John Moyle Memorial Field Day - 16/17 March 2019

[VK4ADC]

This event is only just a little over a month away so start making your plans...

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Aim Of The Contest
The aim is to encourage and provide familiarisation with portable and field operation, and provide training for emergency situations. The rules are therefore specifically designed and focussed to encourage field operations. 

Contest History

The contest is run each year in memory of the late John Moyle who was a long term editor of the Wireless Weekly, (later Radio & Hobbies - later Radio Television & Hobbies) from 1947 until his untimely death in 1960. 

He served in the RAAF with distinction and was responsible for a number of innovative solutions to keeping radio and radar equipment working under difficult wartime and working conditions. 

The WIA decided that a suitable long term memorial to John Moyle would be a Field Day with a focus on portable or field operation. The contest has been conducted annually ever since. 

The rules of the contest have gradually changed over time and are still revised regularly. 
The contest is still for portable or field operators, though Home stations can of course take part using a different scoring system. 

Though Multiple Operators and club stations are actively encouraged to take part in the contest they are not competing against the single operator stations and in effect there are two separate contests run at the same time. Hence single operator stations take part in their own contest against other single operators. 


Upcoming Contest Date & Time
The next Field Day will be held over the weekend of the 16th-17th March 2019 and will run from UTC 0100 on the Saturday to 0059 on the Sunday. 


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Full details : http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/johnmoyle/

A PDF of the rules for 2019 is not (yet) on the WIA web site but will undoubtedly be similar to the 2018 rules : http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/j...Y_2018.pdf

[VK4ADC]

SPLASH - it's back to the top of the AHRDF posts list. 

The JMMFD is only a couple of weeks away now so if you haven't already started to get organised for this event, here is your reminder...

If you don't normally participate in contests, get on the air (on HF/VHF/UHF/Microwave), hand out some numbers (remember to pre-locate your 6 character grid square if operating VHF & above), then remember to submit your log afterward - this is almost as important as actually handing out numbers..

Logging ?   Search for "VKCL logging software", install it and use it.  It helps with the time block arrangements.. Log submission is easier too.

Don't forget to read the Rules (web link in the post above) BEFORE the event starts.

[VK4ADC]

( From: WIA  NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING Mar 3 2019   )

This Denis VK4AE, WIA coordinator for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day 2019.

This year the contest will occur over the weekend of Saturday the 16th to Sunday 17th March, 2019, the duration of the contest will be from UTC 0100 Saturday to 0059 on Sunday.

The aim of the field day contest is to encourage familiarisation with portable operation and to provide training for operations in emergency situations.  During the contest the field (portable) stations appreciate the support from home stations. However, in order to make the whole even a lot fairer, those field (portable) stations actually take part in effectively a separate event to home stations.  In this way home stations are not given an unfair advantage, when compared the portable stations that do not have the advantages of a permanent antenna installation, mains power and the comfort of operating from their own home QTH.  Home stations are only single operator stations and multiple operators are not allowed.  Club Stations operating from their club premises are not operating portable.

Last year we had a number of club stations wanting to claim portable operation from the clubrooms as it was likely to be raining during the contest and they were not keen to actually operate portable. In addition, there were club stations who felt that operating in the local caravan park using mains power was also portable operation. Of course, none of these club stations were operated according to the rules or to the spirit of the contest.

No matter how you plan to take part in the contest, after the activity is all over and the radio equipment has been packed away, there is one task that must be completed by all stations.  They must submit their log for the contest for the validation of those contacts for the other stations. There is sufficient time allowed after the contest to actually complete and submit their log to the WIA.  However, because of the altered publishing lead time of AR Magazine, Logs must be postmarked no later than 12th April 2019, and as the post is now so slow and unreliable, logs despatched on the last day might not arrive in time.  Electronic versions of the log will be received until midnight 21st April 2019.  Any logs received after this date will be returned as ineligible.

So, there are not many excuses today for not sending in your log as it can be kept electronically while the contest is under way using one of the many logging programs such as VK Contest Log by our own Mike VK3AVV.  Then you simply have to submit the print file from this program to me via one of the e-mail addresses shown on the contest page on the WIA website.

Of course, by submitting your log you automatically enter the contest and you never know you might even get a certificate?

Now is the time to carry on with your planning for the field day as there are only a few weeks to go before the event.  There is still time to make sure that everything is in order and operating and all of the little bits and pieces that are needed to put your station onto the airwaves are all in the desired place.

