Assignment Overview
You will be simulating a deployment either as a rover or at a typical fixed field location such as a shelter, school, fire station, neighborhood CERT command post, or other location. Your assignment will be to set up a communications station and send/receive several messages. You will receive a detailed assignment briefing when you check-in at the Field Operations area.
Schedule
There is no fixed schedule for the Field assignment. If you are also participating in a Net Control assignment, you need to manage your own time to ensure that you make your Net Control assignment on time.
Station Equipment Configuration (non-MAC Eval)
If you are not participating in a MAC Evaluation, then you can determine how simple or complex you want to make your station. Some examples:
- Simple / Rover:
- The simplest configuration is just an HT with a "rubber duck" antenna
- If all you have is an HT, then bring it and have some fun.
- You should have some (mostly) hands-free way to use the HT so you can hold a clipboard and write or ride a bike or perform other activies while roving.
- For example, clip the HT to your belt or vest or chest pack and use an earbud/microphone combo or headset or remote speaker mic.
- Typical Fixed Station:
- A roll-up J-pole antenna with a self-supporting mast tall enough to raise the base of the antenna at least 10 feet
- Enough coax to reach your radio, usually from outdoors to indoors
- HT or mobile radio
- Sufficient battery power (see Go Kit recommendations)
- Headset with hand- or footswitch to control PTT
- Card table and folding chair
- Sign indicating radio communications
- Safety equipment (something to keep people from tripping over your cables, antenna tripod, or other gear)
- Complex Fixed Station:
- Roll-up J-pole antenna with 30 foot mast and sufficient coax to reach from outdoors to indoors
- Mobile radio set up for cross-band repeating
- HT to allow portable operations within the area through the cross-band repeater
- Sufficient battery power (see Go Kit recommendations)
- Pop-up shelter, table, chairs
- Sign indicating radio communications
- Generator and DC power supply (a fire extenguisher is also required if you bring a generator)
- Safety equipment (something to keep people from tripping over your cables, antenna tripod, or other gear)
- Some type of rolling cart to help you move your equipment from your car to the field location
- Refreshments for folks who stop by to see what you're doing!
In all cases, you'll need at least the minimum equipment required for the drill, which includes the standard forms. (See the main drill page for a list of minimum equipment.)
Some things to keep in mind:
- You can make your setup as complicated as you want
- You can take as long as you want to set up, operate, and pack up
- However, if you want to perform more than one activity at the drill, you will need to manage your own time to ensure you will have time left to participate in the other activity.
Station Equipment Configuration for MAC Evaluations
If you are requesting a MAC evaluation for either the F3 or F2 qualification during your assignment, then:
- For F3 Evaluation
- You may act as a rover or set up a fixed location station.
- You will need to set up a station which includes at least the equipment required for a MAC F3 qualification as defined in the MAC Program Handbook.
- The setup must meet the requirements defined in the Performance Standards and Best Practices.
- For F2 Evaluation
- You will set up a fixed location station.
- You will need to set up a station which includes at least the equipment required for a MAC F2 qualification as defined in the MAC Program Handbook.
- The setup must meet the requirements defined in the Performance Standards and Best Practices.
This page was last updated 14-Mar-2015