The Great Tennessee Airshow
Members of Sumner County Amateur Radio Association and Sumner County ARES deployed on June 07, 2025 to assist the Nashville Amateur Radio Club with radio communications support for The Great Tennessee Airshow.
The guys, Brian, NG2S, and Steve, KD4SAH, arrived at 0900 at the Net Control Station to check in and shortly thereafter responded to their assignment for the day, Gate 12. Already at Gate 12 were Preston, KN4CCQ, and Brad, W4HBZ. Micah, KB4MPS, also joined the Gate 12 Crew. Micah is a nice young ham who was introduced into the hobby by his grandfather. Micah even brought down a friend who he is trying to get into the amateur radio hobby. Micah, being new to amateur radio is already an ambassador of amateur radio. Everyone very welcoming and friendly.
The day started off warm and only got warmer as the airshow started and proceeded. What an amazing vantage point for the air show. Since we had 4 operators we were able to take some breaks and watch the aircraft as they soared overhead, directly above our location. The F-35 is amazing and put on an incredible show. The loudest thing I have ever heard. Unfortunately as the Blue Angels were taxiing down the runway the rain started. As the Angels reached the beginning of the runway their performance was called off due to the weather. The show ended early under poor weather conditions but it was a fun and memorable experience to say the least.
I do not know about Steve but I will certainly be volunteering for The Great Tennessee Airshow again when it comes back. I highly recommend this event, as a spectator and as a Radio Operator volunteering to assist with radio communications.
A little about the West Side setup. The event is vast and is split into the West Side and East Side events, run collectively but separately. Tom, K1KY, organized the entire event. The West Side consisted of Net Control, Dan, W4WWF, on site for 4 days in his RV trailer. At Gate 12 was a portable Yaesu DR-1X repeater on 70cm with an approx. 20’ mast for the antenna. The repeater was battery powered with solar panel charging. The East Side, which I did not get to was running APRS for some asset tracking and possibly a little meshtastic as well.
What a great event. I can not say enough about it. If you get the opportunity I would suggest joining the team!
Thanks for your support! Mark KD4EYF (Rutherford Co. ARES & Stones River ARC President) organized the support on the East side of the field. I counted at least 6 different Amateur Radio organizations helping us this this event. Many thanks to Dan Sigmund W4WWF for providing organizational support, NCS RV Support and Josh Long KG4YFA for providing his amazing Hummer with Solar Power plant that operated our portable repeater setup for 4 consecutive days without using commercial or generator power! Of course we can’t forget about the amazing weather support provided by Laura Marler N4CLO and the MTEARS weather support team!
Thank you for the extra details Tom.