It would be safe to say that Field Day 2008 was a big success!
The equipment worked great, the new trailer tower was much easier to set up. This will be invaluable in the event of an emergency. We only had one other antenna to erect since we ran 2 alpha this year. Check out the pics in the photo gallery under Activities/ Field Day 2008.
Attendance and community awareness were up this year. Many club members and their families took time from their busy schedules to attend. We also had some non licensed community members show up to see what Field Day was about. There was a test session that resulted in two Technicians and one Extra, and we now have three new club members.
It goes without saying there was an abundance of food! Thanks to Mr. Warren Struppeck for the deer sauce piquante that no one could get enough of and Chris Anderson made sure everybody had their sugar fix.
We even had club t-shirts this year. If you did not get a chance to attend Field Day, shirts will be available at the meetings or you may contact KD5NVE to make arrangements for your shirt. These are being offered at $10 each and he would be happy to send you a picture if needed. Once paid, we can even mail you the shirts.
And YES, we did find time to transmit! The contact amounts and bonus points have not been calculated yet. We will let everyone know as soon as everything gets tallied up.
From 8 am Saturday to 2 pm Sunday a good time was had by all. Thanks to all who participated. A special thanks to Galvez-Lake Fire Department. And don’t forget, Field Day 2009 is only 363 days away!
As you all know, AARC helps the Ascension Chamber of Commerce line up the Gonzales Christmas Parade each year. In the past, the Chamber has asked if we would like to have an entry in the parade. We have never done this because we need to stay at our staging positions until all entrants have left for the parade route. The Chamber has offered to let our entry leave just in front of Santa (making us 2nd to last). This would be workable. We have been tossing around ideas for a small float. All members who work the parade (and their immediate family) would be eligible to ride. KD5NVE has the trailer but you would have to provide your own throws. We may have to set up a “float decoration day” (I’m sure food would be involved), about a week before the parade to prepare the trailer. Al and I feel this would be a fun club activity and maybe could become an annual club event. In addition, the club would get great community exposure. Please let us know if you might be interested in doing this or have any suggestions or comments. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Darlene Taillon
AARC Secretary
Jim Babin KC5ODI received the Freddie Keller Award for outstanding service to AARC in 2007. President Al Taillon KD5NVE presented Jim with his award at Field Day. Congratulations Jim!
June 19, 2008 AARC Treasurer Todd Trosclair KD5UYZ attended the Ascension Parish Council meeting. Parish President Tommy Martinez presented Todd with a Proclamation stating that June 28 and June 29 would be “Ascension Amateur Radio Weekend”. The club would like to thank President Martinez for recognizing AARC’s contribution to the community.
June 16, 2008 AARC President Al Taillon appeared on Eatel4News to promote the club.
Al gave information on the club and spoke about Field Day. After the show, the hosts invited him to come back and let the community know how Field Day went and to speak about other activities related to the club. And yes we did videotape the show and may watch it at the July meeting. The club appreciates the time Ms Heroman and Mr. Schexnayder allowed us.
May 13, 2008
Ascension Amateur Radio Club is now a member of the Ascension Chamber of Commerce. AARC would like to thank Chris Scott for all of the help she has given us. We look forward to working the Gonzales Christmas Parade again this year with the Chamber. Be sure to contact AARC President Al Taillon KD5NVE if you would like to volunteer to work the parade.
Darlene Taillon/AARC Secretary
