Saturday 7/22 Sked at 0700Z NO QSO’s

REGARDING AK SKED

Unfortunately, despite the efforts of: JJ – W5RJJ, Louis – N9LY, Bill – KI7O and Bob – AI4IL and KL7AJ -no QSO’s were made with our sked set up with Eric – Eric – KL7AJ

I did correspond with Eric later on Saturday, and he said he was indeed on frequency, and called a few times himself, and heard nothing at all. He said the band was totally dead his way. So, once again the condition gods were plotting against us.

Eric also said he would be very willing to give it yet one more try.

POTENTIAL HI SKED

JJ – W5RJJ periodically checks into the HI/CA Net and he asked folks there if there were any ops from HI who would be willing to arrange a sked, to have HI come on frequency for those who need it for their basic and/or other endorsements. He’s reaching out to those guys now, and will be letting us know if that can a reality. JJ suggested we do a 2 fer, and get a sked with AK and HI on the same night, so you guys don’t need to take multiple sked naps !! LOL

So stay tuned, and we will keep you all posted via this website on developments.

73, and thanks to all. Kevin N1KL

We have arranged for a sked with AK at 0700Z 2/22/25 (or 2AM Eastern Time) on 3.668 Mhz

Once again, Eric – KL7AJ from Fairbanks has agreed to be on frequency at 0700Z time. Again, that is 2AM East Coast Time.

In addition, the net control for this upcoming event will be W5RJJ – JJ from NM. I am unavailable that evening (morning). Also, on frequency, KI7O – Bill from OR will be on hand to insure we can hear Eric.

Assisting on frequency once again to assist, and to insure all on the East Coast are heard trying to check in will be: Louis – N9LY and Bob – AI4IL

I have the following ops listed as those who wish to work AK for basic or other endorsements:

KA4CZL – Steve
W3NU – Frank
N1TL – Tom
NM2R – John
AI4IL -Bob
AA1QW – Brian
W5RJJ – JJ

Any questions, feel free to email me at n1kl@arrl.net

Good luck to all, and many thanks to JJ, Louis, Bill and Bob for their help.

Kevin N1KL

Reminder, the sked with KL7AJ – Eric, is on 3.668 Mhz at 0600Z on 2/15/25, which is 1AM Eastern, NOT 2AM as previously stated in my last post.

I have the following stations who wish to participate:

KA4CZL – STEVE
W3NU – FRANK
N1TL – TOM
NM2R – JOHN
AI4IL – BOB
AA1QW – BRIAN
W5RJJ – JJ

If I missed anyone, please let me know asap, and I will make sure we add you to the list, or just show up on frequency, 3.668 at 0600Z and we will make sure you are heard.

73, Kevin N1KL

New Sked with Alaska set for 2/15/25

We have confirmed that Eric, KL7AJ will be on frequency (3.668 Mhz) at 0600Z on 2/15/25. So, that would be 2AM Eastern on Saturday morning. Late for sure, but conditions are better suited at that time.

We are thrilled Eric is willing to take another shot at working the folks who need AK for their basic award, and wish to thank him ahead of time for the effort. Regarding a QSL, as previously stated, Eric does NOT use eQSL, so a SASE is required.

As we did previously, I will be operating from either WA, OR, AZ or CO to insure we can hear Eric. Also on hand we will have Louis, N9LY to insure we are hearing the folks on the East Coast who need to work Eric, and we are also hoping JJ from NM will also be on hand.

These are the ops who have notified us they wish to work AK:

KA4CZL – STEVE
W3NU – FRANK
N1TL – TOM
NM2R – JOHN
AI4IL -BOB
AA1QW – BRIAN
W5RJJ – JJ

If I missed anyone, fire me off a note and I will make sure we add you to the list.

If there are any question, feel free to email me at n1kl@arrl.net

3.668 +/- QRM

As often is the case from season to season, we experience some rather HEAVY QRM on or near our operating frequency of 3.668. This year is no exception, with ops who are just above our frequency, and no doubt, running some power, making it tough for NCS ops to start or even run the net.

As they have done in the past, our NCS ops will move our net frequency down to 3.667 or even lower, to avoid any conflicts and to insure our net gets to operate. So, if you don’t hear us on 3.668 Mhz at 0100Z, tune down, a few KC’s to tune us in.

