LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 12/22/25

Good evening LWRA!

It is upon us…
Some of us are excited about the potential of getting a new ham radio or associated item to make the hobby more fun.

Some of us are excited about spending time with friends and family enjoying the season as we share gifts, food and stories about the holiday.

Some of us enjoy the deeper meaning of Christmas. I know we are generally diverse, and it interests me how others celebrate this season as a part of their faith or belief. I hope it warms the heart and generates a time to reflect on blessings in this season.

Some of us have the wonderful aspect that they have time off for a seasonal break from the toils of occupation.

Some of us enjoy the extra time playing some R A D I O in whatever mode or style you like.

I, however, am a conglomeration of the above, not taking it for granted that most of those elements of the season, you are a big part of my JOY in this season. Your friendship, well-wishes, and encouragement mean a lot to me. It leaves me pondering at times, this group of folks known collectively as HAM radio, can know each other for years, months, days or minutes, yet the common interest and genuine willingness to help each other is a true blessing.

From my family to you and yours have a very Merry Christmas! Let us know what SANTA and his elves bring you regarding the radio world; and we look forward to hearing from you on the air. 73 de KB4FHP

A commercial; It is time for the dues for LWRA. The annual dues are still a deal, that just can’t be beaten! We have been able to sustain our dues at 24 dollars a year; many clubs have gone 30 and above in the area. That’s 6.6 cents a day. Check out the web site www.lwra.us for PayPal or the mailbox, or better yet you can come to the January meeting for the ‘State of the Club’ meeting and see Gary.

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 or other clever methods. There is a fee to access the state park 4 per car or $5 for a car or $8 for 5 in a car. There are facilities in the park for restrooms, picnic tables etc.

IMPORTANT! YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS VIA MAMMOTH GROVE ROAD. YOUR BEST ACCESS WILL BE SR60 TO BOY SCOUT RD, TURN NORTH THEN EAST ON CAMP MACK ROAD. ADDRESS 14248Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales 33898. We will use the WC4PEM and the Frostproof 444.950 or the Dundee 146.985, both using 127.3 will be easily accessible for talk in. https://www.lwra.us/qrp

I am pretty sure the Haines City Repeater will do fine therefor GMRS. You can always use GMRS simplex on 462.725 otherwise known as talk a round, Tx and Rx on 462.725 141.3 tone TX and RX

I have heard rumors again this week that the masters of QRP are up to planning an event soon. There are rumblings of a Fox on the loose somewhere in the area, and they are arranging an unguided, but intense Hunt in the near future to capture those pesky rascals. So, get your antenna polished, built or even ordered to help find the varmints. More information in the days and weeks ahead!

The ’Flavor of the Week’ will be NXDN KEG repeaters 444.025 NXDN and the LWRA UHF 442.425 repeaters in Dundee will be the topping. Note at times this will be connected to the Wires X Room 45551 and bridged to the Polk Wires machine for our traveling or out of the area guests. Mayme even during the LWRA net. Someone will call for Wires check ins after the analog portion is concluded and prior to the round table.

The ‘Topping of the Week’ will be WC4PEM linked repeaters in Polk County, Again, you can use technology to join us using Echo link into that system. If you are out of the area
.
FYI there will not be a GMRS net this week but will return next week at the regular time on the Polk GMRS repeater.

The NET control operator will be Jim W4JPC. Join Jim for Tuesday evening’s net at 730PM on the LWRA UHF repeater.

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.

Several items are still available on SIGNAL if interested.

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