Happenings Update 2.15. 2026

 

   Yes here it is Friday the 13th.. As I look at the calendar it becomes a blur  Valentines Day.. Presidents Day, then Fat Tuesday ( eat Paczki Day) , then Ash Wednesday .. And then we have to squeeze in some radio stuff before Easter in 40 some days.. 

            Here is an event which is interesting .. Remember Apollo 13 mission? Want to hear from some that were in the control room during the events that took place then?  Here is some info..  There is an attachment to this email that was sent to Bill KB3KYH from Connie KE9ALV. As you look through it please note a couple of things..

 One, there is a link to a great documentary "Mission Control Unsung Heroes of Apollo"  https://www.youtube/watch?v=GVDTSfyFTTY  (note: this link did not work for me but used  ( https://tubitv.com/movies/517547/mission-control-the-unsung-heroes-of-apollo ) refresh  your memory  of the Mission. 

 ***But be sure to read the attachment and note the February 21st at 10AM Zoom meeting with Connie and three of the members of Mission Control.. also any questions need to go through Connie prior to the Zoom meeting. The zoom link is in the attached letter.. 

Thanks Connie.. 

     It was agreed to have another "Maker" contest. Between now and August, make a homebrew device or a kit . In August bring in your "device" and demonstrate it .. There will be two categories.. Kit or Homebrew. Awards in each categories .. so get out the soldering iron...     We did this a couple of years ago and we saw a lot of talent in both groups..         

    A month from now we will be setting up for the Wisconsin QSO Party.. Hopefully you will be also.  March 15th  from 1PM to 8PM. Surprisingly it did not fall on the same weekend as the time change as in the past .. Also, the big contest will not be on so contacts should be easier (?) .. Don't have a HF rig? or are a tech? ask a member with a higher level license and use the Club Shack.... be sure to ask first.. remember you cannot  use the Club Callsign with out first making arrangements --  only one group can use it .  

     DUES ... There is a number of folks that have yet to pay their dues for 2026, Some say they are not sure if they paid or not so please check to be sure.. 

     Want some update Ham Information .. here is a great online magazine .. East Coast Reflector V25   https://eastcoastreflector.com/magazine_vol25

       Parts for the new location of the .360 repeater have been ordered .. The time line is flagged for mid April to be on the air.. 

         Wishing you all a great weekend and don't forget Valentines Day ... Stay Radio Active

Radio Happenings 1-8-26

 Our President's letter is a great start for the coming weeks ahead.. 

    ** 

Greetings,

Our February meeting is this week…Thursday the 12^th and I hope you will attend.  As usual, there will be many things to discuss and decide on.

We’ll start off with the Tech Talk at 6:30 this month and the topic will be “ARES” presented by Sam, KN9SAM.  Sam will provide an ARES overview and then talk about a new initiative intended to get more Amateurs involved in emergency communications.

Some of the meeting topics will include:  The Hamfest…May 30^th is getting closer; Field Day (June 27/28); Brat Barns; and, a status report on the 147.360 Repeater move to Champion.    We’ll also set the details for the Build-It Contest.  This competition will be a great opportunity to show club members your skills in building an electronics/radio home brew or kit-based project.  

We touched on the importance of volunteers at our past meetings and this month we’ll address specific areas where we need assistance. Examples are Field Day, Brat Barns, Tech Talks, Hamfest, Publicity, and more.  Please get involved and help make our club even better.

One other thing we’ll talk about is our 2026 goals… your input is very important in making sure we plan initiatives, activities and programs that meet your expectations.

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting and as always, please let me know if you have suggestions or questions about our club.

73,  Bill

KB3KYH

(302) 537-4755

Thanks Bill... Looks as if we will start our radio year being rather busy... One thing you will be interested in is the Wisconsin QSO Party.. .. Also the .360 repeater status..  moving right along.. 

    We will   Explain the Makers Contest Starting soon... 

    Dues... March 1st is  the deadline for the 2026 dues. only $20.. your membership benefits also end then. .. any payments from the club for the parties , some of these newsletters ... use of club equipment... ..I

     Be sure to check the club calendar so you don't miss anything 

    CQ Tuesday the Third Tuesday at Bay Family Restaurant 

    PS Working on the webpage .. a bit behind ... 

         Enjoy  the 30s next week.... 

Radio Happenings 1-5-2026

 

First of all    Wishing all a Happy New Year !

   Once Thanksgiving came, the rest of the 2025 year became a blur and here we are into new year. It is starting off with being a bit cold but the day light is becoming somewhat longer.  

   A bunch of new stuff in the wind... More changes are going on with the incoming AI and more requirements for being online... Paper forms are becoming obsolete and you will hear more of this on the Tech Talk about VE testing not being on paper...  What?  Hard to imagine but true.. come to the next Talk on Thursday before the meeting.. 

                                

 THIS WEEK;;;

  Jan 8th -6 :30PM-  Tech Talk

  Jan 8th - 7 PM  GBM&K Meeting

  NEXT WEEK 

   Jan 14th Siren Test Net  11:45 .. List will be sent out the Sunday before..(note that it falls after the club meeting date) 

   Jan 20th  CQ Tuesday.. 

Remember that there is a VHF2 meter net at 8:45 PM on Tuesdays ..Net Control - WB9NRK .Dale .. One of the longest consecutive nets in the area... 

    Now::: A Message from the Club President .. 

Happy New Year!  I hope you and your family enjoyed the holidays.  One of the highlights for me was our club Christmas Party. We had a nice crowd, good food, and lots of fun.  Thanks to Sam, W9SJR and his XYL for making this event so special.

I hope you can attend the January meeting on the 8^th because we’ll be discussing 2026 activities and events. Among them are the Hamfest, Field Day, VE Testing, the Multi Club Picnic at Bayshore Park, Tech Talks, Fox Hunts, Brat Barns, the Wisconsin QSO Party, and many more.  We’ll also be asking for volunteers who are willing to work at and support these activities. 

The Tech Talk will begin at 6:30 this month and the topic will be “Changes to VE Testing”.  Todd, W9GRB will tell us about the recent changes that moved the VE program from a paper-based format to a computerized, on-line system.  There are big changes that we should all know about.

Something else we’ll talk about is a small competition among members who build a kit or other home brew project.  The members will vote to select the best project and the winner(s) will be awarded a small trophy or some other recognition.  Another agenda item will be the discussion of hands-on, building projects that we might want to do at a meeting.  Antennas, simple radios, test gear…there are a lot of potentials that we can consider. 

Please attend the meeting so we can have everyone involved in setting the course for 2026.

As always, please let me know if you have suggestions or questions about our club.

73,

Bill   KB3KYH

(302) 537-4755        bduveneck@aol.com

From the Editor... hope to see you on Thursday.. it is supposed to be nice weather then.. 

    

FROM OUR "SHACK" TO YOURS..