Click BELOW 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.
April 5 – 6, 2025
Boca Raton, FL
HELP SUPPORT – Bike MS: Breakaway to the Palm Beaches MS Bike Ride in Palm Beach County
**NEEDED** Amateur Radio Volunteers! COME OUT AND HELP!
Bike MS OF THE PALM BEACHES is one of the largest fundraising cycling series in the world.
April 5 Sat Northbound 95 miles 7am – 5pm.
April 6 Sun Southbound 40 miles 7am – 3pm.
Radio operators will start at different times depending on their rest stop location.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
Contact Ben: N7BBE@ARRL.NET OR (775) 781-7522
MEALS ARE PROVIDED
Start and Finish Line:
Boca Raton Innovation Campus
5000 T-Rex Ave Unit 160 Boca Raton, FL 33431
When you volunteer, you become part of the MS movement – a community of passionate individuals working together to create a world free of MS.
Bike MS is one of the largest fundraising cycling series in the world. With dedicated riders like you, we are working to end multiple sclerosis forever, one pedal stroke at a time.
Feel the extraordinary support and excitement throughout your journey as we come together to reach our goal—a world free of MS.
Click BELOW 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.
The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, in conjunction with ARES/RACES and Ham Helpers, will sponsor a joint Field Day and FREE Flea Market at Quiet Waters Park (Deerfield Beach, FL) the weekend of January 25 & 26, 2025 beginning at 8 AM Saturday and ending at 6 PM Sunday. All are invited to attend and participate.
Field Day:
As in the event last June, we will operate 3 primary stations under the callsign N4FL, class/category 3-O.
THE MENU FOR THE PICNIC WILL BE HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS BAKED BEANS, POTATO SALAD AND CHILI
The contest begins at 11 AM Saturday and ends at 4:59 PM Sunday, reflecting one of several new rules.
To get on the air at 11:00 AM, we will begin setup promptly at 8 AM Saturday, and we encourage everyone who is physically able to assist in this effort.
We will operate the SSB station according to a signup sheet which will be placed beside the rig with instructions. This will ensure that anyone will have an opportunity to get on the air. Those proficient in CW or digital operation are encouraged to assist Dan Vasilca (AI4WW) or Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR).
We intend to operate on the 80 m thru 70 cm bands and will also again attempt to make LEO satellite contacts.
Free Flea:
Kenny Hollenbeck (KE4NC) will sponsor this Ham Helpers activity. Recent and vintage gear will be displayed for viewing and/or acquisition. Bring your old or unwanted equipment with you and put it on the table! This will free up space in YOUR shack and make someone else’s day.
There will be food available. Check back for the menu. Register below (Food provided for a modest donation). You are invited to stay with us overnight and help keep us on the air. You will need your own sleeping equipment (cot, sleeping bag, air mattress, camper, etc.)
The park is located at 401 S. Powerline Rd, Deerfield Beach. There is a $3.00 per vehicle entrance fee. We will be at the Quiet Waters BALD EAGLE Pavilion.
Please do come and participate.
Click BELOW 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.
Click BELOW 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.
November 10th President’s Message ~ 2024
CQ, CQ, CQ, Calling all GCARA HAMS!
Wow!! Thirty-two of us met at Vista View Park for our ANNUAL WINTER PICNIC and boy did we have fun!! Mike Wolf KD4OVP did his best ever job cooking the burgers, dogs and sausages for us to consume as we all visited with each other and checked out the fabulous go kits provided.
I would like to especially thank Ben Echavarria N7BBE, Ricky Eaton KD4HGR and David Pomerantz KO4DKN for bringing their equipment to show and tell. Ben had the opportunity to teach a youngster in the Park all about his radio and just may have sparked some interest in that young age group we are trying to bring ham radio to. In fact, I later learned that some of our visitors had no inkling of what Amateur Radio was all about and it goes to show you, you just never know who you may have the opportunity to engage and enrich as well as interest in our wonderful, useful hobby.
