Haming It Up Since Twelve

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Welcome Ansel!

Ernie KG4YNI congratulates Ansel on his passing the Technician Test, while Landon KI4QVZ looks on. Nice going Ansel, but no time to rest. Get cracking on that General. You can do it!


Bill KI4ZMV and Ansel. We will be looking for a new voice, and fist, on the LARC and Slo Polk Nets. Fine business old man.

Ren KG4BAS and daughter Gabriel congratulate Ansel on his success. Few things in life of any value come without a struggle. You have proved you can do it.

Christmas Party 2010

Click here for Christmas party Pictures
Sound on, if you wish.

New Technician Conor

Charley KI4CRI left and Norma KI4HIM right, flank Ernie KG4YNIcongratulating Conor, after passing his Technician's exam, while Keith KJ4WFR looks on. Good job Conor. That was nearly a perfect score. Rumor has it that you may be taking Ernie up on his challenge to go for General next month. With the same amount of effort you will come through with flying colors.

Conor is pictured here with his support team. Dad Anthony, mom Rowena. In front, left to right is Conor and younger brother Caiden. In the rear, Ernie and Charley put the final touches on the paperwork for our new ham. Also present was VE Bill KI4ZMV.

Slo-Polks CW NET

SLO-POLKS CW NET
Freq 7.043.000

Alternate 7.041.500
Every Sunday Evening
9:00pm
Starting Nov. 7, 2010
We will begin with check-ins and then take comments
in check-in order after announcements, and traffic.
Speed will be that of the slowest check-in rate.
Any questions call Gary 863-510-5649 or ks4ji@yahoo.com
NECOS KS4JI

Tour WTES With Don

Don Jerrings will be giving a tour of the WTES transmitter and downlink facility on Knights Station Road next Tuesday, October 19, 2010, approximate time 10:30 AM. Space is limited so please RSVP Don at djeerings@tampabay.rr.com . Don will give you directions, or if you wish, you can join the breakfast club for breakfast next Tuesday, 9:00 AM, at the Brunch Box, and Don will direct all interested parties to the site after the meal.

The Brunch Box735 East Memorial Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33801-1847
863) 686-9786
Get directions

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Rust Remover For Morse Code

So you want to sharpen those rusty Morse code skills. Short of humming dits and dahs you might want to generate some sounds using a key. We all remember those buzzers we used as kids. They were basically door bells with the hammer removed, and didn't produce a very realistic sound. Today, by replacing the old door buzzer with a piezo buzzer we can utilize the same simple series circuit to produce a much more pleasant tone. Piezo buzzers are found in things like microwave ovens that signal when you coffee is warm, and can be purchased for as little as a dollar. If you have a HF radio, and don't mind being tied down to it, most of these allow you to send code to your speaker only, and make good code practice oscillators. Or, you might want to build a code oscillator utilizing one of the oldest, and still very popular integrated circuits the 555 timer.

Don Jeerings was kind enough to supply the following circuit and parts list. It is certainly a more complicated approach than an electro magnet or piezo buzzer in series with a key and battery, but if you are interested in learning more about the 555 timer, and dusting off those soldering skills the extra effort is justified.

Here is the parts list:

1, 9 volt battery connector
2. Resistor, 689 ohm (in stock
3, Resistor 1 K (in stock)
4. Resistor 10 K 5, pot
5. 25 K (pitch control)
6. pot 500 ohm (volume control)
7. Condenser 0.22 Mfd
8. Condenser 10 Mfd
9. Speaker 8 ohm $1.29 (Jameco)
10 IC chip 555 timer
11 8 pin dip socket
12 Key jack
13 Substrate of some sort to mount the above equipment

Another Tech To The Fold

Amateur radio has added yet another Tech to the fold. Danny is seen below being congratulated by fellow VE’s. Left to right are Bill KJ4IAI, Jim AI4LE, our new Tech Danny, and Ernie KG4YNI. Also present was VE and club photog Bill KI4ZMV.

It was obvious that Danny was well prepared for his Technician license test. Not only did he get nearly a perfect score, but he accomplished this in spite of the considerable QRM generated by a dozen or so XYL’s at the same QTH setting up for a quilting class.

:-)

New Hams From Far And Near

Ernie KG4YNI and Jim AI4LE congratulate Chad standing next to his mom, and Steven. Chad and mom are from Orchard Park NY, while Steven is from Lakeland. Also present, Bill KI4ZMV.

Tom KJ4WFS is Back

Hardly a month has gone by and Tom is back, this time getting his General License. Pictured left to right is Bill KJ4IAI, our new General Tom KJ4WFS, Jim AI4LE, and Ernie KG4YNI. Could there be something Extra in the near future for Tom? Standby one.

