GERATOL Net has resumed operation

As always, the net is once again active, beginning on Oct 1st on 3.668 Mhz starting at 0100Z. The net remains in the midst of it’s 50th anniversary season, which started the second half of last season, and ends the first half of this 2022 season. If you have not done so, take a look at the special 50th Anniversary Certificate which you can work toward. No GERATOL number is required to qualify for this colorful certificate. See the website for more details.

It’s time to put those improved antennas and new rigs, or even the old ones, to good use and renew old acquaintances and make some new ones, by checking into the net. Come join us !!

GERATOLer SK Report per November QST

Per W0FP, Frosty, there were no reported SK’s from our fellow GERATOLer population for the month of November. Let us always keep those GERATOLers whom we lost over the years in our thoughts, and thank them for their contributions to the net.

NCS Needed for Monday Evening Net

As we all know, one of the main reasons the GERATOL Net remains in operation, is due to our dedicated and patient Net Control stations. Without them, there would be NO GERATOL Net. We thank them, one and all for their efforts.

Currently, we are in need of a Net Controller for the Monday evening shift. Being NCS can be rewarding, as you facilitate the checking in and list generation for those working toward, not only their GERATOL Number, but for other awards and endorsements as well.

The website has a copy of the preamble, and there are ALWAYS experienced NCS’s or long time GERATOLers on frequency to lend a hand, if needed and provide relays.

If interested, please contact our Chairman, Frosty, W0FP via email, at frostyw0fp@gmail.com

WELCOME ABOARD

We would like to welcome Patrick, WX7M aboard the GERATOL Website. Thanks for taking the time to register Patrick. He has GERATOL #1505 and checked into the net for many years, putting NV into the logs of our folks looking for the basic. Welcome.

That’s it for now from the site Administrator. 73, Kevin N1KL

Greetings fellow GERATOLers, welcome back, and those who have recently registered on the GERATOL Website, Welcome !! The 2nd half of our 2022/2023 50th Anniversary Season resumes this coming Friday evening, at 0100Z or 9PM Eastern on or about 3.668 Mhz.

It’s time to renew old acquaintances, and to make some new friends on the net. We have provided news flashes on several Ham Radio web pages, regarding the net starting up again in hopes of bringing on some new folks. As the GERATOL gang ALWAYS does, we will provide the new folks a warm GERATOL greeting.

We would like to welcome Jim, K8SI who recently registered on our website. Thanks for taking the time Jim, and we hope to work you on the net this upcoming season.

73’s to all. Kevin N1KL Website Admin

NET RESUMES OCT 1st 0100Z, or Friday evening September, 30th at 9PM Eastern.

Just a reminder, as summer comes to an end, it’s time to renew old acquaintances, and perhaps, make some new friends, via the GERATOL Net. Our net frequency remains at 3.668 Mhz, and our start time, based on Daylight Savings, is 9PM Eastern, starting Friday evening September 30th.

/

Time remaining for net to resume operation, so get that antenna work done, the clock is ticking !!

OFFICIAL NET MEETING TO TAKE PLACE THIS OCTOBER

Per our Chairman, Frosty – W0FP, he will gavel to order, a formal GERATOL NET group board meeting over the air in October. The exact date/time is TBD, but will be announced by Frosty and the NCS ops over the net, and we will post via our website, and send out an email reminding folks as well.

If there are any topics you would like to have discussed at the upcoming meeting, feel free to fire a note off to any our our elected net officers including: Frosty – W0FP, Kenny – KE9TC, Frank – AA0ZP or Sandy – KJ8W. Or just send myself N1KL or Dave, KJ8V a note, and we will insure it’s forwarded.

SPECIAL GERATOL NET AWARD REMAINS ACTIVE

As a reminder, the special award we launched during the first half of the 2022/23 season, to commemorate our 50th Anniversary as a WAS Net, remains available for all to work, and complete throughout this season, and beyond. If interested, simply check out the details on our website for requirements to complete the award, or ask one of the ops on the net.

AWARDS MANAGER – Dave, KJ8V

Dave and Sandy once again, plan to avoid some of he harsh weather in the Upper Peninsula of MI this winter, and Dave will be notifying folks of the exact dates, as well as how he would like to handle any applications for awards/endorsements, etc. during their hiatus.

MEMBERS NO LONGER WITH US

As always, we wish to take a moment to remember those fellow GERATOLers, whom we lost this year, and in years past. We will miss them one and all, and wish to remind their friends and relatives of how much we appreciated their contributions to the net over the years.

