Families Day 2009

Kane Gunter and Daniel Millan represented the AFSA at the Families Day at 21st Signal Regiment on the Saturday 5th September 2009. Captain Jason Goldsworthy, the Unit Welfare Officer at the 'HUB1, invited members of AFSA to be included in the festivities welcoming the lads home from duty in Afghanistan. He asked if it would be possible to set up an amateur radio station, as on 'Market Garden' in June this year. Daniel, with Dennis Egan's help, managed to get an event call sign GB4AFS reactivated for the event, which Dennis operated for some time.

Upon arrival to Azimghur Barracks, Kane and Dan were given the keys to the transit accommodation and messing instructions for the Sgt's Mess. In the morning after breakfast the training wing gave instructions of where to set up and the locations of the two nested mast were given for the dipole to be erected.
Once the masts were located and the stand had been set up it was possible to start measuring out the dipole and working out where the feed was going to be fed through the fence. Unfortunately the Army Dog Training Display was in the same location as the masts and was locked during the display, so it took extra time to get set up. In the meantime Dan sorted out a demonstration of soldering and connecting cables to plugs for the servicemen that came to the stand and showing them the amateur radio equipment, looking at the features that were different from military radio.
Cadets on site were able to communicate with their green kit as Clansman 349 and 351 had been brought along.

 It was fun watching soldiers entertaining the children of the families; one feature was the stocks with the children tossing wet sponges at the secured soldier. At one point the elected soldier had all the kids lined up in front of him and all the kids launched their sponges at the same time (what a jolly wheeze). The live band was great and the food was gone very quickly as the chefs put on a BBQ, 43 Wessex Signal Squadron (TA) Air Support Unit from Bath, formerly Echo Troop 244 Sig Sqn (V), Cardiff, were also in attendance, displaying their laser equipment and other special stuff they get to play with.

All in all it was a good day, even with a few strays escaping from the paintball range next door. Kane and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those involved in helping us and making us feel welcome, providing power and masts for us to use.