Greeting fellow LWRA folks!
Great news just in case you missed it. ITS QRP week and we are VERY excited about this location. We will be at Simmer-Young Park between Winter Haven and Auburndale. We will have a large new area that is relatively distance from a lot of electrical interference. The QRP team has instore a great opportunity to learn about or sharpen skills regarding ARPS and its many uses as well as a new trend in building and exploring new technologies MESHTASTIC node, It is my understanding that this multi-faceted addition to the hobby is very interesting. As usual we will have several stations set up on HF as well as other points of interest. Come out and join us on the LWRA front porch.
We will have the first official “Big Dogs on the Porch Café” with hot dogs and condiments. BRING your own drinks and if you so desire look for the donation jar to keep this part of our QRP’s going. More information at www.lwra.us/qrp.
A visitor at the LWRA meeting, made the comment that he was encouraged to see such an active club, doing, learning, laughing, and encouraging each other, he was impressed! Thanks, it is LWRA at its best!
A reminder the clock is ticking and the calendar creeping toward that ole nasty 2024 Hurricane season. A couple of good things to think about NOW!
Make sure your portable radios are in full operation and batteries are ready to go, your provision for sustenance such as easily prepared food, water OTC Rx items batteries generators tested, fuel for generators, gas for the grill you get the picture.
If you are new to the area and need assistance in what is needed for the storm and the recovery, we can certainly direct you to the proper resources and agencies. A good place to see emergency operations would be to join us at the Polk ARES meeting this month. The fourth Thursday at 7 PM doors open at 630 information at www.polkares.org/meetings for a map and information.
A great tool for preparation would be to have LWRA SIGNAL on your phone for questions and or updates. See Russ N4RTD or John W4JFS for more information
Important; IF YOU PLAN ON OPERATING AT THE FIELD DAY OR WILL HELP PUT UP OR TAKE DOWN THE STATIONS, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL AT jml610@comcast.net for additional information. June 22nd
HEADLINE May testing was a success!
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 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.
Walk in not excepted; preregistration to test still applies.
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/WRCP675 is the NC. I NEED TWO MORE NET CONTROL OPERATORS, it is fun and a great way to practice.
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 Mike KB4FHP. I will announce the location of the informal that follows the regular net with a great topical question. On hurricane preparedness
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 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.
TO be announced on SIGNAL.
If you need additional send me an email jml610@comcast.net
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 Eagle 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