A Celebration of Scouting Camporee
Loudoun Amateur Radio Group Operation
In Support Of The Goose Creek Scout District
Spring Camporee 2001 - April 20, 2001

Amateur Radio Station K4LRG at the Boy Scouts Of America Goose Creek District Spring 2001 Camporee
Belmont Ridge, Loudoun County, Virginia on Saturday, April 21, 2001

Loudoun Amateur Radio Group
Loudoun County, Virginia
1800 Hours EDT, Monday, April 16, 2001
De Norm Styer - AI2C
Canby Road, Leesburg, Virginia

LARG OPLAN 2001-1

Mission: Members of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group operate Amateur Radio Station K4LRG at the Boy Scouts Of America Goose Creek District Spring Camporee at 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Virginia on Saturday, April 21, 2001.

Location and Directions: The Camporee Site is at the Northeast Service Center of the National Recreation and Park Association, at 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, Va 20145-4501. The site is about 3 miles south of the Greenway Overpass on Route 659 - Belmont Ridge Road. Western access is also available from Route 15 south to Route 772, Ryan Road, then north on Route 659 to the site.

Weather: This is a NO-THUNDERSTORM weather operation. If very heavy rain or the threat of thunderstorms exist then this demonstration operation will be delayed or cancelled.

Scouting Theme: This camporee will celebrate Scouting. A Jamboree like atmosphere and spirit is envisioned. A tent city and a fairway of displays will be established. Each Scout Troop will sponsor a display. Scouting activities will begin on Saturday morning and the public at-large and Cub Packs are being invited to visit on Saturday afternoon.

The Scout Troops will arrive and establish camps on Friday evening, April 20, 2001. They will remain on-site through Sunday noon, April 22, 2001.

Concept Of Radio Operation:

   1. Radio antennas, equipment, and shelter facilities will be set up on site starting at about 3:00 P.M., Friday, April 20, 2001. Operational tests will be conducted following installation of all equipment. If some members of the LARG do not remain on site throughout the evening of Friday, April 20, 2001, then the radio equipment will be removed and reinstalled on Saturday morning, April 21, 2001. The Amateur Radio Demonstrations will take place on Saturday, April 21, 2001, starting at 9:00 A.M.and will continue until about 5:00 P.M. At which time all stations and facilities will be closed. LARG members will be on site by 8:30 AM Saturday morning.

   2. Throughout the demonstration periods, Scouts will visit the Radio Site individually or in patrol size units of 8 to 10. LARG Operators will explain what Amateur Radio is and demonstrate their radio equipment. The Scouts will be invited to Sign In on the Radio Visitors Log and will be invited to operate the radio equipment under the direct control of a LARG Radio Operator. Contacts will be made with LARG Out-Stations and other Amateur Radio Stations and the Scouts will exchange information about their troop, their name and other interests. Each contact should take about 3 to 4 minutes. Each radio contact will be entered into the K4LRG Radio Station Log. Out-Station Operators should encourage the Scouts to communicate by asking them good questions about their activities and interests.

Schedule

Radio Demonstrations: Each station will be under the direct control of at least one LARG member. The LARG Callsign K4LRG will be used. Each group should be told how amateur radio works and something about the radios and antennas being demonstrated and the call signs of the LARG Out-Stations that are standing by on frequency. The LARG operator should call one of the Out-Stations and establish radio contact then allow each Scout to call the Out-Station and talks briefly to the Out-Station Operator.

     Out-Station Operators should be prepared and ask each Scout several questions. The idea is to have a short exchange of information with each Scout. The exchange might include information about names, grades, age, Scout Troop and location, Scouting Rank and Merit Badges earned, favorite subjects in school or sporting activities, or what school they attend. Each Scout QSO should not last more than 3 to 4 minutes.

     The Scouts will sign in on the K4LRG Radio Station Log and complete some basic log information on name, age, troop number, station worked and its operator's name, time, date and frequency. The LARG member/operator should encourage each Scout and he should be prepared to assist them in getting started. And of course, keep the rotation of Scouts moving. As soon as a group has finished with their rotation at one radio station they should be prepared to move to the next site. It may be possible to get some of the Scouts to each of the stations.

     The quality of the QSO should come before meeting time limits. There may be some Scouts who will not want to talk but only watch others; this will be OK. Remember their attention span is sometimes limited so be prepared to keep them involved. This will be fast moving event once the Scouts get an idea of what is expected and is happening.

     A Morse Code Practice and Demonstration Station will also be available. Scouts will be encouraged to "decode" the messages. A small Morse Code Card will be provided each Scout.

     Norm Styer, AI2C, is a registered Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge Counselor and will provide information on the Requirements for the Radio Merit Badge (Current Requirements August 1, 2008). One of the several requirements can be completed on site if the Scout learns about the various radio stations and makes a QSO on one of the radios. Troop Scoutmasters should have available Radio Merit Badge Cards for Scouts wishing to start this effort.

     Everyone should just take their time with the Scouts; try to explain what Amateur Radio is all about and answer their questions. This will be a long day so pace yourself.

WARNINGS:  Some snakes have been found in the area and they are definitely at home in wood, leaf and debris piles. Please encourage people to stay away from these potential problem areas. Also, the ticks are appearing and are hungry. Please be sure you do tick checks each evening and morning. There are some holes in the camping and display areas so be careful walking.

Close Stations - March Order: After the Demonstration Period #2 the on-site LARG members will assist each other to close stations and pack for the march order.

Radio Station Configurations and LARG Operators:

General: This is planned as a two Band Operation. The LARG will operate an HF and a VHF/UHF radio station.

