Virtual Ham Fest

This is an announcement of an upcoming 'virtual hamfest'. This means radio equipment is for sale, but not at a literal hamfest. KB3MUN finished cleaning house for a moving auction. The ham-related items (CLICK HERE for the new virtual ham fest photo album) are available for viewing. If you find items of interest make an offer on or learn more about. Email KB3MUN and he can answer questions or respond to offers. Every few days, photos will be removed from the album as the items are spoken for. Thanks to all who participated in the first version of this virtual hamfest.

January Meeting Zoom Information:

Topic: RRRA January Meeting
Time: Oct 21, 2020 18:30 Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92718797476?pwd=Yk1LVXUzQkdpVk1hUElJdmRub0M1UT09

Meeting ID: 927 1879 7476
Passcode: 147015
One tap mobile
    +16465588656,,92718797476#,,,,*147015# US (New York)
    +13017158592,,92718797476#,,,,*147015# US (Washington D.C)

Dial by your location
    +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
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Meeting ID: 927 1879 7476
Passcode: 147015
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ac8tT9zcsi

2m Nets

The club conducts weekly VHF nets on the 2m repeater for the purpose of passing club traffic and information. These nets are Wednesdays at 2100EDT/EST and every week has a different Net Control Station. We also accept Echolink check-ins!

If you are interested in participating as a Net Control Station, it is important that you be a Club Member and contact our Net Manager, Mark Vreeland (KB3NCJ), here. Each week has a Primary Net Control Station and a Backup Net Control Station. We welcome members to get their practice as a Net Control Station!

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/EST at 28.435MHz. 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 28.445MHz.

If you are interested in participating as a Net Control Station, feel free to contact Dan Boone KB3ZMB and express your interest.

Welfare Nets

There are daily nets on our 2m repeater, named the 'Welfare Net'. The purpose of this net is to daily bring together the local amateur radio community and allow for round-table updates with respect to this area. If you are concerned, if you have input, please tune in to our VHF repeater every evening 1945EDT/EST for a brief Wellness and Welfare update. This gives everyone in the listening area a chance to touch base amid the current COVID-19 pandemix. Drop in, connect and say 'HI'!

More Radio, Less Business!

We are now sponsoring technical presentations in our monthly club meetings. We want to foster a better understanding of the hobby and the rudiments of radio for those who are new to the hobby as well as for those who are seasoned operators.

Technical Presentations
The goal of Technical Presentations is to bring in the chance for others to learn more about the hobby. Whether it’s simple radio shack setup, antenna design, 2m HT operations, fox hunting, digital modes, soldering skills, etc., the goal of the Technical Presentation is to engage those with a desire to learn more and to share.

Presenters
Do you have a topic for which you’d feel comfortable presenting? Would you like to share your knowledge? Some of the topics we'd like to open up to are as follows: Intro to digital modes and what they sound like in your receiver, antenna making, things one can do with an oscilloscope, show-and-tell, a kit built, showing off an SDR, new rig, outings with pictures shown, experience with tracking down a noise source or an equipment problem, intro to radio nets, SKCC, the Buzzards, traffic handling, Antique Wireless Associations, antenna “tuners” and transmission lines, propagation basics and the list goes on! If you feel it would be beneficial for others to see, step up and let us know! In the meantime, the following are scheduled to present at these respective club meetings:

• 16-Dec-20: ARES/ACS - Harry Bauder (N3FMO) and Dan Boone (KB3ZMB) will be presenting ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and ACS (Auxiliary Communications Service) what they are in Lancaster County.
• 20-Jan-21: QSL Cards - Alex Van Patten (W3AVP) will be presenting the topic of QSL Cards and their importance in the validation, cameraderie and excitement of making contacts in the Amateur Radio hobby.
• More? - Consider putting yourself in this time slot and sharing your knowledge!

ARES Nets

The Lancaster County ARES conduct regular net meetings, two per month voice only and voice/digital. Now that these are ARES functions, it is best to go to the ARES Connect website, log in (or register) and put these nets on your calendar:

• 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.

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. The testing sessions are at the Holiday Inn Express in Lititz at 101 Crosswinds Dr, Lititz, PA 17543.

Registration starts at 11:30am with testing beginning promptly at noon. Pre-registration IS required, walk-ins will NOT be accepted at this session. E-mail Jason (W3PC) for pre-registration and questions.

Note: A government issued photo ID is required for testing.

Planned dates are:

• 16-Jan-21
• 20-Mar-21
• 15-May-21

Skywarn Training

Right now there are no in-person SkyWarn trainings offered, however, the National Weather Service now offers an online, free course for weather spotting. CLICK HERE FOR THE COURSE.

• 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), SPARC's tower (northwest), the former Lancaster Regional hospital (local) and near Safe Harbor (southwest), 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.