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 !!!!!

Hi all, I have sent out K1G QSL cards to all the GERATOL folks who requested one, but if I have missed anyone, PLEASE let me know, and I will send one out to you ASAP. Just give me the QSO particulars, so I can fill in the information on the card. Just email me the request and QSO details.

Meanwhile, here is a collage of the QSL’s received to date, from mostly non-GERATOLers…..

2025/26 Season Winding Down

As Spring quickly approaches, we will be wrapping up another season of the GERATOL Net at the end of April.

Again, our thanks to the Net Control Operators for sticking with us this season, through some pretty rough conditions.

Let’s give a round of applause to our NCS ops, Chuck – N5WGA, Ron – AA8PI, Bob – AI4IL,
Steve – AC0SG, Steve – KA4CZL, Steve – AC1DR. Well done guys, and hang in there through the end of the month.

Some of the folks working on their basic award, inched a bit closer, despite rough conditions and a paucity of check-ins. We had some invitees come on frequency, who helped us move things along.

A tip of the cap also to our nightly regulars, who keep the net active: N9LY, KD2NZO, KA4CZL, K1NF, AC8JU, AC0SG, AA8PI, N5WGA, K9MQ, K2DJL, AA3KC, K9CMJ, AI4IL, AC1DR to name a few.

Bob and I are discussing some ideas for improving participation, in addition to now using NetLogger, which clearly has already brought a few newbies on frequency. Thanks Nelson for that effort.

Stand by folks, more to come about next season…….stay tuned, and we will be sending out some updates via the Website.

73, Kevin N1KL

Greetings all. For those who worked K1G recently, Bob – AI4IL has created a handsome Certificate to commemorate the Special Event, and your working K1G during the event period.

SAMPLE

Click on the image below, to download your certificate.

73, Kevin N1KL

Greetings GERATOL NET members. Our GERATOL NET special event station, K1G has wrapped up it’s two week activity on the HF bands. The Special Event served to commemorate the fact our net has been in service to the amateur radio community for over 50 years now, 54 to be exact, and in addition, to spread the word about our net, beyond the net frequency and operating times.

We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of our operators who took the time to put K1G on the air, and to promote our net as part of the celebration.

A big thanks to our weekly NCS ops, who put K1G on the air each evening during it’s tenure including:

Chuck – N5WGA
Ron – AA8PI
Bob – AI4IL
Steve – AC0SG
Steve – KA4CZL
Kevin – N1KL
Steve – AC1DR

In addition, we wish to recognize the great effort put forth from operators who put K1G on the air, off net times, and on many of the HF bands and beyond, including:

Ron – AA8PI
Bob – AI4IL
Bill – KD2NZO
Nelson – K1NF who amassed over 700 QSO’s alone !

If you are a GERATOL member, and you worked K1G and would like to receive a special QSL card, send your QSL with contact information (NO SASE for GERATOLers) to:
K1G
POB 124
Wheelwright, MA 01094

We would like to welcome aboard, the newest batch of Subscribers to our GERATOL Website. Welcome each and every one of you, and if you should have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask Kevin, N1KL (n1kl@arrl.net) or Bob, AI4IL (AI4IL@ARRL.net) We are both good on QRZ.

NEW SUBSCRIBERS

• AB4GR – Don from GA, who was first licensed in 1972
• KD2JO – Joe from NY, and the beautiful city of Oneonta
• KD2NZO – Bill also from NY and his SB221 sounds great on 80
• W3WC – Peter from PA and a member of the Allegheny Valley Radio Club
• K8AFP – Gerald from SC, the Palmetto State
• KD9UFQ – Larry from WI

Welcome gentlemen, and thanks for taking the time to subscribe to our website, and we hope to work you on the net in the near future !!

73, Kevin N1KL Website Administrator

Just a reminder to our subscribers, our Special Event station, K1G will be on the net frequency each evening at 0100Z, on 3.668. Anyone who has not worked K1G as yet, should stop by and say hi and work the special event to celebrate 54th year of the GERATOL WAS Net.

See you soon !

K1G is active through to this Friday evening, 3/13/26

73, Kevin N1KL

Just a reminder to all our net members, and especially the NCS Ops, this weekend we SPRING AHEAD !

