Author name: W8NI

Contests & Events

World Amateur Radio Day

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We are one week away from World Amateur Radio Day. And this year we will return to Pontiac Park to celebrate. Many of us will be arriving round 8:00am to setup tables, flyers, radio’s and antenna’s. The purpose is to expose the public to the joy’s of amateur radio, and answer any questions they may have.

Everyone is invited to come out and participate. You can be involved by making contacts on the radio, answering questions from the general public, or even ASKING questions of your fellow HAMs. And although we will be near the Pontiac Park boat ramp until approximately 4:00pm, you can come and go as you wish. Come out and celebrate for an hour or the whole time.

World Amateur Radio day is a celebration of the formation of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). Which happened on April 18th 1925 in Paris, France. Now, 100 years later, the ARRL set this years theme to be: “A Century of Connections: Celebrating 100 years of Amateur Radio Innovation, Community, and Advocacy”.

The ARRL points out that this Celebration “…is not a contest but rather an opportunity to talk about the value of amateur radio to the public and our fellow amateur colleagues.” It is also a great opportunity to recruit potential members and learn from other amateurs. We hope you will take this opportunity to join us.

Nets

DCWG Net

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I still have only heard from 2 people about the upcoming DCWG (Defiance CW Group) net that we are planning for May. I understand that many are shy about using CW… I remember the first time I sent my call out on the air, partially hoping the guy calling CQ would NOT come back to me. 

But as each contact progressed, I got more and more comfortable with CW. And I believe you will experience the same thing. Each time you get on the air, and work with CW, the more confident you will become. So let me encourage you again, to sign up for this net. 

This net will be on 2m. This will help keep it local and allow us to work together to learn. I also will provide the “script” that you can download and use it to “follow along”.

Lastly, I made a YouTube video, walking through how the net will work, to again, take some of the fear and apprehension away. So let me say again, If you are interested, or have any questions about participating in this net. Please let me know. This is a great opportunity to learn and practice CW.     de Kevin-W8NI

Nets

Slow Speed CW Net

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Many people have shared that there is an interest in learning CW. It is my belief that the best way to learn is by doing. So I am beginning to put together an opportunity for us all to practice. My hope is that in a few weeks we can start working together to learn this fun mode by beginning a slow speed CW net.

I understand that many are shy about using CW, and so my goal is to take as much anxiety away as possible. First, I will operate this net as the Net Control. As such, I have put a script together that I will share with all who are interested. The advantage of having this script is that you will know what is coming, what you need to do, and when to do it. A script is a great tool to begin listening and becoming familiar with hearing code.

Second, I plan on doing this net on 2m. This will help keep it local and allow us to work together to learn. However, I am not against doing this net on a different band, based on the equipment those who are interested, have available.

If you are interested, or have any questions about participating in this net. Please let me know. I really want to know if anyone is interested in this opportunity. I would also appreciate knowing when everyone would be available for this net, so please send me a suggested day & time. I am really excited about this new net and hope that through this practice, we can all work together in a low stress environment to learn this fun mode. de Kevin-W8NI

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