Posted in: Newsletters

Newsletter – October

LAST UPDATED: 6-October-2020
Newsletter may be undergoing periodic updates
  • General meeting Tuesday 6-Oct 7pm via Zoom
  • Speaker: Bruce KO4XL on “Shoebox Shack on a Shoestring”
  • Please consider adding your name to slate of BRARA Directors
  • BRARA SEPT General Meeting Minutes CLICK HERE
  • BRARA SEPT General Meeting Recording CLICK HERE
  • Subscribe to BRARA Weekly Updates CLICK HERE
  • PBC Regional Parks and Shack opening status
  • WSJT-X Introduces New Digital Protocols CLICK HERE
  • 2021 Dues and using PayPal 
  • Remote Station advisory
  • Zoom Auction 24-Oct-2020 from 2 to 4pm
  • Calendar of Events CLICK HERE
  • Contest and Special Events CLICK HERE
  • DX Operating News and Info CLICK HERE

BRARA Monthly meeting Tuesday 6-October at 7pm via Zoom conference.
Join Zoom Meeting: CLICK HERE TO JOIN ZOOM MEETING

Meeting ID: 865 5255 5294
Password: 123456

2020 Shack Status

To ensure the safety of our members, we the full BRARA Board have decided to postpone our plans until the pandemic stabilizes in the state of Florida. We all feel very strongly that our club must not in any way, however small, add to the risk of spreading the virus. We will revisit and resume our plans as soon as we are confident that it is safe to do so.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS SOUGHT

The BRARA Board of Directors are asking any person interested in becoming a Director beginning in 2021 to submit your name to Bruce KO4XL via his email KO4XL@brara.org. You may obtain more information with a quick read of the BRARA Bylaws (CLICK HERE).

NEW CAPABILITY: Groups.io 

This capability has proven its value in just a few short weeks. Please join BRARA@Groups.io to enjoy one of many member benefits. Connect with Bruce KO4XL or Mike Pilgrim K5MP for assistance.

2021 BRARA Dues and PayPal

During this extremely difficult time, all of us, members, friends of BRARA and the Board appreciate your support.

On Thursday 1-OCT-2020, BRARA members may begin paying 2021 dues by check or PayPal.

CLICK HERE for 2021 Dues

CLICK HERE for alternate means to pay 2021 dues.

Thank you for your support.

2020 BRARA Zoom Auction

WHEN: Saturday 24-Oct-2020 2-4 pm

HOW: Zoom meeting details to be announced
WHAT: Radios, Antennas, Accessories, etc.
WHERE: Zoom Meeting and BID via Zoom CHAT
WHO: Open to BRARA Members
WHY: Free up space at The Shack
PICK-UP: Curb side at The Shack Parking Lot
PAYMENT: Cash or check
PICTURES: Detail photos  of items will be made available

REMOTE STATION ADVISORY The next key component is to get a solid microwave IP signal from the repeater site to the shack (see above request for Tower Climbers). Once that is done, we can begin testing the process. Contact John.C N1QFH with questions.

Want to learn about NBEMS? What is it? Who uses it and why? You can begin learning the basics by  CLICKING HERE. Join us Wednesdays at 8pm on 145.29 where we practice all aspects of digital communications and yes problem solve and train. 

What tools are we using: FLDigi, FLMsg, SlowScan and we’re looking into WINLINK on the local packet nodes.

  • PLANNER: George WA2VNV
  • STATUS: ON-HOLD 
  • WHEN: TBA 
  • WHERE: The Shack @ West Delray Park
  • WHAT: Install satellite system
  • WHO: All able folks who can help 
  • CONTACT: Email George sintchak@optonline.net

FOLLOWS ITEM NEEDED

  • Power supply (20 amp / 13 volt) for the transceiver
  • Up to date computer to support the satellite and EME operation

VHF / UHF Room at The Shack: WEAK SIGNAL STATION 

We are looking for donation of an ICOM IC-706-Mk2g to replace the current 6 meter weak signal operation. The current transceiver is intermittent and not repairable.

If you have knowledge of an ICOM IC-706-Mk2g, please contact George WA2VNV by emailing him wa2vnv@optonline.net and let him know the details

CLICK for Station Status

The following are project and watch weekly emails for status.

All project are ON-HOLD until we have the all-clear to enter the park and shack

  • Station 1 AL-82 Amp repair WIP
  • Satellite TOWER BASE installation COMPLETE
  • Satellite ANTENNA and radio installation WIP
  • Shack outside power replacement WIP
  • Repeater case and shelve replacement ON HOLD
  • Repeater microwave relocation and maintenance TBA

We honor and remembered our members who have passed.

A special page has been built offering a bit more on who they were while keeping their memory with us.

CLICK HERE to see the full list of our silent keys.