Make sure that the location you had chosen is still accessible after the summer onslaught from flood and bushfire and the roads into the place have not been closed  in the interests of public safety  and that the trees that were so useful for string aerials and tent ropes in the past are still in good condition and safe to be around.  Best of luck to all in the field day and I look forward to working a few of you on the day and most of all receiving your log entry after the event

Denis VK4AE, WIA coordinator for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day.

[VK4ADC]

BUMP.    Next weekend.    Details above.  Are you almost ready for it ??

[VK4DCM]

Bayside Club VK4BAR Going to Mt Cotton. Will have HF  2m 70cm and  23cm SSB if any one out wants a contact. 
Will have beams on all bands.  And FT8 on 2 and 70cm.  Give us a call on the local VK4RDB 2 meter repeater.
Looking forward to a good weekend.

---

Forgot the magic band 6m will be on that as well with 5 el beam  only Saturday I'm afraid.

[VK4ADC]

Are you ready for the JMMFD this weekend ??


I should be operational all bands 160M to 9cm on Saturday afternoon from the home QTH at postcode 4124.
Start time - variable but probably about 0200UTC, giving a finish time of 0800UTC to suit the 6 hour section. 
The radio gear and antennas have been checked this morning, the most recent version of VKCL installed (4.7.1) and the Omnirig control software set up to make the logging facet easier. 

Radio memories programmed for the contest frequencies on 6 / 2 / 70cm  - check..  (50.150,+.., 144.150,+..., 432.150,+... all USB plus FM on 52.525, 146.500 & 439.000 simplex)
Radio memories programmed for the preferred starting HF frequencies  - check..  (160 / 80 / 40 / 20 / 15 / 10M )
Grid square detail for VHF+ contacts - check..  ( 8 character format available - written on paper on the wall for easy visual retrieval !)
Computer time accurate - check.. ( courtesy NetTime 3.14 on the PC )
Audio levels - check.. ( including the voice keyer software to save the vocal chords on HF )

Food (snacks) & plenty to drink - check..

Weather - likely to be wet around here but operating from home so don't care  - check..

Ready now - you betcha !!

[VK5TM]

Weather - likely to be wet around here but operating from home so don't care  - check..

Hope you don't cop what Sydney had - good luck in the contest.

[VK4ADC]

Well the JMMFD finishes this morning so it raises the question : did you participate ?

If yes, then the next step is to send in your log.   VKCL 4.7.1 provides the feature to submit your log but I am a bit nervous about putting my email password in the setup form.   The screen below shows the setup form but mail host details and account passwords are not readily going to be supplied by me even if only stored on my PC. The other (better ?) option is to send an email to VK4AE from your email software, subject is just your callsign, and attach the text export log file.

   

From the JMMFD page on the WIA web site:
"For each contact: UTC time, frequency, station worked, RST/serial numbers sent / received and claimed score. (VHF and above location of other station and distance showing the Lat Long or Maidenhead Locator to 6 figures for the station worked.) 

Logs must be accompanied by a summary sheet showing: call sign, name, mailing address, section entered, number of contacts, claimed score, location of the station during the contest, and equipment used, and a signed declaration stating: - 

"I hereby declare that this station was operated in accordance with the rules and spirit of the contest and that the WIA decision will be accepted as final". 

For multi-operator stations, the full names and call signs (legible) of all operators must be listed. 

Paper logs may be posted to "John Moyle Contest Manager, 27 Laguna Ave, Kirwan 4817 Qld". 

Alternatively, logs may be e-mailed to, jmfd2019@wia.org.au, vk4ae@wia.org.au, or sent by Snail Mail via the WIA, Contest Manager JMMFD, PO Box 2042, Bayswater, Victoria, 3153. 

The following formats are acceptable: EXCEL or Microsoft Word, ASCII text or and electronic log programs such as VK Contest Log (VKCL). 

Multi-operator stations must in the first instance submit an electronic version of their log. Paper logs may of course be submitted as a backup. 

Logs sent by disc or e-mail must include a summary sheet and declaration, but the operator's full name (legible) is acceptable in lieu of a signature. 

Logs must be date stamped or postmarked no later than 12th April and electronic logs received no later than midnight 21st April 2019. "

The Contest Manager will probably update the participation logs list for 2019 so it might pay to check your log has been received before the close date : http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/johnmoyle/

If you didn't participate this time around, maybe next year ??

The next similar/portable-style VK contest is the Winter VHF/UHF Field Day on 22nd and 23rd June 2019.

