This was past along by Gene W8NET. The previous survey results are worth a look.

Take the annual “State of the Hobby” survey by N8RMA

More about results from past years.

73 de Jim, KB3PU

The Trustees at Freedom Township have told us that we are welcome to participate at the park – PROVIDING that the Governor removes the restrictions on large gatherings – which he has not done yet. As long as he removes the restriction on or before June 18th, we will set up and operate at the park. If the park is not available to us for that reason, PCARS member Ron – W8AHC has offered us a very usable space on his farm located on Chamberlain Rd. in Mantua. Up to, and until we hear that Freedom Park is available to us, the plan is to set up and operate from Ron’s.

This operation will be anything BUT a “normal” Field Day operation. Every precaution will be taken to keep all participants safe. This will not be the “Social” event that it has been in the past as we will limit on-site participation to the set-up and tear-down crews and those who are actually operating the stations. Many other “safeguards” will also be instituted and I will get the entire list out to you shortly. You will also be hearing from our Field Day Captain Tony – WA8AR, the station captains, the set-up / tear-down crews and the power team. There will be a position for everyone who wants to participate, but once your task is completed we will expect you to leave the site.

My final comment is this: We know that these are “extraordinary” times. We are committed to extraordinary efforts to keep our members safe. I personally want everyone to know, if you do not feel comfortable participating, please do not feel any obligation to do so. No-one will be thought of in a negative way for being concerned for their own safety and/or the safety of their family.

A lot more information will be coming shortly, but I wanted you all to know that the PCARS Officers are working to make this happen. A lot could, and probably will change between now and then. We will respond and make changes to our planning as necessary.

73, I hope to hear you on the NET tonight,

Tom WB8LCD

Tomorrow night at 8:00PM is the weekly PCARS 2 meter net on the K8IV repeater. (146.895 Mhz, PL 118.8hz; or via Echolink on the K8SRR Echolink node) I know that many of you are finishing up our 7th night to qualify for the PCARS 2020 Corona Virus net check in award – Don’t miss it! And don’t forget, 3 more consecutive check in’s could win you a 2nd Award!

We’ve had some pretty good nets lately, let’s finish up this series with a BIG one! We’ve already hit 50+, could we hit 75? Could we hit 100? (Remember: for a check in to actually count, you must actually check in. “Check in my sister in Milwaukee” isn’t adequate for a real “check in”. So, let everybody know – get on the air (or echolink) and get checked in for real! Lots to talk about this week.

Hope to hear you on the net, 73,

Tom wb8lcd

Just got word that he is on 14200 right now with less than ESP copy. Probably working EU.

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73 – Chuck W8PT

I wanted to get this out to everyone so there is some idea of what we are expecting for Field Day this year. There are really only 3 options open to us. The 3rd is to “do nothing” and that is NOT an option that will be exercised! That just wouldn’t be the PCARS way.

The first option goes beyond our own control, but, we have to be prepared for it. That would be a “normal” style Field Day operation from Freedom Park. “Normal” would be anything but as we would have our own restrictions and rules as to how we would run our operation with safeguards to protect the participants from any exposure to Bad Bugs. The part that gets beyond our control is our ability to use the park for our operation. Rick – K8CAV – contacted them and this was the response: “Spoke to John Ziska, Freedom Township Trustee this afternoon regarding the park availability. He commented that as long as the State lifted the restriction on gatherings of more than ten people (currently still in place and will not change during gradual reopening starting May 1st). that they would be OK with PCARS having Field Day there.” That requirement is a “Gate Keeper” as to whether or not we can use the park. So, if even at the last minute, the state lifts the restriction on gatherings of more than 10 people, we will be on for Field Day at the Park! While I would hope this would happen (sooner than later) and I want us to be ready to move on it, I am not expecting it to happen. (I have no inside information – just my own feeling)

That brings us up to the final option, and the one I believe is the most probable: We create our own set of rules for PCARS to participate, with any and all members who want to participate, doing so from their own station. Our goal here would be have as many PCARS members as possible getting as many QSO points as possible. We would “aggregate” those points for a “claimed” PCARS score, we would use them for a PCARS members contest, and each individual station could enter his own score to the ARRL. We would also submit our “Aggregated” score for PCARS knowing that it would not qualify per the existing rules, but would set us apart as a group that does not accept artificial limitations on the BIG FUN that FD has to offer! We are putting together some ideas for bonus points for both the individual station and the PCARS score for the bonus categories, but that is not yet decided. If you have any ideas – send them to me! ( president@portcars.org )

Now, don’t forget to check into the PCARS net tonight! 8:00PM on the K8IV repeater. Hope to hear you there – and I’ll be ready to take FD comments and suggestions. Ed – K8IV will be our NCS this evening – let’s give him a big night!

