The new GERATOL Season is well under way. The net launched it’s Fall season this past Saturday evening, with NCS Steve, AC0SG doing the honors opening the net. We had double digit check in totals, with eleven states represented.
Frosty, W0FP Chairman, announced the launch of our new GERATOL Certificate, entitled the CALL AREA CHALLENGE ! Several of the ops on frequency, began working toward the award that evening. Check out the previous post on the website for details on this new certificate, and join in the fun chasing the QSO’s needed for this one. Also for log form information, etc on the award, check out the website file section.
Here is an example of the log form, being used by N1KL starting last Saturday.
Stop by to say hi, and renew old friendships at 0100Z on 3.668 Mhz. We’d enjoy hearing you !!
SILENT KEY
K5OH Troy G#2065 D# 340 now SK, as reported by Barry, K2MF.
Per Bob, KA9JAC who spotted Troy’s passing in QST and relayed the information to the County Hunters Net. As Barry pointed out in his note to me, there are many, many GERATOLers, who are also County Hunters.
We wish to extend our condolences to Troy’s family, friends and fellow ham operators who worked him on the net.
RECOGNITION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As we all know, our hobby has multiple awards, certificates, achievements, etc. that many operators enjoy pursuing. No doubt, chasing down a GERATOL number on 80 Meters, is one of the toughest to achieve.
However, we don’t want to miss an opportunity for you to share other Ham Radio achievements you have accomplished, so feel free to send Kevin, N1KL an email n1kl@arrl.net with any Ham Radio related achievements you may have recently completed. We will compile them, and periodically put a POST up on our Website to recognize your achievements.
In this post, we will review the following topics:
2023/2024 SEASON TO GET UNDER WAY OCT 1ST
NET CONTROL OPERATOR SCHEDULE, AND NCS OPENINGS
GERATOL NET BOD and OFFICER POSITIONS
NEW CERTIFICATE FOR ALL OPERATORS, WITH OR WITHOUT G NUMBERS
NEW SEASON STARTS OCT 1ST AT 0100Z TIME
The net will launch it’s Fall/Winter session for 2023/24, on Oct 1st at 0100Z on 3.668 Mhz
Don’t forget, Oct 1st, Zulu time, means the net launches on Sept 30th, at 9PM Eastern
Let’s start the net off, and all have a chance just to say hi, and see how we survived the summer months.
NET CONTROL OP SCHEDULE AND OPENINGS
Per Frosty, here is the latest NCS Op schedule:
SUNDAY – FROSTY W0FP
MONDAY – NCS OP NEEDED
TUESDAY – RON AA8PI
WEDNESDAY – BOB AI4IL
THURSDAY – STEVE AC1DR
FRIDAY – NCS OP NEEDED
SATURDAY – STEVE AC0SG
Anyone interested in volunteering as NCS, please contact Frosty, W0FP
Once again, we wish to thank ALL our NCS Ops, past, present and future, for their willingness to withstand rough band conditions, and for keeping the GERATOL Net a viable WAS Net on 80 Meters for 50 years and counting. Well done folks !!
GERATOL NET BOD/OFFICER POSITIONS
Anyone interested in volunteering to serve in the capacity of Awards Manager, should please contact Frosty, W0FP. Awards manager is an appointed position.
As part of the nomination process for our upcoming election, anyone interested in running for any of the GERATOL Board of Director elected officer positions, including: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer or Secretary, should make sure to notify the nominating committee, once they are appointed. We will notify the operators soliciting nominations via a POST on our website, and on the net in the weeks ahead of the election.
Sandy, KJ8W our current Treasurer, has announced she will not be running for re-election to the that position. She will remain as Treasurer however, until the upcoming election.
NEW GERATOL NET CERTIFICATE !
On behalf of the GERATOL Net Chairman who has approved the launch of a new Certificate, we are pleased to announce this new CERTIFICATE will be offered beginning this Fall. It is entitled the “CALL AREA CHALLENGE”
To qualify for this colorful certificate, you must work all call sign formats, in each of the 10 call areas. The call sign formats you must work in each call area include:
1×2 example: W0FP
2×2 example: AC0SG
2×1 example: KJ3C
1×3 example: K2DJL
2×3 example: KA4CZL
To complete the requirements for this new certificate, that means you need a total of 5 QSO’s with each call sign format, from all 10 call areas, for a grand total of 50 QSO’s. All QSO’s must be made during the net, or on the net frequency of 3.668 Mhz. A template for tracking your progress on the Certificate is now available on our website to download, under the top tool bar, under FILES, then under ADDITIONAL AIDS AND FORMS FOR THE GERATOL NET.
