This year’s Hamation was well attended. Weather couldn’t have been better, and as one ham put it, “It is great being with a bunch of folks who love the hobby.”

For more images of Hamcation Click Here

This is NQ1R, Bob Inderbitzen, from the ARRL Headquarters. He is here to take photographs of the convention. He takes photos of most of the major conventions. Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, is Sales and Marketing Manager of the American Radio Relay League

Peggy and Brenda discussing their next radio purchase.

Congratulations John Miller KM4QVY. You are now a Tech. Enjoy the privileges, and hurry back to take the General. Surrounding John are the usual suspects, George, Ron, our VE Coordinator Peggy, and Al.

Congratulations Edward Grodski KW4QF a new Extra, and Wilmar Barrameda KM4QVZ a new Tech. Great job to the both of you. Don’t be strangers. Come on back and visit us again.
Left to right, Al, Peggy, Ed, Wilmar, Richard, and Ron.

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Communications

Commander James Mulligan was the main speaker of the evening. His topic was radio communications in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. James explained how state of the art radio technology was able to keep our waters safe.

Web Software Defined Radio

Mike Shreve gave an interesting presentation on using the website websdr.org . Feel free to click on this blog to experience something unique. 

WebSDR is a Software-Defined Radio receiver connected to the internet, allowing many listeners to listen and tune it simultaneously.SDR technology makes it possible that all listeners tune independently, and thus listen to different signals; this is in contrast to the many classical receivers that are already available via the internet.

WebSDR was first conceived as a means to make the 25 m radio telescope at Dwingeloo available to many radio amateurs for EME reception. In order to test a preliminary version of the software without using the 25m dish, a shortwave WebSDR was set up on Christmas Eve 2007 at the radio club of the University of Twente. After further development, its existence was publicly announced in April 2008. Interest for the project has been large since then, and many amateurs worldwide have expressed an interest in setting up their own WebSDR server. In November 2008, a beta testing phase has started with a few selected stations. By now, the software is made available to anyone serious about setting up a server; see the FAQ for information on this.

A WebSDR server consists of a PC running Linux and the WebSDR server software, a fast internet connection (about a hundred kbit/s uplink bandwidth per listener), and some radio hardware to feed antenna signals into the PC. This radio hardware is typically a quadrature mixer connected to the PC’s soundcard, like the popular SoftRock kits.

There were 50 attendees at this month’s meeting. This is a normal number, and included several first time visitors.

Once In A While It Is Good To Say Thank You

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to bring you programs each month. At times it requires a good deal of imagination, creativity, and often a good deal of luck. Before this evenings meeting, there were government forms to fill out in order to secure our speaker. Government contacts were also required prior to our first NPOTA event. While our first go at NPOTA was not a total success, it was hardly a failure either. In no small way it was the result of the planning and prep work that preceded it. I for one was impressed with our member’s resilience under very adverse conditions. But then, isn’t that what hams are supposed to be known for? 🙂

Thank  you Rich for all you do.

Andrew (WX4AMS) will be accepting orders for shirts
and hats at the upcoming meeting on Feb. 1. Those wanting T-shirts
screen printed or polos embroidered will need to bring the shirts to the
meeting. If you can’t make it this month, orders will also be accepted
at the March meeting. Payments (in cash) at the time of your order are
appreciated.

All things considered the Club’s participation in our first National Parks On The Air event was a success. Apparently regulations by state vary, and in Florida, Hams are not counted as an endangered species.

Thanks to good old Ham ingenuity the day was saved by utilizing vehicle mounted antennas, in combination with some creative cabling between them. The good news is, in spite of the chilly reception, and the very windy and chilly weather, we all had a great day.

Brenda and Rich Hold up the NPOTA signage, while trusty dog Squirt poses for the camera.

Peggy and Brenda watch as the Antenna’s go up.

 Rich wraps himself in the NPOTA banner to protect himself from the chill in the air, as Mike makes secures the mast that will hold his inverted V.

Matthew makes some last minute adjustments to his antenna.

