Open Streets Lancaster

Lancaster is celebrating a new initiative called Open Streets Lancaster. It's catching on in more than 90 other cities and towns across the USA and Canada. The city shuts down a street (Water Street) and allow groups, merchants, vendors etc., in the zone to participate. This year it is on the afternoon of Sunday 20-May. For Red Rose Repeater Association, this could be a good event to promote Amateur Radio. This will be our first year and we plan on bringing together a few VHF/UHF radios, possibly an HF rig, and even someone who is willing to 'rove' about the event with an HT. We plan on displaying the club banner, laying out published brochures about Amateur Radio and discussing the hobby with anyone showing interest. This is our first time we'll be doing this. Would you come out to join us? We don't know exactly where our spot will be, so a talk-in will most likely be available.

10m Nets

The club conducts weekly HF nets on the 10m band. These are nets to expand the skillset in HF SSB area for all amateurs, including Technician Class licensees. The 10m nets are Tuesdays at 2000EDT at 28.400MHz. Every week is a different net controller (see the calendar above and click on the week of interest to see who is net control). The band has been opening up lately, so get involved! Hone your HF skills! NOTE: If there is existing traffic less than five minutes prior to the net start, the net will move to 28.410MHz.

ARES Nets

The Lancaster County ARES conduct regular net meetings, two per month--> voice only and voice/digital:

• Voice Only - First Tuesday of every month at [2030EST/EDT] and will be on the N3FYI (145.31MHz) repeater. Times may change according to participation, as there is another net meeting (SPARC) at [2100EST/EDT].
• Voice/Digital - Third Tuesday of every month also at [2030EST/EDT] and will be on the N3FYI (145.31MHz) repeater. Times may change according to participation, as there is another net meeting (SPARC) at [2100EST/EDT]. Check back here for details (including digital mode) as the time approaches.

Public Service Event, Make-A-Wish Foundation Mother's Day Truck Convoy

On 13-May-18, the Make-A-Wish Foundation sponsors the 29th annual convoy. For the past 28 years, the event has been held on Mother’s Day in Lancaster. Over the years the number of trucks has grown to over 500 with over 100 wish children as passengers riding each year. The event draws approximately 5,000 people to Burle Business Park to see the trucks, attend an auction, play games and enjoy delicious local food. Another 25,000 people line the 26 mile route to cheer for the trucks and wish children as they pass by. In all this activity, there is a need for amateur radio course coverage. Will you volunteer?

Sharing our Success Fundraiser

The club participates in a quarterly fundraiser in conjunction with two local diners. Both the Knight and Day Diner and the Park City Diner participate in a 'giving back' program with Red Rose Repeater Association. Download and print this document (click here) and use the coupon (you can cut it out) every time you eat at either diner. 10% of the meal purchase will then be donated to Red Rose Repeater Association to provide for needed equipment and expenses. The coupon is reusable and allows the success of both diners and Red Rose to continue.

VE Testing

Red Rose Repeater Association is sponsoring a Laurel VEC associated VE team to offer ham radio tests at no cost to the examinee. Testing is held at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology on Orange 1100 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, in room 46 on the 3rd Saturday of the odd numbered months. Registration starts at 11:30am with testing beginning promptly at noon. Pre-registrations preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted. E-mail Jason (N1CYB) for pre-registration and questions. Note: A FRN (FCC Registration Number) is required for testing, show up early if assistance is needed in obtaining a FRN. A government issued photo ID is also required for testing. Entrance to testing facility on corner of Clark ST and Parkside AVE. Room 46 right inside door to the right. Parking available on street or in lot behind building across Parkside Avenue. Planned dates are:

• 19-May-18
• 21-Jul-18
• 15-Sep-18
• 17-Nov-18
• 19-Jan-19

Band Charts Updated!

The ARRL has revised and updated the band allocation charts and they are now available for download. You can download the PDF documents, available in color or grayscale presentations, for printing. The revised allocations charts reflect the new 630m and 2,200m bands. These charts will be available for purchase in 11x17 and 8.5x11 formats (in packs of 50) from the ARRL Store. Also, both include the ARRL Worked All States (WAS) map on the reverse. Before using either band, stations must notify the Utilities Technology Council (UTC) they plan to do so. If the UTC does not respond within 30 days, they may commence operation.

• Transmitters - Our VHF and UHF transmitters are located atop the Lancaster General Hospital in the City of Lancaster
• Receivers - Our VHF receivers are located at Welsh Mountain (east), Lancaster Regional Hospital and near Safe Harbor (west), providing a large footprint for the county, plus into neighboring counties
• Echo Link - For those traveling outside the immediate area of Lancaster County, our Echolink server keeps them in touch.