Radio Happenings 2025.10.7

  

--. --- --- -..  -- --- .-. -. .. -. --. / or Good Morning.. 

  Here is another beautiful Sunday. We had a shower a couple of evenings ago and the brown grass is not so brown right now.. the other colors -  in the trees continue to spread although some trees are quite bare. 

   Let's start out with the information from our President, Bill KB3KYH--- 

**  Greetings,

As you know, the club has been looking for a solution to the problem of poor coverage from the 147.360 repeater.  Although this repeater is the designated back-up to the 147.120 repeater, it struggles to cover the Green Bay area.  Well, I am happy to report that much progress has recently been made.  Brown County has given the club conceptual approval to install the .360 at one of their towers near New Franken.  The county has offered us tower space at approximately 185 feet and initial assessments indicate coverage throughout Brown County and well into Kewaunee County.

We still have some work to do to bring this across the finish line, but everything is moving in the right direction.  We’re currently working on a written agreement with the county and while no timeline has been set by the county, we expect there to be some rewriting during this process.  Because of this we should look at a few months rather than a few weeks for final approval.  We are also talking with a tower company on a price proposal.  Even though a few technical details are yet to be defined, their quote will provide a basic figure for our planning and for the approval by club members.

So far Sam KN9SAM, Paul K9ARF, Todd W9GRB, and I have been working on this and plan to keep the ball rolling with help from Paul, KB0P and others, as needed.

I’ll keep you posted on developments as things move forward.

Sam, W9SJR will be chairing the October meeting as we will be in Ohio helping our daughter as she recovers from some surgery.  Our Tech Talk will be presented by Bob Ronk, W9AP who will be talking about a DXpedition to Bouvet Island.  This will be very interesting. (Find Bouvet on a map before the meeting so you have a better appreciation of this DXpedition.)

During the meeting you will have the opportunity to nominate members for the Board of Directors.  In addition, your input will be requested for the Ham of the Year award.  Fox Hunts, the Ham Cram, and our Christmas Holiday Party will also be on the agenda. 

This should be a good meeting and I’ll try to join you via ZOOM.

As always, please contact me with any suggestions or questions about our club.

73,   Bill 

(302) 537-4755

  Thanks Bill.... .   

The .360 has had quite a history.. When I moved to GB, the repeater was moved to Bellin Hospital because the .120 repeater had dead spots downtown.. After a few years, the location at Bellin became a problem because the room it was located in had a usage change and needed to be relocated.. The antenna was installed on the North wall of the elevator shaft and was purchased by the hospital and is still there today. The repeater was relocated to the present location on Broadway in the School District building which is slightly lower than Bellin because it was available. . As you know, the repeater was changed out with the Fusion repeater which also provided the VHF .360.  With all this, the need  to  relocate the repeater was still forefront to provide the membership better communication capability...  And as you have read in Bills note, it is being addressed but still has a way to go before presenting a package to the membership...

   As Bill has also indicated, there is a FOX HUNT on October 12th, starting at 5:30PM on the 147.555 frequency.. This is simplex, so be sure to set your radios accordingly.. (good practice)      HamCram is coming on OCT 18th.. at St Norbert on the first floor of the GM Science Building across from the Chapel.. the VE testing for ALL levels begins at 3PM... See the flyer on the webpage... 

     The Tech Talk will be one to attend with an interesting subject of A DXPEDITION.. by one of the participants.. He has presented in the past and did a great job.. 

    Keith, KS9WI was contacted by the Scout Troop that we helped with JOTA and a Merit Badge the last couple of years.. toward Luxemburg.. They are not having the merit badge session this year but would like to participate in JOTA as well as having a FOX HUNT!

  This is also on October 18th.. starting at around 8:30 AM..Ending by 1PM..  IF you can assist, you will need your Fox Hunting gear as most likely the troop may not have any--PLEASE Contact Keith KS9WI.. KS9WI@mail.com   .

    The open houses at the Kewaunee Pierhead Light house ended this past Saturday... It was a great year for the radio being out into the Lake.. Thanks goes out to the Friends Of The Lighthouse tor inviting us and allowing us to put up the antenna and equipment to operate... Also thanks to those that operated from there.. Mike W9MWP, Bill KB3KYH, Walt WA9TT, Larry K9IQ, Chuck  KØVSH, and all the others I forgot and dropped by supporting us ... Maybe you can come out next year.. 

     The next two meetings are very important with the Ham of the Year and first nominations for the Exec. Board ... Please provide your input.. this is YOUR club... 

    73

       Stay Radio Active ....... Minutes of the last meeting are attached to the email and not in the web site.. If you want to see them again.. save it or print it... Late additions will be sent out as soon as possible.. 

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.