George hit the ground running. He was first to be wired and ready to go.

And then, we met the park ranger.

She was polite, but firm. No erections in the park without a permit. This was a real disappointment. Everything had to come down. In keeping with tradition, we followed Ham Radio’s Rule #2. “When all else fails, have a picnic.”

Around the table in clockwise direction we have Mike, Matthew, Peggy, Rich, and Brenda. Bill is holding the camera. George and George opted to call it a day when they learned they could not set up.

During lunch, the group formulated a plan that was both within park rules, and afforded them the opportunity to make some contacts. They moved to a different section of the park, and were able to share one mobile antenna by connecting it via coax to a second. A creative solution that allowed everyone to play.

They say, in life, it is not the difficulties you face, but the way you deal with them that reveals what you are made of. We braved the wind, cold, and even chilly reception, and still had a great time. Oh, and well over a hundred contacts!

Our club will be participating in National Parks On The Air or NPOA. The following information will fill you in on the details. If you can be present, that will be great. If you can’t, you can at least be present on the air. This is somewhat of a first for our club. Matthew has done a great job organizing this event. Let’s show him the support his effort deserves.

Click on the image to expand, or the link below to download a PDF of the flyer.

Click Here For Flyer

Future Big Wheels In Amateur Radio

Congratulations, Ray, Donald, and Steven; all new Technicians.
Left to right Richard, Ray KM4QBS, Peggy, Ron, Donald KM4QBR, Steven KM4QBT, and Kevin.

About To Embark On A Voyage Across The Airwaves

Left to right Glenn, Mike KK4PFA a new General, Peggy, and Al.

Thank You Bob For All Your Service

Field Day Is Just Around The, Around The, Around the corner!

Fred reviewed results from last year. We did good. In true Boston fashion, you ‘kont’ be too rich, too thin, or prepare for field day too soon! 🙂

National Pars On The Air NPOTA

Matthew discussed the upcoming trip by club members on the 23 and 24 of January to Big Cyprus National Preserve. Contact him if you would like to join the group.

The 45th Alafia River Rendezvous

This year, Stephanie is director of the Alifia River Rendezvous. All club members are invited to join her on the 22 and 23 of January. Contact her for a free pass.

Moma’s Little Baby May Love Shortnin Bread, 
             But Don Prefers Raspberry Pi

 

Don exposed us to the wonders of the Raspberry Pi as well as an interesting application of the Arduino, in combination with an X-bee wireless radio transceiver.

Click Here For More Images

 Our Youngest Member

Click Here For More Images          

Once again, our Christmas dinner will be catered by Jimbos. 
It will be held on the first Monday of the month,  December 7th.
The location will be the same location as our meetings. 
Dinner will start at 6:00 PM.

Please let Richard know that you are coming, and the number in your party, so that he can order sufficient food. You can pay at the door, but you must let him know in advance so that he can order enough vittles to go round. 

You can call him, or email him, or contact him on the radio, but let him know. 

        Phone: 813-240-5614
       Email: n4ess@tampabay.rr.com
       Radio: N4ESS

Finally, in keeping with tradition I have hauled out our Martha Stewart inspired Christmas wreath. 

Mildred V. Kennedy (1/11/1934 – 11/11/2015) 81, of Zephyrhills passed away November 11, 2015. She was born January 11, 1934 in Zephyrhills to Felton and Maud (Hancock) Hill. Mrs. Kennedy was a longtime employee of Progressive Insurance Company. She is survived by a son, Richard Kennedy (Peggy) of Zephyrhills; grandson, Richard Kennedy II (Melinda) of Riverview, FL; two great grandsons, Richard Kennedy III and Josh Manning; great granddaughter, Shelby Manning; one brother, James Ira Hill (Cindy) of Shallote, NC; brother-in-law, Jim Kennedy (Lyndall) of Live Oak, FL; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Reuben Kennedy and a son, David Kennedy.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 1:00 pm Saturday, November 14, at Whitfield Funeral Home. Funeral Services will take place 1:00 pm at the funeral home.