As a postscript, I am glad I didn't have a fixed plan on going portable. We had 81mm of rain overnight Friday, more rain Saturday, and it is looking like more today. After being in near-drought conditions over the previous few months, it is good to have a full house water tank and there is hope that the grass might recover from its very brown/dead state.

The local static crashes from nearby lightning didn't make 40M (or 80M) operation easy but 20M was relatively noise-free. There wasn't a lot of VHF & UHF activity and the one attempt on 23cm to northern VK2 was a dismal failure. The microwave gear for 2403 and 3398 was on and ready but not used at all.

[VK4ADC]

A reminder for those who participated...

The web page for the JMMFD ( http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/johnmoyle/ ) currently (21st March 2019) shows:

"If your call does not appear on this list – then your log has not been received. 


VK1 (4) DC, FREB, JP, POP 

VK2 (27) ACD, AOJ, AWJ, BOS, CZ, EFL, GAZ, GPL, GR, GZ, HBG, HHS, HHZ, IO 

VK2 IY, JDR KDP, LDW, MTM, PR, RT, SRC, TTL, VK, XAX, XJM, YW 

VK2 

VK3 (14) DEK, DIP, FLCS, KTT, MY, PZ, RU, SIM, TNL 

VK3 UKW, XCI, XV, YE, ZPF 

VK4 (7) ADC, BRT, BX, HDY, SN, TMZ, WID 

VK4 

VK5 (10) ARC, DP, DT, EMI, FBAA, FBIC, GR, IR, LJ, WOW 

VK6 (14) ARG, ARN, FJJM, FMTG, GDM, MB, MIL, MJC, MM, NC, TS, WJ, WR, ZMB 

VK7 (2) HH, PD 

VK8 (1) RR 

VK9 (-) No Entries Received 

P2 (-) No Entries Received 

ZL (1) 1TM
 "

Hey, I don't mind if you don't submit your log - it gives me a better chance of winning my section - but if you have gone to the trouble of giving out numbers then why not submit your log ??

[VK4ADC]

This is Denis VK4AE Contest Manager for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day.

Logs have been arriving steadily and 140 logs have already been received which is not as many as the number received at this point after the contest last year.  The mixture is about 50% home stations.
The logs do not seem to have met with as many delivery difficulties this year and the direct e-mail address seems to be working well.

It is still highly recommended that once you have submitted your log you should check a bit later that your callsign has been added to the list of logs received.  If your call is not on the list, then it might not have been received.

A couple of logs have been submitted as a PDF which is just a picture and contains no more useful information to the contest than a picture of a flower as the data is not accessible electronically and hence usable to me.  In the same way a couple of logs were submitted using a Cabrillo format that does not contain all of the information required by the JMMFD rules and requires much extra work for the Contest Manager to attempt to fix those logs.

Some 14 club stations were operated during the contest that have not yet provided a log.  Perhaps, in your club you have to rely on Mr. Somebody to get the log done, get in touch and give him a hand to get it finished and submitted.  Have you considered getting a senior secondary student to complete the log for you?  Maybe you might inspire an interest in Ham Radio?

It is timely to remind you all that while there is not a lot of time left to submit the log and it will pass quickly and the final date is the 19th April 2019.  This is required by the very long lead times now for the AR Magazine.

Following this date all of the logs will be processed and the results prepared and made available soon after.  The results will be shown on the WIA contest page as soon as they are ready.

So check that your call is on the list, resend the log if it isn't. It might also be a good idea to submit your log now as you never know what can happen to delay you in the next few days.

Thanks for listening,  VK4AE



From text edition for April 14 2019 - VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA : http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/

Also in MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2019-04-14.mp3



NOTE:

As at 0800UTC on 12 April 2019, this is the list of logs received:

There have been 137 logs received, 72 Home Stations and 65 Portable Stations. 


If your call does not appear on this list – then your log has not been received. 

