LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 12/15/25

Good day LWRA!

As you prepare for that landing zone for Santa, I certainly hope each has had a great year in HAM radio. I have discovered a few opportunities during this year, especially one or two that would make a great club activity! I have had the opportunity to meet new folk in our club this year that are truly amazing!
I would like to next year help our club learn more about some of you. I am working out a few details on how to do that. The exciting part for me is some brand-new hams with the desire to learn. While others are shall we say ‘seasoned hams’ both with the same enthusiasm to teach about amateur radio. And they say amateur radio is a dying hobby; NOT HERE!

See section below for net controller needed this week!

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 have heard rumors that the elves of QRP are up to mischievous planning. 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 ahead!

The ’Flavor of the Week’ will be ‘Bartow Fusion on 145.270Mhz C4FM only. It is WIRES X so find a room and have fun.

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.

Speaking of NET opportunities. We have an available date this week, Tuesday at 730 PM I need a sub, I have to be out of the area and cannot do the net, so we need a substitute. If you have ever wanted to do a net here’s your chance. Let me know by text 863-412-2467 or just call me PLEASE.
Thanks to Dave KO4FRZ for jumping last week, I know he had a great time as did the ones who checked in.

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