A "Just In Case" Radio Club
We held the 2 meter net tonight (February 16, 2020). There were 6 check-ins:
Mike let us know there are going to be 11 students in this next Extra class training. He let us know that N1RM is mostly organizing this training and that it has gone very well.
Remember that tomorrow is when we meet at Wegmans for lunch. If you are free you might consider joining us.
Thank so all who took the time to test their radio gear. Everyone have a great week.
A very short net tonight. Check-in from Jeff KoZR with Dave KE4S as ncs. We chatted briefly about the ARRL International DX CW contest starting tomorrow, and our expectations for our antenna systems in the contest, particularly on the low bands. Please join us next week at 8:00PM on 3675 KHz. We will announce a frequency in the General class portion of the band for check-ins there. 73 de Dave KE4S.
Net control tonight was Bill, K8SYH with check-in from Dave KE4S. We discussed the generous rainfall we have been having and its impact on delaying our antenna work. A late check-in from Chris W4PMP completed the net as we closed at 8:21.
I called the net on schedule at 8:00PM with checkins from Chris KT9N and Rick N1RM. Great to have Rick back on after several months. We talked a bit about our visit to Frostfest and Rick talked about the progress on his new tower. Closed the net at 8:25. Join us next week on 3545KHz at 8PM EST. 73 de Dave KE4S
I opened the net on 50.130 MHz at 2000 and closed at 2015. We had two check-ins: W2YE (Dick) and myself. The discussions tonight focused on HF antennas and experiences trying to keep them working properly. Make sure you stop by on Wednesday Nights to make sure your rigs still work on 6 meters and say “Hello!”
73’s,
Chris, W4PMP
80m – 3675 KHz on 24 JAN 2019 Open 0100Z
Listening 3822 KHz for General class ops to check-in
QNI:
W2YE Dick
N4PD Paul
KoZR Jeff
W4PMP Chris
K9JRK Joe, Columbus OH
KE4S Dave, net control
We discussed some of the characteristics of our different 80 meter antennas. Chris has done some mods to his antenna, and has a much improved signal. Just as we were closing, Joe joined us from Columbus and we continued a conversation with him for several minutes.
Closed 0120Z
Dave KE4S
I started the 6-meter net last night on 50.130 MHz at 8pm. We had three check-ins: N4PD (Paul), W2YE (Dick) and myself. It was great to host this net once again and I plan to keep it going into the future. Make sure you stop by on Wednesday Nights and say “Hello!”
73,
Chris, W4PMP
80m – 3675 KHz on 17 JAN 2020 Open 0100Z
Listening 3819 KHz for General class ops to check-in
QNI:
W2YE Dick
N4PD Paul
K8SYH Bill
KE4S Dave, net control
A brief net tonight. We discussed weather plans for the club meeting this Saturday based on expected winter weather. A decision on postponing the club meeting will be made and announced on the WA4TXE (146.700) Leesburg repeater between 0700L and 0730L on the morning of the meeting. No 10 meter session tonight.
73 de Dave KE4S
Closed 0118Z
Our annual meeting is scheduled for this coming Saturday. There is a threat of bad weather; our policy is that if there is an inch of snow (approximately) we should cancel the meeting. This is to allow the church easier clearing of the parking lot.
At the time of this notice, our plan in the event of inclement weather is to hold our meeting on the following Saturday, Jan 25 at the usual time. We do not have a formal alerting system if the meeting is canceled. Since the forecast is “iffy” at this time, I suggest you keep a check on the town of Leesburg closings and an ear open on 146.700 to determine if we will be meeting.
With this warning in mind, I look forward to seeing everyone show up for our election of new officers, whenever that happens. Remember, the members present will constitute a quorum, so please plan on being counted.
Happy 2020 de Dave KE4S
As I do at the end of every year I go through all of the files on my computer and do a “digital cleanse” by deleting things I do not need. I ran across this QSO of my first digital contact way back 11 years ago in 2008.
It reminded me to send out the message that we all have to start somewhere/sometime and just how much of a rookie I was back then! Heres the text of the QSO (during a contest so I was likely very annoying to her).
WA4EEZ CQ CQ CQ Skirmish de WA4EEZ WA4EEZ CWA4EEZ
WA4EEZ DE WB50DJ WB5ODJ PSE k
WB50DJ LESLIE WA4 LESLIE WA4 WB50DJ
HI LESLIE HANDLE HERE IS JOHN MY FIRST PSK QSO OVER
WB50DJ de WA4EEZ…John, I am so happy to be ur first PSK QSO….You will enjoy this mode and meet lots of new friends…I am in a PSK contest, and the exchange is the name, and the prefix…so you can send me your prefix–like WB5–…
BTU John, de WA4EEZ kn
LESLIE … THANKS FOR TAKING MY TRANSMISSION. I AM A COMPUTER GUY BUT THIS IS ALL VERY NEW TO ME. I WILL LET YOU GET BACK TO YOUR CONTEST. WA5EEZ DE WB5ODJ OVER
WB50DJ de WA4EEZ…ok John, well I am most definitely not a computer gal, but sure enjoy these digital modes….BTW ur sig is 599 599 and clean…very nice.
73 es thanks for this contact, and may you have many, many more!! 73 and good hamming to you WB5ODJ de WA4EEZ..oh my name is Leslie.. bk
wa4eez de wb5odj … handle is John. QTH is Northern Virginia (lovettsville). Antenna is new SteppIR at 80 feet. driven by a ICOM 756pro3. beam pointed to FL at the moment. UR signal is also 599 599 599 over.
WB50DJ de WA4EEZ…My kinfolk are from Giles County up there in VA….Thanks again John, and will see you again, I am sure…73 de WA4EEZ sk
73 73 73 and good night. thanks a million for the qso. WB5ODJ clear kkkk
This was before I had my Extra license and changed my call sign to drop the B in my call. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago but apparently I had just constructed my first tower and installed my then new SteppIR. Soon storms would come and break the SteppIR, rotator and my new tower and I would have to reconstruct them. And then again when I built my second tower to move the SteppIR over there so I could maintain it better.
One thing is for certain in radio, nature wins and things are always changing.
Happy new year to you all!
73,
John
W5ODJ