Pleased to report that there NO GERATOLER Silent KEYS listed in the November QST.

Dave KJ8V

In conjunction with the 2021/2022 GERATOL Net season, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new certificate, to help celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Truly a major milestone for the GERATOL Worked All States Net.

The certificate is being sponsored by our Awards Manager, Dave – KJ8V and our Treasurer, KJ8W – Sandy, as a show of their appreciation for the GERATOL net, and all it’s members. Simply follow the guidelines set forth by the following requirements, and you can participate in working toward the certificate, this season and seasons to come, since this special certificate will be offered beyond the 2021/2022 season. Below is a sample of the certificate being offered upon successful completion of the requirements.

Join in the fun starting October 1^st (GMT) and begin working toward this very special commemorative certificate celebrating 50 years of the GERATOL Worked All States NET. 

To achieve the certificate you must follow these guidelines :

The effective date to begin working toward the award is: 01:00Z October 1^st, 2021.  There is no end date, or cut-off time period, and you may begin working toward the certificate, any time after the start date.

CERTIFICATE RULES:

• The following requirements need to be met:
  • Fifty (50) contacts must be made on the GERATOL Net itself, during an official net session.
  • One of those 50 contacts must be made with the GERATOL Net Club Station W0NL GERATOL #1M, Frank – AA0ZP Trustee of the GERATOL Club Call
    • Both Frosty – W0FP and Dave – KJ8V may be contacted to work W0NL, should the trustee, Frank – AA0ZP not be around.  They will email the QSO details to Frank, for him to officially log the contact.
  • The 50 Stations worked, must have a GERATOL number. However, you don’t need one to complete the certificate. If you work a station with multiple GERATOL #’s, you must make separate contacts for each G # worked.  Club stations with G #’s are also good for this requirement.
  • All call sign formats, as always, are eligible and encouraged to participate.
  • Logs must be submitted to Dave – KJ8V and contain the standard log information, including:
    • Call Sign of station worked, Date/Time, Signal Reports and Frequency to 4 digits & GERATOL # of the station worked
  • Entry logs may be submitted via email to: kj8v@charter.net 
  • Be sure to include your name as you wish to have it appear on the CERTIFICATE itself.
  • Also, be sure to include a valid phone number, and email address, should any questions need to be answered by our awards manager.
  • If you have no email account, paper logs may be sent to: Dave – KJ8V 13063 Hopkins Forest Rd., Bear Lake, MI, 49614.  Paper logs will be forwarded to Dave while he is in FL, and he will be issuing certificates sent via email or mail, from either his home QTH or while he is in Florida
    • In addition, while Dave is in Florida, he will update his snail mail address, by posting his FL address on the GERATOL website to speed up processing the certificate applications.

Our thanks to Dave and Sandy, for suggesting this certificate to help us celebrate this major GERATOL milestone. In addition, for providing the guidelines, requirements and especially the resources to support the certificate.

In addition, a big shout out to Kevin – N1KL for creating such a colorful certificate, to accompany this special occasion.

The net resumes operation at 0100Z time, on Oct. 1st. Remember, that means the net starts up again Thursday evening, 9/30/21 at 9:00PM Eastern time, on 3.668 Mhz.

So let’s hope all the antenna work has been completed, the rigs are tuned and ready to go. Feel free to spread the word among some of your fellow GERATOLers, who may not see the website update, or view the announcements on QRZ, eHam, etc. Come join the fun Thursday evening !!

Sorry to report that Darell IL #2123 is a Silent Key. Dave KJ8v

Featured GERATOL Member WV1Y – Kenneth Magee

Ken was first licensed in 1975 in Colorado Springs, but he got his start in our great hobby, about ten years prior while stationed in Oregon. Ken was living in Oregon at the time, with his wife Evelyn, when a fellow Air Force buddy, none other than Jack, WM0G stopped by and asked Ken to keep an eye on his ham radio equipment while Jack was traveling. Ken agreed to babysit Jack’s equipment, and the rest is history !!

Jack knew of course, by leaving the radio, along with a long wire for some serious Short Wave Listening, that Ken would be smitten by the Ham Radio Bug !! Sure enough, it worked and by doing that “favor” for Jack, Ken became interested in Ham Radio obtaining his Novice license in 1975 while stationed in Colorado.

Ken – WV1Y “On The Air”

That first encounter with Ham Radio was in 1961, but years later (1992 to be exact) Ken had checked into the GERATOL Net, and a gentleman from Colorado gave him a call and asked if Ken had ever served in the Air Force, and if he had ever been to Klamath Falls. Indeed the answer was YES to both questions, and the inquiring Ham was none other than his old Air Force buddy, Jack, WM0G ! Imagine, after all that time since Jack had sparked Ken’s interest in radio, thirty years later they were having a QSO on the GERATOL Net !! This is truly an amazing hobby, and this is a great story about two old Air Force buddies reconnecting via the GERATOL Net.

After Oregon, Ken had moved on to Colorado, where he studied for and then received his ticket. His fellow Club members served as his Elmer, teaching him the basics and helping Ken achieve his Novice ticket, where he was licensed as WN0TLR. His rig at the time, was a staple for many of us beginners, a HW-101 which he fed into a dipole antenna up a whopping twenty feet in the air !! But it worked !!

