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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  • March 22, 2024

The Blackswamp Council of the Boy Scouts is hosting the 2024 Klondike Derby this year at Camp Lakota.  It will be held on Saturday, January 20th.  This is an outdoor event that runs from 8:00am till 2:00pm.

They are asking for Amateur Radio support for this event.  The Van Wert club will be coordinating the event and supplying the base radio equipment.  What will be needed is for Hams to be at each of the 8 locations on the event route to provide any communications back to the base.  No one knows what the weather will be like that day so plan for cold and blustery.  We should get a time to be there soon. Also any frequencies that you might have to program into your handheld.

Please let me know if you can help out all or part of the day. I have to get a head count back to the planners pretty quick. Thanks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
73 John

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  • December 20, 2023

Hello All,

Winter Field Day is coming up once again.

January 27th, 2024 starting at 2:00pm local time.

Our location is once again the Ney Church of God, 03413 OH-15, Ney, OH 43549

Plan to show up early enough to set up anything you bring.

It will be a potluck for the food. Please let me know what you are planning to bring so I can coordinate that.  We also could use some extra heat in the barn.

It would also be nice if there are some club members that can spend some time demonstrating to anyone interested, especially newer Hams, things like antenna setup, finding a clear spot on the band, working CW, etc. Let me know so we can make a list and schedule to post.

Lastly (for now) I’m starting a list of DCARC translations for Winter Field Day terms…

1. Winter Field Day

      translation: Winter Food Fest

2. Going to make a lot of contacts

      translation: Really going to pile that plate up

3. Multibander

      translation: Can carry two or more plates

4. QRM

      translation: Quit blocking the crock pot

5. Working a pile up

      translation: See #2

6. Dup Check

      translation: Two crockpots, same stuff

7. QSY

      translation: Going back for dessert

8′ QRT

      translation: I’m full

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

73 John

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  • December 20, 2023

This morning, the work day went very well. The 147.090 is operating from a temporary enclosure. The existing building is unhooked all items removed, ready to leave the repeater site. Paul reported to me early this afternoon that the existing repeater building will be removed tomorrow morning. There is another work day scheduled for tomorrow morning. The new building will be installed tomorrow providing everything goes well. Helping today was:


Paul N8RLB
John KD8JSP
Bob KB8UPA
Stan W8SRD
Ed WD8JVV

Ed Ballard WD8JVV

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  • October 9, 2023

On Wednesday there were lots of people present for the work day. A list of names will be at the end of the update. The roof of the existing building is clear (I am purposely skipping lots of details) a TV tower on the back of the building was taken down (to be used later). A lot of stuff was cleaned out of the building, not everything but a lot. The solar panel is at my house to undergo a modification.

Next work day is scheduled for Monday Oct. 9th at 9AM.
We will be switching over to the temporary repeater enclosure.
Removing everything from the old building, in preparation of installing the new building.

Present at the Wednesday work day (not in any order)

John KD8JSP
Terry W8UY
Kevin W8NI
Stan W8SRD
Paul & Kathy N8RLB
Dan N8KPQ
Ed WD8JVV

Thank all of you for the support.

Ed Ballard WD8JVV

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  • October 5, 2023

After several days of work the latest was Friday, Saturday September 29 and 30th. In attendance were Paul N8RLB, Stan W8SRD, Ed WD8JVV, on these work days, wall studs, insulation was installed, wiring and outlets were installed. Finally wallboard was put up to cover up all internal workings. I need Stan to take a few pictures inside and outside the building, if you will please Stan. To be accomplished yet, we must remove the electrical entrance panel from the old repeater building and install it in the new building. Remove the repeaters from the existing building and relocate the 147.090 repeater in the temporary enclosure which is already installed at the site. I am leaving out lots of details that must be accomplished to complete these tasks, but you get the idea.

This is it for the update we are getting closer to being done.

Ed Ballard WD8JVV

P.S. others helping on this project were Bob Rambo, John and Barb St. Peter and I am sure more! Thank you all for supporting the effort.

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  • October 2, 2023

Welcome to the updated website for the Defiance County Amateur Radio Club!

We are in the process of completing the setup for our calendar, resource links, news, and design, so please bear with us for the next few days while we get everything in order.

In the meantime, please have a look around! If you’re a club member and have items to contribute (pictures, articles, calendar events, or links to essential resources), please reach out to Randall (WZ8Q)!

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  • September 8, 2023