First Annual 4SQRP "Ham-Out"
September 21 & 22, 2002
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First Annual 4SQRP "Ham-Out" September 21 & 22, 2002 |
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The photos below are "clickable" to view a larger image file.
To celebrate the six-month anniversary of the Four State QRP Group, we had our first "Ham-Out" on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, 2002. The site was the Twin Bridges State Park, located just west of Wyandotte, at the confluence of the Neosho and Spring Rivers in northeast Oklahoma.
This was also the weekend for the "QRP Afield" contest where QRP'ers take their portable rigs to the great outdoors for the last big field contest of the summer.
The "Ham-Out" is a combination cookout, camp-out, swap-meet, club meeting and QRP field day, all rolled into one fun-filled weekend. There were 22 QRP'ers (and wives) in attendance this weekend.
Bill Jones, KØCIY came in from El Dorado, Kansas with a car full of brand new component parts ideal for building QRP rigs. Needless to say, his table was a very popular spot with lots of happy QRP'ers finding needed parts.
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Jay Rupar, KØETC (center) and Foy Cochran KCØOCK (right) looking for parts at Bill Jones KØCIY's (on left) table.. |
Larry Hastings, ABØAH found some building parts. Larry traveled here from Augusta, Kansas. |
We have a brand new operator in our ranks today. Foy Cochran just received his first ticket with callsign KCØOCK. Congratulations Foy, hope to hear your new Small Wonder 40 on the air soon!
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Ira Barton, KD5AUX taking it easy. |
Gene Sailsbury, NØMQ on the air with a K1 while Ira, Rex and Larry observe. (NQ5R Photo) |
The weather Saturday was perfect. Sunny with temperatures in the high 70's during the day and overnight low in the 50's. Ideal camping conditions!
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Rex Terry, KC5UVN shows us his custom homebrew paddle. Rex used a hack saw blade for the paddle arm. |
Dave, WØCH checking out one of the many homebrew paddles at the Ham-Out. (NQ5R Photo) |
Last month we received a box of NB6M style paddles kits from Doug Hendricks, KI6DS. Our members have many of the kits built and ready for CW action. Thanks Doug! Looks like the CW airwaves will be busy this winter.
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Here is Foy's version of the NB6M paddle. The finger pieces were liberated from a venetian blind! |
Homebrew paddles (and one straight key) built by FSQRP'ers. |
The trees at the park were very supportive of our various antenna wires. There were seven operating positions on the air Saturday afternoon.
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Walter, AG5P working 20 meters next to the dessert table. Walter is using a Patcomm PC-500 transceiver. |
Joe, WØMQY working 30 meters with the Small Wonder 30+. That's an end-fed antenna wire. (NQ5R Photo) |
Don Jackson, AE5K and Jay Rupar KØETC put together and distributed two group purchases of transistors and other small parts to help our members with building projects. Thanks guys, for helping fill our parts drawers.
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A W1FB Challenger 2 for 40 meters built by Rex, KC5UVN. |
Foy, Larry Sparks, Jay, Dave and Don taking time out to visit the homebrew table and compare notes. (NQ5R Photo) |
Joy Dufrain took charge of the menu and was responsible for three great meals. Saturday lunch was pot roast and potatoes along with potluck contributions from the members. Saturday dinner was char-broiled hamburgers. Sunday morning breakfast was ham, scrambled eggs, fried onions and potatoes with biscuits. Pretty good eating! Thanks Joy for taking charge of a wonderful feed.
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Joy NQ5R, the menu consultant for the 4SQRP banquet, making up a big batch of pot roast and potatoes. |
Lunch time in the park. Boy, that was good eating! |
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Tom, Rex, Foy and Larry setting up a station in the park. |
Carol, Jeanette, Tom and Joy relaxing in the shade. |
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Kelly, WBØMQS and Dale, WDØGKC setting up the base for a vertical antenna. |
Rex, Foy, Dale, Dave and Ira discussing the latest QRP kits. (NQ5R Photo) |
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Jay, Foy and Cecil NØEHP looking for parts for that next project. |
Jay, Cecil, Kelly and Tom all looking at Gene NØMQ's portable station. (NQ5R Photo) |
It looks like the first annual 4SQRP Group "Ham-Out" was a success! A big "thank-you" goes to everyone for their support and help.