OPTIONAL TOURS AND EVENTS
We are pleased to offer multiple tour opportunities for conference attendees. We understand that many of you will be visiting ALASKA for the first time. With that in mind we have arranged for many tour options to provide you with a trip of a lifetime adventure and opportunity.
HAARP, Monday August 4, 2008
Amateur Radio operators in Alaska understand interference. Solar storms and high aurora activity can greatly impact propagation and the atmosphere for radio communication. The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) near Gulkana, Alaska studies these conditions. The Alaskan ionosphere over HAARP can be characterized as mid-latitude, auroral or polar depending on how active the sun is at any given
time and day.This gives a very wide variety of ionospheric conditions to study.
The HAARP research facility consists of two major subsystems: (1) the HF transmitter, and (2) the other scientific, observational instruments that have been designed and built and which are also being installed at the site. The two subsystems are equal in research importance. The scientific observation instruments require a quiet electromagnetic location.
A motor coach will pick you up at the hotel and depart out the Glenn Highway where you will be able to travel and see the beautiful Talkeetna Mountains. While driving through the Copper Valley Center of Glennallen Alaska you will be able to view some of the largest mountains in North America including Mt. Drum, Mt. Sanford and Mt. Blackburn. Once at the HAARP facility in Gulkana a full tour guide of the facility will be completed. After the tour, a stop at the Wrangell St. Elias National Park Visitor Center and then a journey back to Anchorage down the Glenn Highway viewing some of the most majestic mountains in North America. Transportation will then be provided back to the hotel in Anchorage.
Come join us on a day long tour of this one of a kind facility to see one of the largest antenna farms in Alaska. Pre-registration is required and Air Force Regulations require that all visitors be U.S. Citizens.
Tour cost $100. Sign up for this tour on the Registration page
EME / Astronomy Tour, Friday, August 1, 2008
On Friday afternoon, tour an Earth-Moon-Earth communication station in Anchorage.
(http://www.qsl.net/kl6m/)
This Technique represents to most Radio Amateurs a very special branch of Weak Signal Communication, due to the Limitations in Antenna Size and Transmitter Power Output. In Moonbounce, the Moon Surface is used as a Reflector for Radio Signals and the echoed signals that return to Earth are often just barely above the Noise Background. Because the technique is often marginal, all components of the system have to operate near to or at peak performance levels.
Tour cost $30. Sign up for this tour on the Registration page
Homer Halibut Charter: 7/30/2008
The Anchorage Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring a ‘competitive’ Halibut Charter on July 30th. 3 - ‘6 pack’ boats will be leaving together for a day of Halibut fishing with 18spots open on a first come, first served basis.
Our halibut fishing trips begin at 7 AM when we leave the Homer harbor. Depending on the tide, we’ll run one to one and a half hours where we’ll alternately anchor and drift a variety of spots. Some anglers prefer to target the average sized halibut (20-40#) and enjoy the action this provides, while others have a “barn door” in mind. These large fish can literally bring grown adults to their knees. It can take a full day to recover from the battle. The limit is two halibut per person and you must hook your own fish. The reward is many fine meals of boneless white halibut fillets. After photographing your catch, you can sit back and enjoy the ride back to Homer while the crew fillets your catch. We’ll arrive back in Homer about 5PM and then return to the Anchorage Sheraton.
Tour cost $250. Sign up for this tour on the Registration page
Make your Travel Plans Now!
Tours, Hotels and Transportation book up fast during Alaska’s busy summer season.
Don’t delay, make your reservations ASAP!
