ANNOUNCEMENT...
Release Date: August 15, 2024

WHAT: ARES and POTA “GO BOX” Show and Tell 2024

DATE: Sunday, October 13, 2024

HOURS: 8:30 am – 10:30 am

WHERE:
NUTMEG HAMFEST 2024
Maloney High School
121 Gravel Street Meriden, CT 06450

Open to ALL Hams

A Perfect excuse to "Get Organized" to “Go Portable”!
- Make Portable operations less of a hastle and chore.
- Eliminate the last minute hunting for gear before leaving.
- Banish the frustration of not having what you need at the operating site… because it is still back at the home QTH.
Note: For many hams on a budget, their “Go Box” does “double duty” as their Home Station.

The “Go Box” is probably the best way to organize your radio equipment for those times when you want to (or need to) “Grab-‘n-Go” for Portable Operations such as:
- Public Service Events
- ARES Drills/Exercises
- Real World Disasters
- Parks On The Air activations
- Day Trips to: the Park, Beach, Woods, or… the In-Laws.
- Weekend Get-Aways
- Vacations

Don't Have a "Go Box"? BUILD ONE!
You can build/assemble your own “Go Box” in less than one day, and it will probably better than my Proof of Concept example.
Learn more at:
www.ctaresregion2.org/forum/prepared-to-go-go-go

BE CREATIVE!
Your creative design and build may be exactly the thing that get someone else to build his own “Go Box”… or modify their existing “Go Box”.

BRING IT!
Come with your “Go Box” to the Nutmeg Hamfest for Display, Judging, and Awards or Show & Tell

AWARDS

- Best VHF/UHF "Go Box"
This will include Voice and Digital/Data capability (Winlink, “Classic” Packet Radio)

- Best HF "Go Box"
This will include Voice and Digital/Data Capability (Winlink/HFVARA)

- Best VHF/UHF/HF "Go Box"
This will include Voice and Digital/Data capability for each radio.
(VHF/UHF Winlink, VHF/UHF “Classic” Packet Radio, Winlink/HF VARA)

- Best POTA 100w (max)  radio "Go Box" *

- Best POTA QRP "Go Box" *

* Where POTA "Go Box" includes: Cases, Backpacks, Camera Bags, etc.

ARES "Go Box" REQUIREMENTS (The Non-Negotiables)
- VHF/UHF radios must be capable of a range of 5-25 watts (or more) output.

- VHF/UHF “Go Boxes” with an HT must have a 20-30 watt amplifier. (2m or dual band)

- HF radios must be capable of 5-100 watts output

- Must use Anderson Powerpoles for 12v D.C. power connections.

- Must have provision for Battery AND Commercial Power.

- Internal "Go-Box" Battery NOT required
A separate Battery Box is perfectly acceptable due to weight issues.

- Battery Capacity Requirement:
Must be sized for a full day shift (13 Hours: 12 hour shift + 1 hr. for late relief operator).
- Note the difference between the Duty Cycles for Field Stations and Net Control Stations.
May use multiple Batteries to achieve goal.
See: www.ctaresregion2.org/forum/the-go-box/1...e-right-size-battery

JUDGING
Judges will be looking specifically for:

- "Go Box" weather resistance
- "Go Box" portability (weight, dimensions, carrying handles, wheels).
- Ease of access to console controls
- Clear Ownership and Function identification labeling
- Ease of Access to component connections/replacement
- ARES standard antenna connections: SO-239/PL-259.
- SMA to SO-239 adapters/jumpers (as appropriate)
- User Manuals
Option: Need not be in “Go Box” itself. Can be in a “Office” Bag/Case which is Part of “Go Kit”
- Adapters and spare fuse storage
Option: Can be included as part of the “Go Kit”

BONUS POINTS
+ Multiple headset jacks
+ Use of Bluetooth / remote i/o devices
+ Having a CW Key with your HF radio.
+ Keeping each ARES “Go Box” under 25 pounds in weight.

Note:
The use of Helium (or any other Anti-Grav device) is grounds for immediate disqualification.(LOL!)

Adaptor Bag
Spare Fuses
Spare Connectors: Barrel Connectors (SO-249), BNC to SO-239, SMA etc,
Anderson Powerpole Adapters
Examples:
Radio D.C. Power Line to Anderson Powerpole,
Cigarette Lighter Plug to Anderson Powerpole,
Powerline with Rings (or Hooks) to Anderson Powerpoles at one end (for Power Supply or Battery Terminals)
Powerline extender (6') with Anderson Powerpole Connectors at both ends.
Etc.

RF Safety
We recommend that antennas NOT be mounted on “Go Boxes”.
see: hintlink.com/power_density.htm

Accordingly, we suggest that, as a rule of thumb…
- - VHF/UHF Antennas be installed away from the “Go Box” at a minimum of 17 feet.
- - HF Antennas be installed away from the “Go Box” at a minimum of 14 feet.

AWARDS
The Decisions of the Judges are FINAL!
- There will be no appeals.

Special Note:
The Judges can be bribed. (LOL!)

:END