*** UPDATE #2 – FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 ***
On Friday evening we had our on-air discussion regarding Winter Field Day on Saturday and Sunday.
As of Friday evening, no one is certain about the weather this weekend. It will still be cold and rainy, but we still may avoid the freezing rain and snow that was being forecast earlier in the week. That’s looking less likely as Saturday morning approaches.
As of Friday evening the Decatur Amateur Radio Club is planning to participate anyway. That’s still subject to change, depending on how this weather mass moves in. This is Alabama, after all. And it’s weather. There’s no way of telling what this weekend holds until sometime next week when it’s over.
Beginning around 7:00 Saturday morning, January 23rd, on the 147.00 repeater, several hams will be reporting on conditions and making arrangements to go or stay home. If you have interest in this event, please turn on your radio and at least listen to what is discussed, or participate by offering your observations and assistance.
Bryan Tenniswood W1WC is planning on making his way to North Park since he lives relatively close to it and has most of the necessary equipment for the event. Some other hams are already planning to join him because they live close by. If you are at all interested in helping, operating, or sharing in the cold, wet air, you’re welcome to come out as long as you promise to dress warmly and be extremely careful while driving on the wet and possibly icy roads. If things are extremely bad and we cancel things, the news will be spread on the repeater.
The current plan is for setup to start on Saturday morning between 8:00 and 8:30 (I have corrected the times again). The contest begins around 10:00, continuing for 30 hours (I have corrected the duration). Teardown and packing starts at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon (I updated the time again) and is done as rapidly as we can do it. There will be someone there for the duration if all goes according to plan.
Come visit us if you can do it safely and warmly.
Winter Field Day on Saturday!
*** END UPDATE #2 ***
*** UPDATE #1 – THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 ***
As of Thursday evening, the worst of the wintry weather looks like it may stay to the north of Morgan County. It will still be cold and rainy, but we may avoid the freezing rain and snow that was being forecast earlier in the week.
I mentioned that Winter Field Day is a lot like the regular Field Day, only colder (and maybe wetter!). And apparently I was being prophetic. Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be messy in one way or another.
As of right now the Decatur Amateur Radio Club is planning to participate anyway. That’s subject to change, depending on how this weather mass moves in.
On Friday evening, January 23rd, at 7:00 on the 147.00 repeater, we plan to have a discussion amongst ourselves and anyone else wishing to participate to make a final decision on operating or not. If you have interest in the event, please turn on your radio and at least listen to what is discussed, or participate by offering your opinions and assistance. We will make a final decision then whether or not to set up for Winter Field Day. Stay tuned!
*** END UPDATE #1 ***
*** UPDATE #1 – THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 ***
I mentioned that Winter Field Day is a lot like the regular Field Day, only colder (and maybe wetter!). And apparently I was being prophetic. Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be messy in one way or another.
As of Thursday evening, the worst of the wintry weather looks like it may stay to the north of Morgan County. It will still be cold and rainy, but we may avoid the freezing rain and snow that was being forecast earlier in the week.
As of right now the Decatur Amateur Radio Club is planning to participate anyway. That’s subject to change, depending on how this weather mass moves in.
On Friday evening, January 23rd, at 7:00 on the 147.00 repeater, we plan to have a discussion amongst ourselves and anyone else wishing to participate to make a final decision on operating or not. If you have interest in the event, please turn on your radio and at least listen to what is discussed, or participate by offering your opinions and assistance. We will make a final decision then whether or not to set up for Winter Field Day. Stay tuned!
*** END UPDATE #1 ***
Greetings! Field Day is always in June, but there’s another option, and it’s this coming weekend!
Winter Field Day is a lot like the regular Field Day, only colder (and maybe wetter!). But the Decatur Amateur Radio Club is planning to participate anyway, just like we did last year.
Our location will be the same as last summer’s event: Morgan County North Park in the Priceville area. The street address is 58 North Park Drive, Decatur, AL. That may take you to the entrance on the east side of the park. Don’t go there. We will be on the WEST side of the park off of Bethel Road towards Priceville High School.
The easiest way to get there from Decatur is to take Highway 67 until you reach the blinking yellow lights at Upper River Road. Turn left and drive east, cross the bridge over I-65, and continue to the traffic light, which is Bethel Road. Turn left at the light and drive until you see the park pavilions on your right across from the fire station. That’s where you’ll find us! If you miss the turn at Upper River Road there are several other options, but the simplest is to continue on Highway 67 past I-65 until you reach the traffic signal at Bethel Road. Look for the Traditions Bank building on the corner and the Food Land grocery store in a small shopping center (it includes coffee!). Turn north on Bethel Road at the light between the bank and the shopping plaza and go to the 2nd traffic light, which is East Upper River Road. Continue through the light and keep an eye out on your right. You should see a lot of radio activity of some variety throughout the day and night on Saturday until early Sunday afternoon. Remember also, Google Maps can be your best friend. And you can use the 147.00 repeater to ask us for directions. Just please get there!
Setup starts between 7:30 and 8:00, and the contest begins around 10:00, continuing for 30 hours. Teardown and packing starts at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon and is done as rapidly as we can do it. There will be someone there for the duration if all goes according to plan. (PLEASE NOTE THE UPDATED TIMES)
Come visit us, help out with anything you can, talk on the radio or run a logging computer, or just hang out and watch everyone else try to find warmth and radio fun.
See you Saturday at Winter Field Day!