Kenny Hollenbeck KE4NC brought the BBQ grill and we are indebted to him for its safe storage and delivery to our outdoor events. Thanks, Kenny for always being there for us. (I will tell you a little secret that is coming up. Kenny has agreed to hold his Ham Helpers sale at our January Winter Field Day this year. Thanks Kenny!)
It was a great pleasure to see Jackie Groveman, ultra supportive wife of our member Howard Groveman W6HDG. I want to thank her for being such a big help setting out the plates, condiments and dinner items for our veritable feast. Usually a task of mine, I slacked off with the lethargy provided by my sleepless night Friday the 8th. Thank God there are gracious doers who see a need and just do it! Thanks Jackie.
I was also happy to catch up with Henry Garcia KC2DEX, an older member who was quite active in the days of phone patches in our club. We have not seen a lot of him as of late due to work schedules, but he assures me he is in it for the long haul and will be back with us shortly. He was helpful with the repeater in the past as well as making a lot of contacts.
Speaking of contacts, it was a great treat to see Victor Carnuccio KD2HE there conversing with everyone. This gentleman is a newer member who was responsible for assisting Dan Vasilca AI4WW in garnering a lot of CW points at last July Field Day. We are honored to have another person with great skills and enthusiasm with CW. We are happy to have such experienced CW operators in our club!!
Would it be a party without Henry Seidner WA2ROA? He brought a beautiful female friend with her adorable Maltese puppy and Octavio Oliu KN4EJM to the picnic. Very conversant and pleasant, it is so good to know Henry. He is a gentleman’s gentleman and makes everyone around him feel welcome and secure in new surroundings. Henry invited all of the club to BRARA’s shack in Delray Nov 16, 2024 for the Radiator Grille 11am to 2pm. The suggested donation is $5.00 on the HONOR system so toss what you can in the donation bucket. It is well worth the opportunity of breaking bread with other hams in our community. Do not forget to RSVP by NOV 14 @ 5pm so the right amount of food can be provided.
BRARA.org 10875 West Atlantic Ave Delray Beach FL
Having a very grateful heart, I would like to extend thanks to my partner in crime @ SAM’S CLUB, Jerry Deitch W4LST and HIS partner in crime, David Warner KB4ICU, for helping with shopping and transporting of the delicious edibles we partook of. Remember, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS for 2025 Field Days and Picnics as Jerry and I are retiring from the Hospitality Committee in 2024. This was our last shindig after 10 years of active service on this committee for Jerry and 10+ for me! It is a lot of fun to be a part of this committee and many hands make light work. The January Winter Field Day 2025 needs a new committee and Jerry and I will be available to pass the torch and teach you what you need to know. I hope that all of you will look into your generous volunteer hearts and take over this very important mission. The club needs your help NOW!!! Call Melanie at 954-0560-3706 for more information.
Thanks again for all who attended and participated in our 2024 Annual Winter Picnic at Vista View park. It was lovely weather and a very pleasant get together. I hope to experience many more in future years by your side, learning, laughing and living life to the fullest! Take care all and be well.
God bless.
With love,
Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT
Click BELOW 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.
20 years ago, Patrick Bolan (KJ7ZSU) was working as a construction manager for Home Depot, and saw his 1st mechanical Geochron in a conference room. 10 years later, he bought an old Geochron that – Patrick discovered – he could not repair.
He took the clock to the only place in the world that still made Geochrons… just a mile from his house. He felt a moment of destiny, and told the retiring owners, “If you were ever interested in selling his company, I’d like to be a part of that conversation.”
He couldn’t afford their price, but offered his own house as collateral to purchase Geochron’s tools and inventory.
Today, the mechanical clock is built and restored in Colorado, and Patrick manages the Geochron Atlas product he created from the Pacific Northwest with a small team of local developers. Every Atlas is kitted in his basement.
Patrick has a talent for persistence. He’s a 2x Ironman triathlete, 2 graduate degrees, married 30 years, and recently finished a 23,000 mile motorcycle tour to visit 48 Geochron owners in 48 states.
And he’d like to install a ham rig on his motorcycle someday.