Kero and Pasta

Over spaghetti dinner last evening, Bob K2EUH shared some retro tech with Ed K9RWP and me KI4ZMV. Who knows, this information may come in handy on one of those occasions when the power lines are down, the cell towers and phone lines are dead, your back up batteries, the ones you meant to recharge are all dead, and worse still, those 9 volt batteries you harvested from the smoke alarms, and meant to replace, are all used up. You panic. How will you listen to radio? Then you remember your kero-radio, circa 1950. A quick trip to the attic and you are back on the air, at least to listen. :-)

So what’s become of this technology over the years? It turns out that others have asked the same question, namely K9ZW. Under the right conditions, thermo-electric makes sense. Here is a modern day adaptation of the technology. Note the remarkable similarity between the two designs.

For more information you can visit. K9ZW

Field Day Pictures

Click on the link for 2010 Field Day Pictures.

Click here

Another Busy Session For LARC VE's

Another busy session for LARC testing and three more new hams in the fold. Bill KJ4IAI is seen congratulating Tom Evans and Mark Sartoris. Two new Technician Class licensees. Good work guys. I am sure we will be seeing you again when you update to General and Extra.


Tom is also shown here with Kieth Seaman, a new Technician as well. Congratulating both is Jim AI4LE, a regular at these VE sessions.

Not shown, but also present was Ernie KG4YNI club president and Bill KI4ZMV, VE and club blogger.

One Down, Two To Go

Jim AI4LE congratulates Richard White as Ernie KG4YNI looks on. Richard hails from Poinciana Florida. He traveled quite a distance to take the test, and it was well worth the effort. He earned his Technician this time. After the testing, Richard shared with us his next goal, General. You did good Richard! All of us at LARC wish you the best.

Richard is retired Air Force. In a brief conversation after the test he revealed that he was once a crew member of a B58 Hustler that broke mach, 2 at 60,000 feet AGL. The Hustler was a delta winged ship designed in the fifties. Impressive then and now. The ionosphere at the speed of light is the target now!

Another New Tech

Mike is all smiles after passing his Tech license test. He is seen here with wife Ruth and Jim AI4LE.

Mike is a powered para-glider pilot. With his new license he will be able to join us on the net at altitude. That would be a first! Think of it; a two thousand foot antenna. Bet that will make for great two meter DXing. Ernie has already offered his back yard for a runway. Congratulations Mike. Enjoy the hobby. The sky’s the limit!

Busy Day for LARC

Passing the Technician’s test as a fourth grader is pretty impressive in itself. More impressive still is someone with the courage, determination and persistence to get back in the game after failure. Ram is a model for all of us. In life, few worthwhile things are ever easy. Challenging accomplishments are the ones most valued. More often than not, great discoveries about the outside, as well as our inside world, are the result of things not going according to plan. Congratulations Ram for showing that you know the material and passed, this time with a near perfect score. Thank you for giving us an example of courage, determination, and persistence. You are an inspiration to all of us, a model for doing it right!

Mr. Prakash and son Ram with Jim KG4YJJ , Ram's teacher. It is hard to say who is most proud or most happy.

All six candidates are pictured below. From left to right starting in the rear, Jim AI4LE, John WB4KZM new Extra, Walter new Tech, Donald KI4OUX new General, and Landon KI4QVZ new Extra. In the front row, we have Ernie KG4YNI and Ram proud new Tech. Not shown, the third VE Bill KI4ZMV and the pinch hitting photographer, Bob WA4YFN.



Ernie KG4YNI far left, and Jim AI4LE far right are seen here with Bill KI4ZMV congratulating Landon KI4QVZ, a new Extra. Also present, and taking the picture was Bob WA4YFN. Thanks for helping out in a pinch Bob, but you might want to get that camera of yours looked at. :-)

At the same time testing was underway, other club members were supporting the Kathleen Historical Society event. Bob K2EUH is pictured here trying out for club photographer with Fred K1DU looking on.

Fred K1DU is seen here tuning a new antenna design. My guess is that we will hear more about this one in the future.

Others present at the time but not shown were Webmaster Mike KT2T, Joe AD4IH, wife Pat AI4OP, and Bill KI4ZMV.

Jedd Makes General!

Charlie KI4CRI and wife Norma KI4HIM are seen here congratulating Jedd after he passed both his Technician and General license exams in one sitting with near perfect scores on each. I am sure Jedd will be back to take his Extra before long. Charlie and Norma have been VE’s for some time, but this is the first they have tested for the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club. VE’s are always welcome. Congratulations Jedd, and welcome to the VE team Norma and Charlie. Also present were Ernie KG4YNI and Bill KI4ZMV.

March 20, 2010 Testing Location

Because of a special event being held at the Lakeland Police Department this month's testing will be held at 1316 George Jenkins Blvd.


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Round Three

Last, but by no means least, are the candidates from Sleepy Hill Elementary. You could feel the enthusiasm in the room before the test. During the test their concentration was intense; the atmosphere electric.

