Our revised number three trailer got its first workout
during a cooperative exercise with the Civil Air Patrol.  The success of the weekend was not the making of contacts, but the learning of what can go wrong. Antennas were a big problem with a coax feeder causing much of the headaches.

     Bill, KC8CDS, and Ned, WB4BKO, were prime movers with several of the club members showing up and pitching in.  Jerry, W8FOK, did much to solve the problems. John, KC8WMM, towed the trailer to and from the site.

    Of course, this was the first opportunity for many of the
club members to view the modifications to the trailer that had been made by Dave, KC8NZY, our clubs master craftsman. Dave's special gofer, Lou, WB8WXS, was of some use.  The interior was very well furnished and set up to be a workplace for two stations.  At present it could serve as an emergency communications center with VHF and HF stations, together with separate computers for each.  The coming Field Day will see its use in a little different scenario.

     Traditionally the last full weekend in June is ARRL Field Day.
This year the event will be on June 28 -- 29, 2008.  With over 3,000
entries Field Day is the most participated on air activity in North
America.  For ARRL affiliated clubs Field Day is a great opportunity
to puff out your chest, introduce new people to Amateur Radio and to
bring club members together.

     Bob Kingsbury, KC8PRL will be Chairing our Field Day efforts this year and will need all the help that can he can find. He needs operators, gofers, loggers, cooks, grunts and a lot of other specialties that members of SMARS can give.  However, Bob feels that one category is already filled --- that of supervisor!

    He'll have the three trailers available, on of which will be the domain of the CW ops. The two Georges and hopefully one or even two others will be keying up as usual. There will be a VHF and up trailer with a need for ops and who knows what else. Come on in and get your feet wet. No one has caught the measles yet from participating in Field Day.

    GO SMARSIANS!