Good morning!
I want to jump right in and thank he QRP committee for a GREAT event! We had 43 if that’s not sinking in FORTY-THREE folks who signed the log, not counting several who contacted the event via radio. Here is the breakdown, as best I know 9 stations of various types. The irony is we had no two stations alike, we had every station operating on a different type of antenna set up. Great interest from our guest in the GMRS side. One came from St Cloud, he found us on the FACEBOOK page came in GMRS leaving with a hand full of HAM information. AG4LT Mike had a station set up at the front edge of the picnic area. He attracted several folks stopping by with his guided tour of the station. He also had a GMRS guest who is already studying. Others stopped by with questions with folks happily assisting them. The HAMS that had never attended one of our events came away just as one said ‘blown away’ at the information, fun, hands on ability to see different set ups and equipment. And two more comments, thanks to KC4ALE Kyle and Darrell KT4WX for regenerating a previous main stay at our events, FOOD we have launched the hotdog and Brats eatery. We will attempt to carry this forward with a little different approach. We will have a jar for donations to offset and keep the lunch buggy going. So, look forward to the next QRP for the Yes or No if we have the Dogs. Looking to name the eatery…. I’m going with the “Big Dog’s on the Porch”. Finally we could not pull this off with our the QRP committee, Russ with his great videos, John with his enthusiasm and organization, advertising and so on, Don with his clip board tracking us down to make sure we are noted, and the others on the committee always supporting on the background.
HEADLINE
The VE TEAM, a great dedicated bunch as well, had to make an emergency move to a temporary location at the last minute. The Red Cross is making a few updates and remodeling the facility we normally use. After a brief search KO4FRZ came to the rescue. We will be testing THIS MONTH MAY, JUNE, and JULY at the Masonic lodge on Recker Highway. The times will remain the same beginning at 9AM.
Winter Haven F&AM Masonic Lodge Nos. 186; 3596 Recker Highway; Winter Haven, Fl 33880
Walking in not excepted preregistration to test still apply.
As a reminder the EXTRA Pool will change June 30th, so the testing for the LWRA will change after June’s testing on the first Saturday as well as LARC on the First Monday. I am unaware of other testing sites: https://arrl.org/extra-question-pool .
Don’t forget the nets:
Monday: We have the Hardee County ARES Net, KT4WX will be NC on the WC4PEM repeater network at 7PM https://polkares.org for frequencies and repeater locations.
WCF ARRL ARES NET with KN4WXX on the NI4CE repeater network www.ni4ce.org for frequencies and repeater locations.
Local ‘Polie Bottom” NXDN net with Jimmy KJ4KJG as host on the W4CLL NXDN South Lakeland repeater at 8PM on 442.025 RAN 45 NXDN ICOM Or Kenwood radio required.
Tuesday Net opportunities are:
GMRS Net 462.725 141.3 +5 CTCSS 7 PM KB4FHP (aka WRCP675) is the NC
LWRA TACO TUESDAY NET
The LWRA Net will be at 730PM on the 442.425MHz repeater + 5MHz using CTCSS Tone squelch 127.3 The net controller will be KT4WX Darrell, our capable 5th Tuesday NC. He will announce the location of the informal that follows the regular net with a great topical question.
We have GREAT NETS with LWRA, if you’re a SNOWBIRD on the way or already way back up there don’t forget we have SIGNAL. This is for for you to let us know you ‘would if you could’ be a part of the net. Check in on SIGNAL just to let us know you’re OK.
(of course you can ‘would if you could’ check in even if you’re here.)
Wednesday net opportunities:
W4PSR Polk Schools Radio Society radio net. This is aa great chance to encourage youth. It is operated by youth under the supervision of Ham clubs in the schools. They operate on various modes to let students become aware of the types of systems available. We will announce the mode on our net on Tuesday as well as on Signal Chat for the LWRA. The net begins at 2:15PM each Wednesday during the regular school year.
I believe this week we will be back on the PCSB repeater 146.865MHz -.6 with 127.3 Tone Squelch.
Polk County ARES net on the WC4PEM linked repeater systems. The net begins at 7PM with WX4NEX Norm. Always a great net. More information can be found at https://polkares.org
Wednesday Continued
NI4CE NXDN net on the NI4CE NXDN radio network. This net requires a NXDN radio, and more information can be found on the www.ni4ce.org/nxdn. This net is hosted by NB9X Paul and starts at 730PM.
Thursday net opportunities:
LARC Fusion with Bob on the 146.685MHz -.6 Mhz C4FM. This requires a Fusion radio to participate.
LARC Traders net at 730PM on the LARC repeater 146.685Mhz -.6 Mhz 127.3 Tone Squelch.
WCF TECH Net. Listen- Learn-Inquire and Inspire. The wealth of knowledge out there is usually only a question away. ON the NI4CE network is the TECH NET. This net allows questions to our WCF Technical Specialist on a variety of subjects and or problems. Join in at 9PM every Thursday evening. www.ni4ce.org /nets for more information and frequencies. www.wcfarrl.org for more information. We have several Tech Specialist from our area on the net frequently.
And of course, daily 365 days a year at 830 PM we have the Eagles Net the WCF ARRL Traffic Net on the NI4CE radio network. www.ni4ce.org for more information.
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