On Saturday 23-Jan-2021 at 11am and 1pm EST there will be a Simplex VHF Exercise.

The goal is for stations in the vicinity of the 145.29 mHZ BRARA repeater to operate on one for three (3) assigned simplex frequencies as directed by NCS.

• 146.52 mHz (national calling frequency)
• 146.55 mHz
• 146.58 mHz

Before the net is established, stations are encouraged to:
 
1. Fully  test their radios
2. Setup the 3 simplex frequencies on their radios
3. Become familiar with programming their radios
4. Know how to use reverse when on the repeater
5. Know how to turn on and off squelch
6. Have set up best power and antennas options
7. Have identified a location for optimal performance

At 11am and 1pm the Simplex Exercise net will be established on 145.29 mHz  and stations will check in. Once NCS has checked in all stations, the following will occur:

1. NCS will assign an alternate NCS (ANCS)
2. NCS will direct stations to QSY to simplex frequency

3. NCS will make a call for stations on simplex frequency
4. Each station will provide callsign and signal report
5. NCS will record each station's signal report
6. NCS will direct station to QSY to 145.29 mHz
7. NCS will report findings on the 145.29 mHz Net
8. NCS will ask for comments and then close the net

Stations may desire to remain on the repeater after the net closes to trouble shoot any problem that arise.

The annual ARRL VHF Sweepstakes contest is this weekend and starts at 2PM local Saturday Jan 16 and lasts through Sunday night at 11PM.

Contacts from 50MHz on up, any mode and you can arrange contacts by any means (telephone, repeater, chat channel, etc).

I will try to be in the Rover class, operating bands 50-144-432 and 1296 both SSB and CW in grids EL96 and EL97.

I am asking BRARA members to assist in improving my score by contacting me on 146.55 FM. I will be at an elevated spot and will check that FM frequency at 2PM, 3PM and 4PM on Saturday. I can also try 446.000FM after the 2mFM QSO. The usual calling frequency for 2m SSB is 144.2MHz.

I hope that many of you will be on and QSO with me, exchange is your call and grid square.

You can also QSO all other members of the club and we can even submit an aggregate club score if enough of you keep and submit a log.

CLICK for details

Email me directly if you need more info.

TNX, Rick K1DS  rick1ds@hotmail.com

Since we have been keeping records of our SILENT KEYS, we strive to place a face with the callsign and name. As you know the BRARA Board will be creating plaques listing our SK's.

Yet, we've run into a sticking point: we are missing 2 pictures of our SK.

Yes, we have been looking and asking around to no avail.

The is where you may be able to help. Do you have any good picture of

Frank London W1IVB
Sidney Gogel W2FUR

If so, please contact John.C

EMAIL  wirehead52@gamil.com
TEXT   207.239.0268

CLICK for our SKs (once there. CLICK ON SILENT KEYS TAB)

Thank you.

You may use the Payment Gateway to pay 2021 dues.
 
CLICK HERE for 2021 Dues Payment Gateway

Our membership period is January 1 to December 31.

Renewals began on October 1st. The grace period ends on March 31

We look forward to a full year of many projects even with COVID-19 and yes the Member tools are always undergoing updates. Please be watching for a list of what BRARA has accomplished and what we're planning in 2021.
 
Thank you for your support which is vital to our success.

On 1-Jan-2021 all 2021 Paid Members had their Administrative Year updated from 2020 to 2021.

How can you tell if you have not paid your 2021 dues? There are two ways.

1. No logon permitted if Admin Year was 2019 or earlier.

2. On home page see message "2021 dues payable by 2021-03-31."

In either case, to resolve this, please visit our Payment Gateway to Pay 2021 Dues.

Please Note
Any member who has yet to renew for 2021 continues full privileges and benefits of Membership until 31-March-2021.
 
NOTE: If you have paid your dues and have NOT received an email confirming payment, please contact Michael Greenfeld by email k8bq@arrl.net

The following are some Membership statistics as of 7-JAN-2021. Please note these numbers are vastly different from prior BRARA Weekly Updates because we rolled into a NEW YEAR. 

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.

From inception, here are statistics from what Robert has sent:
 

Condolence cards:	10
Get well cards:	15

CLICK HERE to email your details.