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Next Meeting

The Gathering
of the
Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club
will be on 
December 20 at 7:00 pm

At the 
American Red Cross
2912 S 80th Ave

This month's program 

Elections!

Annual Raffle

Socializing

   

Featured Shacks

W0MSL SHACK
W0MSL SHACK
   

Winter Field DayThere really is a Winter Field Day, and this year, it takes place over the January 28 - 29th weekend, sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA). The annual event’s stated purpose is to encourage emergency operating preparedness in the winter, but it’s also a great opportunity to operate in the great outdoors. The WFDA describes itself as a dedicated group of Amateur Radio operators who believe that getting ready for emergency communication in a winter environment is just as important as the preparations and practice that take place at ARRL Field Day each June, all while taking some additional unique operational concerns into account. The WFDA points out that disasters are unpredictable, and its goal is to help enhance operators’ skills and prepare for all environmental conditions typically found in the US and Canada throughout the entire year.

“We believe…that maintaining your operational skills should not be limited to fair weather scenarios,” the group says. “The addition of a Winter Field Day will enhance those already important skills of those who generously volunteer their time and equipment to these organizations.”

The event is not restricted to North America. All Amateur Radio operators around the world are invited to participate. Operation will be on all HF bands except 12, 17, 30, and 60 meters. The event runs 24 hours. US and Canadian stations exchange call sign, operating category, and ARRL or RAC section. The rules are similar to those for the ARRL Field Day, held in June.

The Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club will be partnering with Douglas County ARES to host a Winter Field Day event from the OMMRS Trailer - K0USA Winter HQOMMRS Communication trailer.  The trailer does not have a central heating system, or any heating system so it qualifies as an OUTSIDE station.   The trailer also does not have HF capability only VHF/UHF, but the goal of Winter Field Day is to test our abilities to setup in all types of environments.     The trailer is also not very large, so while the plan is to have two stations  - the number of visitors will be limited.  So plan on stopping by with the plan to operate for a while. 

The OMMRS trailer is parked at the club's summer Field Day site, behind the Douglas County Crime Lab at 156th and Maple.