Radio Operator License Class

 

RADIO HAPPENINGS 09.07.2025

 RADIO HAPPENINGS V.2

  I hope everyone had a good holiday with the lower temps and humidity.. 

 It was a warm drive home with the car windows partially open. For it was the last day of August and the middle of a three day weekend. Just coming back from celebrating birthdays of July, August and September in New Berlin at our daughters home. Looking out the windows at the country scenery but noticing the partial dots of color starting to show on the trees and bushes. Seemed odd because I did not notice that on the trip down. I was wearing sunglasses, so I removed them to see if there  was any difference in the view. 

   There was a drastic change- for now everything was green and no fall looking colors anywhere. I was wearing sunglasses on the earlier part of the trip so what was the trigger?  Taking a closer look at the sunglasses, it seems as if I had picked up the ones I use when riding my bike,..  (bicycle) They were polarized like the others but had a yellowish tan tint in the lenses.  They  must be like a filter for the different colors. Bushes had red tints, the weeds on the side of the road were looking dried up, the sumac had the dark red leaves but instantly turned green when looking with the bare eyes.             

     My Grandfather had told me to "believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear."  and this was before AI and we heard about that at the last Tech Talk before the Club meeting.    But isn't that true in our daily lives?  Are we looking with filtered lenses.

 

       Talking about the Tech Talk, our next one will be presented by Paul KBØP. He will inform us about the new communications available for us on our repeater via AllStar, Echolink and how to monitor the repeaters on Broadcastify.com.  This will be very educational .. .. We will post more information on the website under "Repeaters" ...  

    September.. School started, harvesting the work of summer, checking the antennas while the weather is still good. (not normal) ..time to plan ahead as we come closer to the last quarter of the Club year... Don't forget to check the calendar..   link is on the right side of the website.   

 Sept 10th is the Siren Test Net... We are getting close to checking them all for the year.. lend an ear.. List attached..

 Sept 11th  GBM&K meeting... 6:30 Tech Talk, Paul KBØP , Allstar, EchoLink and Broadcastify..  7PM Meeting.. 

 Sept 14th is the next FOX HUNT, 5:30, 147.555 . WØLFE will be the Fox... see if you can find him...  

 Sept 16th CQ Tuesday , Bay Family Restaurant .  11:30

 Sept 20th  Wisconsin Parks On The Air  "WIPOTA"  Sponsored by the Eau Claire Radio Club starting at 11AM ... 

          If you are interested in trying to make contact Via Winlink without going through a node. (Person to Person or Point to Point or P2P) Every Tuesday from 8AM to 9AM or 6PM to 7PM on 14088.2 Center or 14086.7 dial if you do not  have rig control...Upper Sideband -low power-  to N8KQS. Send a short message with "Testing GBM&K" in  the subject line.

     Pass the word on to those you know are looking to take the class for Technician Level... On October 18th, the Club's great instructor, Rick W9OBB, will hold another "HamCram" class . . This will take place in room 1095 located on the first floor of the G-M Science building,  usual time is starting at 9AM and ending at around 3PM... the Volunteer Examiners will then proceed to provide the testing session..   The testing session will also be available for those that are looking to advance their level of license to General or Extra starting at 3PM.  Those of you from other Clubs that get a copy of this letter, this is extended to you as well... be sure to look at the flyer when it comes out for email address to send in your reservation.. If you send in your email address, Rick will send you a packet of information needed before you come to his  Class...   

If you pass the Tech test, be sure to ask for your coupon for a free one  year membership in the GBM&K Club.  

 ****   Just received a note from Paul  K9ARF... 

"Wisconsin Public Service has a job opening for a Radio Tech.                                         If you are interested in a career in radio technology, this may be for you.                    More info can be found at - careers.wecenergygroup.com

                Thanks!  Paul K9ARF"

 A Letter from the Club President      ---                                                       ` Dear Club Members,                        Our meeting this Thursday (September 11) will be another good one.  We’ll start off with a Tech Talk from Paul, KB0P who will tell us all about the Echolink and Allstar capabilities we now have on the 147.120 repeater.  I’ve used Echolink on my cell phone for many years especially when traveling, because it gives me access to the local repeater from anywhere I have Internet.  It’s a great way to communicate when you’re away from your radio, but still want to keep in touch on the repeater.  If you have a few minutes you might want to download the Echolink App (there’s one for Android and one for Apple) prior to the meeting so you can take full advantage of Paul’s presentation.  I don’t have experience with ALLSTAR so I’m looking forward to learning about that from Paul on Thursday night

Things we’ll be discussing at the meeting will include the upcoming Fox Hunt, which is set for Sunday, September 14 at 5:30.  We will also talk about the nomination and election of board members, any potential changes to the by-laws, and Ham of the Year.  These matters will come up for voting at the November meeting.  We’ll also have a wrap-up on our very successful club picnic and talk a little bit about the Christmas Holiday Party.