73 all, stay safe,

Tom WB8LCD

PCARS DXers:

Here is something that should interest you.

LATEST ONES IN THE STAYHOME FAMILY

News from Bangkok, Thailand and the world

It was today when the Thai radio regulator, NBTC, granted a permit E2STAYHOME for Thailand to join the the COVID-19 movement as the country number 33. RAST president, Jack, HS1FVL was on 20M to kick-off the special event while Champ, E21EIC with his wife JC, E20NKB handed out the very first QSOs.

On the same day, Andy, 5Z/G3AB informed that their regulator was in the process for allowing the locals to air the 5Z4STAYHOME special event station which would bring Africa to join the movement, enhancing the messages that governments throughout the world are releasing to their citizens.

Amateur radio is not only promoting the good-will and sense of belonging during these hard times but also keeping its communication network available for this unfortunate period.

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73 – Chuck W8PT

We’ve got 18 days to go! There is something here that EVERYONE can (and should) participate in! Following is the original announcement for your review:

I want to introduce you to a couple of PCARS 2020 Corona Virus Operating Challenges! These are open ONLY to active PCARS members, there will be prizes and recognition. And it will get you on the air! All of these events start on April 1, 2020 and will end at 12:01 AM (local) on May 18, 2020. (That would have been our last day at Hamvention)  Logs are due by June 1, 2020 – send to me – WB8LCD. Summary sheets will be available to include with your logs.

The first is the PCARS 2020 Corona Virus Worked All States All Modes Sprint!    (Yes, I’m calling 48 days a “sprint”)

Group 1 – Technician Class Licensees – All bands (within your license privileges) all modes, Repeaters OK, Echo-link OK, spotting OK, scheduled or otherwise pre-arranged contacts are verboten. Only one QSO per state counts for credit. RF contacts are 10 points each for point to point qso, or 5 points if a repeater is used. Echo-link contacts are 3 points each. All other modes are 2 points each. Bonus points are only awarded once regardless of how many Q’s you make: 100 bonus points for satellite contacts; 100 points for CW contacts; 100 points for each band on which a contact is made; 250 points for Working All States.

Group 2 – General / Extra Class Licensees – All bands (within your license privileges) all modes. Spotting OK, scheduled or otherwise pre-arranged contacts are verboten. Only one QSO per state counts for credit. CW contacts are 10 points each, AM contacts are 7 points each, SSB contacts are 5 points each, all other modes are 2 points each. Bonus points are only awarded once regardless of how many Q’s you make: 100 bonus points for satellite contacts; 100 points for each band on which a contact is made; 250 points for Working All States.

The second is the PCARS 2020 Corona Virus US Counties Worked Award

You work em, you count em. Whoever has the highest total at the end is the winner!

The third is the PCARS 2020 Corona Virus Thursday Night Net Check-in Award. Everyone who checks into all 7 nets during the contest period (as above April 1 through May 18) will receive a very special certificate – suitable for framing!

So, there you have it! Something for everyone. Let’s get on the air and have some PCARS BIG FUN! No little bug is going to shut us down.

73, Tom – WB8LCD

PS: Working on plans for Field Day. This is a fluid situation, but we will have some tentative plans out to you shortly after Monday’s officer’s meeting. And don’t forget, PCARS May meeting will be conducted on ZOOM again, featuring Geoff Howard – W0CG – discussing contesting, and, the PJ2T contesting station. Details of the Zoom connection will follow.

PCARS Contesters:

The New England QSO Party begins tomorrow, May 2 & May 3.

Contest Period: 2000Z Saturday until 0500Z Sunday (4pm EDT Saturday until 1am EDT Sunday) and 1300Z Sunday until 2400Z Sunday (9am EDT Sunday until 8pm EDT Sunday).

Contest Exchange: Send signal report and state/province. New England stations will send signal report, county and state.

Valid Contact: Work New England stations once per band/mode.

QSO Points: Count one point per phone QSO, two points per CW (includes digital modes) QSO.

Multiplier: Stations outside of New England use counties as multipliers for a total of 67 (CT/8 MA/14 ME/16 NH/10 RI/5 VT/14).

Remember to use your own call and to list Portage County Amateur Radio Service as your club affiliation when completing your Cabrillo log. You will send your logs in to the appropriate party listed in the NEQSOP rules. DO NOT SEND THEM TO ME OR PARKY. Just wanted to make sure that you all understood that.

Get on the air. Have fun.

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73 – Chuck W8PT