Station Site: The Radio Station Site was selected on Saturday, April 15, 2001, during a recon of the site with Dale, KD4LSL. Two station positions will be established. Flyers will be used to cover the operating tables. Two tables and 2 flyers will be provided by Norm Styer, AI2C. One large table will be used for the HF station provided and operated by Larry McCaig, KC1YC and also the Morse Code Demonstration Station provided by Norm Styer, AI2C.. The second large table will be used for the the VHF/UHF Station provided by Art Laurent, KD4CSO. Ropes for flyers and antennas will be marked with engineering tape. The following LARG members will assist in installation of antennas and equipment on Friday, April 20, 2001: Larry Larry McCaig, KC1YC, Bob Oliphant, KF4VBM, and Norm Styer, AI2C.

The Amateur Radio Station Site

Electrical Power. All stations will be power from 12-volt deep-cycle DC batteries. There is no on-site commercial power.

The VHF/UHF Station. Operation will be on the LARG Club Frequency of 147.480 MHz and 146.580 MHz Simplex. The latter will be used during the morning hours to avoid conflict with the LARG Fox Hunt also scheduled for Saturday morning..The 440 MHz and 6-Meter operating frequencies will be announced on the 2-Meter operating frequency. This station and antennas are provided by Art Laurent, KD4CSO. This station will be a Yaesu FT-836R Four-Band, All-Mode VHF Transceiver operating on 6-Meter, 2-Meter, 70-Centimeters and 1.2 GHz Amateur Radio Bands. For antennas, Art will provide his Diamond X-50 2-Meter and 440 MHz Dual-Band Vertical Antenna and a Cushcraft 13B2 with 13 elements on 144-148 MHz Yagi Antenna. He will also provide a 1/4-wavelength vertical for 6-Meter with a magnetic mount. Antennas for 2-Meter and 440 MHz will go atop a 25-foot Collapsible Portable Mast held in a roll-over ground mount and guyed in three directions. Belton 9913-F coax cable will be used as feedline. This station will be powered by deep-cycle marine battery that is kept charged by two 22-watt solar panels. Art will also install 2-Meter and 440 MHz Amplifiers that include 15-dB Preamps.

On-Site Operators for the VHF/UHF Station:
Art Laurent, KD4CSO
Bob Oliphant, KF4VBM
Mary Oliphant, KF4UUY.

LARG Out-Stations On VHF/UHF:
Ray Houff, K4AJA in Purcellville, VA. - Demo Periods #1 and #2.

The HF Station. This station will operate on several HF Amateur Radio Bands including the LARG Club Frequency of 28.360 MHz and on the 40 Meter Band. This station is an FT-100 Transceiver provided and operated by Larry McCaig, KC1KY. Antennas will include Larry's Outbacker , a 40 Meter and a 10 Meter Dipole. Power will be provided by a 12-volt deep cycle battery provided by Larry McCaig.

On-Site Operators for the HF Station:
Larry McCaig, KC1YC
Paul Dluehosh, N4PD.

LARG Out-Stations On HF:
Ray Houff, K4AJA in Purcellville, VA - Demo Periods #1 and #2
And other amateur radio stations who want to talk to the Scouts.

The Morse Code Demonstration Station: This station will consist of two Morse Code Generators and a Practice Key. Preprogrammed messages will be generated and the Scouts offered the opportunity to decode the messages. The key may be used by the Scouts to practice sending Morse Code. A small AI2C-Special Morse Code Card will be provided each Scout.

On-Site Operators Morse Code Station:
Norm Styer, AI2C - Demo Periods #1 and #2

Amateur Radio Handouts and Radio Merit Badge Information: An ARRL Archie's Ham Radio Adventure Comic Book will be offered to each Scout. The Boy Scout Requirements for the Radio Merit Badge (Current Requirements August 1, 2008) will be explain by Norm Styer, AI2C who is a registered Radio Merit Badge Counselor.

Other Stations: Other LARG and Non-LARG Amateur Radio members and stations are encouraged to participate. Contact the liaison officers listed below or contact On-Site Stations directly on-the-air during the Demonstration Periods.

Radio Interference: This on-the-air activity will be on a non-interference basis. Change operating frequencies to avoid harmful interference.

On-Site Refreshments: Sodas and sandwiches will be provided on-site by Norm Styer, AI2C. There is no water facilities.

On-Site Parking: Space is limited with space for two maybe three vehicles behind the stations. Others not required to support the operation will park in the consolidated parking area.

Official Pictures: Photographs will be taken throughout the installation and operation for posting to our K4LRG.ORG WEB Site.

Summary Of Operational Personnel

Additions and Changes: Additions and changes should be brought to the attention of Norm Styer, AI2C. Telephone (540) 338-2584 or Email: [email protected].

Boy Scout Liaison:

Dale Cabaniss - KD4LSL, Camporee Director, telephone (540)338-3521 or Email: [email protected]

Loudoun Amateur Radio Group Liaison:

Denny Boehler, KF4TJI, telephone (703) 777-9427 or Email: [email protected]
Norm Styer, AI2C, telephone (540) 338-2584 or Email: [email protected]
LARG Website: http://history.k4lrg.org
LARG Reflector Site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/l_a_r_g

The Camporee Tent City Site On Belmont Ridge Road

This Plan Released: 6:00 P.M. Monday, April 16, 2001 by Norm Styer, AI2C. This plan is released in summary form to the L_A_R_G Reflector and posted in full on the LARG Reflector Website.

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