Sounds good to me. 
Will there be another repeater set up this year?
Will there be another repeater set up this year? (2016)
Good question! I’ve been wondering that myself, and I own the repeater. 
Unfortunately I haven’t had time yet to fix the some of the issues with it from last year, so the reliability isn’t quite where I want it to be. But I can bring it with me, and if there’s demand I can try to get it going again with the same configuration.
For now, let’s assume simplex on the same frequency (147.250 MHz, PL 123.0), and we’ll play it by ear once we get to camp.
KE7GAL checking in, although, my licence is expired, so… I keep forgetting to renew.
For posterity… I ended up keeping the repeater boxed up this year.
Most folks brought 4W or 5W handhelds with upgraded antennas. VHF coverage was excellent, with strong reception (S9) from the center of camp out to the main gate and waterfall. Coverage would drop a bit (S5-7) further up-trail at the second waterfall, but was still intelligible.
There was effectively no coverage once you reached pavement, and it definitely wouldn’t have reached Paulina Lake. But we are within range of several area repeaters, so that might be a good backup for infrequent uses like this.
Using a rubber-duck style antenna was considerably worse. S5 from center camp to the waterfall, though still usable within camp.
The takeaway here: Upgrade your antenna. (More on that below.)
In the future, if we don’t use a repeater, it would probably be a good idea to pick a frequency within the simplex range of the band plan. 
Not that we had any interference (in fact, we didn’t even need a PL tone this year), but if nothing else it would let the fancy radios auto-configure themselves properly.
Also, a few spots in camp could actually pick up NOAA WX radio broadcasts via HT this year, which was useful when the clouds looked scary. It was very much location dependent, and didn’t work by the end of camp. Just an interesting observation.
More on antennas this year…
The Nagoya NA-771 was popular for folks using the Chinese radios (Baofeng/Wouxun), though apparently it can put stress on the RP-SMA connector’s solder joints due to the radio’s design. We had one potential issue manifest due to this.
@WoofyTheBunny (K9BUN) recommended the Diamond SRH77CA instead. Apparently it’s designed specifically for these radios and has a strategically placed piece of rubber for strain relief.
If you’re using a Japanese radio, you’ll need to find something equivalent using a normal SMA connector instead of RP-SMA. I used an Icom FA-S270E antenna and was happy with it.
I (along with almost any other ham) agree with upgrading an HT’s antenna! I tossed a Comet SMA-24 on my wife’s Yaesu a while back, and it’s been pretty darn good (though obviously Diamond antennas rock, as you already mentioned). For those using Chinese radios, you can increase your quality antenna options by fitting it with an adapter.
I’m sorry I missed out on the radio activity! We were already on the road by the time the frequency info was posted. Alas. Next year!
P.S. @WoofyTheBunny I love your callsign.
I’m sorry I missed out on the radio activity! We were already on the road by the time the frequency info was posted. Alas. Next year!
We should make a sign with the frequency on it next year. Or, ya know, just post something here a bit earlier.
A few of us have also been contemplating holding a holding an exam session next year for folks who don’t have a license yet. We’d need at least two more folks with a general/extra class license to act as examiners. I’m curious what the turnout would be…
Oh, that’s a cool idea! I’d guess it would be a small turnout, but adding new hams to the hobby is great regardless of numbers.
Additionally, if planned well, it’s possible to put together a little mini field day Happening.
I have a general class license. I could probably be convinced to fill out the paperwork to be an auxiliary examiner if someone wants to take charge of the event. I have a standing offer that any of my friends who license get a Baofeng from me, and everyone at CFT is my friend!
I could probably be convinced to fill out the paperwork to be an auxiliary examiner if someone wants to take charge of the event.
Awesome. And ya, I can take care of organizing and the paperwork to make everything official.
I have a standing offer that any of my friends who license get a Baofeng from me, and everyone at CFT is my friend!
That’s a great idea. I’d be happy to chip in as well.
We’d need at least two more folks with a general/extra class license to act as examiners. I’m curious what the turnout would be…
I’m extra, if that’d help. I’ll hopefully be going again next year.
I didn’t really use my radio at all over the weekend except to check the weather, though.
I’ve been meaning to sit the examination, just haven’t gotten to it yet. So if it happened at Cft, I could definitely do it then. Or, if I stop being lazy, I would have at least the technician cert and a willingness to help…
One of us…! One of us!! 
So, it looks like we’ve got a quorum of (potential) examiners, and there’s at least some interest in folks who want to take the test. Having more examiners for redundancy would still be good, of course.
Let’s do this: If you have (or will have) a General/Extra license and want to help run an exam next year, ping me on Telegram (@MokaHusky) or DM me here. I can then help get folks registered as examiners and keep track of who’ll actually be attending in 2017.
Bonus: If we get one more person with an Extra-class license, we could also do license upgrades for anyone who wants to play around with HF radio. (I’d happily take the Extra test ahead of time to be the third examiner needed to make this work.)
I didn’t understand most of what y’all are talking about, but seeing how passionate y’all are about it (and because I think it would be useful to have more staff presence during camp) makes me want to look into getting proper licensure to join y’all. 
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I am all for having as many hams among us as possible. ^_~ Doo eeettt!!
I’ll revive this thread for 2017. If people would rather I start a new one, I can do that too.
I’m planning to bring my portable HF rig with me. It only puts out 5 W, but hopefully that will be enough to make some contacts. I’ll have a couple of antennas I can try putting up, and I have a little computer for digital modes.
Is anyone else bringing HF stuff, or interested in trying it out?
Sweet! May have to brush up on my code before camp.
I’d definitely be interested in playing around with and learning a bit more about HF.
Also, we should probably start a new thread with updated info: (2017 update) Ham radio coordination and roll call