LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 8/31/26

WOW! A very nice QRP and FUN! We had at least five new folks either setting up stations or attending. What this says about the inviting and support of our club, that’s you, display to new folks is remarkable. Folks learned about antennas, radios, test equipment, set up, use, and most important nonjudgmental friendship. It matters not that we had seasoned HAM or not even tested but registered to get their tickets. Twenty-Eight folks joined us this past Saturday, and 7 or 8 stations or antennas set up. One set up caused the operator to realize why he was having issues at home; made adjustments and made a few contacts from the park. We had our very own N4RTD join a few of us via DSTAR all the way from the Tokyo Ham Fest! I tried not to poison anyone with a few Skeeter’s Wieners. A great QRP, thanks to the folks who take the time to put these together with ideas, location, theme and club communications.

You tube address for the video https://youtu.be/g2x0Fhn5Oaw?is=EEJ-VpB4BJGnA3zx

Our Flavor of the week and Topping are being reviewed with a couple of revamp ideas, so look forward for these announcements. But until then

Mixed Flavor this week due to the month ending the week.

Flavor—P25 and/or DSTAR using the 146.655 MHz repeater is P25. Great repeater in south Lakeland, very well maintained and elevated. A P25 radio is required. If you need additional information about P25, let me know.

DSTAR on the Bartow DSTAR or of course if you’re away, connect via hotspot or local repeater and connect to the WC4PEM repeater in Bartow.

Topping will be the LKLD 375 147.375 with 127.3 CTCSS on Tx and RX great repeater in S Lake with a very impressive range. Join in a conversation OR start one yourself, these repeaters need exercise as KJ4SGJ says.

We will enjoy the net this week W4JFS John just fresh from his hard work on the QRP . We will need all the help we can get on the LWRA UHF machine 442.425Mhz +5MHz offset with 127.3 on both TX and RX. This is a dual mode repeater for AMS Fusion. The net is conducted in the analog mode starting at 730PM followed by the ‘round table’ for the LWRA repeater.

The Question will be interesting as always so jump in and have some fun.

I will not be here for my nets thanks to N4JPC to taking up the LWRA slack. If anyone wants to do the Polk GMRS net for the third week, please let me know before Thursday of this week otherwise I will be gone.

QRP- the QRP will be announced as soon as we know. I will be away for sever days so hopefully someone can send an email out. Speaking of that, no Ham Bytes for a few weeks due to travel plans.

We still net a few net controllers for our GMRS associated nets. Third or fourth week on Bartow and W5DBH’s repeater in Haines City.

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

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

One last thing.

Check out WINLINK Monday with Gary today, you can find more information on the Polk ARES web site.
Also, Winlink WED is another opportunity.

73 and I hope to ‘see ya on the air.’

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