I hope you can make it,                            73,

Bill, KB3KYH

 

 

 

 

 

Club Picnic Report

 Dear Club Members,

We had a great picnic today…wonderful food, thunder, lightning, rain, good company, and fire.  We had it all… but I don’t recall seeing any ants or mosquitos.  For the forty-seven of us who were there it was certainly a special event.  The brats and burgers were excellent, thanks to Paul, KB0P who did his normal top-notch job at grilling. We had plenty of tasty, sweet corn thanks to Dave, N8KQS.  Thanks to Keith, KS9WI for bringing all the soft drinks.  Kudos to everyone who brought side dishes, salads, and desserts…they were many and delicious.  As usual, the facilities at Osprey Point Park were just right.  We have Gene, AB9GK to thank for arranging this first-rate venue. (Gene apologized for the rain…he told me he would try to do better next time.)  I don’t know who to thank for the entertainment… the BBQ fire.  You will probably be seeing pictures showing several of us standing around as the flames and black smoke billowed out of one of the grills.  You might even see a picture of Paul holding a fire extinguisher as Todd, W9GRB removes a propane tank.  No brats or burgers were on the grill and there was no damage. As I said, it was entertaining.

A big thank you to Sam, W9SJR for arranging this whole thing.  As the Coordinator he had everything set up and ready for a great picnic.  Ensuring that everyone signed up in a way that guaranteed a variety of dishes; soliciting help with the set up and clean up; and attending to every detail.  Sam made sure all the elements of a memorable club picnic came together.  Good job Sam!

I’ll close by thanking everyone who came out and certainly all those who helped in any way to make this another Green Bay Mike & Key Club success.  A good time was had by all!

73,

Bill

P.S.  Mark your calendars for our next big event, our Christmas Holiday Party on December 12^th.

Radio Happenings 08.10.2025

  First, a letter from Bill KB3KYH, our Club President.....

Greetings,

I hope you can attend our meeting on August 14th…this Thursday.  The evening will kick off with a Tech Talk on AI…artificial intelligence, presented by Greg, KD9TNA.  You hear so much about this topic and now we’ll have the opportunity to really learn about it.  The Tech Talk will begin at 6:30.

Another big topic will be the club picnic set for Saturday, August 16th.  The club will be providing the meat and drinks with members bringing side dishes, salads, and desserts.  Sam, W9SJR will go over the plans and details and get everybody ready to enjoy this popular annual event.    

Other agenda highlights will be Fox Hunts, lighthouse activities, funding approval for the 2026 Hamfest, the Echolink/ALLSTAR links on the 147.120 repeater, plus reminders on the election and the Ham of The Year award.

The meetings are always a great way to get together with friends and to meet some of our newer Amateurs who we may have talked with on the air, but haven’t met.  Get there early to find a good seat and have some time to visit.

As always, please let me know if you have any suggestions or questions about your club.  See you Thursday evening!

73,

Bill, KB3KYH 

   EDITOR
 Just a reminder to go to the website Calendar for dates and times of events-- as well as if you see an interesting attachment to this letter, please download and/or print it because it might not be copied to the website> 

    

*** This weekend Special Event at the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse was OK.. I thank Chuck K0VSH and Walt KE9TT for coming out and operating the station K9EAM.. Although the propagation was not good, we did get through from Maryland to Florida .. the East Coast. 

  We had a lot of visitors ranging from all over to whom we explained the significance of our being present and what used to be there to beacon transmission  to the ships for navigation.

    Hopefully more of you will be able participate in one of the upcoming events. such as the Fox Hunt on Aug. 17th 

    Try  to get to know more of our Club members.. With the upcoming nominations for Ham of the  Year as well as the Election of the Radio Club Board of Directors .. it would be difficult for the vote if you do not recognize the members that are nominated 

            Stay healthy and Radio Active....