Matheran Field Trip

Thanks to one and all who participated in the Field Trip arranged at Matheran on 5th and 6th April 2008. Everything, right from traveling, accommodation and food was good. In all, 17 members participated in the field trip. That was indeed a good number in spite of announcing the trip on a short notice. There were 8 licensed hams and 9 SWLs who took part.

Activities carried on the first day (5th April)

A small briefing was conducted for all on what activities will be carried out in 2 days. Set up the VHF and HF stations. Lunch Time. A Morse Session for the SWLs was conducted by VU2ZRS. ZRS also gave some good tips on receiving the Morse. A special Fox Hunt was conducted for all the SWLs at Matheran. Thanks to ZRS for the Directional finding antennas. (On the other hand, IIA helped UBP, SFH and LNZ with the Digital Communication setup and software tips and tricks). This was only possible as there were 2 laptops, 2 radios and 2 digital interfaces. After the fox hunt, a small digital communication demo was given to the SWLs, to provide knowledge how does it actually works. At 21:30 hrs, all hams checked in to the Night Owls Net and also updated all the hams about the activities carried out at the Field Trip. Later after dinner, IIA shared the images with SFN and HIT on VHF using MMSSTV, digital communication software. Again, in the night there was a special Mid-Night Fox Hunt conducted for the SWLs with the help of ZRS and SFH. I really cannot describe the happiness of a fox hunter hunting for a FOX in the pitch darkness and that too in Matheran. Simply Great. Once again thanks to ZRS and all others participating in the Fox Hunt.

Activities carried on the second day (6th April)

All hams checked into Charminar Net, Belgaum Net and also had a QSO with VU2NKS from Thane. This is the only time all hams without HF radios; get a great opportunity to work on HF. As it was a New Year (GUDI PADWA), we also put up a GUDI outside in the verandah, exchanged sweets and wished each other for a great success in life and Happy Hamming without any QRMs. As it was also VU2HIT's harmonic's birthday, we cut a cake for him and sang the Birthday song on VHF. A group photo with a Birthday cake was exchanged with VU2HIT via Digital Communication using MMSSTV software. This was really a different way to celebrate a hamming birthday. A good one hour talk was provided by IIA on, How to make a power supply for a VHF radio from a Computer SMPS. This helps in saving damages as it hardly costs around Rs 125 or 150. IIA presented a practical live demo on making a power supply and then two Power Supplies were given to 2 teams to make the power supply within the earliest possible time. After lunch, there was digital communication session conducted in the outskirts of Matheran. A team along with ZRS was sent to a location. That team was asked to take a group photograph and then send it to IIA and other hams sitting at other end, using MMSSTV software. I believe this might have been a thrilling experience for the upcoming hams.

Again, thanks to one and all for participating and enjoying the field trip. Thanks to all hams for getting all possible equipments and BIG thanks to SFN for providing his small laptop and a digital interface. Also, thanks to CBU for providing his handy for the Fox Hunt.

PS: Any ham visiting Matheran or any other place, need to be very very cautious about the ham equipments, as there are many monkeys who are eager to become hams.

Thanks and Happy Hamming

73

De VU2SFH