FARS - Amateur Radio Technology Day

Amateur Radio Technology Day

Bookmark Am-Tech Day

November 7, 2009

8:00am — 9:00pm

13 Hours of Fun Amateur Radio Activities in
Menlo Park one Saturday a month!

our 60^th Am-Tech Day

Panofsky Auditorium
Presentations

At Sea, Sailing with Amateur Radio
1:30 PM
John Hill, N6CRA

An "Old Salt" (Veteran Sailor), of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, John shares several of his experiences combining Amateur Radio and the Sailing Arts.

Skilled in the installation and testing of Amateur Radios aboard sailboats, John effectively insured they were properly equipped for offshore sailing.

His presentation also reviews more than one potentially catastrophic sailing incident that he has survived.

Remarking in reference to a single-handed sailing to Hawaii from California, John stated: "...that's when I enjoyed it the most, because I was alone".

John has been a licensed Amateur Radio Operator for over 3 decades, and spent many decades designing antennas for aircraft, missles and the Space Shuttle.

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DX-Expedition video: VP8THU South Sandwich Islands & VP8GED South Georgia
2:30 PM

Learn about the Micro-Lite Penguin DX-Expedition Teams work with VP8THU and efforts, as well, with VP8GEO South Georgia during January - February 2002. The Georgia Dx-Expedition lasted only 7 days and 10 hours but made almost 44,000 contacts.

Learn how the South Georgia DX-Expedition was so comfortable to the participants compared to the activities in the South Sandwich Islands. Learn how the Captain of their transportation ship Braveheart helped a Russian Research Vessel while supporting their mission, too! [edit]

DX-Expedition video: AH1A HOWLAND ISLAND
3:30 PM

Watch how these dedicated DX'ers travel from their initial meeting spot in London, England and travel to Howland Island. The effort made, the hardships endured and the lessons learned by this group of hardy souls through all the many days of planning, travel and operations in challenging conditions makes this a must-see DX-Expedition. [edit]

DX-Expedition Videas Repeat & Army Newswatch
7:00 PM

VP8THU South Sandwich (Southern Thule Island) & VP8GED South Georgia

AH1A Howland Island

Army Newswatch, a Video NEWS presentation series about US Army activities; made for soldiers, by soldiers. Each about 30 minutes long.

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Additionally

Activity from 8:00 AM . 9:00 PM, (13 Hours),
A shared GOTA (Get On The Air) HF Station available 9am-6pm.
A Donation-financed Lunch; hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, beverages & snacks for the first 40 or so participants. Morning Donuts & coffee, etc.
Setup area for your Amateur Radio equipment, including an antenna field.

Get On The Air (GOTA) High Frequency Radio Station
9:00 AM — 6:00 PM

At the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

RAIN OR SHINE

SLAC has graciously given us use of a large indoor and outdoor activity area, including a large auditorium and a picnic area to practice and demonstrate our amateur radio skills.

SOME HISTORY

With beginnings in October, 2004 at the Sunnyvale Baylands Park, to our present location at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory starting in January, 2005, the many individuals involved over the years have made the Am - Tech Day experience an interesting one, indeed.

ALL DAY

The activity's duration, spanning 13 hours each day, has allowed Amateur Radio Operators and their friends to attend before, and/or after, any additional daytime/evening tasks and activities hey need to accomplish.

SHOW YOUR PRIDE

Please bring and wear your Ham Radio organizational name badge if you have one! We will also have temporary name badges available for your use.

HAVE LUNCH

The participant supported lunch with hamburgers, hot dog's, veggie burgers, chips, soft drinks, etc., will be on hand to enjoy.

BRING YOUR GEAR

Even if you don't have a radio or antenna to bring, come anyway, and get to mingle, make new friends, and have a chance to use some of the gear other hams have set up. Bring your family and friends!

LEAVE ENRICHED

We usually have at least one lecture on the latest ham technology. But if the lectures don't interest you, mingle with the crowd, and you'll surely find another ham that can teach you about operating in general or about the latest cool thing.

Sponsored by the Foothills Amateur Radio Society.
For full details, visit: http://www.fars.k6ya.org/amtechday

Amateur Radio Technology Day — Notes & Directions

BRING YOUR OWN GEAR

SLAC is providing the space, but you bring all the equipment and food you need. A BBQ grill, charcoal, and refrigerator are available.

Show a photo ID at the gate, and sign-in at the table inside the building.
AC power supplies and amplifiers must be UL-listed, have a similar safety endorsement, or be approved by the SLAC Electrical Safety Officer.
A limited number of AC outlets are available inside and outside, but since we're not allowed to plug power strips into extension cords, bringing along a 35'-100' extension cord with multiple built-in outlets would be quite helpful.
Gel-cell batteries 50 amp hours or less are allowed, so long as there are no exposed conductors. Use electrical tape, shrink-wrap, or similar materials to cover the terminals. No wet-cell batteries or car/truck batteries are allowed.
Alcohol, firearms, flammable liquids, and other dangerous weapons are strictly prohibited.

We have free use of this great site, but we need to comply with the SLAC, OSHA, and fire marshal safety rules. For those who are curious, we need to comply with NFPA-70E and OSHA 1910 (subpart S) electrical safety regulations.

DIRECTIONS

Amateur Radio Technology Day can be reached easily from Highways 101 and 280. SLAC is located off of Sand Hill Road, less than a mile east of Interstate 280 (towards the bay).

From U.S. 101, turn west onto either University Avenue or Embarcadero Road, then turn right (north) onto El Camino Real and then left (west) onto Sand Hill Road, and continue approximately 2.6 miles west, turning left at Saga Lane.
From Interstate 280, turn east (towards the bay) onto Sand Hill Road, and proceed approximately 0.8 mile, turning right at Saga Lane.

Once you turn onto Saga Lane, turn left after the guard shack onto Loop Road and follow the signs to the parking lots below Panofsky Auditorium, located around the bend (Parking lot C). Park and walk up the concrete path to the buildings.

Aerial view of the site

2575 Sand Hill Rd.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(0.8 mile east of Hwy 280 on Sand Hill Road)

Talk-In Frequency: N6NFI: 145.230MHz/Offset: -600Hz/PL: 100Hz