QRP Members Get Together

The first get together with the Central Florida QRP Group took place Saturday May 14, 2011 at Lake Parker, in Lakeland. Kelly (K4UPG) and Jim (K4AHO) drove in from Orlando and met our group of QRPers. It was truly a great time for all.


( from left to right in the back row)
Ren (KG4BAS), Kelly (K4UPG), Keith (WB1GGJ), Jim (K4AHO), Jim (AI4LE), (front row) Joe (AD4IH), Jack (K4BYF), Pat (AI4OP)

Photographer, George (KJ4UW), was also present.

Geneva Switzerland To Lakeland On VHF -Incredible!!!

well, not really, but impressive none the less. Jeff, who is jetting around Europe on assignment as a commercial pilot, was able to chat with each of the members of the breakfast club through Echolink in combination with the NI4CE repeater. Reception was excellent.

For more information on the breakfast group, click on the SIGAR, special interest group - amateur radio, button, and select Breakfast at Nana's.

Another New Tech

Bill KJ4IAI left, congratulates new Tech John Tice while Ernie, club president KG4YNI, looks on. Also present was Bill KI4ZMV.

It's Solder Time

Before kit building commenced there were several announcements. Steve KD4MBH gave an update on the status of the Emergency Operations Center, EOC, located at the Lakeland Police Department. We might be able to make the ham radio equipment at this facility available for one weekly LARC net each month. This would demonstrate amateur radio capability in case of an emergency, as well as insure that we are operational at all times.

LARC board member Tom KJ4WFS circulated a questionnaire seeking to uncover club interest in contesting. This information might inspire a future presentation, and perhaps an additional special interest group. The club already has two of these, the SloPok Net dedicated to CW, and QRP Kit Building. (See the menu bar to the right.)

Fred made a pitch for field day, prefaced by Ernie’s overarching view of the purpose of Field Day. He noted that the goal of Field Day was primarily to raise awareness with the public of the kind of support ham radio operators can supply in the event of an emergency, and secondarily, to make contacts. We have other venues for picnics, so this year food will be everyone’s personal responsibility. Bring your own.

If you missed the meeting, yet wish to participate in field day exercises either by supplying equipment or signing up for a operation slot, email Fred K1DU at K1DU@aol.com . There will be plenty to do, and I am sure Fred will welcome your support. Field day is a big event, and a complex undertaking. Many hands make the work light. So plan to volunteer.

Rip reported that the March of Dimes Walk was a great success. He had more than enough ham volunteers to fill the positions along the route. He thanked all who participated.

Lastly, Ren KG4BAS invited all interested in QRP to an outing of the Central Florida QRP Group West. The event will take place Saturday, May 14, starting at 9:00 AM, at Lake Parker Park, Bring your QRP rig and join in, or just bring your self. Bring a picnic lunch if you plan to stay a while.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to kit building. Some completed their projects at this time. No small feat considering all the activity in the room. It takes incredible concentration to work under such adverse conditions, a trait not lacking in most hams. Those who didn’t quite finish at the meeting will complete their projects at home.

Judging from the activity in the room, everyone had a good time, and in spite of a few frustrating moments and a burnt finger or two, the soldering project was an outstanding success. Kudos to the board, especially to Patrick KI4CDY for driving this project, and to Gary KS4JI for presenting the project overview last month, and his guidance this month.


Caught deep in concentration, Laura NO4OO and Mike KT2T work or their kits. I was told that both were first time kit builders, and I know for a fact that both completed their project before they left.

Also caught in deep concentration, Charley KI4CRI.

Volunteer To Support The Walk

There are still slots available for the March Of Dimes Walk Scheduled for this Saturday. Please contact Rip or simply show at:
March Of Dimes Walk
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Location: First Presbyterian Church on Lake Hollingsworth
Arrange to be there for assignments by: 7:30 AM
The event should be over by 10:30 AM.
Hams will need an HT, or possibly a mobile rig. Please contact Rip at aa4ht@tampabay.rr.com to volunteer.

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Know anyone who would like to take classes leading up to a ham radio license? Click here for more information.

But Wait, There's More!

If you thought the kit's flashing lights and siren were a bit to fast for a realistic Euro Police Vehicle you were right. As Ren and son Ansel pointed out, you always have to Read The Instructions. Guess I didn't. Had I, I would have noticed that they directed me to remove two resistors I so carefully soldered in place, and to replace them with two resistors twice their values. This in turn doubled the RC time constants controlling the flash rate, effectively cutting it in half. See and hear for yourself.

It Works!

The kits are in, and ready to be distributed at next month’s meeting. Fortunately, I was able to get one in advance, in order to present it on the blog. Here are a few things to think about before next months meeting.
1. Take your time. Under excellent working conditions it took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the kit. You will probably have to complete yours at home.
2. Come prepared with soldering iron, magnifier, extension cord, something to protect the table, and any other tools you think you might need, like needle nose pliers, wire stripper, wire cutter and tweezers.
3. Follow the assembly instructions, checking off after installation of each part.
4. Be especially careful when choosing resistors from the card. They are all identified, but it is still easy to pick the wrong one. Check the color code, or use an ohmmeter to be absolutely sure.


These are the tools I used. Click the image to enlarge it.