Only QSO’s that take place after 10/1/23 (Zulu time) will be allowed to complete the requirements for this certificate. Also, for 6th and 7th Call Areas, you do not need to work a KH6 or KL7 station, simply work all call sign formats, from the 6th and 7th call areas, as you would for all the others.
The call sign number, must coincide with the call area to count, hence the name for the certificate, CALL AREA CHALLENGE. For example, working K3RI would only qualify for a 1×2 call sign from the third call area. Working K3RI from MA would not qualify for a 1×2 from MA. However, if K3RI is in MA, it would still qualify for the 1×2 from the third call area.
Also, to qualify for the special W1G Endorsement, you must work W1G during it’s activated period, from March 17th through March 23rd. Previous QSO’s with W1G from last season, do not count.
Simply keep track of your progress using the template, and when completed, send it via email or snail mail to Kevin, N1KL who will be issuing the certificate, until a new Awards Manager is designated.
Send email with completed log information to: N1KL@ARRL.NET
Or if you decide to send via snail mail send your completed log form/application to: Kevin Lynch N1KL POB 124 Wheelwright, MA 01094
Please be sure to put your call sign, and name on the log form sent. That information, is what will be placed on the certificate. Also, by adding your email address on the form, it would assist in quickly resolving any issues that may arise.
In addition, there will be a special ENDORSEMENT for this certificate. To qualify for the Endorsement, you need to work the special event call sign, “W1G” which will once again be active in 2024 from March 17, 2024 through March 23rd 2024. Previous QSO’s with W1G during 2023 do not qualify for this endorsement. W1G will be operational during the net.
There will be no fee charged for obtaining this certificate, nor for the endorsement. Simply complete the requirements, fill out the log form application, and send it off to Kevin N1KL. A hard copy of the certificate will be mailed to your snail mail address. If your address differs from QRZ database, please make sure Kevin knows the correct address.
Good luck chasing this requirements for this new Certificate, and let’s start the Fall season off with a great showing, this coming Saturday evening.
73, Kevin N1KL GERATOL Website Admin and Public Relations Officer
Frosty, W0FP and GERATOL Net Chairman, has informed me that our long time, and diligent Awards Manager, Dave – KJ8V is stepping down from his position as AWARDS MANAGER. Dave, has done yeoman work on the entire GERATOL Award process and database.
After inheriting a rather challenging set of data, he worked very hard over several years to insure the continuity of both GERATOL and DIRECTOR numbers, and to confirm the accuracy of historical data, to insure they followed the tradition of the net. He is to be commended for his tireless efforts, and for continuing to provide the AWARDS, ENDORSEMENTS and CERTIFICATES we all enjoy chasing each year. Especially for the folks with new numbers, getting their GERATOL and D numbers, is a rewarding culmination to hard work, and Dave has made that happen for many operators. Much appreciated Dave.
Anyone interested in volunteering to fill this appointed position, should reach out to our Chairman, W0FP to let him know you would be interested. Thanks to Dave’s hard work, the transition to a new Awards Manager should be a seamless effort.
GERATOL BOARD MEMBER – TREASURER NEEDED !!
In conjunction with Dave’s retirement as our Awards Manager, Sandy, KJ8W, our current GERATOL NET Treasurer, has also submitted her resignation to Frosty, our Chairman. Once again, we thank Sandy for her efforts as our Net Treasurer for many years, and for both her and Dave’s underwriting of the 50th Anniversary Award, which net members truly enjoyed. Well done, Sandy and Dave.
As Chairman, Frosty can appoint an interim Treasurer, up until a new election is scheduled. This being an odd year, it is an election year. Nominations are typically taken for elected positions, such as Treasurer, in December of the election year. So, this December, if you would like to run for the Treasurer position, now is the time to start planning. In the mean time, if needed, Frosty can appoint an interim Treasurer.
