LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 2/02/26

What a GREAT QRP!

For those who braved the wind and cold air! We had 20 folks who dropped by and a few who were able to get in (even locally) on HF! If you have not watched Ham Radio 2.0 with Jason on social media, he has of late been talking about the HAM Clubs that are snobbish. A very clear example of why we are not that snobby, smarter than everyone, social type club was exemplified Saturday.  What was to be our premier QRP with our annual Ham ‘N Beans was modified to a, come if you can QRP’. An event that proves things happen for a reason. And here’s what happened…

Let me tell you a little more about a few of our folks. John W4JFS, Tommy KQ4YPX, and Allen KI4MOX took some of the five visitors and even let some make their very FIRST HF contact using 3rd party. Others were given the $.35 tour of the various stations, type of antennas and modality they were operating like Todd KR1U. Some were encouraged to continue studying for Tech or advanced tickets and given very good advice on how to accomplish that. A couple had technical issues that with Tom (N4CHL) we were able to show how to install connectors on coax, and TEST it. Russ N4RTD was making his wonderful video for the event and has already posted it on his site.  Allen again demonstrated that his homemade dipole speaker wire antenna(s) could very effectively reach DX performance reaching Europe stations. We welcomed one of our GMRS folks who was encouraged to see what we (HAMS) do at our events. And then Tommy opened up the TOP CAT CAFÉ’ with some home-made southern style soup to keep up fed and warm ( it was gooood). And we had folks visiting from up north that got some clarification on our local repeaters and their use. A relative new HAM stopped by and man was he excited to find out that there was a place to go that will willingly answer questions about his new adventure. (Turns out I have known his mom, dad and grandfather for over 40 years.) I know I left some folks out and for that I profoundly apologize. Several other members were educating and assisting.

My point, I know some conversations on Signal and even of the air can be taxing; sometimes even our feelings get hurt. But you know when you’re a family, you have that happen. But we take our disappointment and turn them to relationship we are all much better off. When people, via this club gain confidence, knowledge and themselves emerge as ELMERS; we then then can hang the sign out saying, we are a SNOB FREE club. We are a great club, an example of what many should be and for that I THANK YOU ALL!

I know other were busy with CERT training. Congratulations to those who are now part of that group as well. We missed you.

Others had commitment to other pressing events.

Get your wish list; it is close to HAMCATION! Coming up soon!

The ’Flavor of the Week’ will DSTAR on the Bartow D-star machine, and the ‘topping will be the 147.375 in the highlands. [147.375 +.6 with 127.3 on both TX and RX.]

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 we lose them.’

A reminder we will have our LWRA meeting next Thursday the 12th at LWFD station one. More to come about the program in next weeks Bytes.

We are over halfway into our Membership renewal. Just a quick note. Every area club has raised their dues significantly during the last two years. We have, because of your attention to renewal, and great budgeting by our team, thwarted any increase. We are still the same as we have been for nearly ten years. Several modes for you to renew, www.lwra.us/membership lets you use PayPal, snail mail via the post office lets you write a check and/or money order, and in person at the meeting you can do all three. We very much look forward to your renewal.

NET TUESDAY!

The net will be on the UHF repeater with ‘Repeater Killer” John W4JFS as net control.  He will have a question for the round table immediately following the regular net on the same repeater.

We need a list of substitute net controllers. Email KB4FHPLWRA@PROTON.ME IF INTERESTED. I WILL BE OUT FROM THE 17TH OF FEB UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH I NEED 2 GMRS SUBS (3rd and 4th week) AND MY REGULAR LWRA NET ON THE THIRD WEEK.

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 note Signal app on your iphone or android is required.

One last thing.

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

73 and I hope to ‘see ya on the air.’

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