Author Archives: Eric Clark

N4ESS SK

As many of you already know, former LARC President Rich Kennedy, N4ESS passed on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Services were held on Saturday, January 25. He serviced in a leadership capacity in multiple local ham clubs, Rich was very active, caring, and devoted to our community as well as his family. We shall all miss him. 73 & GUD DX N4ESS SK

LARC – 2025

Welcome to 2025!

January is a time for looking back and looking forward. That’s what we intend to do at our next club meeting this coming Monday, January 13th. We’ll discuss the big events we did back in 2024 such as Field Day, The Warrior Walk. Then we’ll talk about what we have planned for 2025 including our Spring Picnic coming up on March 15th at Colt Creek State Park.

See you at the next LARC Club Meeting!
Monday, January 13th at 7:00pm at the Parkview Baptist Church which is located right across the street from Lakeland Regional Hospital on Lakeland Hills Blvd in Lakeland, FL. We also have Ham Testing starting at 5:30pm. If you need to upgrade your license, come early for the meeting and give it a try. As always, there is no charge for taking a ham exam with us.

LARC Christmas Party Time!

All of us, even Santa, needs to put down the mike/keyer every so often and enjoy the holidays! Mark your calendar now for our next LARC club meeting. It’s this coming Monday, December 9th and will be our special Christmas party. This is going to be a special treat, so we have a special time. Instead of meeting at our usual 7pm, the fun starts at 6:00pm. No change in location. It will be at the Parkview Baptist Church across the street from Lakeland Regional Hospital. Here’s what we will be enjoying.

  • Beef Brisket
  • BBQ Chicken
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Potato salad
  • Cole slaw
  • Baked beans
  • Cakes and other deserts
  • Also! Door Prizes. There are some really cool ones too including a dual-band HT.

Cost: $10/adult $5/children.

Everyone is welcome! Bring your family & friends. This will be a great time to include someone interested in ham radio.

Reminder: No VE session for this month only. However, if you want to try a ham exam, here’s a website showing where & when you can find one near you. https://tinyurl.com/radioexams.

See you Monday! Come Hungry!

LARC Supports the Warrior Walk

On Saturday morning (10/19), many LARC members came out to Lakeland’s Lake Hollingsworth for the annual Warrior Walk. This event was in support of our active military, veterans, and Gold Star families. The weather could not have been more perfect!

During the National Anthem

Stationed at the start/finish line was Fred Delaney, KIDU (Net Control) and Eric Clark, W4EMT.

Stationed around Lake Hollingsworth to support the walkers and runners were:

Russ Delaney, N4RTD
Steve Shultz, N7HUQ
Ken Evers, W9KBE
Karl Thorton, KQ4BIV
Josiah Thorton, KQ4BIW
Ringo Bretton, N4SI
Bill Bustin, KF4Q
Grant Burhans, W2BF
Mary Burhans, KQ4HWU
Ed Marchese, N2TE
Howard Pierce, K4THC

Performing support and rover positions were:
Jim Stewart, W4XDS
Mike Shreve, N6MRS

And bringing up the rear, walking behind the group, was Kenny Kozla, KM4UYX. Kenny was the only LARC member supporting the Warrior Walk that actually walked all the way around the lake. Kenny is seen here getting some lifesaving assistance at one of the sponsor’s stations.

Note that he is also still vertical!

Apologies if anyone was left out. Everyone had a great time! And, it was an opportunity to support the public.

Quick Note: Keep on eye on your inbox for an email from Jim Stewart. He will be sending out ballots for the 2025 LARC Directors and Board members upcoming elections. Jim will also have instructions on how to send your completed ballots back in for counting. You have a say in the leadership of the club for next year. The results will be announced at the November meeting.

Warrior Walk – This Saturday (10/19)!

One of the things that we would have discussed this past Monday at our regular meeting was the Warrior Walk which is on for this Saturday. We need your help to provide communications including operators for each of the stations as well one or more net controllers. This is very short notice. If you can help, contact Jim Stewart, W4XDS as quickly as you can.

Meet at the First Presbyterian Church on Lake Hollingsworth Drive. Be there by 8:00am at the latest. The Warrior Walk starts at 9:00am.

October LARC Meeting Canceled

Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the Board has decided to cancel the October meeting of the LARC which was set for Monday (10/14). Again, no meeting this month. There will also be no ham testing this month either. However, we still need to elect our 2025 Directors. Be looking for something from Jim Stewert, W4XDS. He will have the candidates for each office as well as voting instructions.

Also, the Fall LARC Fall Picnic set for Saturday (10/19) has also been canceled and will not be rescheduled. This is also due to the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. This just means that our annual Christmas Party will be that much better!

LARC September Meeting

On Monday, September 9th, the LARC had its regular monthly meeting. Mike Shreve, N6MRS, explained Parks on the Air, or POTA. He included some great examples of his phone & CW contacts showing what to listen for and what to transmit. It’s easy to get started too. Just go to https://parksontheair.com. Here you can register, if you haven’t already, to get in on the fun and see who is working at what park in addition to where they are on the band. In case you didn’t know,POTA is now a worldwide thing.

Our next monthly meeting will be on Monday October 14th, which also happens to be Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day. Later that same week, on Saturday, October 19th, LARC is hosting the Fall Picnic. Yes! You are invited! It will be at the same location as the Spring Picnic, Colt Creek State Park in the Blue Heron Pavilion. Check back later for more info. Did someone just say POTA?!?