SUMMER NET SCHEDULE IS BACK !!

Back by “popular” demand is our weekly Summer informal net routine. The plan is to be on our net frequency of 3.668 Mhz at 0100Z Wednesday evenings during our off season.

The approach is same as last summer, to allow net members, or non-net members to stop by and say hi, compare notes on antenna work, etc etc, make a few contacts and who knows, perhaps even put a few new states into our log books.

There is no NCS schedule for the summer, we simply ask whoever is on frequency to step in and take a turn as moderator. Make sure to welcome any newbies, as we always do, and just have fun staying in touch.

Feel free to compare notes on antenna work, ham radio activities, or even an update or two on how the fishing is in your particular neck of the woods. No topic (as long as compliant with FCC guidelines) is off limits.

I will be out of town on our first summer sked evening, but hope many of you get to stop by and say hi on Wednesday, MAY 6th at 0100Z on 3.668 Mhz.

NEW AWARD LAUNCHES OCT 1st 2026

Next season we will be introducing a new award for those who enjoy chasing a unique challenge throughout the season. The award will be called the APPALAICHIAN TRAIL CHALLENGE !

The trail passes through a total of 14 states on it’s way from Georgia to Maine. The challenge will be to work stations from each of the 14 states, no QSL’s will be required, it’s all done on the honor system. We will have application forms available on the website, as the time approaches. We have a few DRAFT Award templates, two of which are shown below, and one under development by Bob, AI4IL. We will decide on the final prior to start of next season.

This should be a fun one to chase, throughout next season, and any input/suggestions in advance much appreciated.

GERATOL NET BOARD of DIRECTOR ELECTIONS !

This past season, we lost our long time Chairman of the Board, Frosty – W0FP.

In addition, Kenny – KE9TC has decided to retire as our Vice Chair.

Currently Bob – AI4IL is serving as “ACTING” Chairman, and Kevin – N1KL is serving as “Acting Vice Chair”.

The Board of Directors consists of the following four positions:

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer

Current duly elected board members are:
Secretary – Dale Chrisman – WG5N
Treasurer – Bob Gurka – AI4IL

As this season comes to a close tonight, it is time for the net to take nominations for all four BOD positions. The plan will be to solicit nominations from anyone interested in running for one of the four BOD positions themselves, or to receive suggested nominations from anyone who wishes to nominate another operator. If you wish to nominate someone on their behalf, we ask you check with them first, to make sure they are ok with running for the office. Nominations will be open starting May 1st. Feel free to submit your interest to Bob, AI4IL who will keep track of all nominees, and at the beginning of next season, we will have a special BOD Election session on our net frequency.

Other key positions for the net, which the board of directors appoints, include the following: (these are not elected positions, but appointments made by the Board of Directors.) Anyone interested in filling any of these key positions, should make their interests known to our current acting BOD Chair asap.

Net Control Coordinator – Bob – AI4IL is currently “Acting”

Net Historian – Ed – K7OC

Net Information Officer – Bob – AI4IL

QSL Bureau Manager – Mike – WX4H

Public Relations Officer – Kevin – N1KL “Acting”

Website Administrator – Kevin – N1KL

NEW TIME FOR NET !!!! PLEASE READ !!!!

Beginning with the 2026/27 Season of the GERATOL Net on October 1st Zulu time, the net start time will be 9PM Eastern Time. We will NOT be shifting start time with daylight savings time, but will keep the 9PM Eastern, 8PM Central, 7PM Mountain and 6PM Pacific time throughout the year.

No more trying to remember when net time begins, it begins same time ALL SEASON.

We have decided on taking this approach for the following reasons:

1. This will allow and perhaps promote more stations west of the Mississippi, to join us each evening, since the net has been wrapping up well before they are able to hear us.
2. We will no longer have to worry about the time change, in terms of net start time
3. The later start time in Winter, clearly improves conditions on the 80 Band, thereby giving those working on the basic or for awards/certificates a better chance of hearing stations.
4. The QRM we have been experiencing above and below our net frequency, is typically NOT there at the 9PM Eastern time.

We hope this approach will allow for an increase in participants, thereby making the net more interesting for one and all.

73, Kevin N1KL

2025/26 Season In Review

Mr Frosty/W0FP:

This past season of the GERATOL Net was our first year in MANY, in which our long time Chairman of the Board, and extraordinary Net Control guru, Frosty – W0FP was not around to run and support the net. While we lament his loss, we also remember his guidance, leadership and determination to keep the GERATOL Net active through it’s 50th year and beyond.

In celebration of his role as our Chairman, and frankly, the glue that held our net together for so many years, a special award commemorating his contributions to our net was created by Phil – AE4GH and
Bob – AI4IL, and was appropriately called, THE FROSTY AWARD.