GERATOL WEBSITE REGISTRATIONS

We would also like to thank those ops who took the time to register on our GERATOL Website. We now have 290 registered users. Feel free to pass the word to your fellow GERATOLers not yet registered, to sign up. Should they, or anyone who has registered have any questions about the website, or how to place POSTS and/or COMMENTS on our site, feel free to reach out to me at: n1kl@comcast.net

All the best, and 73 from Kevin – N1KL Website Administrator

The July 2022 copy of QST has NO GERATOLer Silent Keys listed. For those fellow GERATOLers previously listed, may we all continue to remember them, and their contributions to the GERATOL Net over the years.

Dave, KJ8V reporting

We would like to welcome aboard the GERATOL Website, our newest subscriber, Larry – KN8N. Larry hails from the great state of Michigan, and he’s been licensed since 1973. Next season, Larry will be one of the gents to work, if you are looking to complete the 50/50 Award, since he would have been licensed for fifty years. Thanks for taking the time to register on our website Larry, and we hope to work you on the net, when it resumes again this Fall.

HAM RADIO FUN FACTS

As part of celebrating their 65th Anniversary, CQ Magazine had published an article listing “65 Great Things About Ham Radio” Here are ten of those great things, but feel free to make your comments or additions, by responding to this POST.

1. It works when nothing else does
2. It makes you part of a worldwide community
3. The opportunity to help neighbors by providing public service and emergency communications
4. Some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet
5. Some of the smartest people you’ll ever meet
6. Some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet
7. Some of the most generous people you’ll ever meet (along with some of the cheapest!)
8. Lifelong friendships
9. Friends around the world (including those you haven’t met yet)
10. The opportunity to go interesting places you might not otherwise go to in person

AMATEUR RADIO, FCC LICENSE FEES

New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply To Amateur Radio License Upgrades

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade a licensee’s operator class and changes to club station trustees. The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect on April 19, 2022.

AMATEUR RADIO YOUTH ON THE AIR (YOTA)

The 2022 Youth on the Air (YOTA) Camp will be on the air and streaming online. The campers will be operating special event station W8Y from the National Voice of America (VOA) Museum of Broadcasting in West Chester Township, Ohio, as well as from their hotel. Activation of W8Y will begin on the evening of Sunday, June 12, and conclude at 1 PM EDT on Friday, June 17. Campers will operate the station as they finish projects, between camp sessions, and during their free time.

In addition, dedicated HF station operating times will be on Monday, June 13, from 2 – 11 PM EDT. Dedicated satellite station operating times will be on Thursday, June 16, and Friday, June 17, from 10 AM – 1 PM EDT. Earth-moon-Earth (EME) will be in operation on Tuesday, June 14, and Monday, June 13, from 9 to 11 PM EDT.

The opening and closing ceremonies will be streamed live on the Youth on the Air YouTube channel. The opening ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 12, from 4 PM EDT – 6:30 PM EDT and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, the founder of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI). The closing ceremony is on Friday, June 17, from 1 PM – 2 PM EDT. The YOTA YouTube channel will also feature a daily video that will spotlight the activities of the previous day.

For details about the 2022 YOTA Summer Camp, download the brochure from the YOTA web page, at Home – Youth on the Air

For additional information, contact Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, at director@youthontheair.org.

Source: ARRL NEWS

2022 FIELD DAY THIS MONTH

Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

For additional information on Field Day – 2022 version, feel free to click on the link below.

http://www.arrl.org/news/some-new-rules-going-into-effect-this-year-for-arrl-field-day

Source: ARRL Website

SUMMER IS ANTENNA TIME !!

This is a great time of year to get out on to your property, and make those antenna upgrades, to insure you are hearing all the states that will be checking into the GERATOL Net this coming Fall. Remember, the net resumes operation October 1st, ZULU time on 3.668 Mhz/ We hope to hear you all this Fall and Winter !!!

73 from your Website Administrator/Public Relations dude, N1KL

Greetings to all fellow GERATOLers. As is our tradition, the GERATOL Net will be signing off for the summer months on April 30th. We will be back on the air once again in the Fall, beginning October 1st.

Once again, the condition gods have made it challenging for the net, but despite that, we had a very active net this season, as we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of net operations.

First and foremost, we want to extend a HUGE thank you to our Net Control Stations, one and all. Without the dedicated efforts of the Net Controllers, there would be no net. Without their efforts over the last 50 years, the net would have gone the way of spark gaps. Congrats to all the NCS operators, and thank you all !! Take a minute during the net to thank your NCS for being there and for taking the time out of their day, to run the net, and to be such gracious hosts for the GERATOL Net.

In celebration of our 50 years in service to the Amateur Radio community, we launched the first half of the 2021/2022 season, with a special commemorative certificate, offered up by Dave and Sandy, KJ8V and KJ8W respectively. It made for a fun season opener, especially for the regulars and for those folks working on their basic, by adding a fun set of challenges. Working for the certificate added some new stations on the net as a result. Thanks to Dave and Sandy for that effort.

Then in February, Kevin, N1KL on behalf of the GERATOL Net, was granted Special Event call sign from the FCC, W1G to promote the net on all HF bands, and to provide a commemorative W1G QSL card to those who worked the Special Event stations, operated by Kevin, N1KL, Steve, N9SC, Frosty, W0FP and Steve, AC0SG. During that two week period, we worked over 300 stations in the US and Canada, including 40 different states, 4 Canadian provinces and some of those QSO’s led to folks checking into the net. Kevin sent out over 150 W1G commemorative QSL cards, and our W1G event was posted on the QRZ pages. We got to hear from some old time GERATOLers who had not checked in for some time.

Between the 50th Anniversary Certificate and our special W1G commemorative QSL card, folks had fun collecting both. Here is an example of one op, Dennis, WD9HCF who decided to frame both items. Congrats Dennis and to all who worked both for both.

If there is anyone who may have worked Special Event station, W1G but who did not receive their commemorative QSL card, simply fire off a note to Kevin-N1KL at n1kl@geratol.net and let him know, and he will make sure you get your card.

To all GERATOLers, have a GREAT upcoming off season. Now is a great time to make those antenna and rig adjustments necessary to get you up and running in the Fall when the net resumes on October 1st.

On behalf of all the GERATOL Net Board Members, Awards Manager, Website Administrators, etc. we wish you all a productive and healthy summer, and we look forward to seeing you all in the fall on October 1st.

73’s Kevin N1KL

As the first half of the 2021/2022 Season winds down, we would like to share some input received from our fellow GERATOL members, as well as a few from some of the folks who worked our Special Event Station (W1G) this season or who completed and/or are working toward their 50th Anniversary Certificate.

Many GERATOLers worked for both the 50th Anniversary Certificate, as well as a QSO with W1G commemorative Special Event QSL card. Here is how Dennis – WD9HCF has chosen to display his commemorative items together into a frame ! Well done Dennis.

A FEW OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY STATIONS WHO WORKED OUR SPECIAL EVENT STATION “W1G”

From: N0JN – Craig from MO….“Happy 50th ! Glad to have had the opportunity to work your station. 73’s Craig N0JN”

From: WA5SWN – Clarence from KS. “Tnx for the FINE QSO ! Hope your special event was a terrific success”

From: K1ERZ – Tony from MA. “Tnx Kevin for the contact ! Hope to hear you again soon !“

From: W0AZ – Steve from CO. “Congratulations on 50 years ! Thanks for the QSO”

From: KC8WVG – Will from OH. “Thanks for the very nice QSO during Special Event. Strong, clear signal.”

From: KB2DHG – Louis from NY. “Nice to meet you Kevin, glad to have worked your 50th Special Event Station”

From: N3NH – Al from PA. “Thanks for putting the Special Event on the air for us, nice to talk to you again, 73 Al”

From: KD2PGJ – Jim from NJ. “Thank you for your efforts with the Special Event station. It was a pleasure making a contact! 73 Jim”

50th Anniversary Certificate – Still time to complete the requirements for this one

For those who are interested in the 50th Anniversary Certificate, (See below example) it is not too late to qualify for that, since it will be available next season and beyond. So, don’t miss the opportunity to garner a piece of GERATOL history, by working for and completing the requirements for the certificate, which can be found on our website, under the AWARDS tab, then OTHER AWARDS on the tool bar at the top of the opening page of the website.

NEW MEMBERS TO WEBSITE – WELCOME !

We would like to thank the following new subscribers to our GERATOL Website. Thanks for taking the time to register, and hope to work you during the net some evening.

Ben – AE4NA from Georgia

Duane – AI8U from North Carolina

Frank – W3NU from Pennsylvania

All the best, and don’t forget, the net continues to meet each evening through the end of April, at 0100Z on 3.668 Mhz !!

73, Kevin N1KL

2021/2022 GERATOL SEASON WINDS DOWN !!

The 50th Anniversary 2021/2022 GERATOL Net season will be wrapping up the end of April. With the daylight savings time shift behind us, there is still time to get on the net, work some old friends and/or meet some new ones. The net still launches at 0100Z each evening, on 3.668 Mhz +/- QRM.

Also, don’t forget, the Special Anniversary Certificate, sponsored by Dave and Sandy, is still attainable for those who have not yet completed the requirements. (see example of certificate below)

Details for how to qualify for the certificate may be found on our GERATOL Website.

Our Anniversary Special Event Station, “W1G” completed it’s run, with hundreds of QSO’s on multiple bands and modes. All QSL cards for those who worked W1G on the net frequency, during the net have been mailed out. So, if you have not yet received your commemorative card (See below example) send an email to Kevin at n1kl@geratol.net and let him know. For those who worked W1G on other bands, and/or not during the net, who sent an SASE, those cards have also been mailed.

NEW WEBSITE MEMBERS – WELCOME !!

We would like to thank the following Hams for taking the time to register on our GERATOL Website. All four of you have been granted “Contributor” status, since you registered using your call signs. This means you may make “comments” on POSTS such as this one, or even place a POST of interest of your own.

New Website Registrants:

• DAVE – W2DJG (KC2BLF) – Kentucky
  • Dave hails from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is an Army veteran, and operates many bands, as well as Echo Link. Dave, let us know what repeater you may access via Echo Link, so we can give you a shout over 2 Meters !!
• ALAN – KO4ELM – Virginia
  • Alan brings the Commonwealth of Virginia to the ham bands. QRZ has Alan listed as a Technician level operator. Alan, if you have recently upgraded, congratulations, if not, we hope to hear you on the net when you upgrade to Extra. In the mean time, you are welcome t our website, and wish you all the best.
• CHUCK – N5WGA – Oklahoma
  • Chuck is a former over the road trucker, (Thanks for keeping our country moving Chuck) and uses Solar extensively. Hope to hear you on the net soon Chuck.
• NF9O – Lynn – Wisconsin
  • Lynn brings the state of Wisconsin to the net, as well as the format of call needed for folks to work the basic. ALL formats are welcome/encouraged and supported, but the 1×2, 2x2A and 2×1 are needed for those working toward their basic award. I wonder if you are still using that GAP Titan antenna. My Dad used one for years, with very good results.

We are now over 285 registered users on our website. Wow, that’s a long way from where we were just a couple years ago. Keep an eye on the website guys, and send me a note if there is anything you would like to get posted, or have mentioned, or whatever. It’s our website, and a great place to exchange information about our experiences on the net, or whatever topic may be of interest.

Regards, Kevin N1KL n1kl@geratol.net

The GERATOL Special Event station (W1G) is now QRT, and here are the totals:

• Total # Bands: 5 including 80, 40, 20, 15, 10
• Total # of States Worked: 40
• Total # of Canadian Provinces Worked: 4, including ON, NB, NS and AL
• Total # of Countries/Territories Worked: 5, U.S., Spain, Canada, Italy and Puerto Rico
• Total # of QSO’s: 310 !!!

Our thanks once again to those ops who put W1G on the air and made a ton of QSO’s, including:

• Frosty – W0FP
• Steve – AC0SG
• Steve – N9SC
• Kevin – N1KL

Regarding our special commemorative W1G Anniversary QSL Card. For ALL who worked W1G on the GERATOL Net, all QSL’s have been mailed out. For those who worked W1G on other bands, and/or not during the net, and who sent an SASE, ALL QSL cards have been answered.

If you find over the next 7-10 days, you did not receive a W1G QSL, simply email Kevin, N1KL at: N1KL@GERATOL.NET and let him know you have not yet received your card. For cards sent, we did use your address from QRZ.COM.

Also, thanks to all who worked W1G both during our regular net period, and especially those who worked our special event station on multiple other bands, where we totaled over 300 QSO’s !

All the best, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the GERATOL Net and let’s not forget the unique special 50th Anniversary Certificate, which is available throughout this season and beyond !! Have fun working on that in the days ahead.

73, Kevin N1KL

We have had a few new subscribers to our GERATOL Website, and we would like to take a minute to thank those who took the time to register. Just a reminder to the new registrants, if your call sign is readily seen via your registration on the site, or we can find it on QRZ using your name, we grant you CONTRIBUTOR privileges to our site. Which means you may make “comments” to posts, and/or create your own posts on the site.

If you registered without a call sign, and we don’t have any means of confirming your ham status, you are granted SUBSCRIBER privileges, which means you will receive updates from the site, but are not allowed to make posts or comments to posts. To change this, simply send me your email address and call sign, to n1kl@arrl.net

Welcome aboard to the following new subscribers:

• AG2O – MIKE FROM NEW YORK
• K1ERZ – ANTHONY FROM MA
• KB1TUY – PATTY FROM TN
• W5BHS – MIKE FROM OK

Thanks again for taking the time to register on our site, and if you have any questions about the site and/or the net, feel free to fire me off an email.

Special Event Station W1G or Whiskey One GERATOL still active !!

Just a reminder, special event station W1G commemorating our 50th anniversary as a WAS Net on 80M, remains active on the bands, and during the net. If you have not yet worked W1G, simply ask the NCS that evening on the net, to see if W1G is there, and one of the designated stations, authorized to use W1G will reach out to you. This way, you will be assured to receive a special commemorative QSL card, with W1G.

Thanks to Frosty – W0FP, Steve – AC0SG and Steve – N9SC for helping to put W1G on the net.

Kevin N1KL Website Administrator