volunteers the use of his RV again this year it would make an excellent base of operations. Has anyone been in touch with him on that topic this year? If I remember correctly, where it was parked in 2007 there was grass between it and the fence around the flightline. Having an awning (or two) to hide from the sun (hopefully not rain) while operating is a survival essential.
The satellite picture in Google Maps is so old it shows the construction site that became the fire station. But I think Jim's RV was on the edge of the pavement right about here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=offutt+afb&ie=UTF8&ll=41.118511,-95.919292&spn=0.001827,0.005407&t=h&z=18
4 - Electricity to operate: I'd love to have a small generator, even if just for backup power, but if getting a permit for a generator is an issue, operating off batteries works. I can contribute a 60ah battery to the collection. I also have a small, quiet, inverter generator which could be used if permitted. While it couldn't run all day on its small tank of gas. It could recharge batteries if they get low. It ran for 4+ hours at the safety fair on less than a gallon of gas.
5 - People to man the station: I'm optimistic on this point. I think Ron (N0POM) is right that it won't take hams away from the normal air show routine. I suspect it may draw more hams to the airshow because it will be an amateur radio event, not 'just' a public service opportunity. And Bob's comment that it's a good recruiting tool was just him voicing my thoughts. ;) On that note, we should have flyers for amateur radio classes available.
6 - An antenna: It will depend a great deal on where we are located and how much space is available. I don't think I'm qualified to have an opinion at this point, but somehow I suspect that if everything else comes together we'll be able to cobble _something_ together. Ideally we should have multiple antenna options just in case the first doesn't pan out.
7 - Location, location, location: I don't know how far in advance we can get a firm grasp of the location we would be in for planning purposes. Ron & Ken, you're probably in the best position to find out that kind of information. Any ideas?
8 - The 101 things I haven't thought of because I don't have a clue: { add your thoughts here }
This morning my e-mail was "Crazy idea". This evening it's more like "Credible concept". According to my calendar the air show is 10 weeks away. What do I need to do to turn my idea into "Wow, that was fun!"?
Dennis - kc0ykn
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 4:23 PM
To: Bob McCoy; 'ken lemke'; kc0ykn@cox.net<mailto:kc0ykn@cox.net>; 'George Bellairs'; 'John Sheffield'
Cc: 'Frank Taylor'; 'Mitchell, Dennis (FNN Info Sec)'
Subject: RE: Crazy idea - K0AIR station at air show?
and take a break if they want to man the booth. Just be aware that on Sunday, the REACT folks have a Corporate Cup Run to do also up in Omaha
so Sunday we will need more hams than on Saturday. I plan to solicit ham help from surrounding co unites for Sunday.
why. This year is supposed to be one of the biggest shows ever for Offutt. At least from the standpoint of static displays. So last I heard space on
the grassy infield is going for about $100 a square inch! hi hi. Seriously of all the air shows I have done I did not know this until 2 weeks ago when
talking to Jack Griffey, the REACT prez. He is also a member of the Marine Auxiliary or something like that. Every year for many they would be down
there selling food. Well this year they were not invited. Turns out that the Air Force charges all the vendors who sell food...souvenirs etc a percentage
of their profits for the privilege of being there! So this year there are several big name food vendors there who most likely will pay big bucks over the little
guys doing it for fund raising. Guess who gets the patch of grass?? So do not fell slighted if you cannot get where you want to be. The other option is
to set up shop next to Jim Wescott's motor home assuming we can get IT on base this year. Last year it was over by the fire station on concrete. While
at least you will be on the tarmac in may not be on grass. So YES, get creative with antennas. The UP side to that is that you may have AC power.
forbidden to refuel them if you run out. We found that out a few yrs back when we brought the Sheriff's command post to use as our ops center. It has its
own generator. The Air Force will not allow any spare gas cans on the tarmac for obvious reasons. They will come around overnight and fill your generator
for free even...but it cannot be done from 9-5. So if you are gong to be operating for 8 hrs, you do the math.
able to pull hard enough on some strings. The Air Force loves us for the help we provide. How do I know that?? The year Joe left he was supposed to give the
Major a count on how many hats we would need. We don't always get as many as we ask for but this year he forgot period! I did not know that until two weeks
before the show! I called the Major and said I think we missed the plane but is there any way we can get a few hats this year. He said do not worry about it. I
set aside 30 for you. Now THAT is the result of many years building trust and rapport with the served agency just like we have with Bellevue PD.
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 6:32 AM
To: kc0ykn@cox.net<mailto:kc0ykn@cox.net>
Cc: Bob McCoy; Frank Taylor
Subject: Re: Crazy idea - K0AIR station at air show?
On Thu, Jun 5, 2008 at 6:11 AM, Dennis Mitchell (kc0ykn) <kc0ykn@cox.net<mailto:kc0ykn@cox.net>> wrote:
Gentlemen,
up a ham station at the Offutt Air Show in August. That continues to haunt
me, so I thought I'd bring it up for discussion.
callsign, K0AIR. How would you feel about that call sign being used for an
event station at the air show?
would we need to follow to be authorized to operate on base that weekend?
Also, what bands could we be permitted to use?
see if the idea has any support there?