Ham Radio Special Event station Possibility

[dcreichenbach]

Without committing myself to doing this, I have read on several previous year's rally forums about the desire for a Ham special event station at the rally site. Could I have some ideas on what may be needed to do something like this?

I live nearer to Columbus than Lima, and I live about 75 minutes from the fairgrounds. I grew up in the Lima area. My first home was near Beaverdam just north of Lima, and I graduated from Ada High. I have freinds in RARA, the Mercer and Auglaize county (Reservoir Area) Radio club.

If any of you have any questions about the rally site or riding in Ohio, please let me know. My own club is the Buckeye Beemers, and I'm looking forward to coming to my first MOA National.

http://www.buckeyebeemers.org/

[tjtraver]

This post caught my eye ....

I'd think that if it's ok with the organizers and they have a spot that the radio club could setup that would not disrupt anything, it's a great idea and would not even be noticable . The radio station ( which would reach around the US , if not the world ) , would only require a 12v car battery and a 100' piece of copper wire tied between two trees about 20' high.

The radio club could print up some good looking color BMW MOA QSL cards , which would make a nice momento of the event , as well as fun way to get the word out about BMW motorcycles and BMW MOA.

In way of benefit to BMW MOA ,the radio club would publish this special event station in the ARRL ( Amateur Radio Relay League ) monthly magazine , which is a form of advertising. Also , if the station were setup early in the week , it could also be a good source of information specific to this event , for those in route or planning to come later in the week . I know a lot of motorcycle riders ( including myself N2MUZ) that are amateur radio ops , that would enjoy contacting this station .

I'd think all that's required to get this underway , would be to hook up the organizers of this event with the radio club president . The radio club would then take it from there ...

[Kenny2]

I think it would be great to have a Ham station at the rally. We can call in for weather and road conditions.

By the way, How many hams do we have and what is the type of radio you run on the bike?

[Rharrod]

IN - This post caught my eye also YES it did! :thumb Ham station at the rally is a good thing. I hope to make this my first MOA National rally. No rig on bike yet. But the special event station would be fun! I hope to see all the BMW hams there. 73s K7TNT Richard new 04 R1150RT :wave

[tjtraver]

I don't have a radio on my K75C, largely because it doesn't have a fairing , which would make it difficult to install a radio. Though , I have envisioned installing an Icom 706, with remote faceplate on the tank bag and the body of the radio in a saddle bag. I'd likely use 2m / 440 while underway and HF when stopped for lunch or for the evening . I plan on coming out to the rally this year and would be glad to help out at the special events station . Hope to meet some other BMW hams there .

[Rharrod]

I have envisioned installing an Icom 706, with remote faceplate on the tank bag and the body of the radio in a saddle bag.
I like that idea! I may try something like that for this trip. I would run 2m and 6m CW/SSB hand out some grids on the way. I have the Ant's already. I hope to see you all there. :wave

[Sue]

If one of you guys want to organize something, please contact me off the forum and we can chat. :)

Thanks!

[koikid]

Doing a Special Event Station would be fine but you need to relize that it would need to be maned for it to work out.Using it for road or weather conditions is not really what a S.E.S. is set up for.
Usally you get a Special event Call for the event that is good for just the days the station will be set up. Then you need to have the Dates and Times the station will be in "operation" and on what bands an frequencys so it can be plublished in QST. Then you have to have the station UP and Running at those times that you Plublished. There needs to be some one responsable for that station and the equipment for the entire time that it is set up.

If you have never been to a National Rally, You have no Idea of all the BMW stuff going on at one time, all the good people you will meet. And time some days just pases by some days, that morning you say I'm gonna do this and this, and the next thing you know it's past time to eat dinner and you don't know where the day went but you Sure did have Fun what ever it was that you did!

I have always volenteered for 2 duties at each national rally, that's 4 hours each and some of the best fun at the rally.

Marsh
WA5UBO

[tjtraver]

I agree with you. I'm not recommending that anyone attending the rally ( me included ) , would sit there and play radio rather than attend rally functions. This would have to be a 99% radio club ( not BMW MOA or BMW attendee ) organized and manned operation . I'd expect that BMW rally attendees would just contact the station for info , or drop by to say "hi" , maybe make a couple of guest contacts , but not setup or run the station .

I'd think the radio club would jump at the chance to do a special events station of this sort , if they we're invited . I've sent a note to the originator of this thread to see who the local radio club contact is , to see if they ( or they may know of some other local radio club ) that would have any interest.

[Sue]

[QUOTE=tjtraver] This would have to be a 99% radio club (not BMW MOA or BMW attendee) organized and manned operation . QUOTE]

Hi folks -
After reading these last several posts, I would not support this idea. If a group of BMW MOA members (who share a common interest) want to set something up and man it, that's one thing.... After all, our event is run almost 100% by volunteers. BUT --- bringing in non-motorcycle-related special interest groups could be a slippery slope, and not one that I would like to navigate.

Once more --- I ask that if anyone wants to chair this committee, set something up, get the volunteers, etc etc - then please contact me off this list. I will try to help facilitate your needs.

sue@beemerhill.com

Thanks again, everyone!

Sue

[Rharrod]

Yes, maybe this would be fun for the local club or clubs to do? This way we can still do our rally. This many people would be fun for the club to see . Local clubs can handle maybe some messages also! I like the idea of the local clubs getting involved. Besides the good exposure for the ham community there. Would be nice thing for them to do. Someone should just ask, that is all it would maybe take. Good excuse for them to get out to do a public event. :thumb

[Sue]

Please stop and listen, folks.

Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come into the rally to do this. I will be happy to discuss this on a one-on-one basis.

Thanks -
Sue

[Kenny2]

Please stop and listen, folks.

Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come into the rally to do this. I will be happy to discuss this on a one-on-one basis.

Thanks -
Sue
To the BMWMOA Hams:
Maybe a static display, if volunteers don't come forward. But I see a place for the Ham radio at the rally. Installing a radio with TNC and GPS and the family can know what is your location, using the internet. The BMWMOA ham community could put it together..... just a thought...

[tjtraver]

I now understand and agree 100% with Sue's position .

This needs to be an BMW MOA run station , chaired by someone from BMW MOA. I plan to arrive at the rally July 21 and leave on the 23rd sometime . I'd be willing to donate some of my time , say 3 - 4 hours , to operate the radio station . If there are 6 - 8 others that could / would want do the same , assuming running the station 10am - 4pm each day , this might work . Anyone else interested ? Todd

[chasman]

Hey everybody, Hams have had a rally presence in the past! Yep, Oshkosh, WI in 1993. It was set up and operated by MOA members who worked closely with the Rally Chair. No outside clubs were involved. Sorry, I don't know who the committee chairs were or the details as to how the event was organized. Just remember seeing the booth and watching members use the radios. Maybe someone has copies of the BMW Owners News from '93 and can find out who the committee chairs were?


Riding Like the Wind (come spring)...

CHASMAN
Black '02 K12RS

[Rharrod]

Please stop and listen, folks.

Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come into the rally to do this. I will be happy to discuss this on a one-on-one basis.

Thanks -
Sue
S o r r y ! I must be a new guy. :dunno :dunno :dunno :dunno :D Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come into the rally Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come into the rally Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come into the rally Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come Nobody should even THINK :doh Now Sue maybe we can still have some fun! :stick I hope to see you there. No matter, I still like the idea of a ham station there. If I have the time I will take my turn and help run the station. Like someone said, I just may be looking at all the BMW stuff and not find the shack at all!!! 73s :wave

[dcreichenbach]

Happy New Year.

I've contacted Sue and I KNOW that this can be done in a way that will satisfy her requirements.

Ok. I volenteer to be the chair of this committee and get things organized.

First of all, do we want to discuss this openly on this board or set up a temporary email reflector for passing messages between the committee members.

Personally, I would prefer to use email.

Dick R.
KC8OBZ

[Kenny2]

Happy New Year.

I've contacted Sue and I KNOW that this can be done in a way that will satisfy her requirements.

Ok. I volenteer to be the chair of this committee and get things organized.

First of all, do we want to discuss this openly on this board or set up a temporary email reflector for passing messages between the committee members.

Personally, I would prefer to use email.

Dick R.
KC8OBZ


Well, You're the 'Boss'. how do you want to do it?

[RTRandy]

.-.. . - ... / -. --- - / - . . -.. .-.. / ... ..- . / .- -. -.. / .. -. ...- .. - . / - .... ,- - / .-.. --- -.-- .- .-.. / -.-. .-.. ..- -.../ :D

Randy
formally WB2JGH

[jthiessen]

I'm a new member of MOA and hope to be present at this years rally.

