LARC’s White Night

Last evening we were very fortunate to have Ellen White, W1YL, share her ham radio experiences from High School to the present with us. Ham radio has been an integral part of Ellen’s life, family and professional for many years.

During her presentation, Ellen passed around a memento from an era long ago when certain practices were more more acceptable. From its pristine condition, it is evident that this one has never been put into service. 🙂

Here Ellen poses with Daryl Davis KT4WX, West Central Florida Section Manager.

Above are the members of the Florida Contest Group, who attended our meeting to hear Ellen speak. This group was founded by K4OJ, Ellen’s son. Standing on the far left, proudly wearing the group’s colors, and no stranger to the members of LARC is our very own, Bob Foxworth, K2EUH.

And the winner is… Chet Carruth! Chet AB4XK is the lucky winner of the grand prize of a radio valued at $609 dollars.

Congratulations are in order. We have a new Tech, David McQueary KM4LPR, from Sun and Fun. Dave is shaking hands with his Elmer, Don Jeerings.

Guest Speaker For July Ellen White

Above photo of Ellen White as a station engineer at KPOA, Honolulu (about 1948) She got that job not just because she held an FCC First Class Radiotelephone license (mandatory in those days) but also because she was a ham (KH6QI).….highly regarded technically in those early days.

Get your questions ready for Ellen. You won’t have many opportunities to talk with someone with such a facinating background in ham radio.

ARRL Beginnings

One question you might have for our July guest speaker is “What was it like back then?” Ellen really wasn’t around way back then, but far enough back to give you an insightful response to this and any other related questions you may have about the ARRL, and her 21 years of service there.

 Ellen was presented with a photo album on her retirement. Here are a few images from that album. Clearly, the ARRL has come a long way from its humble beginnings above the Hong Sing Laundry (second image down.)

Oh, and don’t forget. The location of the July meeting will be Community Southern Bank on South Florida Avenue. Check earlier blogs for the exact location, picture of the bank, and even a map. See the sidebar on the right.—————————————>

And now the pictures.

We Are Moving!

As some of you already know, the Presbyterian Church where we have been meeting for years has been sold. We were informed Monday that it is being converted into a school for the handicapped, and that we would no longer be able to use this facility.
But don’t panic. We have made arrangements to hold our meetings for the next few months at a nicer, and perhaps more convenient location for some. The new venue will be the Community Southern Bank, 3340 S. Florida Avenue. Please note, there is another bank, on the West side of the street named Community Bank of Florida. We do not meet there. Our meeting place is the Community Southern Bank on the East side about a 1,000 feet further South.

This will be our new home, at least for the interim:

There are a few things you should know, and we will remind you again, but there is no time like the present to start. First, the meeting room is accessed through a door separate from the bank entrance. Second, please use the ample parking in the rear, not the front. Third, do not block the drive through teller, ever.

Need directions? Click Here

Governor Scott’s Proclamation

GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT PROCLAIMS JUNE 21-27 AS AMATEUR RADIO WEEK IN FLORIDA On Thursday June 18th, Governor Rick Scott signed a proclamation designating the week of June 21-June 27 as Amateur Radio Week in the State of Florida. The proclamation recognized the contribution of amateur radio operators to emergency communications, public service communications, SKYWARN, and in particular the upcoming ARRL Field Day.

Click on the image for a larger view.