For those not yet familiar with our latest fun activity for our 55th season, we have released a new and fairly challenging award entitled the Appalachian Tral Challenge.

The goal is to work ham operators via a QSO on the GERATOL Net, in each of the 14 states through which the trail meanders from Georgia all the way up to Maine.

You can check out the details, log forms, etc. on our website under the AWARDS tab.

As of this writing, we have at least one GERATOL Net regular participant, who has only two states to go, to complete the award. Several other ops are getting close with only three of four to go.

Georgia is where the trail begins, or for some, where the trail ends. When first created, it was assumed those who wished to hike the complete trail on foot, would begin in the northern most state, Maine and work their way south to Georgia. Interestingly, most who complete the trail, begin in Georgia and end in Maine.

Below are some interesting facts about the Georgia portion of the trail:

Many folks hike only portions of the trail yearly. As a Boy Scout leader, I recall taking our troop over portions of the trail through VT and NH. We ran into other day hikers, and even a few through hikers, who were approaching the completion of a season long trek from GA all the way to Maine.

The trail is an amazing resource, and we will periodically be posting updates on how operators are proceeding with completing the award, and will also provide fun facts from each of the 14 states where the trail passes.

Stop by the net, at 9PM Eastern daily, on 3.668 and give it a try yourself. Or, if you happen to live along the trail, stop by and put your state out there for those in need. Below are the states ops will need to complete the award. Click on any one of the states for additional details about the trail, as it pertains to each state:

Georgia

North Carolina/Tennessee

Virginia

West Virginia

Maryland

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

New York

Connecticut

Massachusetts

Vermont

New Hampshire

Maine

73, Kevin N1KL

NOMINATIONS FOR KEY BOARD MEMBERS

As previously announced, the GERATOL Net is seeking nominations for the following key Board of Director positions:

Chairman of the Board

Vice Chairman of the Board

Secretary

As of today, October 13th, we have had only ONE nomination.

Just to make sure everyone is aware, after our previous long time Chairman of the Board, W0FP – Frosty passed away, Bob – AI4IL and myself, Kevin – N1KL have been working to keep the net running and the website active.

We have done so the last couple of seasons. Neither Bob – AI4IL nor myself, Kevin – N1KL are running for any of the three open board member positions. So, to keep the net viable, we need to have some folks step up and take a turn in a leadership role on the net. It would be a shame, after 55 consecutive years to have the net go off the air. So, if you enjoy the net now, or if you have participated in the past, and want to see the net continue, feel free to throw your hat in the ring and help the net remain the great service to the amateur radio community it has been for 55 years and counting.

Myself and Bob will still be here to assist with any questions, and to support any and all your efforts, should you need anything.

We had originally planned to cut off the NOMINATION period on October 11th, but have decided to keep it open until the end of October. So, if anyone is interested in adding their names to the nomination list, or would like to nominate someone, or ask any questions about what duties are associated with the positions, feel free to let Bob, AI4IL or myself, Kevin N1KL know asap.

Bob can be reached via email at: ai4il@arrl.net and Kevin can be reached at n1kl@arrl.net

APPALACHIAN TRAIL CHALLENGE UPDATE

Our latest award, the Appalachian Trail Challenge is moving along, with several operators getting close to working all 14 of the states along the trail. One op has only THREE states to go. It would appear we need some participation from a few states in particular, which have not yet been up on the net, including TN, VT and NH. So, you GERATOLers out there who live in any of those three states in particular, OR if you live in any one of the 14 states along the trail, stop by and say hi and renew old acquaintances, or make some new friends.

If you don’t happen to live along the trail, stop by and say hi and give it a shot working all 14. It’s a fun challenge and you will be rewarded with a nice looking certificate to commemorate the accomplishment.

More details about the award can be found on our website, under the AWARD tab. Check it out.

NET CONTROL OPS NEEDED !!!!

Once again, our thanks to the current cadre of NCS ops we have, but to try and share the load of NCS duties, we are still in need of Net Control ops for Tuesday and Friday evenings. It’s a fun experience, and we always have veteran NCS ops on frequency to lend a hand to those who would like to give it a try. Please contact Bob – AI4IL and let him know you would like to help out and take a shift as NCS.

The GERATOL NET is proud to announce the launch of a new award entitled
the Appalachian Trail Challenge.

The Appalachian Trail meanders through a total of 14 states beginning in Georgia at the summit of Springer Mountain and ending atop Mount Katahdin in the state of Maine. The Trail was completed in 1931, and more than 3 million people hike segments of the trail yearly. The trail is over 2000 Miles in length, and is the longest foot only, trail in the world.

The CHALLENGE, for amateurs who are participating in the AT Challenge, is to complete one successful QSO with each of the 14 States, (14 QSO’s total) through which the trail passes. (See rules below) No QSL cards are needed to complete this award, it is done by the honor system.

The AT Challenge Award is open to any properly licensed amateur radio operators, and does not require a GERATOL Number in order to participate. We WELCOME any and all to take part in this fun and challenging award.

We also require QSO’s made with each of the 14 states, take place during the GERATOL Net, on whichever frequency the net may be operating on any given evening, based on QRM. Our usual net frequency is 3.668, but may vary based on conditions, plus or minus a few khz.

PLEASE USE THIS LOG FORM TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION FOR THE AWARD

Simply click on the form, and print it out………..

Once requirements are completed, your filled out log, along with a check or PayPal payment for $10 to cover printing and mailing fees, must be sent to our Awards Manager, B0b – AI4IL who’s address is good on QRZ, or can be found on this website.