Hello all,
2024 is moving along at a brisk pace, and a third of the year has already passed. I’m looking forward to Field Day, a two-day event that spans June’s last weekend. But before that, we’ve got a T-Shirt Design Contest, and I’m excited to see what you all come up with!
There are several things happening in the month of May. As always our club VE team will be conducting an exam session on the 6th. More than just a night of licensing exams, we gather for a pre-session dinner and stick around after the tests to introduce new licensees and upgrades to their new amateur radio privileges as well as answer any questions they may have.
Our next club meeting will be at 7:30 PM on the 10th, where Aaron (K6ABJ) will provide an overview of repeater communication with a focus on emergency preparedness. His presentation will be the first in a series of “On The Air” talks, focusing on practical aspects of amateur radio operation. It’s my hope that these presentations will inspire newly-licensed hams by showing them what can be done with equipment they already have, as well as encourage long-timers to step out of their comfort zone and try new methods of operation.
Typically we alternate between the Elmer Net on the 2-meter repeater and In the Shack in the club Zoom room on Wednesday evenings, but this month we have a special 5th Wednesday presentation at 7:30 on http://zoom.w6ek.org, where Alan (K7AR) will cover WSJT-X Fox/Hound mode and his experience as a Fox during the VK9LAA DXpedition. If you’re interested in what it takes to run a DXpedition or how to operate as a Hound and maximize your odds at putting rare DX in your log don’t miss out on his presentation!
Our club breakfast will be on the 25th at The Original Mel’s Diner in Auburn. We usually see a full table by 7:30 AM, so come early and come hungry! Once you’re all filled up with breakfast, why not consider joining us for a fox hunt? Bring a friend, family, or just yourself and the best gear you’ve got for a fun morning as you track down hidden transmitters and learn all about radio direction finding.
Hope to see you around!
73 DE W6JCZ