Yeah, I think it is against some International Treaty to allow hams without 5 WPM of Morse code to operate below 30 MHz. In the United States it is 50 MHz though.

:confused:

What repeater do you want to use in Long Island?

If your talking about the LI regional, we wont use a repeater since it is small, I will post a frequency we can meet on later today.

Does anyone thing there will be a problem with putting a few radios in your luggage at the airport, will they give you trouble??

I carried my FT817, a homemade antenna tuner and a bunch of wire and AA batteries in my check in luggage for a multi-stop trip in December with no problems. They do check for suspicious shoes though. (Once in checked baggage and twice going through metal detect.)
73
WB9UVJ

Great Ideas!
 

These are great ideas... just a few things.
First off, I am Chris, N1ZYD from Farmington CT. I have a tech plus license. I have had my radio in Florida for the past two years, however have not used it extensively on the actual ham radio bands. (more as an interface to the FRS radios a lot of other people have)

I would definately check with FIRST officials, explaining what Amateur Radio is, and the extreme differences between the operating frequencies of the robot controllers and the 2M band. The rule from last year (no cell phones, radios, etc) is still in place, and could be a detriment to our cause. Also, explain what we intend on doing -- providing cross complex communications for teams, updating teams on other information. This would include determining now what we actually want to do at the event in terms of public service. Also, we have the goal of spreading FIRST through amateur radio.

I would also find some way of IDing anyone who is actually a ham. I know I have a call sign badge from my participation as an Official Relay Station with the Nat'l. Traffic System. Perhaps some badge system could be made up.

Speaking of the NTS, we could arrange with a local net to send out traffic for robot people at the event. (For those not familiar, the NTS system disseminates written third party messages throughout the nation and the world via a network of 'traffic nets'.) This could use the robot event to also raise awareness of a great hobby, ie Amateur Radio.

These are just my ideas. Lets see how far we can really take this!

~Chris Lester, N1ZYD (ORS)
Team 178, Farmington HS/Otis Elevator
Farmington CT

Yes I am going to make up tags with callsigns on them (I have gotten a special event call sign already) I dont have the equipt. to set up a base station type thing, could you? We could have a table where people could go and we can set up a info channel on frs !!

I doubt FIRST would have any problem (since we are licenced) , I already asked disney and got the ok.

If you would like to talk PM me or E-Mail me and we can set something up, cause I am a driver and cannot man a base station in FL.

I will start setting up the rules and freq's for us to communicate (for the regionals check the post in the regional section)

-Any other Ideas with this??

Additional Thoughts
 

I am also working on leads for more equipment, and also people for manning the booth.

If we can get a hold of some local people, things would be easier to transport (ie. avoid the airplane), and it would also let us have a couple of people that might not be quite so busy on the robotics front.

If anyone can get QSL cards done up, that would be great. Ask around if you know anybody!

Chris, N1ZYD
Farmington, CT

Our 1x1 event callsign for the base is K5A
I will be ckecking disney and local area freq's to find a open one to use.

Can you make the base station a repeater for us to use :D ?

I have contacted several people up in my neck of the woods that have some connections. I am working on obtaining ARRL support, FIRST support, and getting equipment to use (including a repeater, yes).

What do people think about having radiograms available for people to send messages home via the Nat'l Traffic Sys?

How about Certificates to commemorate communications with K5A? Any ideas?

Chris Lester, N1ZYD
Farmington CT
Team 178

Ok, sounds good, I already contacted ARRL - hope you have more luck, send me a e-mail if you would like to discuss anything further

Thanks :D

We will meet on 2m the freq's being 145.4 mhz (this will be for messages) and a backup on 144.2 mhz (this will be for chat) both using CTCSS tones @ 123.0 to prevent interference , these will be simplex untill more is known about our situation at the nats. (How many of you have DSQ on their HT?)

rules as of now:

1 - follow proper operating procedure
2 - identify our net as K5A when proper (and when addressing the base station if we have one)
3 - when broadcasting first announce your call then wait, and continue with your message this will prevent people talking at the same time
4 - use the word break followed by your call if you need to insert a important message when two people are talking
5 - If you need to send a wide message ask for a relay followed by your message and if you hear such a message broadcast you call wait then act as a human repeater and relay the message (incase of no repeater or a important message)

----- I will add more as I think of them, you can suggest some also -----

Correspondence with Clubs in Florida
 

Just so everybody knows, I have been in communication with several individuals down in the West Central Florida. We will have support down there, as you can read.

Please come forward if you will be able to help at the booth. We need robot people to operate as well, not just rent-a-hams! We can't back out now.

I am also working on getting a booth for us (with a little tent and all).