Thanks to our NCS ops and to our regulars, for helping us out.

SK Update

It is with sadness, we have to report the loss of another long time GERATOLer,
Gabriel – KZ2A G#782. Gabe put New Jersey in many logs over the years. Our condolences to his family and friends.

73, Kevin N1KL Website Administrator

02/08/25 – For those who still need AK for their basic award, we continue working with Dean, WL7PM and with Eric, KL7AJ. Both have agreed to arrange another sked with us, to try and put AK in the log books of those who still need it.

Here is the list of ops who have requested I put them on the notification list, for when the next sked is going to take place:

KA4CZL – STEVE
N1TL – TOM
W3NU – FRANK
NM2R – JOHN
AI4IL – BOB
AA1QW – BRIAN
W5RJJ – JJ

In addition, I will be asking Louis – N9LY will be on hand, to insure we are hearing all the East Cost ops on frequency. Louis, hope you can once again be on hand.

Given our experience with the two skeds we recently had, it would appear our best chances would be to arrange the sked the 0600Z time slot, or 1AM Eastern. The 0500Z sked resulted in nothing heard. Granted, condx no doubt played a key role between the two skeds, but as conditions appear to be improving this cycle, a sked later in the evening seems best case for us.

As was the case on the previous skeds, I will be operating remotely, either from the state of CO, WA or OR (TBD) based on availability of remote stations. Just a reminder, both ops only use SASE for QSL, no eQSL.

Also, to have the contact count, you must make the QSO from the state in which you are applying for the award. Operating remotely from WA and working AK, if you live in CT for example, does not qualify for the basic award.

For those reading this POST, if you are not on the list I just provided, and you wish to be added, please reply to this POST directly, or send an email to n1kl@arrl.net

As of this writing a date and time is not yet arranged. I will put out a new POST as the date/time are confirmed, and I will also email you individually, to insure you are aware of when the sked is set.

Any questions, feel free to email me at n1kl@arrl.net

73, Kevin N1KL Website Administrator

02/01/25 – ALASKA SKED RESULTS FRIDAY NIGHT/SATURDAY MORNING

Thanks to WL7PM, Dean from Homer, AK for taking the time to try and work those in need of an AK contact. We had a good showing last night, with the following Ops giving it a college try:

Chuck, N5WGA
Steve, KA4CZL
Frank, W3NU
Tom, N1TL
John, NM2R
and last but not least, Louis – N9LY who provided critical relays when neither Dean nor myself could hear some of the questions from Ops on the east coast. Louis also worked Dean, with a valid QSO.

CONGRATS to Chuck, N5WGA who made a successful QSO with Dean, and Chuck is now down to the FINAL state he needs to complete his basic, the ever elusive HI !!

For those who were unable to work Dean, or who missed the sked, we have another shot, this time with TWO AK stations, both Dean from Homer and Eric from Fairbanks will be on the net frequency at 0500Z Sunday evening. Good hunting to those in need of AK, and let’s hope for better condx. Sunday evening. Finger crossed for some good luck !!

WELCOME ABOARD !

We would like to welcome aboard, the following operators, who recently registered on our GERATOL Website:

AK1NH – Conrad
Conrad was first licensed in 1978, as a Novice. So like many of us, he has WAL! Worked All Licenses !
He is also a member of the QCWA, so for those who need a “Q” number from NH, Conrad is your man.

KB5ILY – Travis
Travis hails from the great state of Arkansas, and was first licensed in 1989, and again like so many of us, started his Ham journey as a Novice and worked all the way up to Extra. He too is a member of the QCWA, so again for those in need of a “Q” number from AR, Travis fits the bill. Also, he’s a great catch for working a 2×3 call sign from “5th” call area, for the Call Area Challenge certificate.

Welcome aboard guys, and thanks once again for taking the time to register on our GERATOL website, and we hope to work you on the net soon.

Silent Keys

With sadness, we would like to notify the GERATOL Net on the passing of Frank, AA9JJ this past November, who held GERATOL number 1712. Frank was an avid county hunter, along with his wife, Marilyn, N9QPQ who often worked the County Hunter Net together via their mobile installation.

Frank was an Air Force Vet, and had a long career as an Air Traffic Controller. Our condolences to his wife Marilyn and their entire family.

73 from your Website Administrator. Kevin – N1KL