Thanks to all who participated in the Field Trip arranged at Nargole, Sanjan on 14th and 15th March 2009. Everything, right from travelling, accommodation and food was good. In all, 15 members participated in the field trip. That was indeed a good number to carry out field trip. There were total of 7 licensed hams and 8 SWLs who took part.
Activities carried on the first day (14th March,2009)
A small briefing was conducted for all on what activities will be carried out in 2 days. After reaching there all participated in learning and installing an HF antenna for 20 Mtr and 40 Mtr band on 33 Ft long collapsible mast brought by VU2SFN. Once the same is done we set up an HF Radio Station. After that Antenna matching with the help of SWR Meter was done and conducted DXing test on HF Stations.
At Lunch Time Everyone enjoyed a mouth watering and delicious lunch. Post Lunch a QSO’s on HF tried out and on other hand SWLs Ruzbeh, Nikunj and others helped VU2SFH with the Digital Communication setup and software Installation on one Laptop. SFN also gave some good tips on Setting up and practically demonstrated how to work on the Digital Communication. This was only possible as there were 2 laptops, 2 radios and 2 digital interfaces. After the Lunch, a small digital communication demo was given to the SWLs, to provide knowledge on how it actually works. Practically Images were transmitted from one Station to another using MMSSTV software and 2 Set of VHF Radios. We also Worked on How to do Digital Communication using Digipan Software.
Special thanks to VU2SFN, VU2SFH,VU2UBP for getting all the necessary equipments to carry out the same. Post Tea Session Hams Like VU2CBU , VU2SFH and others have shared their knowledge to SWL’s about Protocols , rules and regulation in making and maintaining the contacts on Air, which was very useful along with the practical demonstration. After that few hams were on HF Dxing, while SWLs were practising on VHF Net to learn how to use and do effective practical communication under the guidance and supervision of Senior Hams.
At evening few SWL’s could not resist going to the beach and refresh themselves over there with the cool breeze. At the beach UHF Net Controlling activities were carried out from beach to bungalow and all SWLs participated in Net Control exercise and learn the protocols to be maintain on the Net under supervision of VU2SFH. Later after dinner, all worked on some HF Dxing and SWLs were working on homebrew the receiver, using KK 68 Pocket Radio. SWLs got a good tip on Home brewing VHF antenna fromVU3SLJ. Further all got into deep sleep at late night after having good eyeball QSO’s on antennas n Shacks at home QTH of Hams.
Activities carried on the second day (15th March,2009)
Early Morning SWLs again visited the beach along with hams as morning walk and see the sun rise. Later on we checked into Charminar Net, Belgaum Net and also had a few QSOs. This is the only time all hams and SWLs without HF/VHF radios; get a great opportunity to work on HF/VHF. Later had a Breakfast and again exciting practical exercise begins. All were briefed on How to make a Inverted V Antenna for HF using wire bundle and 2 teams were made up of Few Hams and SWLs to make the HF antenna for 20 Mtr and 40 Mtr band resp., install it and tune the same within the earliest possible time. Both the team has performed their job successfully and enjoyed leaning n setting up of HF antenna.
Later we all had a Lunch and moved for taking a train for Home QTH . We really cannot describe the happiness of a Hams and SWLs during a Field Trip at Nargole. Simply Great. Again, thanks to all for participating and enjoying the field trip. Thanks to all hams for getting all possible equipments. Thanks & Happy Hamming !
73s
De SWL Jatin Shah
