‰  NOW 30 WPM  ‰  TEXT IS FROM SEPTEMBER 2018  QST  PAGE 70 ‰

COMMUNICATORS BEFORE THE EVENT, MAKE SURE TO ATTEND.  IT MAY BE THE ONLY
CHANCE YOU GET TO SEE, COLLABORATE WITH, AND COORDINATE WITH OTHER
COMMUNICATORS.  VISITING THE LOCATION BEFORE THE EVENT IS ALSO A MUST FOR A
COMMUNICATIONS CHECK, AS WELL AS TO MAP OUT PARKING LOCATION, WALKING
DISTANCE, AND FACILITIES.  BEING ON SITE WILL ALSO HELP TO CONFIRM ACCESS
TO THE PRIME AND BACKUP REPEATERS, AND IT WILL HELP SOLIDIFY DECISIONS ON
WHAT EQUIPMENT TO BRING, SUCH AS A HANDHELD TRANSCEIVER VERSUS A MAGNETIC
MOUNT ANTENNA.  IF YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO BE MOBILE, BRINGING APRS CAN BE
USEFUL IN AUTOMATICALLY TRACKING YOUR POSITION.  ONCE YOU HAVE DECIDED WHAT
TO BRING, CHECK THAT THE RADIO IS WORKING, THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED,
AND THE PRIME AND BACKUP FREQUENCIES ARE PROGRAMMED.  THIS SHOULD BE DONE
AT HOME, WELL BEFORE THE EVENT, SO YOU DONT HAVE TO DO IT UNDER PRESSURE IN
THE FIELD.  IF THE EVENT IS OUTDOORS, KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER STARTING A
COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT.  IT TAKES MAJOR WEATHER TO CANCEL AN
EVENT.  I HAVE SUPPORTED MARATHONS WITH PELTING RAIN AND THE WIND BLOWING
AT 35 KNOTS.  TO MAKE THE MORNING OF THE EVENT EASIER, I RECOMMEND PUTTING
‰  END OF 30 WPM TEXT  ‰  QST DE W1AW  ƒ