Mar 8, 2026 – Daylight Saving Time Starts

When local standard time is about to reach
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned forward 1 hour to
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 3:00:00 am local daylight time instead.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on Mar 8, 2026 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening and less light in the morning.

Also called Spring Forward, Summer Time, and Daylight Savings Time.

After your initial reaction of YUCK ! Mine too, let’s remember the net still starts at 0100Z, but now begins at 9PM Eastern time. I should be the first NCS victim of the time change, so hope to hear you all on 3.668 at 0100Z on Sunday evening, or 9PM Eastern.

73, Kevin N1KL

The GERATOL Net will be operating special event station, K1G from March 3rd through to March 14th, to commemorate the nets 54th anniversary as a Worked All States net in the Extra Class portion of the
80 Meter band.

In addition to working our Special Event station, we cordially invite you to join us on the net some evening, to say hi and to check out the various awards, certificates and endorsements we offer to Extra Class Radio Operators.

The BASIC WAS Award, which is the only award that requires QSL cards, is one of the most challenging awards in Amateur Radio. Since it’s founding 54 years ago, the net has only issued 2680 Awards. The good news is, as you work toward that goal, there are numerous other events, awards and certificates that are open to anyone checking into the net.

To receive a QSL after working K1G simply send your QSL, with contact information, along with an SASE to the following address:

N1KL
POB 124
Wheelwright, MA 01094

In addition, the net will be offering a printable Certificate available for downloading on our website, to those who work K1G.

K1G Volunteer Operator Schedule:

K1G V6 SCHEDULE 2026-latest version testing.xlsx

MONTANA and OREGON SKED IS ON !

Just a reminder, this Saturday evening at 12 Midnight Eastern, or 0500Z,
both Oregon and South Dakota will be on frequency. (3.668 +/- QRM)

John from South Dakota will be on once again, and our old friend Bill, from Oregon will also be there to work anyone who needs them for the BASIC and for any other Certificates, Endorsements or Awards.

SILENT KEYS

With sadness, we are reporting the loss of two of our fellow GERATOLers.

George, W4OUI from Alabama GERATOL # 554

Angelo, W8ERN from Michigan GERATOL # 1610

Our condolences to their family and friends on their passing.

We will surely miss them.

(Information submitted by Barry: K2MF)

GET READY !!!

For those who have been diligently working toward completing the VETERAN’s SALUTE AWARD, stand by because we have some breaking news, about those requirements.

Our Awards Manager, Bob – AI4IL has approved the following changes to this award.

RULES:
You must contact two each U.S. Veteran or Active Duty service member from: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard or Space Force, in each of the contiguous 48 states. 96 contacts are required for this award. No QSL cards required.  The two vets/active duty ops per state, must not be from the same branch of service, but any combination of two different branches.    

PLEASE NOTE:  These revised requirements go into effect starting immediately but ALL QSO’s made from 01/05/2015 are good toward the new requirements. 

This award is an ongoing award with no ending date. You do not need to have a GERATOL number to work towards this award. No GERATOL numbers are required from the stations contacted.

Typical log style information is required such as; Call sign, Name, Date, State, Time, Signal Report and branch of service of stations contacted. Frequency must be to four digits. (See the link below for Application forms)

Please note: If you work a remote station, such as N1KL who is remote from CO, his Navy Vet status is GOOD for CO, or any state from which he, or other remote ops may be operating. 

To apply for this award, send a check for $10.00 made out to our Awards Manager, AI4IL – Bob Gurka, along with the appropriate log information to receive the award.

For log and application form, go to the GERATOL Website, click on AWARDS on the menu bar, then click on OTHER AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES, scroll down to Veterans Salute Award and the log form is located on the attached link.

Any questions should be sent to either Bob – AI4IL or Kevin – N1KL

Montana will be on frequency (3.668) this coming Saturday evening, at 12 Midnight, Eastern time.

Steve, KA4CZL from NC has made arrangements with John from MT, to be on our net frequency, this Saturday evening, Feb 1st

In addition, I will be on from either WA or CO to make sure we can hear John, and alert him you guys are calling.

I will also notify via email the following Ops:

W3NU
KD2NZO
AA3KC

Regards, and good hunting……

Thanks to Steve for arranging this sked with MT

Kevin N1KL