Rumor has it, that both Dave and Sandy plan to spend even more time in Floriday this Winter. God speed to both of them, and we know they will enjoy the warmer climate, (I know I will this year also) and maybe get a chance to relax and not have to worry about net operations this winter.
Again, feel free to pass along your thanks to both Dave and Sandy for their outstanding efforts, and support of our grand old GERATOL Net ! 50- years and counting !! You can make a COMMENT on this POST thanking them, send them a QSL with a thank you, or simply email them.
THE GOOD OLD DAYS !!!
For those who have been on the net for many years, some of the information shown from this old newsletter sent out by the net, may bring back some fond memories.
For those who may not have been around that long, or who may be new to the net, these old excerpts may make for interesting reading, and provide some additional insight about the net, and it’s humble beginnings.
My thanks to Barry, K2MF for providing copies of these old newsletters, and for agreeing to let us share the content. Barry was the Newsletter author back in the day.
Below is an example of page 1 of an old newsletter, sent out via snail mail. This one from August of 1982. How many of you folks have worked the stations listed below, at one time or another ? Also, note the net frequency, at the time. This frequency was in the Extra Class portion of the band, prior to frequency reallocation by FCC for Extra Class ops.
Here is another excerpt from 1982, explaining how to submit your cards, application, etc. to the ARRL which used to award the Special 75 Meter WAS certificate for the GERATOL Net, which was serialized and became our GERATOL number. Nowadays, of course, our awards manager issues the Unbelievable Operating Achievement Award, where you get your serialized GERATOL Number. The numbers, following ARRL dropping the award, remain sequential from the last one issued by ARRL.
Here is yet another interesting snapshot from 1982, which shows the last number issued, as of August, 1982. # 677 was issued to Jon, NQ4Z Anyone recognize # 667 ?? Yup, Harlan has been checking into the net for quite some time !! (See below)
Finally, here is a picture (Rough copy from old newsletter, but a nice piece of history) from the 1982 Hamvention at Dayton. The GERATOL gang would try, as they do today, to meet up for an eye ball QSO during the convention. (Note the hippy with the beard in the back row !)
We hope you enjoyed this brief trip down memory lane, and we may publish a few more in the future, since Barry was able to find, copy and send a few more newsletters.
NET BEGINS AGAIN IN OCTOBER !!
Don’t forget, the net starts up once again, beginning 0100Z on October 1st, (Zulu time of course) so get ready to stop by the net. We are hoping to have our NCS stations from last season on hand, but in case we need to fill some empty slots, simply reach out to Frosty, W0FP and he would be more than happy to put you on his NCS back up list.
Keep an eye out for a new POST, in the coming days, where we will be unveiling a new CERTIFICATE being offered by the net, and which will be challenging, yet fun for all. No G number needed to go for this one, but more to come. Stay tuned !!!
Frosty asked me to POST the following information regarding a new GLIST file:
This is a totally new GLIST program, it has all of the original stuff plus I added an area that shows the military status of the members GLIST ver 1.10 is brand spanking new I haven’t released a new update to either the old GLIST ver 1.09 or this new one yet I will do that a little later. The old version 1.09 will use Gnumber1.dat The new version 1.10 will use Gnumber2.dat They will not work in each other’s program. 73 Frosty W0FP
The new GLIST Version 1.10 is available on the website, under the top menu bar under FILES. Any questions, feel free to reach out to Frosty for additional details.
NEW GERATOL FALL/WINTER SEASON APPROACHING FAST !!
Don’t wait to finish up that last bit of antenna work, or new rig installation, the GERATOL Net new 2023/24 Season will soon be under way, beginning in October. Same time, 000Z same frequency 3.668 +/- QRM.
If you have not stopped by the net in a while, please do so, just to say hi, and maybe even help some of the folks working very diligently toward their basic award.
We hope to see, errr, I mean HEAR you soon !! Kevin N1KL
GERATOL NET SILENT KEY UPDATE
I received the following notices from Barry, K2MF about several of our GERATOL colleagues, who became Silent Keys. As always, our condolences to their families and friends, and we will surely miss them all.
Ken Ruddock K6HNZ G # 217
Jim Bobo W5ODD G # 1099
Larry Card W9CC G # 725
Our thanks to Barry for providing us this latest update.
