Tampa Bay Hamfest is this Friday & Saturday!

The annual Tampa Bay Hamfest is this weekend! It is once again being held at the Strawberry Festival grounds, however due to virus concerns it is primarily going to be held outside (so far the weather looks like it should be good). It starts Friday, December 11 at 1 p.m. and runs through Saturday, December 12 at 4 p.m.

See the attached link for details. See you there!

General Information

Skywarn Recognition Day December 5

SKYWARN™ Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that SKYWARN™ volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property. Amateur radio operators comprise a large percentage of the SKYWARN™ volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency management if normal communications become inoperative.

For additional info and details on the operating event go to https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

It’s ARRL Sweepstakes SSB Weekend!

Once again it’s time for the November Sweepstakes (ok, CW weekend was two week ago)! ARRL’s November Sweepstakes is the oldest U.S. based contest, having been around since 1930, and has it’s roots in traffic handling, thus the somewhat complicated exchange.

Sweepstakes is a great way to sharpen your H.F. operating skills, and it’s a fun way to spend some time on the air as one doesn’t need a killer station to make lots of contacts and work plenty of states and counties. The ultimate Sweepstakes goal is a “Clean Sweep”, which is to work all 84 U.S. and Canadian ARRL/RAC Sections, which is definitely a challenge in these times of diminished solar activity.

Visit http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes for details, and see you on the air!

Yes, Virginia…there are still hamfests going on!

While their number is greatly reduced, and big ones such as the Dayton Hamvention and Orlando Hamcation are getting cancelled, there are still good hamfests going on. These photos are from one that took place in Clearwater this past Saturday.

The Tampa Bay Hamfest will be taking place in Plant City on December 11 & 12. Go to fgcarc.org for additional details. Also, the Southcars meeting and swap meet will be taking place at the Golden Corral on U.S. 98 North in Lakeland Saturday from 9am until noon.

The best place to find hamfest info is at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar

Let’s get out there and support our fellow hams, and who knows…you might find a bargain!

The Election is Over!

Ok, maybe not that one, but the election for club officers is done. The Lakeland Amateur Radio Club officers for the next year are:

  • President: Mike Shreve, N6MRS
  • Vice President: Top Smith, WB6ZEQ
  • Secretary: Ken Evers, W9KBE
  • Treasurer: John Beatty, KN4SAU

Many thanks to these gentlemen for stepping up to serve the club for the next year!

There were 24 in attendance.

A very important meeting Monday, November 9!

It’s meeting time again, and this month it’s elections! If you haven’t mailed in your ballot, please bring it to the meeting as votes will be counted at the meeting. We’ll be meeting again at the pavilion by the Sunset Grille at Sun & Fun, same as last month. Meeting starts at 7p.m. (with social hour whenever you care to get there), and we’ll be having testing at 5:30. Please come and support your club!

Scenes from the 2020 Warrior Walk

It was a beautiful day for the Warrior Walk Saturday, and while the turnout was much lower than in previous years, the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club was well represented by…

  • Mike Shreve, N6MRS – Local Net Control Station
  • Bob Doherty, KM4BAO – Remote Command Center
  • Bill Aten, K4JZ – Roving Vehicle
  • Ringo Breton, K2TDR – Embedded Walker
  • Stacy Breton, K1TDR – Embedded Walker Monitor
  • John Beatty, KN4SAU – Station One
  • Top Smith, WB6ZEQ – Station Two Commander
  • Glenn Smith, KO4AWJ – Station Two First Mate
  • Gracie – Station Two K9 Security
  • Mike Lunsford, KB4FHP – Station Three Commander
  • Ken Evers, KO4HIF – Station Three First Mate

Many thanks to all who took time out from their weekend to participate and support the club and our community.

Warrior Walk this Saturday! Volunteers still needed…

Just a reminder that the 2020 Warrior Walk around Lake Hollingsworth is this Saturday, October 24. The Lakeland Amateur Radio Club will be providing communications for the event (via the LARC repeater, so bring your HT) and additional volunteers are still needed. Please contact Bob Doherty, KM4BAO at robertd654@yahoo.com for additional details and to volunteer. Volunteers should plan to be available from 8 a.m. to noon (the start time has been pushed back to 8:30 a.m.)

Please see the earlier blog post for additional details. See you at the lake!