Category: News

The RMS Gateway at the EOC in Newport (W7LCS-10 on 145.090) has been converted to Dual Mode (Packet and VARA FM).

FCC Application Fee finally goes live April 19. A $35 fee will be assessed for a new amateur license, renewals, and vanity call sign applications. The fee for a GMRS license, currently $70, will go down at the same time to $35.

Applicants will receive an email with a link for payment.

https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee

We accommodate multiple digital voice modes on the 2nd Friday, typically opening breakout rooms for separate discussions. A robust D-star group will be updating their latest exploits. The Yaesu Fusion group plans to focus this month on basic operation of the FT70D.

• Digital Voice Modes: 2nd Friday at 10:00 am:
  • D-star, Yaesu System Fusion, or DMR, using breakout rooms as needed
  • https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85393692636
  • Meeting ID: 853 9369 26

News from W7KKE:

In the Otis fire, Frank, AA7XA, lost his home and all his ham radio equipment. Today Daron, N7HQR, Eric, AF7EU, and myself repaired Frank’s damaged HF ground plane which survived the fire but the balun and coax didn’t. So a new balun and coax was installed for that antenna.

Frank bought a 300’ end fed long wire and today Eric shot a line over a cedar tree a few lots away and hoisted up the end of that antenna, a major accomplishment. This antenna should perform very well.

Daron installed a nice through-wall fixture to route the coax inside and pounded in a new ground rod.  While Daron and Eric were busy with their tasks I routed the coax and attached it to the facia.

This evening I messaged Frank asking how his new 300 ft longwire was working and he replied “Like gangbusters!”.  We’re all really happy Frank is back on the air, at least on HF.

Here’s a few photos of today’s festivities:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6lie06os7yt53uj/AAAmsXCqn0OvJgIqtvbT781Wa?dl=0