An Honored Confederate Soldier stands watch as the last night falls on Year 2004. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

First Night Leesburg
December 31, 2004
Photographed By Norm Styer, AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Denny Boehler, KF4TJI of Leesburg, and Nancy Dluehosh, KE4RTP of Leesburg
and reported by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap. Place cursor on photograph for credits.


Another Public Service Event By Our Super Operators


Nineteen members of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group and Loudoun Amateur Radio Emergency Service
assembled in Leesburg on New Year's Eve 2004 for the annual emergency exercise for First Night Leesburg.

Tom Dawson, WB3AKD of Round Hill, our Loudoun ARES Emergency Coordinator, organized this operation.

Roster of Volunteer Amateur Radio Operators

AI2C - Norm Styer of Clarkes Gap
K4ARP - Dave Mullins of Aldie
K4CJB - Buddy Brewer of Round Hill
KD4DEI - Elena Frisbie of Sterling
KE4RTP - Nancy Dluehosh of Leesburg
KE4S - Dave Putman of Woods Road
KF4TJI - Denny Boehler of Leesburg
KF4TJJ - Carol Boehler of Leesburg
KF4VLQ - Jacob Dawson of Round Hill
KG4AVR - Angi Garasic of Bull Run Mountain

KI4BAA - Sharon Brewer of Round Hill
KI4CTR - Mark Schutt of Sterling
KI4FWB - Curt Reber of Lovettsville
N4PD - Paul Dluehosh of Leesburg
NA4MA - Tom Garasic of Bull Run Mountain
W3EMH - Bill Frisbie of Sterling
W3ZI - Mark Johnson of Ashburn
WB3AKD - Tom Dawson of Round Hill
WB9RXJ - Tom Carney of Stumptown

 

.The early arrives help with the 440 Repeater installation on top of the Leesburg parking garage. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

We assembled on top the Leesburg parking garage at 1630 hours to install the 440-repeater


Carol Boehler - KF4TJJ of Leesburg runs through her check list. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

Carol Boehler - KF4TJJ

She might be working on her check list

Tom Dawson - WB3AKD

Does an operational check on the repeater

Tom Dawson - WB3AKD of Round Hill checks his 440 Repeater operations. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

 

The early birds finish installation of the 440-Repeater.  Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

The Early Birds
L-R: Jacob - KF4VLQ, Tom - WB3AKD, Dave - KE4S, Denny - KF4TJI, Carol - KF4TJJ, Buddy - K4CJB, Carol - KI4BAA and Dave - K4ARP


Leesburg's Skyline at Sundown. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

Sunset over Ole Sleepy Leesburg
It was going to be a nice operation with a clear sky and temperatures in the fifties


 

The Operational Brief by Tom Dawson - WB3AKD. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

The Operational Brief


         We gathered in the basement of the Leesburg Town Government Center to prepare for the operation. We received a practical operating brief about our duties and procedures from Tom Dawson - WB3AKD and then we picked out the sites we would man. By 1715 hours all was ready and we grabbed a little to eat before moving out.

So, What Do We Do ?


       Curt Reber - KI4FWB and others listen closely as Tom - WB3AKD explains our role. We assist the other volunteers in handling the crowds, answering questions about places, shows, and times, relaying message requests to the volunteer center for more tickets, programs, or money, or where is their relief. At about 15-minutes into each show we do a head count and relay it to headquarters. And, of course, we are another set of eyes in case there might be public safety issues. And, we can take a break once in a while for refreshments in the town center or to take in a show.

Kurt - KI4FWB of Lovettsville, Virginia listen carefully to Tom's instructions. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

Buddy Brewer - K4CJB and Denny Boehler - KF4TJI try to pick good operational sites. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

Buddy Brewer - K4CJB


       While Denny Boehler - KF4TJI looks on, Buddy - K4CJB does a last minute check of the show schedule before moving out.

Carol Boehler - KF4TJJ and Angi Garasic - KG4AVR

Just one more !

Carol Boehler - KF4TJJ and Angi Garasic - KG4AVR standby for the march order. Photograph by Deyy Boehler - KF4TJJ of Leesburg, Virginia.

 

 

Dave Mullins - K4ARP  and Buddy Brewer - K4CJB chat while waiting for the start of the first show. Photograph by Denny Boehler - KF4TJI of Leesburg, Virginia.

