May 2016 Meeting

 A Note From The President

Hello to all,

I want to thank everyone that came out last night to our LARC club meeting. We had a group of 53 show up for the meeting. A check of the records show that we now have 83 dues paying members in our club. We had one person test and pass the extra class exam and that was John Leahy, KK4ITX. Congratulations to our new extra class. 

The March for Babies, March of Dimes event on April 30 had a good turnout and we were able to man the stations around Lake Hollingsworth with no problems. Our youngest member Liam Holzer, KM4STS, 8 years old, got his parents Aimee, KM4STT, and Leon, KM4STU, out to assist him. Liam manned his post and reported in on his HT. I asked if he drove to the meeting but he let Mom and Dad take care of the transportation. 

We had the pleasure of having several visitors to the club. We welcomed Duane Archibald, N4WDH, of Wesley Chapel, president of the East Pasco Amateur Radio Society, EPARS. Thanks for coming Duane. We were also fortunate to have a couple of visitors that are getting interested in amateur radio and stopped by to see what they could learn about our hobby. We will see them back in the next few months for their technician tests.

Fred Delaney, K1DU, is getting us ready for field day and is getting the signup sheets filled with operators. Please contact Fred and get ready to support LARC field day. Fred does a great job of organizing this event each year and takes great pride in making sure that we are successful. Thanks Fred.

Matthew Stevens spoke on the use of Log Book of the World, LOTW, and how to get started in using this useful tool. 

Next meeting Bob Siegel, WA4YFN, will be speaking on generators and emergency power. Bob has years of business experience in this a rea and will bring some great information to the meeting. I look forward to hearing his presentation.

Al Sheppard, W4ZSC, was with us in spirit as he is in India at this time having just traveled from Dubai and will be back later this week.

Thanks to all and see you soon,
Rich Kennedy – N4ESS

President
Lakeland Amateur Radio Club
813-240-5614

Congratulations John, KK4ITX now Extra!

Matthew did an outstanding job, and on very short notice, on the Log Book Of The World.

Kevin updated the group on his and Matthew’s experience working Florida State Parks.

The room was packed. I counted over 54 attendees.

 Request for Assistance
During the meeting Mike Shreve offered the group an opportunity to help out at an upcoming event. The event is called the Citrus Tour and will take place on May 21-22.

There are a number of volunteer openings, both for fixed positions and mobile volunteers (drivers or passengers). Anyone interested in volunteering, should register at www.citrustourradio.org. Your name will be added to the roster from there. 

There is also a  Facebook page, at Citrus Tour Radio Support.

Michael Shreve

LARC Picnic April 2, 2016

The spring picnic this year will be at the Lake Parker Park Park. For the new comers, these events are a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to socialize. Take the boat dock entrance, that’s the second one on the left, if you are coming from Lakeland Hills Boulevard. We usually get the very last pavilion.

The club will provide the burgers and dogs, condiments, and paper plates. You bring a dish to pass, and something to drink. It goes without saying that families are welcome. Rich and Mike will be there at the crack of dawn to reserve our spot and set up. There will be coffee and donuts before the picnic. Things should break up around 2:00 PM.

Our club radio will be operational, but if you would like to bring one of your own, that is fine too. There is plenty of room. There will also be a fox hunt for those interested.

Here are some images from last year. As you can see, we have a bunch of guys working up an appetite before the picnic.

Click Here For A Google Map

I Was Feeling Sorry For Myself

It is so cold in the morning. Evenings too. Then I got these photos from my son, also Bill KD0BLZ and his wife Liz KD0GVW who make their home in Littleton, CO. They were taken this afternoon. That’s his car, almost in the driveway, and yes, that is his street. Suddenly, things don’t seem all that bad. Wearing a sweater in the morning and evening is no big deal. Really. I can live with it.  🙂