Presidents Message October 2019
Our new meeting year started off with a bang. It was great weather for a BBQ. Thanks to Guy KS6F, who took on the grilling duties, we had an abundance of different varieties of hotdogs and all of the trimmings. This has become a real RATS tradition. The early starting time and, of course the food, gave us a great opportunity to socialize with old friends and meet the several new members that were in attendance.
Earl KJ6DQR, with the help of Dale WA6MZW and Steven KM6HWX put together a presentation on FT8 CALL, a variation of the now ubiquitous JT8 HF digital program. The program lends itself to passing message forms like the Hospital 213. Earl and the Monday night digital net will start practicing this mode. We also need more members to participate in the Monday night digital net (Tram 2 repeater at 8:00 p.m.). Push come to shove, this will be the best way to get messages across and we need your help. Catch Earl on one of the Monday night nets and get involved.
Burning Man Communications
Our October meeting will be a presentation by Cliff Novey KK6QMS on setting up communications and operating an Amateur Radio station at Burning Man, an Instant city of sun crazed maniacs in the Nevada desert.
The November meeting will be very interesting for all of you that started off listening to Short Wave broadcasts. To get the word of freedom out globally, the US broadcast foreign language programing known as Voice of America is heard all over the world. However, all of the transmitters are now silent. Our November speaker, Dennis W6DQ helped disassemble and move the Collins 250,000-watt transmitter.
November are RATS elections
It’s that time of year. The Desert RATS Amateur Radio Club holds its annual elections each November. All board positions are available for nominations. That includes, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. If you would be interested in one of the positions, please contact Glenn WB6RLC via the links on the web site. Last minute nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the November meeting.
