Greetings from the PREZ!

Wish you were here…

By the time you read this we will likely have secured operations for ARRL Radio Connects, Field Day 2025. It is just before 08:00 am CDT (0100 ZULU) on Sunday morning, as I write this, we will be here until 4:00 pm CDT (0900 ZULU).

Looking at the sign-in roster I see12 Amateur Radio Operators from Faulkner, Conway, and Perry counties on Saturday. The Sunday roster includes 4 returning Hams and one youth, following his grandpa, to learn about ham radio and nation-wide Field Day events. Watching Roger and his grandson Charlie, both intently listening to stations calling “CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day”, it reminds me of my youth, sitting in my dad’s ham shack (our enclosed front porch), soaking in everything I could. We didn’t have all the video games, or even personal computers in the 1960s, so I would try to learn by watching, reading ARRL Handbooks, and listening to W5WUP interacting with other hams.

I was 8 years old in 1964 when the Alaska Earthquake happened, and I got to see firsthand how important Amateur Radio is during times of disaster. To have experienced that event or possibly learn about the Amateur Radio response for Hurricane Helene damage in West Virginia, North and South Carolina, will illustrate that amateur radio will ALWAYS have a place in disaster response. When EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS, Amateur Radio will still be the lifeline for communications.

Remember, it doesn’t matter your license classification or age, your participation in Field Day, and similar events, keeps your skills fresh and hones your ability to function under stressful communication situations. AND it is an opportunity to fellowship with other amateurs.

We have a very casual non-contest atmosphere. There is no competition to see who can make the farthest contact or most contacts, although Roger, KF5SDE, did make a contact on Saturday with Puerto Rico.

I’ll close with this:

It is a cool 70 degrees, inside the meeting room at the Morrilton North Fire Station, we have 4 radios on the air, coffee, ice cold water, and donuts.

The only thing missing is YOU!

Wish you were here…

73s for now,

The PREZ

W5WUP

David

You are invited to participate in the 2025 Summer Field Day at the North Fire Station in Morrilton, where the Arkansas Diamond Amateur Radio Club will set up for contests, with doors opening June 28th at 10 am and the contest starting at 1 pm.

North Fire Station
By the Hospital and Next to Colton’s
5pm ish if you want to eat
6pm for the regular meeting
Patrick Bolan with GE CHRON is on the program so
don’t miss.
General Exam Review Questions just for fun

Winter Field Day

Due to lack of interest, and only one RSVP, we are NOT REPEAT NOT going to set up for Winter Field Day at the North Fire Station.

February Club Meeting

We WILL HAVE our Club Meeting, that was canceled due to snow this month, on Thursday, February 13, at the Morrilton North Fire Station. The menu is still chili for our feed, starting at 5:00 with the meeting starting at 6:00.

The program will be the same as that planned for January.

The Club Meeting on 9^th of January was canceled due to weather. The first quarter meeting will be February 13, We will discuss all of the items that remain on our agenda. If John Evans can support February 13 we will still have his presentation. After the February meeting we will resume the usual schedule.

Next Meeting January 9th
North Fire Station
By the Hospital and Next to Colton’s
5pm ish if you want to eat
6pm for the regular meeting
John Evans will give the program so don’t miss.

Tomorrow night is the Petit Jean Mountain 2 Meter Net, please join me tomorrow night. Thursday night I WILL conduct the Simplex Net, it has been a week or two since I conducted one.

I hope you are all planning a great Christmas.

We shall see what Santa cooks up!

73s,

David

W5WUP

Next Meeting October 10th
North Fire Staton
By the Hospital and Next to Colton’s
5pm ish if you want to eat (Pizza)
6pm for the regular meetng

New Location! North Fire Station
By the Hospital and Next to Colton’s
5pm ish if you want to eat (Pizza)
6pm for the regular meeting
David Norris the ARRL Division Manager is tentatively scheduled
For our program