Granite Monolith
31st Jul 2007, 11:54
Forgive me if this is the wrong forum.
I'm a radio amateur operator and have had an idea in my head for sometime, but not entirely sure if it would work.
Ham radio has various awards you can go after. For example Islands on the Air, Summits on the Air, Castles and Stately Homes on the Air, Lighthouse/Lightships on the Air etc. Generally, any radio ham or listener interested in the above, participates trying to contact or log as many of these "on the air" stations as possible.
Currently, all the awards are well represented, but i was thinking of starting a new ham radio award - Airports on the Air. Don't be alarmed! With the exception of Islands on the Air, you do not have to actually be in an airport/airfield for Airports on the Air. (you have to be on island to participate in IOTA). Similarly, when taking part in CASHOTA (Castles and Stately Homes On the Air), you do not need to be present in the building - you can set up your radio equipment within a vicinity of said building, ie a nearby field. Same with Lighthouses - you need not be in one, just nearby one to participate.
So, after that inane rambling, is it viable to have an award named Airports on the Air? It would/could be an international radio award. You set up radio gear as near an airport/airfield as possible, taking into account antenna heights for departing/arriving a/c. A 30ft aerial 1 mile away from the airport/airfield surely wouldn't be a hazard to an a/c? Also, with a power output of between 100 - 400 watts PEP (on HF), i don't suspect any malfunctions will occur with ATC ops.
The radio exchange between ham radio ops could involve signal report followed by the 4-letter ICAO code.
If anyone gets what i'm angling at, i'd appreciate your comments.
I'm a radio amateur operator and have had an idea in my head for sometime, but not entirely sure if it would work.
Ham radio has various awards you can go after. For example Islands on the Air, Summits on the Air, Castles and Stately Homes on the Air, Lighthouse/Lightships on the Air etc. Generally, any radio ham or listener interested in the above, participates trying to contact or log as many of these "on the air" stations as possible.
Currently, all the awards are well represented, but i was thinking of starting a new ham radio award - Airports on the Air. Don't be alarmed! With the exception of Islands on the Air, you do not have to actually be in an airport/airfield for Airports on the Air. (you have to be on island to participate in IOTA). Similarly, when taking part in CASHOTA (Castles and Stately Homes On the Air), you do not need to be present in the building - you can set up your radio equipment within a vicinity of said building, ie a nearby field. Same with Lighthouses - you need not be in one, just nearby one to participate.
So, after that inane rambling, is it viable to have an award named Airports on the Air? It would/could be an international radio award. You set up radio gear as near an airport/airfield as possible, taking into account antenna heights for departing/arriving a/c. A 30ft aerial 1 mile away from the airport/airfield surely wouldn't be a hazard to an a/c? Also, with a power output of between 100 - 400 watts PEP (on HF), i don't suspect any malfunctions will occur with ATC ops.
The radio exchange between ham radio ops could involve signal report followed by the 4-letter ICAO code.
If anyone gets what i'm angling at, i'd appreciate your comments.