LWRA Ham Bytes – Week of 4/27/26

I hope you all have had a great weekend! This was our QRP weekend with a great turnout and a few new visitors. I personally was unable to attend due to a Special Olympics event at the same time. I want to personally thank the team for organizing, promoting, securing the site, interaction, and education for the folks who came out to learn. We had 22 onsite with several checking in from other locations, 6 stations with varying type antennas and then Top Cat came and did a great lunch for the folks. The Bartow site is always a fun location for the QRP. Here is the link for Russ’s video production: https://youtu.be/niKHtH4k6xw?si=I-bma8sezJKFcnNg

We will announce very soon the specifics about the next QRP, its theme and location.

As a reminder for those who are new to the area Hurricane season is rapidly approaching, If you need suggestions or what you may need to know, including where to go for great amateur radio connections and weather information fell free to come to a PC Ares meeting or a LWRA where we can hopefully get you the answers you need.

You can find out more about these at www.lwra.us and/or www.polkares.org .

We will enjoy the net this week Jim N4JPC! We will need all the help we can get on the LWRA UHF machine 442.425Mhz +5MHz offset with 127.3 on both TX and RX. The net is conducted in the analog mode starting at 730PM followed by the ‘round table’ for the LWRA repeater.

I would like to thank Dave KO4FRZ for doing a much better job last week with net control than I could ever do. His willingness to sub is much appreciated.

The ‘Flavor’ of the week is digital P25. We will be using the 146.655 P25 repeater in the Highlands. The Topping will be the LWRA VHF repeater 147.330 (127.3 TX and RX) in Lake Wales. However, do not be limited, I have heard several times in the last few days, when new or traveling that there is not much HAM traffic in our county. I have researched and this is a very easy fix. Push the button and talk on whatever repeater, simplex or mode you want. Have fun and use your radios if you can this week.
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.

Note well in advance. We need summer vacation fill-in for all nets so let me know if you are interested. jml610@comcast.net

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

If you are NOT on SIGNAL and want information 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.

73 and I hope to ‘see ya on the air.’

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