The Loudoun Amateur Radio Group Of Northern Virginia & Its Radio Station K4LRG

(Purcellville, VA. May 28, 2009)   I had missed the on site visit to John Westerman - WB5ODJ's QTH that has now been selected as the operational site for the 2009 LARG - K4LRG 2009 Field Day. So, I asked John if I could visit and see for myself. I appreciate the tour that John provided. The Survey Team had designated spots for all our elements and I was particularly interested in the place selected for Station #1 that will operate on 80-Meters CW, 15-Meters CW and Fone, and 10-Meters CW and Fone. This report shows you what I found. There are a few maps included to assist in traveling to the site. Those with Google Earth should go to 39 - 14 - 11.42 N and 77 - 39 - 50.00 W to see the overall layout of the property.

Station #1 will be located in the northwest corner of John's upper 10-acre of his farm. There is some hay now stored in the corner but there are a few trees on the property line that will support an 80-Meters Dipole. The rest of Station #1 will fit nicely about 50-feet to the east of the tree line. John pointed out his drain field which we will mark and avoid driving on.

I have acquired a 12' W x 24' L x 8' H Rhino Portable House-style Shelter which will be set up for Station #1. I have four 4' x 8' sheets of outdoor 1/2" plywood for the floor. We may want to start on this early or with some extra help. I've repackaged transport boxes into seven wooded crates since the original two boxes weighed over 370 pounds.  Now we can handle the stuff.

The X's mark where stuff would be placed.

This is a view from Station #1 of John's home and the rest of the operating site. The trees in the foreground are for 40-Meters Fone Dipole and the 80-Meters Fone Dipole will extend from the left tree toward the northern tree line.

Now for some location information. The address is 38668 Sierra Lane, Lovettsville, VA 20180 and is located about three miles south of Lovettsville on the west side of the Berlin Turnpike - Route 287. Form the south, take Route 7 to Route 9 at Clarkes Gap and then north on Route 287 at Wheatlands. You pass Richard Road and Sierra Lane is the next left. Go all the way back - west - on Sierra - maybe over one-half mile.

This is looking west over northern Loudoun. See the black X in the center left for John's QTH.

And, this is looking north into northern Loudoun County.

This is a great radio site with plenty of room for all our stuff. John says it is extremely radio quiet. Many thanks to the Westerman's for hosting our Group.

I trust this report helps us all prepare for a great K4RG 2009 Field Day.  Best Regards, Norm Styer - AI2C de Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

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