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.