My new beemer is coming to the dealer next month but won't have any amateur radio (ham) installed untill I get some other basic equipment such as saddle bags, crash bars etc... (I'm developing quite a wish list).

With any luck, I will bring a portable VHF/UHF 2-way and if I have room in my baggage, a low power HF radio.

If an event station is set up at beemerville I will definitely stop by and say hello, and maybe make a few contacts... :)

See you in July

Jim,
va3kv.com
Rockland Ontario, Canada (near Ottawa)
R1200GS coming soon,...on the road when the snow melts...hopefully in April.

[NJ_Bob]

Please stop and listen, folks.

Nobody should even THINK about asking a group to come into the rally to do this. I will be happy to discuss this on a one-on-one basis.

Thanks -
Sue


Why not? :dunno

How about DARA? Dayton's close to there isn't it?

Bob N5NJ

[Clay]

[QUOTE=dcreichenbach]Without committing myself to doing this, I have read on several previous year's rally forums about the desire for a Ham special event station at the rally site. Could I have some ideas on what may be needed to do something like this?

Would be glad to help out with this....

Clay AA3JY
Kimberton,Pa.

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/track.cgi?call=aa3jy-10

[JKelly]

How about we decide on a frequency that we can find each other on?
Either 2 meters .52 or 440 since some may have 440/FRS radios?

Jeff
KT2K

[Clay]

I'll listen on 446.000..which is the National 440 Simplex Freq.

[Sue]

I have not heard from anyone about what you need from the rally committee. At this point I have a 10 x 10 booth for the HAM Radio group inside one of the vendor buildings.

If you need to be outside, you will be on your own to rent (or bring) a tent / canopy.

Sue

[dcreichenbach]

Sorry, but on Monday I had some hope. Today I have none.
I do not have the ability to put on even the minimal plans that I have made. I'm sorry, but this has been one of those years so far.

I plan on using Fred Vobbe's repeater while in Lima. W8HDU is 145.37- 107.2 PL and is IRLP 4102.

I hope to hear all of you in Lima.
The motorcycle is APRS KC8OBZ-7, and the tracker will be running.

Dick Reichenbach

[Buckwheat]

I should be carrying 2m, 440, and 220 fm.
Don't currently have a portable HF rig. (and me the QRP guy!!, for shame!!!)
I'll check the rptr directory for listings in the area and to the south of, which is where I'll be traveling from. If any preference for a 220 in that area, please let me/us know. And yes, I'll volunteer some op. timp for station, either talk-in and/or special event.
--... ...-- -.. . -.- -.. ....- .--- ...- --.
Gregg

[Kenny2]

I will have my HT. I have not gotten it rigged for use on the bike, yet.
See ya in Ohio.

[Diana, N0EGF]

I'm game if you folks are- I'm coming with a sidecar and could haul a fair amount of radio stuff. I have a TEN-TEC 2 and 6 meter multimode transceiver, TEN-TEC Argosy 10-80 meter transceiver, and old Yaesu FT290 multimode 2 meter transceiver, and a bunch of handhelds of course. I could also bring my portable 2 meter beam if anyone wants to work 2 meter DX.

As long as the rally chair has graciously offered us a space I suggest we take her up on it- if we don't have enough of us to keep the station going all day we could just operate when we have folks available.

Diana

[Sue]

I ordered a 10 x 10 tent for the Ham radio / BMW MOA members at the rally.
The tent supplier will be putting up all of the tents on Tuesday. Whoever is here first who wants to get their equipment set up, please ask for Brian or Sue. We can show you where the Ham radio tent is.

[NJ_Bob]

Since I'm travelling on my motorcycle, I won't be able to bring much equipment, but if there is a radio there, I will be glad to operate it for a few hours during the rally. Who is organizing this? Is there an operator schedule?

I apologize, but I thought this was dropped months ago as a possibility.

I'm certain that it's too late now, but I think we could get a special callsign for future rallies. Something like NA1BMW etc. In fact, I would be willing to do this for future rallies since sadly it's too late for this one. Who should I talk to about getting official sanction to go ahead with this?

[helper]

You can get a 1x1 special event call sign from a VEC for up to 15 days.
Go to arrl.org--licensing--call signs--1x1 call signs.
The form is right there.