We welcome the following new members:

  • KO4HLK Jeff Toeniskoetter
  • NC4A Harry Woodworth
  • K1JBX John Boudreaux

  • 3 New members
  • 1 Pending online applications
  • 10 Silent keys
  • 129 Regular members
  • 1 Associate members
  • 26 Family members
  • 2 Lifetime
  • 158 Paid members

If you know of an amateur or their family dealing with health issues or may have lost someone, please let us know. Robert K K3SUH is our go to person to send a communication in the form of a card to the person or family.

CLICK HERE to email details.

Analog 2m

145.29(-) PL110.9 50 watts out.
Status: Art and Lew have been addressing various issues at the 2m repeater site.

DMR Brandmeister

70cm 442.875(+) CC-1 TS-2 TG-311037  50 watts out. The FAU IP is working normally.

Monday to Saturday 

7.00 am Ad Hoc Free Net
Analog 145.29- PL110.9  


Sunday

8.00 pm South East FL DMR Tech Net TG-311037
BRARA 442.875+ CC-2 TS-2  
GCARA 443.350+ CC-11 TS-1  
Wellington ARA 145.19- CC-2 TS-1  


Monday

7.00 pm Voice Com Net  
BRARA 145.29- PL110.9 


Monday

7.30 pm DMR BrainWaves NotANet TG-311037
BRARA 442.875+ CC-2 TS-2  
GCARA 443.350+ CC-11 TS-1 
Wellington ARA 145.19- CC-2 TS-1 


Tuesday 

9.00 am Breakfast Club Net 
BRARA 145.29- PL110.9 


Wednesday

8.00 pm Southeast Florida NBEMS Net 
BRARA 145.29- PL110.9 

Other Local Analog Repeater Nets

  • Daily 6.00 pm SEFL Traffic 146.61 MHz
  • Tue 7.30pm CERT Plan-B 145.29- PL110.9

Club Repeaters

  • 144.390 APRS Repeater (NOW ACTIVE)
  • 145.070 Packet Repeater (OFF LINE)
  • GPS Location: 26.39724 –80.09485

Local DMR Repeaters
CLICK FOR REPEATER LIST

Scheduled DMR Nets
CLICK FOR DMR NETS

  • Sun 8.00 pm TG-3110037 SeFL DMR Tech Net
  • Mon 7.30 pm TG-311037 BrainWaves Net
  • Tue 8.00pm MA DMR Tech Net TG-31630 via any Brandmeister / hotspot 
  • Tue 8.00pm VT DMR Tech Net TG-3150 via CANTURBO server 
  • Wed 7.30 pm TG-3149803  Wellington DMR Tech Net
  • Wed 9.00 pm TG-3  NA Tech Net
  • Thu 8.20pm TG-31777 NotQuiteRight Net ON HOLD
  • Sat 12.00 noon TG-1 WW
  • Sat  8.00 pm TG-310035 GCARC KnowItAll Net

Thanks for all who submitted articles and I hope you continue to do so. We’re also looking for new writers as well. Here are some guidelines for article submissions.

  • Text should be in MS Word or equivalent, saved as a .DOC file
  • Write your best stuff, but don’t sweat the grammar. That’s why there’s an editor.
  • Please submit pictures/illustrations as separate files, don’t embed them in the text.
  • Be sure to submit clear, in-focus photos

West Delray Regional Park
10875 West Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33446

We hold scheduled monthly Board meetings at 12:00 Noon at the Shack on the Sunday preceding the next General Meeting.

Contributions

Contributions to BRARA— a 501(c)(3) organization—are tax deductible as charitable donations. As you complete your membership renewal or begin your year-end tax planning, please consider making a donation to BRARA.

Please donate to BRARA via Amazon Smiles:
Search for:  Boca Raton Amateur Radio Association

CLICK HERE TO SMILE AT BRARA

Planned Giving: Please also consider BRARA when updating or initiating planned giving (including charitable gift annuities, bequests and gifts or retirement plan assets) and other assets.

For More Information

Website:    www.brara.org  Twitter: BRARA@N4BRF  Instagram: #BRARA_N4BRF

Facebook:    CLICK VIEW FACEBOOK

Please be advised that the above are the official BRARA social media sites. No other social media sites are recognized by BRARA.

Got an idea for an article? Or constructive critique? Want to share club news and events? How about writing a short 30-minute project idea? Your submissions to the Radio Flyer are needed to help keep this one of the best club newsletters in South Florida.

Please send articles to   BRARA@BRARA.org

To obtain a key to the BRARA Ham Shack you must

  • Be a member in good standing for a minimum of one continuous year
  • Hold a valid FCC Amateur Radio License
  • Complete a short training session with one of the Club officers

Address

the Radio Flyer
P.O. Box 480162
Delray Beach, FL 33448-0162

Copyright and Protection

Copyright © 2020 Boca Raton Amateur Radio Association (BRARA).

Reproduction of material from any BRARA web page without written permission is prohibited.

Regards and 73 from The Shack
de N4BRF

             GOOD HEALTH