Club Events
ARRL Exam Session, Sat. 12/09 @ 10 am
LARC is sponsoring an ARRL Exam Session on Saturday, December 9th, at 10:00 am. There is a $15 fee for this exam session.
It will be held at the Clover Building at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, in Longmont, 80501.
Santa on the Air 2023
NO SOTA – Santa on the Air Dec 9th – Due to a conflict with Santa. Santa will return for the final night on Dec 10th. Merry Christmas and 73.
PVET Exam Session on Sat., Nov. 11 @ 9:00 am
Our next LARC-sponsored PVET test session is on Saturday, Nov. 11th, which starts at 9:00 am. This test session is FREE. Bring your tablet or laptop on which to take your test.
It is being held at the Clover Building at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, at 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont, 80501.
You can register for this exam session at:
https://hamstudy.org/sessions/63ab46c153791facae734314/1
NCARC: Blue Sky Marathon this Saturday, 10/21 – Help Needed
The Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club (NCARC) sent out this request for help to all their members. I’m sure they would be happy to have your support, even if you are not an NCARC club member. These websites appear to have more details of the race itself: https://www.trailrunproject.com/trail/7004320/blue-sky-trail-marathon and https://gnarrunners.com/blue-sky-marathon/
The Blue Sky Marathon is coming up on Saturday, and we are providing ham radio coverage for the event. I’ve had a couple of late drops from the list of operators and am looking for a few last minute replacements.
If you’ve never worked an event before, please consider it. They are a lot of fun, a great social experience, and a wonderful opportunity to hone your on air skills in an easy environment. The expectation would be for you to be at one of the aid stations for most of the day, and call in periodic reports, any supply shortages, and any medical issues with runners. The event runs 7am to 4pm, but depending on the aid station, the times are less. All locations except one are able to be driven to. For anyone wanting a bit more adventure, one site is an easy 1 1/3 mile hike.
No experience is necessary, and we can help with any equipment you might need. If you’re interested in helping out, or looking for more information, please contact me.
Thank you,
Darren Kalmbach / KC0ZIE
d.kalmbach@gmail.com
LARC/PVET Exam Session Sat. 9/23 @ 9 am
Our next VE Exam Session is this Saturday, Sept. 23, at 9:00 am at the Clover Building (9595 Nelson Rd.) at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont.
This test session is FREE. Bring your laptop or tablet on which to take your exam(s).
Please register for this exam at https://hamstudy.org/sessions/63ab46a8137c188a7a7b54ca/1.
August Meeting Canceled
Since we do not have a speaker and I have to go out of town on a business trip, I have made the decision to cancel the meeting for this month. Thank you all for the understanding!
- Chuck, KØITP
DX Commander Assembly & Tuning Event This Saturday (8/12) at 9am!
Come join Chuck, K0ITP, and Chuck, WG5X, as they assemble and tune their DX Commander HF antennas at the Clover Building at the Boulder County Fairgrounds this Saturday, 8/12/2023, starting at 9am.
The DX Commander (https://dxcommander.com/) is a multi-band vertical antenna system that uses the same technique as a fan dipole (https://www.onallbands.com/ham-radio-101-what-is-a-fan-dipole-antenna/) manufactured in England. It is a well-known antenna (and manufacturer) that has a very good reputation in the amateur community (and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@m0mcx)
There are a few different models, but the base model (DX Commander Classic) supports 40m through 2 meters.
Chuck (WG5X) has a still-in-box antenna that he’s going to put together and tune, so you can experience the whole process right from the start.
There will almost certainly be antenna analyzers and antenna tuning involved, and promises to be quite an interesting activity!
Hope to see you there (even if your name isn’t Chuck)!
2023 Field Day Video
The 2023 ARRL Field Day has come and gone but some of the memories are preserved in the video which is on YouTube. Thanks to everyone for being great on video! Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwvCiP2yN58
73,
Raman, KV0N
Governor Jared Polis has officially designated this week as Amateur Radio Week in the state!
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado has officially designated this week as Amateur Radio Week in the state! This proclamation recognizes the invaluable contributions and significant impact of amateur radio operators in Colorado and beyond.
Amateur radio enables individuals to explore the world of wireless communication. It serves as a vital communication tool during emergencies, provides assistance to communities, encourages and fosters international goodwill through global connections.
Governor Polis’s proclamation not only celebrates the passion and dedication of amateur radio operators but also highlights their pivotal role in emergency preparedness and response. Their expertise and technical skills are invaluable in times of crisis, ensuring reliable communication when traditional means may be compromised.
Furthermore, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all operators on this special occasion. Your commitment to learning, experimenting, and expanding the boundaries of communication technology is truly commendable. Your efforts contribute to the resilience of our communities and make a positive difference in countless lives.
As we celebrate Amateur Radio Week, it coincides with the highly anticipated ARRL Field Day— our annual event that showcases the skills and capabilities of amateur radio operators. ARRL Field Day is a time to come together, test equipment, and practice emergency communication scenarios. It is an opportunity to embrace the spirit of camaraderie and demonstrate the vital role that amateur radio plays in our society.
We encourage all amateur radio operators in Colorado, as well as enthusiasts worldwide, to join in the festivities and participate in ARRL Field Day activities. Engage in radio contests, practice emergency drills, or simply connect with fellow operators to exchange knowledge and experiences. Let us celebrate the rich history, innovation, and community that amateur radio embodies.
Once again, congratulations to all operators in Colorado on this well-deserved recognition. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Jared Polis for his support and appreciation of amateur radio. May this proclamation serve as a testament to the importance of your contributions and inspire others to explore the world of amateur radio.
Wishing everyone a memorable and successful Field Day 2023! Keep the airwaves buzzing and enjoy the thrill of amateur radio!