*** Update
Ham radio demonstration / get together will be part of the Toxic BBQ on Thursday evening, see reply post below for details
@DefconRepeater
DEFCON REPEATER
Freq: 446.050 (- 5mhz) (TX 446.050 RX 441.050)
PL Tone:123.0
DEFCON APRS IGATE/DIGIPEATER
441.850
I am poking around at the idea of hosting a Ham the Planet / HamCon event either in the las vegas area or maybe part of the wireless village if appropriate.
Event would include:
I am willing to donate time, money, equipment and other resources necessary to get this going. I am sure there are other hams attending or local clubs which may want to pitch in. I live in the area a few hours from Las Vegas and would be able to plan and test everything locally to ensure a smooth event.
Is this something that you find interesting / something that should get off the ground, or not enough interest yet?
Edit: Maybe we'll start more...organically. Ill either attend the toxic BBQ and bring some ham radio equipment to play with or be up on top of the parking garage like last year with HF and VHF/UHF gear to play with for anyone interested. Thinking I over complicated things, just love the con and love ham radio :)
Ham radio demonstration / get together will be part of the Toxic BBQ on Thursday evening, see reply post below for details
@DefconRepeater
DEFCON REPEATER
Freq: 446.050 (- 5mhz) (TX 446.050 RX 441.050)
PL Tone:123.0
DEFCON APRS IGATE/DIGIPEATER
441.850
I am poking around at the idea of hosting a Ham the Planet / HamCon event either in the las vegas area or maybe part of the wireless village if appropriate.
Event would include:
- 24 hour ham radio contest (or simply a net)- no license required for operators, using station license. A contest is where remote/foreign stations try to contact a station at a special event or location.
- Antenna building - twin lead j-pole antennas with or HF wire dipole. Small $2 purchase for parts for j-pole or $30 for dipole.
- Get those who got their ticket at previous cons or personally on the air through operating a station for the contest. Getting on the air can be a great barrier for some, as there is experience, equipment or money required.
- Get those who have or dont have their tickets a little hands-on work with creating their own antenna. This antenna will allow those without a license the ability to listen to distant repeaters and those with their license the ability to talk to distant repeaters 60+ miles away with crystal clear audio.
- Allow fellow hams to gather and geek out.
- Space - need a space to meet. The wireless village or a nearby park, such as the one used for the Toxic BBQ. If antennas and stations are local, this is a problem, as each antenna needs a 75ft radius to operate well. This can be mitigated by using compact antennas or getting creative. Another solution is to use remote stations, connected via internet or wireless to a remote site in the vegas area. Everything would be tested months ahead of time. *I operated from the top of the Flamingo parking garage(mobile rig) last year with great responses.
- Stations - ham radio stations are expensive. I do have radios and antennas local hams have donated and are ready to go.
- Awareness - there are lots of cool things at defcon, sadly people dont always know about them. It would take work to get an event page up, and keep everybody informed of changes to the event
- Legal stuff - research of local rules / ordinances regarding amateur radio operation in the las vegas area / casino properties.
- Help - need some hams or people with experience to help out with either setup, contesting stations or antenna / soldering stations. Volunteers would receive warm feelings inside and pat on the back.
I am willing to donate time, money, equipment and other resources necessary to get this going. I am sure there are other hams attending or local clubs which may want to pitch in. I live in the area a few hours from Las Vegas and would be able to plan and test everything locally to ensure a smooth event.
Is this something that you find interesting / something that should get off the ground, or not enough interest yet?
Edit: Maybe we'll start more...organically. Ill either attend the toxic BBQ and bring some ham radio equipment to play with or be up on top of the parking garage like last year with HF and VHF/UHF gear to play with for anyone interested. Thinking I over complicated things, just love the con and love ham radio :)
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