WOTA WHALES ON THE AIR

Whales On The Air 2017

 

            WOTA 2017 was a great success. Mike (KA5VZE) and Bill (KV6Z) spent about 3 hours leisurely calling CQ and scanning the bands. We each made several QSOs and the best DX was ON4UN in Belgium using a 35 ft. end fed wire with a 9:1 UNUN connected to a KX2.

            Several visitors to the Blue Whale stopped by to ask what we were doing and we were glad to take the time to explain our operation and Ham Radio in general. The park attendant was very helpful and accommodating and that made our visit very pleasant. Even though Historic Route 66 was only a few yards away, the road noise was not an issue when using headphones. It is a scenic park with enough trees to easily suspend a wire antenna so I’m already thinking about a return trip.

 

73

Bill

KV6Z

Portable, field day, sota, & pota operations readiness: preliminary planning.

                                                              Field Day with Josh Wells

 EQUIPMENT CHECK LIST

LOG & EPHEMERA

1. Log book
2. Scratch pad, pencils and pends, clip board with clip for holding down paper in windy conditions
3. Clock
4. Laptop
5. License
6. Cell phone       ...Charged
7. Flashlight/battery lamp      ...charged
8. Handbook for portable operation

FURNITURE

1. Canopy
2. Tarp
3. Chairs or stools
4. Cushion....for setting up on park bench 
5. Folding tables (1 or 2) as needed

TRAVEL, FOOD, & SUNDRIES

1. Water, bottle, a nice pilsner, or other fluids
2. Lunch and bento box w/utinsels
3. Reservations if setting up at camp ground
4. Bug repellant
5. Suntan lotion
6. Camera, tripod, and batteries charged.
7. Money
8. Maps/GPS
9. Appropriate clothing
10. Hat
11. First aid kit

SPECIAL NEEDS

1. Walker or stroller
2. canes
3. reading classes
4. Meds

RADIO AND EQUIPMENT

1. Radio/s
2. Tuner
3. unun
4. 12V battery and/or power supply, Solar
5. Terminals for car battery, cleaned 2ea
6. Small generator
7. Charged
8. Headphones
9. Speaker
10. Ear buds 
11. Speaker cables
12. Extension chord
13. Cable for tuner
14. Cable for Key
15. Microphone and cable adapter
16. Cable adapter 1/4-1/8"
17. Battery cable and wrench

ANTENNA

1. Mast, Squid pole
2. Stakes
3. Grounding rod
4. Heavy hammer
5. Electrical taper
6. Fishing pole, weight, 50 test fishing line
7. Antennas:80, 40, 20. 15mtr dipoles
8. Random wire on reel
9. Ground wire
10. Rope 
11. Coax, fittings, & adaptors
12. Zip Toes
13. Rf cable switch
14. Heavy ga ground wire

TOOL KIT

1. Small screw drivers: Phillips and flat
2. med       "          "                 "
3. VOM
4. Soldering iron and propane torch and flux
5. Wire cutters
6. Wire strippers
7. Needle nose pliers
8. Normal pliers
9. Tweezers
10. Alligator clips
11. Battery terminal cleaner for car
12. Emergency tool kit for ca

SUPPLIES

1. Battery clamp with terminal for cables
2. Extra hook-up wire
3. Masking tape
4. Electrician's tape
5. Duct tape
6. Center connectors