Rick has been a ham for over 60 yrs and will be our quest speaker
Click to download and print the PDF version NOTE: Meeting minutes are posted online as a draft for review until approved at the following meeting. Corrections can be sent to the Secretary, currently rickiwitte4@gmail.com.
Board-Meeting-Minutes-2024-04-212024 ARRL Field Day is June 22-23
Quiet Waters Park
401 S Powerline Rd,
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada.
Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation.
2024 ARRL Field Day Theme: Be Radio Active
The theme for 2024 ARRL Field Day is “Be Radio Active.” The event will run on June 22 – 23, and it will be one-part contest, one-part emergency communications exercise, and one-part open house — and a great time. The theme encourages radio amateurs to take advantage of the peak of Solar Cycle 25, which we are nearing. Activity this year is likely to be extremely high thanks to favorable solar conditions. The upper HF bands, such as 15 and 10 meters, should benefit most from the Cycle’s peak.
There are resources available already for clubs and individuals to make their Field Day plans. ARRL will publish more information and tools so that hams can make the most of the event as it draws near. Amateurs interested in learning more are invited to join the Field Day Facebook group to connect with others who are planning for the big weekend.
Find links to all of the resources on the ARRL Field Day web page at www.arrl.org/field-day.
David Howard will be discussing Emergency Communications and the value of the volunteers in the ham radio community.
David believes that real public safety involves building trust with the communities they serve, understanding their unique needs, and working neighborhood-by-neighborhood to prevent crimes BEFORE they happen.
He’s running for Broward County Sheriff to make every community in Broward County safer. As Broward County Sheriff, he’ll take on the mess in Broward County and build a safer county, one where our Sheriff actually works to make sure kids are safe in their own yards, our seniors feel safe in their homes again, while we reduce violent crime and gang activity.
CQ, CQ, CQ! Calling all Parrots & Ham Radio Enthusiast’s!
2 meter Fox Hunt and HF Radio Station Setup for Contacts
Date: Saturday, April 20th
Time: 10 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Markham Park
Markham Park
& BBQ Picnic
16001 W State Road 84
Sunrise, FL 33326
Click Here: Directions
Lunch: RSVP
Please RSVP TODAY! Click Here: Event RSVP
Join us! Event Highlights:
Fox Hunt & Stations setup for contacts
All you need is your:
Fox Hunting
Dual band 2m/70cm HT
If you wish to setup your station to make contacts
- Radio
- Antenna, coax
- Chair
- Power Supply
- Small table
- Other essentials you may need to set your your station
We will have tents for shaded space for everyone to be comfortable.
Click here for Details and Lunch RSVP: https://parrotarc.org/parrot-events/
Get ready to find the FOX and connect with fellow Radio Enthusiasts!
Everyone is welcome!
Please RSVP if you would like to have lunch so we bring enough food for all of us who wish to eat.
See you at Markham Park on Saturday, April 20th, from 10 am to 4:00 pm.
The Parrots
fly far and high!
When all else fails we’re still talking!
About our guest speaker:
Our guest speaker in August 27, 2024 will be Ian Barton (VK5AIB). Ian has been licensed since July 1977 and over the years has had an interest in
RTTY including “Glass RTTY” & Packet radio. In 1992 he ceased all operations upon moving location to a much smaller block which couldn’t
accommodate his previous 50ft free standing tower and antennas. Back in about April 2023 he recommenced operations after chatting with Henry
Seidner about FT8 and the ICOM IC-7300 but this time with a Cushcraft R8 vertical antenna rather than the HyGain TH3 he had in his previous days.
Due to “domestic pressure”(!!!) it was important to Ian that he be able to bring his antenna to ground quickly and by himself in the event of
inclement weather so Ian will demonstrate to us the approach he has taken to bringing this about. He will also share information about operating
amateur radio “down under”.
Speaker info submitted by Henry Seidner WA2ROA Boca Raton ARA Vice President
Click here to download and print the PDF version NOTE: Meeting minutes are posted online as a draft for review until approved at the following meeting. Corrections can be sent to the Secretary, currently rickiwitte4@gmail.com.
