LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 3/09/26 – Corrected

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Good morning LWRA!

Hello, I know, because I have talked to a few of you on the radio (no pun intended) and heard many of you as I am finalizing tax preparations. By the time you read this, I will have mine in the hands of the CPA. So, that means it’s one of the seasons in Florida. Most areas of the country theyhave Winter, Spring, Summer and fall. Here we have Hunting, Football, Summer and Tax season. During the end of what most would call Spring we have a wonderful air show here in Florida SUN Fun. As for Ham, a special event station is established during and for this event. If you are interested in putting your name in for working (operating) at this station open, fill it out and return it to the address on THAT paper NOT ME to get your name on the list. You get into the air show on the day you volunteer, free parking and GREAT FUN at the air show! YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IF YOU GET THE SLOT REQUESTED BY SNF HAM. I WILL NOT KNOW IF YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED. Open attachment SNF 26 1 and SNF 26 2.

Now it is the LWRA meeting on Thursday. A good number of our LWRA folks and others also dabble in another communication mode. Meshtastic is an off-grid communications system. We have SEVERAL members who use Meshtastic as well as non-HAM and non-LWRA members in the area. It has a great footprint! More nodes are being put up ALL the time, and it is a fun way to communicate and has great potential to give us communication if the common communications, let’s say down. Here’s the good thing; it is very affordable to put up a small system. Todd Runnels, one of our members and QRP committee folks, is a “guru” at this topic. He will be presenting Meshtastic for our club this week so come learn more about this fascinating topic.

We again wish NI4CE and the organization for a resounding 25th birthday. A benefactor has agreed to match up to 2500 for donations made to the NI4CE network during this birthday month. NI4CE Repeater Map & Frequencies | West Central Florida Group, Inc.

The ’Flavor of the Week’ DMR (W4VCO) Polk Counties linked DMR network with repeaters in Polk City, Indian Lake (12 miles east of Lk Wales and Welcome (4 Miles west of FT. Meade) we will generally operate on the Polk Schools Talk Group 3195162 (TS2) now this can be used from afar using the Brandmeister network and a HOTSPOT. BUT and the Flavor folks may get upset with me, use ANY and ALL the talk groups on this network, PLAY RADIO! 3112 Florida Statewide (TS1) Local 9 (TS1) Local 2 (TS2) USA 3100 (TS1) and many many more. If you need additional information about the network or a spreadsheet, send me an email and I will hook you up. Jml610@comcast.net

Topping 146.685 LARC, our friends at Lakeland Amateur Radio Club this repeater is linked to ECHO link. It is also a dual mode repeater both analog as well as FUSION (not WIRES) and is a great repeater.

And the “topping” the KEG “LKLD 375” a standalone repeater 147.375Mhz -.6Hz with 127.3 on tx and rx (this is a dual mode repeater P25 narrow band.

Please use these and our other repeaters. As was stated by the Emergency Manager for Polk County earlier this year, push PTT; if we don’t use them, we lose them.’

QRP we will have a great QRP on Saturday at Crystal Lake Park in Lake Wales. Now be careful traffic may be heavier than normal around the lake due to the Art Festival. I am not sure about food so just be prepared. A lot of HAM related things going on.

Correction

THERE IS NO QRP THIS WEEKEND AT CRYSTAL LAKE PARK! MARCH 14TH
REPEAT THERE IS NOT A QRP THIS WEEKEND AT CRYSTAL LAKE PARK
THAT WAS MY ERROR I AM SORRY FOR ANY CONFUSION
WE WILL UPDATE ON THE QRP FOR MARCH VERY SOON WHICH WILL BE THE 28TH OF THIS MONTH.

NET TUESDAY!

We will enjoy the net this week by the dubious net controller John de KU8Q on the LWRA UHF machine 442.425Mhz +5MHz offset with 127.3 on both tx and rx. This is a dual mode repeater AMS Fusion. The NET is conducted in analog mode starting at 730PM followed by the ‘round table’ the LWRA repeater if announced by NC.
QRP announcement will be forthcoming.

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

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

It’s not like here! You have to PLAN not to miss radio there like I’m missing radio here!

73 and I hope to ‘see ya on the air.’

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