============================================

From: "Kara Denizi" <kara-denizi@bigfoot.com>
To: "C. Lester" <lester@navy.org>
Cc: "Morton - WX4H " <h4xw@aol.com>; "Bob - W2BZY" <w2bzy@mpinet.net>; "
Mike - KF4HFC" <kf4hfc@arrl.net>; <n1zyd@arrl.net>; " Ray - K1JPG"
<rjones@globalcardservices.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 1:17 AM
Subject: Re: SVTN and a Special Event Station


> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> G'day Chris
>
> Monday, March 25, 2002, 13:47:52, you wrote (in part):
>
> CL> I am involved with a special event station that will be down in
> CL> Orlando for the FIRST Robotics National Competition. We are trying
> CL> to hook up with some NTS net in the area so we could send out
> CL> Radiograms from the event.
>
> Thanks for your email. Currently the only traffic net serving the
> metro Orlando area is the Seminole VHF Traffic Net (SVTN).
> Although I'm still very active on SVTN I'm no longer the manager.
>
> Accordingly I'm forwarding your request to the current manager for
> direct answer to you.
>
> Ray Jones, K1JPG
> Manager, SVTN
> Email: rjones@globalcardservices.com.
>
> Regretfully I can't locate his current
> phone number although I do have it somewhere.
>
> As you might be aware Orlando is located in Orange County which is
> just south of Seminole County. Accordingly, I'm also sending a copy of
> your email to the presidents of two other organizations that will be
> interested in your visit and how they too might assist Ray in
> supporting your needs while in Orlando.
>
> Robert Cumming, W2BZY
> President, Orlando ARC (OARC)
> Phone: 407 333 0690
> Email: w2bzy@mpinet.net
>
> Mike Welch, KF4HFC
> President, Lake Monroe ARS (LMARS)
> Phone: 407 645 3203
> Email: kf4hfc@arrl.net
>
> LMARS, which sponsors the SVTN, is located
> in Seminole County.
>
> Upon receipt of this message, please send an email to Ray (with info
> copies to Bob and Mike) indicating the dates you expect to be in the
> Orlando area.
>
> Again thanks for your email. I'll be looking forward, as I'm sure the
> others will be, to supporting your Orlando efforts in any possible
> way.
>
> - --
>
> Cordially
>
>
> Gary Adams, KE4DNO
> 166 W Main Street
> Lake Helen FL 32744-2902
> Phone: 386 228 3488
> Email: kara-denizi@bigfoot.com
>

Correspondence continued
 

Here is the second half...

Chris, N1ZYD
======
Chris,

We are working on the details to support the Special Event. I have a few questions and comments based on previous on-property operations D.E.A.R.S. has participated in. A WDW endorsement doesn't necessarily mean carte blanch.
1. On the power issue. Since there is a significant safety liability associated with running a gasoline powered generator in the vicinity of a large number of people, professionally managed power has to be a first option and should be approved ASAP. We can provide several hundred feet of extension cored, so, the sponsor need to necessarily run power to the booth. - There are 6 monster power trailers on the site right now.
2. Will the booth have a weather cover, such as a tent? - The sun is intense here and rain happens spontaneously.
3. Event access - will support staff need access credentials to get in before event hours for set-up? Also, since some of the potential support staff may not be WDW employees or have annual passes, do you know if parking lot gate passes are available? - Since September 11, WDW security is very cautious.
4. What are the operating hours for each day?
5. Have you obtained a Special Event Call and what are you plans for acknowledging contacts?
6. How many HF stations are you thinking about?

I don't mean to be overly burdensome, but, anything we can solidify before the event will reduce last minute glitches.

Thanks & 73,
Don - KT4JF

----- Original Message -----
From: C. Lester
To: lester@navy.org ; k4www@mpinet.net ; ku4wd@bellsouth.net ; w3gu@mpinet.net ; don.cwynar@worldnet.att.net ; nanapapa97@mpinet.net ; Robert Cumming
Cc: kara-denizi@bigfoot.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 10:53 PM
Subject: Re: Robotics Special Event at Epcot


First off, let me again thank you for your support. It is becoming increasingly difficult to even dream of taking any HF gear out of state on the airplanes due to 1 checked bag/1 carry on luggage restrictions.

Furthermore, the robotics competition itself is endorsed by WDW. They have an elaborate setup not within the park boundaries, but rather in the parking lot of Epcot. The FIRST organization is where 'permission' will come from (permission which I am seeking as I type). The booth I spoke of would be on the robot grounds, and not in any of the parks. Indeed, if the station were to be in Epcot, it would be further removed from any action, and would not accomplish the intended results.

What would be most helpful would be a few bodies that would be willing to help out on the days scheduled (24-28 APRIL), along with the equipment, etc.... Consider it a public service event, a pre-field day excercise, or whatever you want. If this would be possible, that would be the most help at this point.

In addition, does either DEARS or the OARC have any power generating capability? FIRST may be reluctant to power us as well, and it would be nice to offer them that concession.


Thank you again for you support,
Chris Lester, N1ZYD
Farmington CT

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Cumming
To: lester@navy.org ; k4www@mpinet.net ; Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 10:40 PM
Subject: Robotics Special Event at Epcot

Chris,

I have reviewed this message relayed by Gary, KE4DNO and your earlier message about this event with some of the officers of the Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC) and the Officers of the Disney Emergency Amateur Radio Service (DEARS).

