Thursday Night net May 7, 2015
New Repeater System In Town
By Ron Smith
I’m a relatively new ham using primarily a Yaesu HT60 and a small mag mount antenna on my car. I am only an occasional user, but am always interested in new, simple ways to communicate with my HT.
Recently, I found the SARnet , a network of linked UHF repeaters , tying into the Florida DOT microwave system and giving even small HT’s statewide repeater coverage. There are close 30 repeaters covering the entire state.
All the information you need is on http://sarnetfl.com, and shows a statewide coverage map, with frequencies, and tones. I believe they all use a +5 offset.
Already, from the Lakeland and Tampa repeaters, I have contacted Chipley, Jacksonville, and tonight monitored Sarasota.
Since it is linked statewide you do have to allow approximately 2-3 second both in keying up, and waiting for a reply.
Try it out and have some fun!
Ron Smith
KK4JEA
Two New Generals
Two new Generals chilling out after passing their exams. Left to right,
VE’s Richard and Glen next to, Bob KM4BAO new General, Janice KM4IEY new General, followed by VE Ron.
Not shown, but also receiving an upgrade to General was Yisrael Freedman, KA4PNE. Yisrael had to leave early, but it will be worth your time to visit his QRZ site http://www.qrz.com/lookup/ka4pne
The following images were taken during the evening. Snapshots by Bill, and Character studies by Sarah.
Click Here
Thursday Net April 30, 2015
Another Successful March For Babies
A big thank you goes to the following who participated in the march.
Bill KJ4IAI “grasshopper”, David Ki4WRX “doughnut”, Larry KI4DNO, Bob KM4BAO, Rich N4ESS, Jim W4XDS, Glenn W4JGT, Ernie KG4YNI Net Control, Bill KI4ZMV walker
A Southern Fairy Tale
My good friend Ernie KG4YNI once asked if I knew the difference between a Northern and Southern Fairy Tale. I didn’t so he went on to explain. A Northern Fairy Tale starts with “Once upon a time,” but a Southern Fairy Tale begins with “You ani’t never going to believe this.” Well, I have a Southern Fairy Tale with a good ending.
Recently I became concerned about the power my icom 7000 was putting out. Not wanting to believe the power meter on the radio, which clearly did not register full power even though the radio was set to deliver it, I asked Rich if he could help. He brought his Bird watt-meter to my shack, and sure enough, I was getting only 50 watts out when my rig was set for 100 watts on HF, and 25 watts when set for 50 on VHF. Later the next evening, he suggested that I might find the answer by searching Google, which I did. Most of the hits I got were useless or irrelevant, and then I stumbled across an article by AB4OJ suggesting that corrosion on the inline fuses from the power supply to the radio was the culprit. I pulled my fuses, and discovered the same black lines of corrosion that AB4OJ found. See photo below of my fuses before and after cleaning with emery paper.
Bottom line, after cleaning the fuses, I am now able to get a full 100 watts out of my radio. I know what you are thinking. You ain’t going to believe this, but it is true, and something to keep in mind.
KI4ZMVBill
PS If anyone would like to contribute to the blog with information that you feel we could profit from, please feel free to submit what you have, and I will publish it.
Thursday Net April 23, 2015
A big thank you to Sparks for stepping up and taking the net. We had 16 check-ins, same as last weeks total. Good job!
Sadly, Don Will Not Be Able To Work The March For Babies This Year
The march will not be the same without Don, but his talents are needed elsewhere. Manning the satellite Up-link transmitter to the satellite is a tough job, but someone has to do it.
I hope it was nothing I said. I hope we can still be friends. We go back a lot of years mate. A lot of years.
Three New Techs In Tampa
From left to right, club president Rich N4ESS, VE coordinator Peggy N4PEG, Brian Noriega KM4JVY, Leroy Doughty KM4JVX, and past club president Ernie KG4YNI. Congratulations to all for a fine job. Now get on the radio. 🙂
Shown here being congratulated by Peggy N4PEG and Ernie KG4YNI is Ray Valdez KM4JVZ. It is great to know that you are never too old to learn. That said, sometimes larger print can make all the difference in the world. 🙂 Great job Ray. Hope to hear you on the radio some time in the near future.
A special thanks has to go to Billy Swartz KH6POI for his part in preparing these fine young men to take the test. That’s what ham radio is all about.
March For Babies 2015
Please join us in the March For Babies. Bring your HT, and give a hand to the good cause.If you plan on attending, contact Rich N4ESS for an assignment. This is always a fun event, and much appreciated.
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2015
Time: 8:00AM
Registration Time: 7:00AM
First Presbyterian Church
175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr
Lakeland, FL 33801
Note, parking is limited. Plan to arrive early so that you can find a space in the church parking lot.