Author Archives: Jimmy Russ

The Radio Amateur’s Code…are we living up to it?

The original Radio Amateur’s Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA over 90 years ago (in 1928), and it’s as relevant today as the day it was written…

The radio amateur is:

CONSIDERATE…never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL…offers loyalty, encouragement, and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which amateur radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE…with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach.

FRIENDLY…slow and patient operating when requested; offers friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kind assistance, cooperation, and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED…radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school, or community.

PATRIOTIC…station and skills are always ready for service to country and community.

If we’re operating on the air or working to mentor a new operator, are we living up to this ideal and passing it along to others?

Upcoming events in the area

We are in the the thick of hamfest season, and there is lots going on over the next few weeks…

01/20/23-01/21/23 Southwest Florida Regional Hamfest/ARRL South Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers https://swflhamfest.info

01/28/23 Desoto County Hamfest, Arcadia http://desotoarc.org

02/10/23-02/12-23 Orlando Hamcation/ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando http://www.hamcation.com

02/18/23 Highlands County Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Sebring https://highlandsamateurradio.com/

02/18/23 Hernando County Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Brooksville http://www.hcara.org

02/24/23-/2/25/23 TechCon, presented by the ARRL West Central Florida Section, Tampa http://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/wcftechconference/

It’s a good time to be a ham in Florida!

LARC Year in Review!

2022 was quite the eventful year for us all, and the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club was no different. From the Sun ‘N Fun Aerospace Expo special event station to Field Day to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, it seems like there was always something going on. We even had a member with an article published in QST!

As 2022 comes to a close, on behalf of the LARC Officers and Board of Directors, your friendly neighborhood blogmaster would like to say 73 to all, and see you next year!

LARC December Meeting and Christmas Party!

The Lakeland Amateur Radio Club December meeting and Christmas party will be on Monday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Parkview Baptist Church, 509 Parkview Place in Lakeland.

Admission is $10.00 per person and each attendee will get a ticket which will enter them for a door prize (and there’s some good ones! Dinner will be catered by Mission BBQ.

Please note the start time will be 6:00 p.m. (1800 local, 2300 GMT) and there will be no testing due to the early start time.

Skywarn Recognition Day 2022

Today, December 3 is Skywarn Recognition Day!

SKYWARN Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service (NWS) and ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® to honor the contributions that SKYWARN volunteers make to the NWS mission — the protection of life and property during threatening weather. During the SKYWARN special event, hams will operate from several NWS offices, as well as from their mobile, home, and club stations. “The relationship between amateur radio operators and the NWS is extremely important for relaying information during storms of any type,” said ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. “SKYWARN is a perfect example of the value of hams working together with government partners during times of disaster.” 

The SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program has been a mechanism used by the NWS for years to educate people on what to watch for during weather events and to provide a source for information to the NWS offices. Program courses provide information on reportable criteria for cloud formations, and even what to look for during the formation of supercells that may cause tornadoes or other potentially dangerous weather events.

To celebrate, today the National Weather Service office in Ruskin, in addition to having a net on the NI4CE system, opened it’s doors and welcomed amateur radio operators to come in and visit and have a look around…

Dan Noah, WX4DAN showing us around the weather center
Paul Toth, NB9X of the West Central Florida Group was running the net
ARRL WCF Assistant Section Manager (and your friendly neighborhood blogmeister) Jimmy Russ, AB4KA talking with Paul Toth, NB9X
Celebrating Skywarn Recognition Day 2022
Outbuilding where weather balloons are launched twice a day
100′ tower with 28′ radar dish inside

November LARC meeting tomorrow night: Officer Elections!

Tomorrow night, as a part of our regular monthly meeting we will be electing club officers. Ballots have been emailed to all dues-paying club members. At this point mailing your ballot in is (due to time) no longer an option. Please print out your ballot and bring it with you, and there will also be ballots available at the meeting.

You can also fill out your ballot and either scan it or snap a photo and email it to Jim Stewart, W4XDS at w4xds@outlook.com. DO NOT reply to the ballot email or otherwise send it to the LARC CQ mailing list, unless you want everyone to see your ballot and you don’t want your ballot to count because you sent it to the wrong place.

As always the meeting will be a 7:00 p.m. at Parkview Baptist Church, 509 Parkview Place in Lakeland. See you there!