Several of our regular operators completed the requirements for the above beautiful certificate, designed by Bob, AI4IL this season, including:

Louis – N9LY
Bill – KD2NZO
Marty – AC8JU
Nelson – K1NF
Steve – AA3KC

GERATOL SPECIAL EVENT STATION GOES QRV !

The net also sponsored a Special Event station, “K1G” to celebrate our 54th season as a Worked All States net serving the Amateur Radio Extra Class community. The Special Event went QRV in the March time frame, and was active on many bands/modes for one week.

All our NCS ops took turns putting K1G on the Air, and in addition, we had several of our regular ops take time slots, operating K1G throughout the day, on bands and modes, other than 80 Meter SSB, spreading the word about our net, and inviting other hams to join us on the net.

Over 700 QSO’s with K1G were logged, in a variety of modes including, SSB, CW, FT8 and SSTV !! A special hats off to Nelson, K1NF for putting K1G out on the airwaves so prominently.

USE OF NETLOGGER APPROVED FOR USE

As part of our efforts to expand the visibility and hence, increase participation in our net, we began the use of Net Logger, for listing check-ins and getting on the radar of folks looking to check into nets on a regular basis, or just stopping by to say hi. The effort was promoted by Nelson, K1NF who has been at the helm of putting us out on Net Logger many evenings, and hence, garnering some new check-ins as a result.

If you have not already downloaded Net Logger, it’s free and easy to use, and would be a great way, when Nelson is not around, to have other folks on the net, put us out there.

The old argument amongst the purists was that we did not use aids such as NetLogger, since we wanted folks to hear call signs on their own. However, as we ALL know, at check-in time, the station gives his/her call, and their call is then repeated by the NCS, in effect having the call listed by someone other than the licensee of the call anyway. So, NetLogger will be used as often as possible going forward.

THE GERATOL WEBSITE

After many, many years of sponsoring the GERATOL Website, as well as our DOMAIN NAME, Al, AE2T asked that we find someone to volunteer as the owner, caretaker, webmaster, etc. of the GERATOL Website. After a few glitches at the start, Kevin – N1KL has assumed responsibility of the Website, which uses WordPress via IONOS, and the DOMAIN name of GERATOL as well.

The good news is, we keep the exact same DOMAIN name (GERATOL.NET), URL, etc. etc. that has been in place for decades.

As the transition took place, many of the links for referencing data, as well as outdated requirements for awards, contributors, along with a broken email and POST notifications, plug ins, etc. etc. were discovered. As of this writing, nearly all issues have been repaired and updated. The information out on our website is now mostly accurate, with a few minor areas that need tweaking.

With over 350 official subscribers, Kevin has gone through ALL registered emails, to insure they remain active, and if needed have updated them, based on the latest email found on QRZ for the corresponding amateur operator.

In the coming months, we hope to refresh the look and feel of our site. More to come on that topic over the summer months.

NET CONTROL ROTATION

As we have mentioned many times, without our dedicated Net Control Operators, there would be no GERATOL net. We once again wish to thank our NCS Ops for their commitment to keep our net alive, and for their dedication to running the net on their designated days.

NCS OPS:
N5WGA – Chuck
AA8PI – Ron
AC0SG – Steve
AI4IL – Bob
KA4CZL – Steve
N1KL – Kevin
KD2NZO – Bill (Alternate NCS)

SUMMER IS ANTENNA TIME !

While Summer Time is a great time for antenna work, both wire and tower type antennas of all sorts, SAFETY is key. Some safety reminders below, for those planning on modifications/improvements or new antenna efforts:

1. Never Climb Alone: It is never safe to climb a tower without a helper or observer. Your ground crew isn’t just there to hand you tools — they’re your safety net. They can call for help in an emergency, guide you through difficult maneuvers, and keep an eye on changing conditions like approaching weather.
2. Proper Equipment is Non-Negotiable: When climbing a tower, you must have sufficient training on safe tower climbing techniques, use appropriate tie-off to the tower at all times, and always wear an approved climbing harness. This isn’t the place to cut corners or improvise.
3. Crank-Up Tower Special Rules: A crank-up tower must not be climbed unless it is retracted, or mechanical safety locking devices have been installed. These towers aren’t designed to be climbed when extended without proper locking mechanisms in place. The telescoping sections can collapse if improperly secured, leading to catastrophic results.

Here’s a real-life scenario: A ham decided to make a “quick adjustment” to his antenna on a crank-up tower without retracting it or using the safety locks. A sudden gust of wind caused the tower to shift slightly, and the unsecured sections began to telescope downward. Fortunately, he wasn’t on the tower at the time, but his expensive antenna system wasn’t so lucky!

STAY TUNED TO OUR WEBSITE !

Stay tuned over the next few days/weeks for updates on things to come, including:

New Award for Next Season – 2026/27 Season 55 !!

Elections for Board of Director Openings

GERATOL Special Event Station 2027 !

Status on new Logging Software under development !

Summer Operating Net time/days !!!!!