Each Principal promised an HT to the highest scoring student from their school. The first to qualify was a young lady from Sleepy Hill Elementary. She came prepared and performed well, missing only one of the 35 test questions. Misha is pictured below being congratulated for her achievement by Ernie KG4YNI with her teacher Jim KG4YJJ looking on.



And here is the group. They had the courage to try, and while not everyone succeeded, everyone knows in his or her heart that if they really want to they can. They also know that we will be there for them the next time.



Adults in rear: Jim KG4YJJ, Ernie KG4YNI, and Laura NO4OO.

Students, starting in the back row left to right: Bradly, Sidney, Alayshia, and Kaitlynn.

Students in the front row, left to right: Trevor, Cameron, Ram, Misha, and Hannah.

Amateur radio, above all else, is about friendship and comradery. A friend is one who celebrates your success. In the end it is all about caring. Hannah left, Misha right.



Not pictured is Tabitha, who had to leave before the pictures were taken to go to string class. Congratulations Tabitha. You are now a licensed ham. Also present was Bill KI4ZMV.

Round Two and More To Come

Another group of smiling faces, and why not? All completed the study course successfully, and what's even better, had the courage to take the test. Congratulations to all.

In the background from left to right Jim KG4YJJ, Ernie KG4YNI, and Laura NO4OO.

Students left to right starting in the back row are Talon, Tahlia, Jarom, Jacob, Sha’Ja, Shane, Jessica, and Ty. Out in front is Ryan. All are students at Padgett Elementary. Also in attendance was VE and club photographer, Bill KI4ZMV.

New Hams In the Making

It takes courage to take on a difficult challenge. This gang has demonstrated that it has the right stuff.

In the background from left to right, Gifted Teacher Jim Cook KG4YJJ, LARC President Ernie Haynes KG4YNI, and ARES President Laura Pennington NO4OO.

Class members and candidates from left to right are: Devon (Winston), Cheyanne (Griffin), Annelisa (Winston), Dustin (Griffin), Danielle (Winston), and Andria (Winston). Also in attendance was VE and club photographer, Bill Johnson KI4ZMV.

Don't Forget The Picnic Feb 27

Directions to Lake parker:

Click here

Three New Upgrades

Landon KI4QVZ and Bill KJ4IAI congratulate Jim KG4YJJ, new Extra, and Donald KJ4IRC new General. Great work guys. Those long hours of study paid off. Enjoy the new privileges.

Geoffrey KJ4RJV is flying high after passing the Extra. He is seen here with Ernie KG4YNI. Geoff makes his living at 30,000 feet. Who knows, perhaps one of us will make contact with him one day when he is working in his office.

Not pictured but also in attendance were VE's Jim AI4LE and Bill KI4ZMV

Voices of the Future

For those of you who may have missed the special net this Friday, click on futurehams. Their voices are an inspiration to all of us.

Got J-6?

If you need J-6 to round out your DX contacts you might want to keep an ear out and your antennas pointed South East toward Saint Lucia. Dan WZ1P, and cohorts from Buddy Pole will be there from Feb 2 through 10, and on the air most of the day. They will be operating all bands.

For more information go to caribbeanbuddies
There you will find their blog, and learn more of their activities as they move about the island.

FYI St. Lucia is 1665 miles from Lakeland, bearing 121.5 degrees.


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Noisy Neighbors - Problem Solved

No one likes noisy neighbors. When things got so bad, Roy K3YVS called the authorities. It didn’t take long for Mark to arrive at the scene and catch the suspect red handed. He was booked on the spot for removal and replacement, along with his two buddies.

The following three short emails tell the story:

From: Roy C Bucher
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 2:12 PM
To: Shirah, Mark
Subject: From 248 Lyndol

Hi Mark
Thank you for your prompt attention to the noise on 40 meters.
It will be nice to use the frequency again.
Thank you
Roy Bucher, K3YVS

From: Shirah, Mark
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 2:48 PM
To: 'Roy C Bucher'
Subject: RE: From 248 Lyndol

Roy,
It was a pleasure talking with you. I will contact
you when we have a scheduled time for the work to be
completed. This may take a little while to schedule due
to below normal temps.
Thanks
Mark.

From: "Shirah, Mark"
To: "'nnn0anl@juno.com'"
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:02:29 -0500
Subject: FW: From 248 Lyndol
Message-ID:

Roy,
The work to resolve your RFI issue has been scheduled
for Friday 01/22/2010. I will follow up after the work
has been completed to verify no other secondary issues
are present.
Thanks
Mark

Is that service or what? Kudos Mark KJ4IRD. Great job!

A Perfect Score

A very happy Joy is seen here being congratulated by Bob WA4YFN after passing her Technician exam. Hard work really paid off for her. On her right is close friend George KI4NBE who encouraged her throughout the process. Others in attendance were VEs Laura NO4OO, Ernie KG4YNI, Jim AI4LE, and Bill KI4ZMV.