General-Meeting-Minutes-2024-03-26
We are honored to announce the 85th Anniversary of the WPBARG club in West Palm Beach.
They will hold a celebration on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 at the STEM Center of the COX Science Center located at 4881 Dreher Trail, WPB 33485 from 10 AM to 2 PM. All hams are invited to join them and a lunch will be available 12-1PM plus the multiple food trucks that will be available.
In celebration of the special event, NWS meteorologist will be there speaking about the Hurricane Season and staying safe in 2024. Many contacts will be made on the Remote Stations.
More info: https://wpbarg.com/2024/03/26/wpbarg-85th-anniversary-event/
Submitted by Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT
Yes, ham radio, also known as amateur radio, is still a popular hobby around the world. There are over 750,000 licensed hams in the United States and over 3 million around the world.
Here are some of the reasons why ham radio is still relevant:
- Communication: Hams can communicate with each other locally, regionally, and even internationally without relying on cell towers or internet access. This can be especially useful in emergencies when traditional communication methods are down [10].
- Technology and experimentation: Ham radio allows people to experiment with different radio technologies and communication modes. Hams can build their own radios, antennas, and other equipment [9].
- Community: Ham radio offers a sense of community and camaraderie. Hams can connect with other people who share their interests and learn from each other [10].
- Public service: Ham radio operators often volunteer their time and skills to provide emergency communication during disasters. They can also be found assisting with public service events such as marathons and bike races [9].
If you are interested in getting started with ham radio, you will need to obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. There are different license levels available, each with its own requirements. You can find more information about ham radio licensing on the FCC website [10]. There are also many resources available online and in libraries to help you learn more about ham radio.
- Amateur radio provides a way for people to communicate worldwide using various communication modes like voice, Morse code, and digital modes, without relying on the internet or cell phone networks. 1345
- There are over 600,000 amateur radio operators in the United States and over 2 million worldwide. The hobby continues to attract new participants, with a 1% annual growth rate in the US. 14
- Amateur radio operators can obtain different license classes from the FCC, which grant them access to different frequency bands and communication privileges. This allows them to experiment with electronics, build their own equipment, and participate in activities like contests and emergency communications. 135
- While amateur radio was once seen as an “old man’s hobby”, it has gained renewed popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as people had more time to explore the hobby. The growth of digital communication modes has also breathed new life into amateur radio. 5
- Amateur radio remains relevant as it teaches valuable skills in electronics, radio operation, and communication that are applicable to various industries. It also serves an important role in providing emergency communication when other systems fail. 134
In summary, the search results indicate that amateur or “ham” radio is still a thriving hobby with a sizable and growing community of enthusiasts worldwide. It continues to offer unique communication capabilities and opportunities for experimentation and skill development.
here are the key benefits of getting a ham radio (amateur radio) license:
- Ham radio is still a popular and growing hobby, with over 2 million amateur radio operators worldwide and a 1% annual growth rate in the US. 145
- Getting a ham radio license allows you to legally operate and experiment with radio communication equipment, which can be a fun and rewarding hobby. 145
- Studying for the ham radio license exam teaches valuable technical skills in areas like radio theory, electronics, electrical circuits, and radio wave propagation. This knowledge can be applicable to various industries. 34
- Ham radio provides a way to communicate worldwide using various modes like voice, Morse code, and digital, without relying on the internet or cell networks. This can be useful for emergency communication. 135
- Ham radio helps bridge generational gaps, as the hobby appeals to people of all ages and allows for connections across international boundaries. 4
- Obtaining a ham radio license can boost your self-confidence, as you accomplish the goal of passing the exam and gain competence in operating radio equipment. 4
- There are many local ham radio clubs that offer free classes to help people study for and obtain their licenses, providing a social community aspect. 3
In summary, the search results indicate that getting a ham radio license provides a fun, educational, and community-oriented hobby that teaches valuable technical skills and can be useful for emergency communication.