VK1 (4) DC, FREB, JP, POP 

VK2 (41) ACD, AMW, AOJ, ARL, AWJ, AZ, BOS, CDG, CZ, EFL, FHQQ, FHRK, GAZ, GPL, GR, GZ 

VK2 HBG, HHS, IO, IY, JDR, KCM, KDP, LDW, MG, MTM, PR, QV, RH, RT, SRC, TTL, VK, VL 

VK2 XAX, XDS, XDT, XJM, XSE, XSM YD, YW, ZDR 

VK3 (35) ANE, AV, BWM, CNE, CWF, DEK, DIP, ER, EWM, FIX, FLCS, FOXR, FWSB, HY, JDC, JNF, KQ 

VK3 KTT, KYF, MH, MLU, MQ, MY, PZ, RU, SIM, TNL TXR, UKW, XCI, XV, YE, ZPF 

VK4 (10) ADC, BRC, BRT, BX, HDY, IZ, SN, TMZ, WID, WIT 

VK4 

VK5 (14) AR, ARC, DP, DT, EMI, FBAA, FBIC, GR, IR, JGM, LJ, PAS, VC. WOW 

VK6 (21) AHR, ARG, ARN, ATX, FJJM, FMTG, GC, GOM, LB, MB, MIL, MJC, MM, NC, SUB, TS, 

VK6 UMH, WJ, WR, ZMB, ZMS 

VK7 (2) HH, JAM, PD, ZPE 

VK8 (1) RR 

VK9 (-) No Entries Received 

P2 (-) No Entries Received 

ZL (1) 1TM, 3VZ 

[VK4ADC]

JMMFD certificates were sent out a few days ago. Mine arrived in Tuesday's mail.

Congratulations to all section winners and placings.

The others will just have to try harder next March 

[VK4ADC]

Results :


The President's Shield was awarded to the highest score by a WIA affiliated club Station in any category and has been awarded to VK3ER.


24 Hour Portable Operation – Multiple Operator

VK2IY - Multi Operator, All Mode, HF Bands, with 902 contacts and a score of 1,872 points.
VK3ER - Multi Operator, Phone Only, All Bands, with 554 contacts and a score of 3,550 points.
VK4IZ - Multi Operator, Phone Only, HF Bands, with 488 contacts and a score of 976 points.
VK3KQ - Multi Operator, Phone Only, VHF Bands, with 231 contacts and a score of 2,197 points

24 Hour Portable Operation – Single Operator

VK2IO – Single Operator, All Mode, HF Bands, with 121 contacts and a score of 252 points.
VK2KCM – Single Operator, Phone Only, VHF Bands, with 32 contacts and a score of 714 points.
VK2HBG. – Single Operator, Phone only, HF Bands, with 211 contacts and a score of 422 points.

Six Hour Portable Operation – Multiple Operator

VK2LE – Multi Operator All Mode, All Bands, with 65 contacts and a score of 150 points.
VK2BV – Multi Operator All Mode, HF Bands, with 131 contacts and a score of 278 points.
VK2CLR – Multi Operator Phone Only, All Bands, with 108 contacts and a score of 258 points.
VK3MH – Multi Operator Phone Only, VHF Bands, with 8 contacts and a score of 61 points.
VK4QD – Multi Operator Phone Only, HF Bands, with 242 contacts and a score of 472 points.

Six Hour Portable Operation – Single Operator

ZL3VZ – Single Operator, All Mode, HF Bands, with 65 contacts and a score of 140 points.
VK3MH – Single Operator, Phone Only, All Bands, with 35 contacts and a score of 127 points.
VK3HY – Single Operator, Phone Only, VHF Bands, with 52 contacts and a score of 418 points.
VK5PAS – Single Operator, Phone Only, HF Bands, with 187 contacts and a score of 374 points.
VK3PI – Single Operator, CW Only, HF Bands, with 3 contacts and a score of 12 points.

Home Station – 24 Hour

VK3SIM – Home Station, All Modes, All Bands with 207 contacts and a score of 448 points.
VK2ZDR – Home Station, All Modes, VHF Bands with 32 contacts and a score of 244 points.
VK5LJ – Home Station, All Modes, HF Bands with 322 contacts and a score of 577 points.
VK2XAX – Home Station, Phone Only, All Bands, with 214 contacts and a score of 524 points.
VK3MY – Home Station, Phone Only, VHF Bands, with 202 contacts and a score of 880 points.
VK3DEK – Home Station, Phone Only, HF Bands, with 146 contacts and a score of 234 points.

Home Station - 6 Hour

VK4SN – Home Station, All Modes HF Bands with 173 contacts and a score of 348 points.
VK4ADC – Home Station, Phone Only, All Bands with 140 contacts and a score of 356 points.
VK6LB – Home Station, Phone Only, VHF Bands with 42 contacts and a score of 101 points.
VK2PR – Home Station, Phone Only, HF Bands with 253 contacts and a score of 349 points.



Full details :  http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/johnmoyle/   and  http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/j...202019.pdf