Three New Techs!

James Crennea is congratulated by Bill KJ4IAI and Jimmy AI4LE.

Jimmy AI4LE and Bob WA4YFM congratulate Martin Goff. Nice Job Martin. You did good!

Also present, but not pictured, were John Thompson who also received his Technician's license today, Ernie KG4YNI, and Bill KI4ZMV.

A special thanks to Bob and Jim for helping out with this session.

Double Aces, a LARC First!

On rare occasion the LARC VE team has a candidate deliver a perfect score, but today was exceptional. Not one, but two perfect scores! Roberta passed her General, and Blaine Hall got his Technician Grade License. Good going! It pays to study, and our two aces prove the value of hitting the books before the test. Both breezed through in record time.

Roberta WA2FRW and husband Mort WA2ARS hail from Apopka. From time to time, both find themselves on the high seas with friends where cell towers are nonexistent, and where amateur radio is the way to stay in touch with friends. Good sail’n. We landlubbers will be a listen’n for ye!

Show The Instruments

This month, Don Jeerings presented his story on “The Instruments Every Ham Should Know and Love.” Well, maybe not every instrument he showed. Most of us recognized the familiar VOM and even the signal generator and scope, but few of us have had a chance to use a Wheatstone bridge since high school Physics. Just goes to show how things have advanced over the years. Thank you Don.

This month was a first for the club, due in no small part to the efforts of Don and Bob. Together they were able to cook up a procedure for projecting live images during presentations. I am sure this technique will be incorporated in many future presentations.

Getting involved with club presentations takes a lot of time, hard work and planning. Next time you see Don and Bob, make sure you thank them. And, if you have the desire, an idea, and some expertise you think might be of interest to the members, let Patrick know. He is always looking for good ideas for club presentations.

Field Day 2011 Images

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No Meeting This July

Because Monday happens to fall on the Fourth of July, there will be no meeting this month. The next meeting will be August 1, 2011. Enjoy the Fourth!

Now, I know some of you just hate to miss a meeting for any reason whatsoever. I can understand that this may be disconcerting for some, but I have some good news. Since 1900 the the Fourth of July only fell on Monday 16 times, including this year. The next time this will happen will be in the year 2016. Ample time to plan. And, for those really really interested, the Fourth of July will also fall on a Monday in the years: 2022, 2033, 2039, 2044, 2050, 2061, and 2067. By this time most of us will be well into our hundreds. :-)

Now that I have convinced most of you that I need to get a life, once again, Enjoy the Fourth! Bill KI4ZMV

New Generation, New Tech

Jason Hibbard is seen here being congratulated by Ernie KG4YNI and Bob WA4YFN. Jason just earned his Technician’s License, and plans to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, now a silent key. He has fond memories of the hours spent as a young child with his granddad, as he worked the radios in his shack. Perhaps someday he too will pass the enthusiasm for the hobby to the next generation.

Also present Bill, KI4ZMV.

A Busy Weekend For LARC

Steve Warnic passed his Technicians test this morning. He is seen here being congratulated by Bill KJ4IAI and Ernie, KG4YNI.

Only hours later, Steve is seen here chatting with Ren KG4BAS at the Polk County Hurricane 2011 Expo. Ren is flanked by his two children and fellow hams, Gabby KK4ASD and Ansel KJ4ZRU. Judging from the intense look on Ren's face, my guess is that he is talking up QRP and the magic of CW with Steve.

Ren is quite a salesman. After showing Steve how to learn the Morse Code in 2 minutes, Steve can't wait to share this information with Roger, club unofficial chairman of proper attitude. :-)
Every event needs organizers, and this one is no exception. Here Rip AA4HT, LARK organizer, and Robbin, ARES president, chat during a lull in the activities.
And a whole bunch of familiar faces: