The 50/50 Award, which combines the challenge of working all 50 states with contacting 50 hams who have been licensed for 50 years or more, has been successfully completed by several net members.

The award, which maintains the tradition of the GERATOL net, by requiring to Work All States as one if its elements, provides a fun challenge for those who already received their GERATOL number, along with the extra challenge of working operators who have been licensed for 50 years or more.

Quite the challenge indeed, now in it’s second GERATOL Season.  As challenging as the award may be, especially with current band conditions, FIVE GERATOLers have successfully completed the challenge.   In addition to providing fun challenge for our regulars, the award has had some positive side effects on the net including:

• The chance to reconnect with some of our “Old Timers” who were invited up on frequency
• Getting introduced to some “new” Old Timers, that is, guys with 50 years of licensing who never checked in previously to GERATOL
• Finally and perhaps most important, invitees brought to the net by those chasing the award, provided several NEW STATES for the guys working toward their basic award.

For those close to completing the award, we wish you continued success and hope the conditions continue to improve as you finalize your efforts.

For those of you who may not have checked in for a while, and who are looking for a challenge on the net, along with renewing old acquaintances and putting your state in the log for those folks working on the basic, stop by the net some evening, and also take a look at the details surrounding the award on our website.

To those who have successfully completed the award,  CONGRATS !!

50/50 AWARD WINNERS

WV1Y – Ken

WW8X – Joe

N9RY – Don

W0FP – Frosty

KJ8V – Dave

Regards, Kevin N1KL

11/28/2018
The annual Santa’s Radio Club Special Event from 200 kilometers above the Arctic Circle will be on the air December 1 – 8 as OH9S — OH9Santa. Activity will be mainly on 160 – 6 meters using all modes, including FT8. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS (preferred) or LoTW.

Contacts will be automatically confirmed via the bureau. Operating from Finnish Lapland, OH9S will not employ any remote stations and will let propagation decide when and where contacts are possible.

“Yes, we know it is not easy to contact us while we are mostly operating from above the Arctic Circle, but that’s part of the game!” the announcement said. “This is the most northernmost Santa station in Finland.” Multiple stations will be on the air.
Due to anticipated poor radio conditions, OH9S will focus activity on FT8.

Tis the season gang, and this may be a fun challenge to try and work the SANTA station during the Christmas season.   Good luck,  and if anyone works them,  put a post up on the website to let us know !!

Regards, Kevin N1KL

Source: ARRL Website

We recently posted the new season of the GERATOL Net on several websites, including QRZ under the General Announcements section of the site.We have had 336 views of the posting so far, and lets hope it brings a few new, and maybe old Customers to the net in the evenings ahead.

We have also had a couple of “replies” to the posting, and I in turn have responded to those replies.

Feel free to go check it out, and put a reply or two on there, to help spur further interest….you can view it on the QRZ website at:

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/geratol-net-resumes-operation.635768/

Frosty, one of the folks who replied says he knows you from his Kansas City days,  Tom, WA4LIH….you may want to reply to his response and say hi.

Thanks, Kevin N1KL

Dave, KJ8V alerted me to the fact our good friend Ken Magee WV1Y has not checked into the net this season.  This is very unlike Kenny, since he is one of our most dedicated net members, and checks in most evenings.

After contacting some folks I found out that Ken has a severely broken leg and is still in rehab,  52 days so far and counting.  It’s going to be a long and arduous process for him.

He could use a little cheering up to say the least, so we would like to encourage you all to take a minute and send a card, (His assistant said he’d love to get greetings via a blank QSL card).

His address is:

Ken Magee WV1Y

17 Deidra Court

Warwick, R.I., 02889

His assistant retrieves his mail daily, and will bring the cards directly to Ken.  Let’s take a minute out of our busy schedules to fire a card, either QSL with a note on it,  or even a get well card to Ken wishing him a healthy recovery.

Ken making a QSO in his shack

Thanks, Kevin N1KL

GERATOL BOARD MTG. MINUTES FROM 10/31/2018

1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 0050Z on 31 Oct 2018. Present at the meeting were: W0FP, AI4IL, AA0ZP, KE9TC, KJ8V, KJ8W, and N1KL. A quorum was in attendance.

2. The purpose of the meeting was to consider two possible new items. The first was a motion to approve a new award “5 STAR AWARD” for working 2500 Geratol numbers. The second was to approve putting a link to a Geratol T-Shirt/Sweat Shirt site on the Geratol web site.

3. Following some discussion of the items, KJ8V moved to approve the new award. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. The award has an effective date of 0100, 31 Oct 2018.

4. KJ8V then made a motion to accept placing a link to the T-Shirt/Sweat Shirt site on the Geratol web site. This motion was seconded and also approved by a unanimous vote.

5. KE9TC then moved to adjourn the meeting.

6. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 0057UTC, 31 October 2018.

Respectfully Submitted

/signed/

FRANK TAYLOR, AA0ZP
Secretary, GERATOL NET

Thanks to the efforts of George – WG8AR, we are now able to order T-Shirts and other items with a GERATOL Logo on them.   What a great way to publicize our Worked All States net at your next Ham Radio Club meeting, Ham Flea Market or any Ham Radio event.

George has done all the leg work with the supplier.  All you need to do in order to be sporting a nifty GERATOL logo T-Shirt, Polo Shirt, Sweatshirt, Hoodie, etc.  at your next club meeting, is to click on the attached link below and place your order !!

You may also personalize the order, by having  your name and call sign added to the GERATOL Logo.

Here are a couple examples of the items available:

Below is the link, which will bring you right to the page for ordering the item/s of your choice.

https://www.onctees.com/geratol

Thanks to George for working to get this in place for members of the net who wish to show off their affiliation with the GERATOL gang !!

The Summer of 2018 is nearly behind us.

Believe it or not, a new GERATOL Season is rapidly approaching.    As always, we launch the new season, (Version – 2018/2019) on Oct 1, 0100 UTC.

Or, 9:00PM Eastern Time on Sunday, Sept. 30th.

Last season reflected an increase in GERATOL numbers issued from the previous year, which may be a sign conditions are FINALLY improving.   Let’s hope that is the case.

We also had a few of the regulars successfully complete their 50/50 Award, where they were able to work all 50 states, and in addition, were able to contact 50 Operators who had been licensed continuously for 50 years.  Congratulations to all who have completed that challenging award, and good luck to those still in the hunt !!

Let’s kick off the new season with a BANG !   Take a few minutes to check in, say hi, renew old acquaintances and give out some contacts to the new guys looking for those last few states.

N1KL  Kevin

09/10/2018

With active storms in the Atlantic and Pacific basins, ARRL Headquarters, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN), and the Salvation Army Team Emergency Network (SATERN) are all on alert. The most imminent storm is Hurricane Florence, now a major Category 3 storm, which is set to strike the Carolinas later this week. Hurricane Watch Net Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, said over the weekend that the net is keeping a close eye on Hurricanes Florence and Isaac, a Category 1 storm that could affect the Lesser Antilles before heading into the eastern Caribbean.

“Florence is expected to affect the US East Coast midweek, [with] Isaac affecting the Windward Islands about the same time,” Graves said. “The impact of Florence could be catastrophic, as it is forecast to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane.” Graves notes that Charleston, South Carolina, was last hit by Category 4 storm when Hugo made landfall in 1989.

As of 1500 UTC, Florence was some 580 miles south-southeast of Bermuda and 1,240 miles east-southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 115 MPH. The storm is moving west at 13 MPH.

The HWN has not announced any activation plans. The net traditionally uses 14.325 MHz during daylight hours and 7.268 MHz after dark. “With propagation being extremely poor to nonexistent on 20 meters, we may be forced to operate on both bands simultaneously,” Graves said. WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently in a planning stage and anticipating activating Wednesday, September 12, through Friday, September 14. When WX4NHC activates, it will operate cooperatively with HWN as net stations funnel ground-level reports to the Center.

