11/29/2007 | KL7AA November Sweepstakes is the Anchorage Amateur Radio Clubs winter communications training exercise, where we operate Field Day style with portable antennas and generator power.

Some years well have sub-zero temperatures. Some years the Pineapple Express blows in from Hawaii and the warmer weather produces sheet ice. This year we caught a snowstorm that left an additional five inches on the ground.

Our operating location is somewhat confined and this simulates a real emergency, where we might set up along a road or on a city street. We are testing our ability to deliver an effective, multi-band HF communications system that has regional (Alaska) and DX (stateside) capability, in a small and efficient package.

Our portable operation uses a converted motor-home for the radio shack. We run high power to a three element SteppIR Yagi, up 40 feet, on a tubular crank-up mounted on a generator trailer. This tower anchors one end of a full-size 80m loop that is raised and lowered with a pulley and halyard.

In the middle of the loop is a SteppIR vertical. With these antennas we can retract the elements to minimize interaction with other antennas in the 70 ft. by 70 ft. square that defines our operating area.

Sweepstakes is a good training exercise because the contest exchange has its roots in traffic handling. This format requires more information transfer than most contests. We like to train in this environment for a variety of reasons:

Contests generate lots action, enthusiasm and opportunities for operator training.

Contests run on multiple bands, so we can test our regional (Alaska) and DX (stateside) communications capability.

Contests teach us to accurately copy information in a sometimes hectic, crowded and noisy operating environment. Sounds a bit like a real emergency?

Contests teach us to operate for an extended period of time. Something we might expect in a real emergency?

We would like to thank everyone who either tried to work us or were able to get through! Although we didnt get a Clean Sweep we always learn something. Our signal may not be the loudest on the bands and sometimes our people stumble through the exchange, but this type of training is really, really valuable to us.

Our goals for the event may be different than some of the other stations on the air but we certainly appreciate your patience in helping us take advantage of this unique training opportunity! -- KL7TS