Well It looks like we are finally going to be good to go….Both Jim WA4CHI and Dan KG6VVN stepped forward and provided much needed and very able support to finish building the ARES Command Post

The day started with a trip to HRO to buy some more Heil Connectors… I must own one of every type they make… and 2 are order for Friday Delivery  Then a stop at the Provost Marshall’s Office… to get a Mobility Pass for Tarmac Access… The PMO had requested 4 but RACES only got 3 so ARES being at the bottom of the totem pole and actually needing one today to work on the ARES Command Post did not get one….Needless to say, this is going to be an action item to correct for next year.  Anyways after some delay we were given access to the tarmac…

Then to the Command Post and still no power… Ed, the electrician said it was coming… (Ed is the most important guy at the show … because he turns on the juice)…  But fortunately Dan KG6VVN brought a portable generator… so we were good to go for final wiring. .. the only downside is that Dan left the generator out of the tarmac after we finished…hopefully it is still there in the AM…

We spent several hours finishing dressing the wiring and testing various DC and audio and mike connections (Mike N6IEF did the RF yesterday)  We even figured out how to use Pat WA6MHZ’s Rat Ranch Interfaces so that we can use headsets at every station in Net Control…Everyone needs to take a look at Pat’s clever devices…as they solved a lot of interface problems to the various rigs… And Ed finally showed up with the Power… but only ran it for an hour so we could confirm circuits… then back to Dan’s generator…which is why we forgot it…

By the end of the day, we had 5 radios installed covering 7 channels (several are dual receive) and the Air Show Channel The installation is as neat as we could get it with the limited time we had… Can’t wait for a permanent Mobile Command Post…

Dan KG6VVN arrived with tables, a BBQ and a Stove (No Spatulas or tongs) Dan KD6QYF is making the Costco Food Run tonite… and Pat is cooking ham and eggs for Saturday Breakfast. I invited the Marine MP’s who are working with us to share our BBQ… they have accepted… so maybe we should do something nicer for them

So overall, I am pretty confident that we can handle our assignments.

Tomorrow We are going to use 147.195 (+)  114.8 Talk In Frequency.

ID Vests

I got home to find that the ARRL delivered 25 “Radio Communications” ID Vests.  We are lending these to our responders at the shows but ARES is going to make them available to ARES members who wish to own their own for $20 (or more if you want to donate more).. They will cost you ($14.95 + tax + $7.95 Shipping = $24.05) if you bought them directly from ARRL… so it is a very good deal…