LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 8/04/25

Greetings!

This is August already so here we go…

Things to do, test your radios for emergency use. Make sure you are set on channels where you can get and relay important information for our potential summers unwanted (h-word) visitors. Good weather information sources and practice listening only to weather reports in case you have no TV reception or power. This may not be your local club repeater, you should seek out the most informative, reachable and reliable repeater to your location in storm.

Test or charger or alternate power sources for power outages, including battery backup and portable radio batteries. This includes generators. Adequate fuel and oil spare parts as well. Foods and water to sustain for several days that does not require much preparation.

A great idea that recently came to my attention have a friend or family member that you set routine daily time to call each day during hurricane season (even when a storm is not threatening) to briefly assure their readiness and assist in getting to readiness. Builds bonding as well.

Events coming up in August…

2nd Monday at 7PM Lakeland Amateur Radio Club will have their table sale. Stop by their club meeting to possibly pick up a great used radio item for a great price.*

2nd Thursday LWRA August meeting. 7 PM at Lk Wales Fire Station. A program on?… A surprise.

4th Thursday Polk ARES meeting at 7PM at the Polk EOC in Bartow

A little sad news, our great friend John Chaput KK4LI from Highlands County became a Silent Key this past weekend. For those who do not know, John was a special friend to LWRA. He has several times donated his tower climbing company to repair our antenna, change cables, build ground grids and much much, more… at no expense to our club. He will sorely missed by the radio community in Central Florida, his Highlands Club and more… His ‘World Famous Weekly Net’, on Wednesdays on Highlands Club repeaters were always special. Our heartfelt condolences to his friends and particularly to his family. RIP John.

Don’t forget the nets: We need ya! Summertime our numbers dip a little so join us if you can. Grant will be our fill in net controller this week. He always does a great job so join us on Tuesday!

Check out W4JFS’ ‘flavor of the day’ (what repeater we are highlighting that day) on Signal Chat.

Don’t forget WINLINK Monday: We need you here too!

Thanks, Russ, for the celestial updates.

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.

*A reminder our friends at LARC next month will have their table gate sale. You can find great deals on used HAM equipment so join the friends at LARC on August 11th at 7PM Parkview Baptist Church, 509 Parkview Place Lakeland 33805 (this is just east of Lakeland Health) (fka Lakeland Regional) off of Lakeland Hills Blvd. if you need additional let me know.

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