ANNOUNCEMENT...
Release Date: JULY 4, 2018

WHAT: The Great 2018 “GO BOX” Competition

DATE: Sunday, October 21, 2018

Hours: 8:30 am – 10:30 am

WHERE: NUTMEG HAMFEST 2018
Sheraton Four-Points Hotel
275 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT

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:
- Day Trips to: the Park, Beach, Woods, or… the In-Laws.
- Weekend Get-Aways
- Vacations
- Public Service Events
- ARES Drills/Exercises
- Real World Disasters


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


3 Groups / 10 Categories

Group 1: The Basic “Go Box” (Voice)
1A: VHF/UHF – Voice Only
1B: HF – Voice
1C: Combination(V/U/H)

Group 2: The Intermediate “Go Box” (Voice and Data)
2A: VHF/UHF – Voice, Data (RMS Express, “Classic” Packet Radio)
2B: HF – Voice, CW, Data (RMS Express "Winmor")
2C: Combination (V/U/H)

Group 3: Advanced “Go Box” (Mesh)
3A Data
3B Video
3C Phone
3D Combination (D, V, P)

... ENTRY CRITERIA ...

Open to ALL Hams (not just ARES members)


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

- Batteries need not be fitted inside the “Go Box” itself.
A separate Battery Box is perfectly acceptable.

- 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


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)

- Multiple headset jacks

- Use of Bluetooth / remote i/o devices

- 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
+ Having a CW Key with your HF radio.

+ Keeping each “Go Box” under 25 pounds in weight.
- Good luck in achieving that in the “Combination” categories (1C, 2C, 3D).
Note: The use of Helium (or any other Anti-Grav device) is grounds for immediate disqualification.

+ Having a display of different device Adapters with Anderson Powerpoles.
Examples:
Radio D.C. Power Line to Anderson Powerpole,
Cigarette Lighter Plug to Anderson Powerpole,
Powerline with Rings or Hooks at one end (for Power Supply or Battery Terminals) and an Anderson Powerpole at the other end
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