It is with sadness, that we learned via Frosty, W0FP we have lost one of our fellow GERATOLers.
Tom, KI4IG from the great state of GA has passed away. Tom’s GERATOL # was 1390. I recall working Tom on the net, with our last QSO in July of 2013. Let us keep Tom, and his family and friends in our thoughts. He will be missed.
RIP Tom, and all our fellow GERATOLers, who are no longer with us.
Kevin N1KL
posted by Kevin in GERATOL NET NEWS and have Comments Off on KI4IG – Tom, SK #1390
For those who use Frosty’s GNEC/GLIST, there is a brand spanking new file, with updated “G and D number” listings. The file can be found on our website under the “Files” tab on the tool bar at top of page. Then go to “Additional Aids and Files for the GERATOL Net” tab, and the new file is posted there. Thanks to Frosty for updating the files on a regular basis.
For those who have not yet loaded Frosty’s program, feel free to do so, since it is a great way to keep track of your progress on all Awards and Endorsements.
New GERATOL Website Subscribers:
We would like to welcome Mark, KI5TOC to our GERATOL Website, and to the GERATOL Net. Thanks for taking the time to register on our website Mark, and if you have any questions about the website or the net in general, feel free to email me at n1kl@arrl.net.
GERATOL NET SEASON WRAPPING UP
The net operating season is coming to an end, (April 30th), so if you have not checked into the net for a while, time is running out until the next session resumes on October 1st.
GERATOL NET
Come join us before the season ends, just to say hi and renew acquaintances. We still meet at 0100Z on 3.668Mhz. Come on frequency and say hi !!
As this season runs down, stay tuned for some updates on the website during the off season. We are working on some new CHALLENGES for all, both the regulars as well as those folks working on their basic, so keep an eye on the website for future updates about some fun and challenging news about the net.
MANY THANKS TO OUR NCS OPS !!!
Once again, the continued survival of our net, depends on our dedicated Net Control Operators who run the net each and every day, despite rough conditions, etc. Thanks guys for all your efforts this past season, and upcoming seasons as well.
All the best from the Net Administrator, and have a GREAT summer. 73, Kevin N1KL
posted by Kevin in GERATOL NET NEWS and have Comments Off on GERATOL NET NEWS
I have some news on 3 SKs that I didn’t know about before. I happened to be looking up people who were still listed as being alive and present in the first 200 G#s and sadly, I found 3 who are now no longer with us:
G# 157 W2OJ Bill NJ – QRZ reports him as a silent key with no date. I was NOT able to find a corresponding obituary.
G# 170 W5FRG Brent AR – His call sign was reissued to his son in September 2020 as reported on his QRZ page.
G#198 W4YH Lee AL – QRZ reports him as a silent key and has a link to his obit.
Thanks Barry, for these updates. May these GERATOLers, and all who are no longer with us, rest in peace.
Once again, thanks to all who worked me while I was remote from several different states so far this season, and for the QSL cards you sent, confirming QSO’s with those remote stations from which I transmitted.
This past week I sent out quite a few cards, and today sent out another batch to those who had mailed me QSL cards, confirming the QSO’s. Please keep an eye out for the cards coming in, and if there is anyone who feels I missed a card back to them, just drop a note to: n1kl@arrl.net and I can recheck my log, which was a bit rough, while I was in Florida.
Above is an example of the REMOTE cards I will be sending out, and note the state from which I operated remotely, is shown in the yellow box on all the cards.
Below is how the back of the cards look:
73, Kevin N1KL/Remote
posted by Kevin in GERATOL NET NEWS and have Comments Off on N1KL/Remote QSL Update
We would like to welcome aboard, the following ops who recently signed up on our GERATOL Website.
K1HND – John, who hails from the great state of TN, and his 1×3 “K” call is good of course, for GERATOL Endorsement # 10 for 1×3 Call Signs.
KA4CZL – Steve, from NC, who is a regular attendee of our net, and who continues to work hard toward his basic award.
Thanks for taking the time to register on our website guys, and should you have any questions about the website, feel free to send an email to me at: n1kl@arrl.net
73, Kevin N1KL Website Administrator
posted by Kevin in GERATOL NET NEWS and have Comments Off on WELCOME ABOARD !
