back to 2024.05.04 Spring Camporee

4 review:




20 scouts is a pretty light turn-out for a camporee, as we usually see closer to 50, but it was enough to make
the event worthwhile for everyone involved. The event started on Friday the 3rd, but most of us showed up on
Saturday morning to start setting up for our morse code presentation. The area had just experienced a short but
intense rain shower, so things were a little muddy and swampy by the time I got there, but the rain was done
by the time we got there which made setup easier. We just had to look out for areas standing water. (while I was
unloading, I walked right into a puddle in the grass and immediately got my feet soaked)

The radios we brought had previously been set up for use with morse code paddles (not straight keys) and one
looked like it was configured for digital. We spent time trying to get the radios working "normally" for our
event but it can be difficult change some of those settings when you're not familiar with the radios. Internet
access is poor at Ingawanis so we weren't able to download the manuals, and didn't have printed manuals with
the radios either. We were only able to get the radios working in a limited way, and they couldn't exchange
code with each other. (they basically functioned as code practice keys for the day)

Next time we really need to have the radios fully set up and tested in advance of the event, so we can focus on
the presentation rather than struggling to get the radios working while the scouts sit around and wait for us.

Overall it looked like the scouts and adults enjoyed the presentation though. There was a steady line at the
radio with kids wanting to practice sending different messages with the key. Dave (K0CQH) got to spend a lot
of time with the kids, helping with the key and offering his advice.

My solar wasn't really necessary, and was there more for just a side-demo and a bit of practice for myself. The
shelters had power, although we didn't need it - the batteries we brought were more than enough to run the radios.
But we didn't know in advance if we were going to be at a shelter without power, so it's better to be prepared
and not need it, than to need power and not have it. I need to add eyelets or other tie-points onto the top
edges of the solar frames to make it easier to attach tie-down to them so they're easier to secure in the wind.
I should probably also pack some paracord to be able to tie them down as needed. The talk-in antenna works really
well but it could also benefit from a means of tying down. It wasn't affected by today's light winds, but wind
has been a problem for it in the past. This time I just created loops with wire ties, and that may be a better
solution than adding a hard-point.

I found the problem with the talk-in radio - the 94 repeater's tone wasn't programmed in. I've fixed the 94 and
added the 97 for next time. We also had to scramble for a trash bag since most of the shelters at Ingawanis
don't have trash cans.


detailed analysis.txt



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