LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 12/08/25

Good day LWRA!

Merry Christmas (or whatever you prefer to acknowledge this time of year)!

It is a great time to be a HAM Crazy ‘celestials’; folks DXing all over the world, others learning about the hobby as new folks, and in the middle YOU! Some are mentoring others, others sitting back and learning about terminology and skills. As most know, I’m a novice at best on HF, however, I have discovered that it is relative to a lot of other influences. The most significant of those is doing this. Pick up your mic , your paddle or straight key, your ft8 gismo, and CALL CQ! You will be pleasantly surprised at how successful you can be, even on those ‘fair’ days. Check out our web site and look at HF info to see what the PROJECTIONS are.

Now as you know I am now looking back over last year, I recognize call signs that were new at the end of last year and hear some of you are calling nets and helping the new folks to become valued Elmers yourself(s). What a GREAT CLUB!

This week’s ‘Flavor of the week’ will be digital DMR on the W4VCO repeaters (also available on droid star and hotspot Brandmeister) Polk Schools TG 3195162 (TS2) on the repeaters, check it out. The analog ‘topping’ this week will be the LARC repeater in Lakeland, a good, ranged repeater on 146.685Mhz with 127.3 on TX and RX.

QRP or sort of the “ALMOST A QRP” will be our QRP theme this month, we will be on an odd day Monday the 29th from 9-12 at Lake Kissimmee State Park, east of Lake Wales. The event will be to learn about POTA or Parks on the Air, so you have to be in a park to activate that park. There will be no Big Dogs or Tail Gate Tech other than the POTA learning experience. You do not have to set up but if you do a reminder: No antennas in the trees everything must be ground mounted. There is a fee to access the state park 4 per car or $5 for a car or rickshaw containing up to 8 folks. There are facilities in the park for restrooms, picnic tables etc.

The meeting this month will be a get together with treats and coffee, soft drinks and just getting to know each other in a “get together’ atmosphere. What’s funny some of us know each other on the air, others by SIGNAL and yet again some by this email each month. Whatever the means and MODE come out and have a cookie and see the face you have been talking to. (some you’ll want to go back to ‘seeing on the radio) just kidding. I look forward to seeing you at LWFD on Thursday. If you can bring an in date can of food for the Care Center Food Bank.

Speaking of NET opportunities. We have an available date this week Tuesday at 730 PM I need a sub, John has to bow out this week, so we need a substitute. If you have ever wanted to do a net here’s your chance. Let me know by text 863-412-2467 or just call me PLEASE.

We still net a few net controllers for our GMRS associated nets.

Dan’s W5DBH Haines City Net on Fridays 462.55 127.3 he needs subs and controllers for his 7 PM Friday net.
I need a third- or fourth-week controller for the Polk GMRS net for Tuesday at 7PM each week. 462.725 141.3. Also, standby subs for all three nets would be great. Let me know about any 863-412-2467

Thanks, Russ, for the celestial updates. Great net reminders on SIGNAL each day… a wonderful tool!
Net information on the next page

Don’t forget use LWRA Signal Club & Swap group to find or create great deals on this medium. One average item only stays active for a few days before they are sold.

Several items have been listed in the last few days and lasted mere minutes.
I know the following items are expected in the next few days.

Such as a dual band mobile with separation kit, MARS MOD (SK) estate item

Two HF rigs just a teaser. (SK) estate items

2 tuners (SK) estate items

A lot of OLD Heath and ARCHER meters and items (SK) estate items.

If you are NOT on SIGNAL and want info email me jml610@comcast.net

One last thing.

Check out the WINLINK Monday with Gary today, you can find more information on the
www.polkares.org/WINLINK

73 and I hope to ‘see ya on the air.’

Mike
KB4FHP jml610@comcast.net call 863-412-2467