LPD Openhouse

“Manning” the LARC booth at the Lakeland Police Department Open house we have, left to right, Gabby KK4ASD, Ansel KJ4ZRU, Tom KJ4WFS, Christy Tom’s XYL, and Robin AF1RE. Judging from the crowds, the event was a success.

And working club’s radio in the LPD Emergency Radio Room is Ren KG4BAS

With A Little Help From My Friends


When Glen Culler W4JGC needed some help moving his newly acquired antenna to its new home, he put out the word, and his friends showed up to help. Most are regulars at the Tuesday breakfast get-togethers at the BrunchBox. Many hands make light the work.

From left to right are Glen Minnich WB4KW, Al KA2BVC, Glen Culler whose tower we all came to move, Rick’s wife Phyllis N4HVB, and Rick ND4Z, Bob K2EUH, Ed K9RWP, and last but not least Jesse the hammer K9GO.

Not shown but also present were Bill KI4ZMV, and Lois, who put on quite a fare for all those who came to help.

Three For Three!

We have two new techs, Philip and Don Flynn, and one new General, Michael Gearhart KK4ASE. Congratulations! You all did good!

Patrick is seen here relaxing with the Flynns after their grueling test session. That’s Phil on the right, and Don in the middle.

Congratulations Michael. You are now a General.

Two Upgrades And A New Tech

Club president, Patrick KI4CDY congratulates Tom, KJ4WFS on his passing the Extra exam. Tom, board member and Arduino guru, is always there to support a club members interested in either electronics or C programming.

Welcome to the fold, Colt. Congratulations on passing your tech exam with flying colors. It was obvious that you studied well for this exam. We are looking forward to seeing more of you in the months to come.

And congratulations Bob KK4EJG on passing the General. All three candidates are proof that passing with flying colors is a matter of knowing your stuff, and this group, without exception, proved this point.

PSK31 Anyone?

PSK 31 is a relatively new amateur mode. Incredibly, in the space of one voice QSO, mode PSK 31 allows nearly ten digital conversations. Bandwidth economy is not the only amazing feature of this mode. Its ability to span large distances with relatively low power, 25 watts or fewer, is its other claim to fame.
Members of LARC look on as Glen and Judson demonstrate the mode.

Glen WB4KW is seen in the foreground to the right showing off the some of the many features of Ham Radio Deluxe, the preferred software for communicating in PSK31.

Glen was half of a two man team making the presentation. His partner Judson KJ4IDH can bee seen at the far end of the counter working a second PSK31 station. In the foreground, Charlie KI4CRI, wife Norma KI4HIM, and Fred K1DU look on.

Many Activities Planed For 2012

A host of activities are in the works for this year starting with the Orlando HamCation this weekend (2012, 2, 8).

Listed below are several others, but to make sure you don’t miss an event, check the LARC calendar frequently. You can find a link to our calendar by clicking on the Menu Item labeled LARC Web Site.

Here are several other planned events:

February 23rd, 2012 Sky Warn Training at the Polk County EOC

February 25th, 2012 Disaster Preparedness Day for the Local 912 Project Group
If you are interested, there website is http://www.meetup.com/lakeland912/.

Saturday, March 10th, 2012 Open house at the Lakeland Police Department Let Patrick know if you can help out from 10am to 2pm.

Saturday, March 17th, 2012 The Heritage Day Festival in Kathleen The event runs
from 9am until 2pm. Setups can begin on the preceding Friday.

Saturday, March 31st, 2012 Our Club will be having A Special Event Station celebrating the 38th Annual Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland. If you have never operated a special event station where people are trying to contact you, it is definitely an experience! Location will be Lake Parker Park; further communications will follow.

Saturday, April 28th, 2012 The March of Dimes March for Babies More information to follow

If you can support any of the above events, please contact me (Patrick) at ki4cdy@arrl.net.

A Great Time Was Had By All

The first LARC picnic of the year is now history. We could not have asked for a better day, better food, and certainly, not better friends. You can see pictures taken during the picnic by clicking on the link below.

Oh, and there is accompaning music. Be patient, it may take a few seconds to load.

Click Here

Upcoming Picnic

Reserve the date, January 21st, 2012.

The Picnic will be at the Circle B Bar Reserve
on Winter Lake Road (SR 540).
Click Here For Directions

Time for the event will be from 8am until 2pm.

The Club will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, and the condiments. We ask all who attend to bring a covered dish to share with the group.

At the picnic, our Club will demonstrate various modes of communications and a variety of antenna systems. All are welcome to bring any radio gear. We would especially like to get all of the technicians on the HF 10 meter band during the event.

This will be a great time to get to know your fellow hams.

Happy New Year!

LARK’s 2012 kickoff meeting got the year off to a great start. Prior to the meeting three candidates passed their Amateur Radio License exams. Congratulations to all. See below for more detail. During the meeting Mike KT2T, Bill KI4ZMV, and Dan WZ1P shared their thoughts on the club’s web site, blog, and weekly net in that order. This was followed by presentations of appreciations to the outgoing President, Ernie KG4YNI, and outgoing treasurer Bob, KI4CDZ. After the presentations, our new president Patrick KI4CDY announced plans for a picnic and special events station being organized by Fred K1DU. More details will follow. The future looks bright!

Outgoing president, Ernie Haynes receives an award for job well done by new president Patrick O’Neal.

Marvin Johnson receives an award for his outstanding service and dedication to LARC as Treasurer.

Bill KJ4IAI and Ernie KG4YNI congratulate Anthony KJ4FWO on his successful completion of the Extra Exam.

Bill KG4IAI congratulates Kimbra French on her successful completion of the Technician exam, while Bill N2WFU congratulates a Mathew KK4FEM, a new General. No, these pictures were not taken at the beach. The setting was inspired by Bill KJ4IAI. Also in attendance was VE and club photog Bill KI4ZMV.

Keith Laube – Silent Key

Keith D. Laube, 81Computer ProgrammerWinter Haven- Mr. Keith D. Laube, age 81, of Winter Haven, FL passed away Friday, December 9, 2011 due to heart failure. He was born August 10, 1930 in Orlando, FL the son of Joseph Laube and Jenny Laube. He moved to the Winter Haven area from Jacksonville 3 years ago. He was a veteran of the US Navy having served during the Korean conflict. He was a computer programmer for the federal government, a member of the American Legion Post # 8, a member of ARRL the National Association for Amateur Radio, a member of the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club, and a member of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. He attended the First Presbyterian Church.Mr. Laube is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Barbara Lynch Laube, Winter Haven, son Peter Laube (Shane), Auburndale, FL, daughters Karen Raper (Ken), Colorado Springs, CO, Lisa Kunkler (Jeff) Carolton, GA, and Renee Laube, Oklahoma City, OK, brothers Kenneth and Cornelius both of Atlanta, GA, sister Connie Nichols (Charlie), Atlanta, GA, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ottlaughlinfuneralhome.com