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Hamping - Beginner Ham Radio Field Day

Hamping - Beginner Ham Radio Field Day

Group Members:

  • Alex 2E0FMZ
  • Hannah 9A5YYQ
  • Fabien OK1GAL
  • Francesco IU3OVL
  • Dominik DL1DJH

Event Overview:

  • Name of the Event: Hamping
  • Number of Participants: 10-15 people (mostly younger attendees, under 14)
  • Level of Experience: Little experience; participants just got their licenses.
  • Duration: 2 days (1 weekend)
  • Location: Campsite with basic facilities (restroom, showers).
  • Focus: Fun, hands-on activities to teach beginners practical ham radio skills in a relaxed outdoor environment.

Food:

  • Meals Needed:
    • Day 0 (Arrival Day): Dinner.
    • Day 1: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
    • Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
    • Day 3 (Departure Day): Breakfast.
  • Organizing Food:
    • Plan for 8 meals in total.
    • Simple, camping-friendly meals like sandwiches, grilled items, salads, and snacks.
    • Consider dietary needs and restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free).

Budget:

  • Expenses:
    • Food, event space, restrooms/showers, toilet paper, soap, equipment for lessons/group activities, and accommodation.
    • Funding Sources:
      • Local radio society and potential sponsorships from local companies.
      • Participants may contribute a small fee to cover food and space rental.

Materials and Equipment Needed:

  • Radio Equipment:
    • Portable radio station.
    • Antennas (including satellite antennas).
    • Tents for camping.
    • SSTV equipment for the activities.
  • Camping Equipment:
    • Tents, sleeping bags, lamps, mosquito spray.
  • Other Supplies:
    • Station setup tools.
    • Teaching materials for classes.
    • Group activity resources (stopwatch, notepads, etc.).

Organizer's Preparations:

  • Venue: Secure the event space (campsite) with access to restrooms and showers.
  • Food: Organize and plan the meals.
  • Facilities: Ensure all necessary equipment (radio, antennas) and supplies are available and functional.
  • Activities: Plan the schedule for the entire weekend and ensure all teaching materials are ready.

What Participants Need to Bring:

  • Personal camping gear (tents, clothes, lamps, etc.).
  • Basic camping supplies (mosquito spray, water bottle).
  • Enthusiasm and willingness to learn!

Event Structure and Schedule:

Time Day 0: Arrival Day Day 1: Satellites Day 2: SSTV Day 3: Final Day
09:00-10:00 - Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast
10:00-12:00 - Build a Satellite Antenna Lab How SSTV Works Class Goodbyes
12:00-13:00 - Lunch Lunch -
13:00-15:00 - Station Setup Class & How to QSO SSTV Funniest Meme Competition -
15:00-17:00 - Off the Air / In the Water: CQ Contest in a Pool Tour of Host Town -
17:00-18:00 Dinner Dinner Dinner / Bring your favorite snack -
18:00-20:00 Opening & Introductions (ice breakers) Working Satellites at Night HF Radio Station Time (slots per team) -

Detailed Event Breakdown:

Day 0: Arrival Day

  • 17:00-18:00: Dinner
    • Participants arrive, set up camp, and enjoy a group dinner.
  • 18:00-20:00: Opening and Introductions
    • Ice-breaker activities to help participants get to know each other.
    • Overview of the weekend’s activities and expectations.

Day 1: Satellite Operations

  • 09:00-10:00: Breakfast
  • 10:00-12:00: Build a Satellite Antenna Lab
    • Learn how to construct a simple satellite antenna.
    • Participants work in small groups to build and test their antennas.
  • 12:00-13:00: Lunch
  • 13:00-15:00: Station Setup Class & How to QSO
    • A hands-on class about setting up a radio station and making QSOs.
    • Participants will practice making QSOs using their newly built satellite antennas.
  • 15:00-17:00: Off the Air / In the Water: CQ Contest in a Pool
    • A fun, off-air contest where participants try to simulate QSOs while in a swimming pool.
    • This promotes team-building and creativity while reinforcing QSO skills.
  • 17:00-18:00: Dinner
  • 18:00-20:00: Working Satellites at Night
    • Night-time satellite tracking and communication exercises.
    • Participants will use their antennas to contact satellites and make QSOs.

Day 2: SSTV (Slow Scan TV) and Exploring the Town

  • 09:00-10:00: Breakfast
  • 10:00-12:00: How SSTV Works Class
    • A class explaining the basics of Slow Scan Television (SSTV).
    • Participants will learn how to send and receive images via radio.
  • 12:00-13:00: Lunch
  • 13:00-15:00: SSTV Funniest Meme Competition
    • A friendly competition where participants create and send their funniest SSTV memes.
    • Images will be judged based on creativity and humor.
  • 15:00-17:00: Tour of Host Town
    • A relaxed walking tour of the nearby town or surrounding area, allowing participants to unwind and explore.
  • 17:00-18:00: Dinner / Bring Your Favorite Snack
    • Participants enjoy a group dinner and share their favorite snacks with each other.
  • 18:00-20:00: HF Radio Station Time
    • Participants will have scheduled time slots to operate an HF station and make QSOs on various bands.
    • This is a key part of their hands-on learning experience.

Day 3: Departure Day

  • 09:00-10:00: Breakfast
  • 10:00-12:00: Goodbyes
    • Recap of the weekend’s activities.
    • Encourage participants to stay in touch and continue exploring ham radio.

Learning Objectives:

  • Teach participants how to set up a radio station, make QSOs, and operate on different modes.
  • Provide hands-on experience with satellite communication and SSTV.
  • Encourage teamwork and creativity through contests and group activities.
  • Familiarize participants with the process of building antennas and operating in the field.
  • Foster a love for ham radio and outdoor activities.
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