Firstly there are no problems with equipment as both DEARS and the OARC have ample equipment available. The main problem is getting approval of the Walt Disney Corp Management to operate within the Park. We (speaking for DEARS) have tried to get approval in the past to operate during the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's Birthday and ran up against a brick wall.

Getting traffic out of EPCOT isn't a problem as there are both 2M (147.300) and 70 CM (442.000) repeaters on Disney operated by DEARS. This can be accessed from almost anywhere in EPCOT with an HT. I am sure that some of the Traffic nets could operate and pick up traffic via the DEARS Repeaters. This isn't a problem, Operating a Special Event Station in EPCOT might be. DEARS has Both HF and VHF/UHF equipment but it isn't located in EPCOT.

For the 100th anniversary we operates W4D as a special event Station off Disney Property . The last major event operated by Disney was the 25th Anniversary of the Magic Kingdom and we ran 2 HF and 1 VHF station from within the Park with Disney's blessing.

As I Said resources of DEARS and the OARC are behind this if we can obtain WDW approval to operate within EPCOT. I have the officers of DEARS working to get this approved - I just hope it will be blessed in time for your event.

Below is the message from the DEARS people looking into the matter: I hope to have a positive answer soon.

If you have any Pre approval from WDW to operate a station "On Property", please let me know.

Bob Cumming
W2BZY
President, OARC

From: "Don Cwynar" <don.cwynar@worldnet.att.net>
To: "Jay Underwood" <wb4wyj@aol.com>,
"Robert Cumming" <w2bzy@mpinet.net>,
Subject: Re: Ham Radio and the FIRST Robotics National Competition
Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 20:18:19 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200

Bob,
Looks interesting. It's not clear where he intends to set-up the station. He mentioned a booth. If it is at the EPCOT exhibit, it could take some arm twisting to get it ok'd. Maybe this is where we could help. The only problem I see is that since this is a competition, a D.E.A.R.S. association with one group could pose an implied endorsement. This is where the special event might have a better chance supported by OARC.
With Jay's consent I can do some snooping to find out who's in charge of the event, and also get some more info from Chris.
Don - KT4JF
----- Original Message -----

Is this something that we want DEARS to honcho- Don What say Ye? Might giv us an excuse to get the radio out of Jason's office and breath some life into it.

Bob C.
W2BZY

Reply-To: n1zyd@arrl.net
From: "Chris Lester" <n1zyd101@hotmail.com>
To: w2bzy@mpinet.net
Subject: Ham Radio and the FIRST Robotics National Competition
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 09:19:23 -0500

Hello,

I am a radio operator and am also a member of a FIRST Robotics team, an organization which holds their national competition each year in Epcot. A group of radio amateurs from all across the country are forming to create a special event station for the duration of this event, which will be from 24 APRIL - 28 APRIL 2002. Due to the now overprotective security measures taking place in airports around the country, it would be impractical to bring a wide array of radio equipment and antennas for a few days of operating. I was wondering to what extent your club, or any members of your club as individuals would be interested in offering their time/resources/equipment, etc... to our cause. Many are also juniors and seniors who are looking at colleges. The opportunities for your club are great.

Even if your club as a whole might not want to be involved, I would appreciate it if you could let people know about this opportunity to help out a few hams in need. We could use a few people to help man our booth, as many of us also have responsibilities with the actual competition. We were hoping to provide contact opportunities on HF, and also possibly link up with an NTS net in the area to handle traffic from people at the event.

Please let me know what you are thinking on this issue. If you are not at all interested, I would appreciate some names of other individuals or clubs that might be. Alternatively, feel free to pass on my contact information to any who might be able to help out. In addition, any help you could provide, perhaps with use of one or more of your repeaters, would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

Chris Lester, N1ZYD

--------------
I understand that you are the Net Manager of the Seminole VHF Traffic
Net. I am involved with a special event station that will be down in
Orlando for the FIRST Robotics National Competition. We are trying to
hook up with some NTS net in the area so we could send out Radiograms
from the event.
I was hoping that you could verify the information I found in the net
directory, and provide a little bit of background on how you guys
operate. I would also be interested in any information you have on a
VHF (2M or 70cm) NTS forwarding bbs in the area that could be accessed
via packet.
Additionally, we are still looking for sources for some HF gear so
that we could operate for the nation. If any club in the area or
anyone you know would have free equipment/antennas, or extra time that
they might be able to donate, please let me know, or forward any of
this information to them.
Feel free to ask any questions on what's happening, in case none of
this makes sense to you, a good chance, I'd say!
Thanks [in advance] for your help,
Chris, N1ZYD

---
Cordially
Gary, KE4DNO kara-denizi@bigfoot.com

For those that would like to help, We will have a chart up where you can sign in to help at cirtain times if you would like, also I am working on name tags for us to be seen.