The International SATERN SSB Net has announced plan to activate in response to Hurricane Florence on Thursday, September 13, remaining in operation at least through Saturday, September 15. SATERN operates on 14.265 MHz with 14.312 MHz as an alternative frequency.
“The Salvation Army is already beginning to plan for major deployments of personnel and equipment,” SATERN announced over the weekend.

The Voice over Internet Protocol Weather/Hurricane Net (VoIPWX) is expected to activate late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Storms in the Pacific include Tropical Storm Paul, which is not expected to affect land, and Hurricane Olivia, a Category 1 storm that could threaten Hawaii. The NHC has advised Hawaii residents to monitor the storm’s progress.

Source: ARRL Website

08/13/2018

US Navy Vice Admiral Charles A. “Chas” Richard, W4HFZ, assumed command of US submarine forces during a change-of-command ceremony on August 4, held aboard the submarine USS Washington (SSN-787). He assumed command from Vice Admiral Joseph Tofalo. An ARRL Life Member, Richard, 58, is well-known in the AMSAT and APRS communities. He had been serving as the deputy commander of US Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

Vice Admiral Charles A. “Chas” Richard, W4HFZ

A radio amateur since 1974, Richard said on his qrz.com profile that he is active on 6 and 2 meters, as well as on HF when the VHF bands are closed. He also enjoys digital satellite operations. Richard has been on active US Navy duty since 1982

We often wonder how the GERATOL Net continues to operate year after year.  No doubt the nets longevity is attributed to a combination of dedicated old timers and of course, our lifeblood, new hams in search of a challenge on 80 Meters. Given the state of Amateur Radio today, and how things have changed so dramatically over the years, those of us who have been around a while, often hope that some of the up and coming newest members of our hobby, have similar interests to those of us who have enjoyed the net over the last 30 years plus, and hope they will continue the tradition of the GERATOL net.

Well, the good news is, this season has produced a crop of new arrivals, some with years of ham radio experience, and others who are brand new to the hobby.  It’s been a pleasure to hear these new arrivals on our net this season, working along side some of the long time GERATOLers, and generating a whole new level of interest and enthusiasm on the net.

One of our newest members, and Basic Award Winners, now sporting GERATOL # 2668,  is AC1DR.  Along with his application for the Basic Award, Steve provided a very nice note to our Awards Manager with his application.  For those of us concerned about the stewardship of the hobby and of the GERATOL Net down the road, this note from Steve gives us a glimpse of how the hobby will remain in good hands in the future.

Some of Steve’s comments in his note are as follows:  “It has been a pleasure to work on, and complete, the GERATOL Net “Basic Award”.  As a relatively new ham, it has been an excellent way to gain operating experience in a friendly and supportive environment.  The participants on the GERATOL Net have been simply terrific.  Those of you “GERATOL Veterans” that have kept the Net alive and well all these decades deserve a lot of credit.  While I am a true neophyte, I will be very proud of my GERATOL Number.  I am looking forward to working on and completing several of the other GERATOL Net Awards and Endorsements. “

In his note, Steve also went on to say, “I especially want to thank you for your support and encouragement for the ‘new kid on the block’. Thank You ! I have been on the Net just about every night, except a few, for four and half months. So, the break at the end of April will be okay. I will look forward to next season, and perhaps becoming a regular back-up Net controller. I found being a Net controller challenging, but a hoot.”

Well Steve, we found it to be a “hoot” having new members like yourself join our GERATOL ranks this season, and we look forward to hearing you on again next season, sporting that new GERATOL # and working toward some of the other Awards and Endorsements like the Director’s Award.

As we are discovering via the “Featured Member” profiles being published on our website, we have some pretty talented and multi-faceted GERATOLers on our net.  Steve is not only a Ham Radio Operator, but he is also a Pilot, and an Instructor Pilot. He certainly brings a new dimension to the net:  Here is a shot of Steve in action:

Kevin N1KL