by Ken Newman, N2CQ, "NJ-QRP Contest Chairman"
Someone recently asked us ...
"Hey is NJ-QRP doing anything for QRP Afield?"
The answer is ... YES!
First: QRP Afield is a single-day event designed to get QRPers out in the field using portable/temporary equipment, battery power and quick makeshift antennas. We'll probably be out there from 10am 'til 3pm. The Official Rules are at: http://www.dancris.com/~ki7mn/qrpafiel.htm.
Second: The location ... We're likely going to set up our Afield operation at Grovers Mills, a park near Princeton where we had our great QRP to the Field event this past spring. You can see maps, directions and further details of our plans by clicking here. This is an public field with an open-sided shelter, picnic tables, well-positioned trees and some wide open spaces to hang some antennas. There are some rest rooms, grills and convenient parking .. with an easy 2 minute walk from the parking lot.
Third: Members attending so far: Dave N2SMH and George N2APB. We need some more!!! (It'll be pretty lonely!)
Fourth: The QRP Afield event needs someone to take the reigns to get the team going in one direction. Nobody has yet done so. Unfortunately, the only thing I could give is recommendations. Once again I am caught with the Salt Mine, Inc. weekend availability. Need someone else to do the "driving", so to speak.
I plan to put up a 20-30 mast with a Gusher I dipole for the Explorer II and MFJ-9020 to run from the home QTH on the patio, hoping I can work the deserving before the Salt Mine Inc. calls. Sorry, I can't make it to Grovers Mill this time.
The QTTF operation was a nice day at Grovers Mill, with 4 stations (2 CW and 2 SSB). Everyone who came had a chance to operate with their own callsigns, without any scheduling. This is not the way to win anything of course, but having fun is not a bad thing!
Some like to set up their own station though, and extra "show and tell" stations wouldn't hurt.
My Recommendation:
Y'all come
with whatever you bring to set up and operate. We may need to
scheduler operating times in order to have a reasonable amount of
stations in a small park at the same time. (Like: one on 40m and
one on 20m for an hour etc.)
I hope you all enjoy it in whatever way you do it, but the Coordinator to do it will need to step forward (or the rest step back). For now, let's just stay coordinated here on the NJQRP mail list and webpage.
FYI: 1996 QRP Afield
The winner was Bob Stolzle, AC5AM, running 950mw at Grant Parish, LA.
Bob found a good spot at a 280 ft mountain. ( the highest point in LA is at 535 feet). The best part was that he "found" an abanoned radio tower on the "mountain". He put a loop and a dipole for 40m and a same pair for 20m on the tower, up 100'. He used a switch to see which antenna was better on the incomming signals.
His recommendations for a winning station: 1. Have a strategy. 2. Antennas 3. Antennas again. His winning score: 17360 (Low power/Field)
The tenth winner was N2CQ (K2HPV & N2CQ ops) with 6820 points. "It is apparent that we had only ONE antenna and a partial strategy. Our antenna was a 40 m loop at the apex about 28' (could call it a lazy loop)."
So the question is whether the group wants a winner or just have fun? My guess it is the second. Who's up for this great event?!!
72/73,
Ken Newman, N2CQ
Woodbury, NJ
N2CQ@Comten.com