[Buckwheat]

I can bring a carolina windom for 80m-10m if anyone thinks we might need it.
Also the feedline is with it. Don't even need a tuner for most bands, and can string it up or even lay it across some surfaces w/good results. This has been my QRP portable ant. for a while now. Works great-less sidebag filling.
Gregg 87779

[Diana N0EGF]

Thanks Sue for arranging a tent for us- can we get in wensday to set up our ham radio station? Also, will there be electricity available?

As for equipment I'll bring as much as I can stuff in my sidecar- sounds like we need an HF rig so I'll bring my humble TenTec Argosy. It's old but no more so than my bike- an '83 R80ST. Of course if someone has a dream rig and a kilowatt I'll be happy to let them hook up to the best antenna instead!

N0EGF

[Diana N0EGF]

Haven't heard much chatter about the ham station today- not sure if that's a lack of interest or riders are already on the road to Lima. So I'll bring a basic HF station with and hopefully we can get something set up. I should be arriving in Lima thursday morning and look forward to meeting you folks and a little ham radio operating.

73s 'til then,

Diana, N0EGF

[NJ_Bob]

You can get a 1x1 special event call sign from a VEC for up to 15 days.
Go to arrl.org--licensing--call signs--1x1 call signs.
The form is right there.

Yep. 1x1 calls are nifty for hams but I think we want to have the BMW folks recognize this one.

NA1BMW or NB1MOA or something like that would be really cool. I'm going to seek out the MOA powers that be in Lima to get permission to do it officially.

See y'all there. Leaving in the morning.

-Bob W5OV

[Clay]

Those running APRS..looks like WD8EJC-10 will be your local digi in the Lima area. Looking at its beaconing text it's configured for a WIDE,RELAY,TRACE, but has a WIDE3-3 in its path setup. So anticipate the new digi set up of possibly not accepting the old RELAY/WIDE format.

Regards,

Clay AA3JY
K1200RS

[dcreichenbach]

I can bring a carolina windom for 80m-10m if anyone thinks we might need it.
Also the feedline is with it. Don't even need a tuner for most bands, and can string it up or even lay it across some surfaces w/good results. This has been my QRP portable ant. for a while now. Works great-less sidebag filling.
Gregg 87779

I'm glad that so many have picked up where I dropped the ball. I'll put the portable mast back in the truck for delivery to Lima, along with an extra table. It'll be there on Thursday morning.

Will I need to bring a power supply?

Dick R. - KC8OBZ

[Diana N0EGF]

After enjoying a twisty southwest Wisconsin two lane I heard a nasty clunk pulling into McDonald's for a break. Inspection revealed the lower rear sidecar mount was broken. Fortunately the Richland Center Police were angels and let me unhook the sidecar and leave it overnight in their city hall parking lot. After relocating my Optima battery from the sidecar to pillion and securing it with half a dozen bungies I made my way back to Minneapolis on two wheels. Fortunately the tires had not been on long enough to get squared and the ST handled fine solo. I just got home and it looks like I have a replacement for the broken mount. I'll install it in the morning and head back to Richland Center to reattach the sidecar. If I can get it all together and roadworthy tomorrow night I'll still try to make it to Beemerville. If not, I'll take the Guzzi rally in southern Minnesota this weekend as a consolation prize. Gotta go and get some sleep...

Diana N0EGF

[Unregistered]

I made it here. There was a lack of tents for the dealers, so I'll have to move my canopy over from general camping over to the spot.

The spot given to us seems to be in a pretty good place. It is between the Youth building (inside dealers) and the track fence. It's a grassy area, and I'll move the canopy over there tomorrow. The canopy will have the buckeye beemers flag on it.

Dick R - KC8OBZ

[Diana N9EGF]

It's friday AM and I'm here- where did the ham station move to?

[Unregistered]

It a big CF.

The canopy blew down in the wind last night..

The mast is out there where it's supposed to be.

I'm still here.

[Diana N0EGF]

OK. I'll be monitoring 146.52 simplex...

[Buckwheat]

Sorry dudes and dudettes, I brought the carolina windom and feedline but it never left my sidebag. I couldn't find the station. Folks at the gates and some other volunteers did the "Sargent Shultz" and "knew nothing...nothing about it".
Gregg 87779
GS = Gregg's Scoot