 

Dave Mullins - K4ARP and Buddy Brewer - K4CJB

Chat before moving out.

 

K4LRG - NCS  By Jacob Dawson - KF4VLQ

       Jacob - KF4VLQ was the Net Control Operator for K4LRG throughout the night. He operated a dual-band 12-volt dc deep-cycle battery-powered 2M/440 mobile rig with a mobile whip antenna with a + shift and a 103.7Hz PL on the 443.225 MHz WB3AKD/R Portable Repeater which was located on top of the Leesburg Parking Garage. Jacob took notes of the event on his laptop computer between games. This set up proved very reliable throughout the entire operation.

       Everyone was equipped with handheld 2/440 transceivers with headsets and microphones that allowed all to operate in pubic and show places without disrupting on-going activities.

 

Jacob Dawson - KF4VLQ of Round Hill tries a game before giving the deployment order. Photograph by Denny Boehler - KF4TJI of Leesburg, Virginia.

 

.

 

The Lodoun Border Guard signal the beginning of First Night Leesburg. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

The Loudoun Border Guard Signals The Start !

.

The Animal Ambassadors had real standing room only in the Loudoun County Government Center. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

The 'Animal Ambassadors' in the Loudoun County Government Center always had standing room only.


The line for the next 'Aninal Show formed very early. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

A Big Line Forms For The Next Animal Show
At The Loudoun County Government Center

        At 10 PM, Jon Mark Power, with music and song from appalachian, celtic and original traditions on guitar, mandolin and pennywhistle, took over for the Animal Show but the kids had gone on to funnier things.

.Jon Mark Power followed the 'Animal Act' at 10 PM but the kids were gone. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

The Blues Works had a packed crowd at evry performance on the Loudoun County Supervisors Board Room. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

The Blues Works with Paul Watson and Judy Luis-Watson sang and played a wide range of blues from string band to New Orleans swamp boogie on harmonica, piano and mandolin.

They packed the Supervisor's Board Room every time.

 

Nancy Dluehosh - KE4RTP and Paul Dluehosh - N4PD of Leesburg, Virginia. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia..

The Dluehosh's of Leesburg - Nancy - KE4RTP and Paul - N4PD


Weavers and Spinners set up shop in the Loudoun County Government Center lobby

Marilyn Harrington and Pat Kalitka of the Waterford Weavers Guild demonstrated various forms of traditional hand-spinning.

.

The Weaver - Mariyln Harrington of the Waterford Weavers Guild sets up shop in the lbby of the Loudoun County Government Center. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

.

The Sounds of loudoun preformed on the stage of the Taly Ho Theater. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

The 'Sounds of Loudoun'  - a Purcellville Variety Band - Played Through The Night at the Tally Ho Theater


.

Nancy talked me into taking this picture. Paul Dluehosh - N4PD and Norm Styer - AI2C. Photograph by Nancy Dluehosh - N4PD of Leesburg, Virginia.

Paul Dluehosh - N4PD and Norm Styer - AI2C
Nancy insisted that we take and post this rare photograph of Norm.



.

Dave Putman - KE4S of Woods Road - Leesburg and Tom Garasic - NA4MA of Haymarket chow down before heading out. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

Dave Putman - KE4S and Tom Garasic - NA4MA

Volunteers could catch a good meal throughout the evening.

 

W3EMH and XXXX Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

Bill Frisbie - W3EMH - Assistant EC, Loudoun ARES - and Elena Frisbie - KD4DEI of Sterling

Denny Boehler - KF4TJI of Leesburg lowers the antenna for the repeater at 11:40  PM signalling close of station. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

 

Close Station - March Order

       By 2315 hours, the last head count had been made and the OutStations were released from the 18 performance sites. It was a smooth operation. Everyone worked well together.  At 2340 hours the repeater was closed and we prepared to depart. By 2350 hours the NCS and Repeater equipment was loaded and all were 'Close Station - March Order.

The Ole' Laurel Brigade

As we depart, the streets are empty.

The Ole' Larel Bragade at Midnight. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Vrginia.

 

.

Leesburg Town Center at Midnight. Photograph by Norm Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virigina.

The Little Holiday People Run Free in Sleepy Ole Leesburg

Happy New Year 2005
To All !!!!!

  de 

Norm Styer - AI2C. Photograph by Norm  Styer - AI2C of Clarkes Gap, Virginia.

NNNN