Good news! Thanks to Ernie KG4YNI becoming a SysOp we now have an EchoLink connection to our repeater. Echolink is very flexible and opens the world to Hams, even if all you have is a Tech license. With EchoLink you can literally go from your PC, smart phone, or tablet to any other EchoLink site in the world. If you happen to be traveling, or are a snowbird interested in keeping touch via the LARC repeater, EchoLink opens the door for you as well. Simply click on KG4YNI’s node (781052), and you will be patched into the Lakeland repeater as if you were a local user.

You can learn more by clicking on the following link.  EchoLink Site

As far as EchoLink is concerned we are in North America, United States, Area 4. Following the links to this location you will see all the EchoLink sites in Area 4. Searching for the key word Lakeland will show all the sites for Lakeland. KG4YNI will be one of them. Simply click on it to open the Lakeland Repeater. 

So why not make a New Year’s Resolution to add EchoLink to your Ham Radio Experience?

Happy New Year!

The Tampa Bay Hamfest was a great success. The new venue was much nicer that last year, and there was no shortage of vendors.
During this event, Ellen White became the first to receive the “Ellen White Award” for outstanding contributions to ham radio over the years. Ellen will tell you that it was her invitation to speak at LARC last year that got her back into ham radio, along with the support of several friends. Ellen, you are an inspiration to all of us.

And the winner is:
Bill KI4ZMV, LARC’s secretary and blogmaster, who won grand prize in the drawing. Bill is a happy camper, and will make good use of this new tool to insure the next club build project, 2 meter, 70 centimeter j-poles are tuned properly after assembly.

 Rich N4ESS, outgoing president, now current board member, is presented with a token of appreciation on behalf of the board and members by the incoming president, Matthew KK4FEM.

The 2016 Christmas party is history. This was our first event in the new location. Like anything new, there is always a bit of trepidation.  Things went smoothly, due in no small part to a lot of planning and a dose of good luck. Please click here for more pictures.

For more information, please go to Tampa Bay Hamfest

The club will move its meeting place from Church In The Meadows to the Beaconhill Fellowship located at 220 West Beacon Road, Lakeland Fl  Link to the Beaconhill Fellowship

If  you are traveling South on Florida, turn right at the corner of Florida and West Beacon. The church will be about 300 feet down West Beacon and on your left.


This is a view going West on West Beacon.

Each year we celebrate Christmas as a club on the first Monday of December, our regular meeting night. This year that would be December 5th. As in years past, Jimbo’s will cater the event. There will be pulled pork, chicken, hush puppies, and beans. Bring a desert to pass. Ice tea will be provided, but if you prefer a different beverage, please feel free to BYO soft drinks.

If you have not already done so, please contact either Richard or me if you plan to attend.  Rich has to have an accurate count for Jimbo’s. 

     Rich’s email is:n4ess@tampabay.rr.com
     My email is: billkodak@verizon.net

The event will begin at six PM at our new meeting location “The  Beaconhill Fellowship 220 West Beacon Road, Lakeland Fl.Google Maps

 Election LARC 2016

The ballots have been counted and we have a new President and Vice President. All other names on the ballot were reelected to serve another year. Congratulations to our new President and Vice President elect, Matthew Stevens and Bob Doherty.

And we have a new Extra, who tested with a perfect score no less!

Congratulations  Sam, N7CUC. Fine job.

If you have any information on the identity of this young lady, please contact Glenn Goodale.

See more images of the picnic by clicking on this link October 2016 picnic