Ken’s 1st Rig HW-101

Years later, Ken and his wife Evelyn settled down in “Little Rhody” aka: Rhode Island in 1988 after traveling and serving in the Army, Air Force and then Bendix Engineering. Ken is one of a handful of ops on the GERATOL net, who served in more than one branch of service. His dual service helps those working toward the Veteran’s Salute Award. Over the years, Ken’s eyesight had deteriorated and in 1990 the Handi-Hams group (a great organization) lent a hand by sending Ken a Century 21 CW rig, modified for visually impaired hams. Ken pounded away at CW, getting to 20 wpm proficiency and obtaining his Extra Class ticket ! Ken then upgraded his gear to a Kenwood TS440S, coupled with a G5RV antenna. He got hooked on County Hunting during the day time hours on 20 Meters, and has completed ALL counties, now five times over !! As Ken stated in his bio material he sent me, “What an adventure” What an accomplishment Ken ! Well done.

In addition to his County Hunting prowess, Ken has amassed over 137 Countries for his DXCC. One of his more memorable DX contacts was working both the North Pole and Alaska during Christmas time.

Ken served in the Army from 1948 through 1952, and then in the Air Force from 1955 through 1975. Some of spots he visited while serving included: Republic of Panama, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Iceland, Korea, Vietnam and even Thailand. Ken has not only Worked All States on the GERATOL Net, but he has also visited all 50 states in person, while with Bendix Engineering.
His wife Evelyn of 49 years passed away in 2006. She hailed from Denver, Colorado and was a great support for Ken while he was studying toward his ham license upgrade. She would test and quiz Ken so often, he says that it got to the point where she knew more than he did !! She provided that same support to Ken in his pursuit of Economics, where he eventually graduated with a degree from Roger Williams College.

As we all know, Ken hails from the little state of Rhode Island, which also happens typically to be a “tough one” for many ops to get on 80 Meters, but Ken is there most evenings, putting RI in the log books of so many future GERATOLers, as well as bringing his excellent operating skills and gentlemanly manner to the net. By the way, for those who may not know it, Ken recently achieved obtaining GERATOL # 2669 for his Club Call: AA1KM ! Congrats on that latest achievement Ken and thanks for all you do for our net.

Kevin N1KL

It is really hard for me to report this however Ken WV1Y became a Silent Key on 9/8. I am sure that a lot of you knew and worked Ken. Ken was an old timer on the Net and would go out of his way to help anyone. Ken was Legally Blind and still managed to operate his station. He had a Friend, Kathy Dale who helped Ken for over 20 years and did all of his QSL Cards. I received and email forwarded from her by Frosty about Ken,s passing. God Bless Ken you will be missed. Dave KJ8V

From: N1KL – I got to know Kenny over the last few years, and will truly miss him on the net. He was an amazing asset to our net, putting the state of Rhode Island on the net for so, so many of us, especially those working on their basic award. Despite his disability, he persevered, and with the help of his assistant, Kathy, was able to get QSL cards out to all those who needed RI for their basic award.

He once told me that he got a kick out of it, whenever the NCS running the net on any given night, would refer to him as “The Voice of Rhode Island” ! And sure enough, he truly was.

Kenny was a dedicated GERATOLer, and a great gentleman. We shall miss him immensely. For those not familiar with Ken, I have re-posted the FEATURE we ran on him several years ago. RIP Kenny

Your friend, Kevin – N1KL

MONDAY NIGHTS: AC9GK Steve. Steve may need some fill in’s for a couple of nights as he has moved and is working on getting his antennas back in the air.

TUESDAY NIGHTS: AA8PI RON:

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: AI4IL BOB.

THURSDAY NIGHTS: AC1DR STEVE.

FRIDAY NIGHTS: KJ8V Dave. Dave will be gone the last two weeks of Feb. and all of March. Someone will have to fill in for those dates. NOTE: DAVE WILL TRY TO CHECK IN FROM HIS MOBILE ON FREE NIGHTS.

SATURDAY NIGHTS: AC0SG STEVE

SUNDAY NIGHTS: W0FP Frosty.

BE SURE TO THANK THE NCS STATIONS FOR RUNNING THE NET

2021/2022 Season Approaching

It won’t be long, a new season of the GERATOL Net is approaching quickly, so if you need to get some antenna work done, or reactivate that old version of WinEQF, now is the time, before the new season launches on October 1st.

As we all know, the last few seasons have been “challenging” for the new folks working toward their Unbelievable Operating Achievement Award, or the basic award, due to less than stellar band conditions. Let’s hope this season brings with it, some improved conditions, and for the Old Time GERATOLers, let’s do our part to help these guys out, by taking a few minutes some evenings, to check in and put our respective states on the air for them.

Our awards manager, Dave KJ8V is standing by, ready to issue those new GERATOL numbers, Director Numbers or new Endorsements, so let’s keep him busy this year !!

The life blood of the net continues to be our Net Control Stations !! They keep the net alive, and all do a great job, making it fun, friendly and fair to all who check into the net. Big thanks in advance to those who volunteer to run the net. If you would like to try your hand as NCS, just fire a note off to Dave, KJ8V and let him know you wish to help out this season. It’s fun, challenging and very rewarding.

Speaking of “checking into the net”……we would also have no net, unless we have folks checking in. So, feel free to spread the word about our net at your next club meeting, or put a blurb in your club’s newsletter about the net starting up again, and invite any and all with the proper license class. I’ve found many are incorrectly under the impression you need to have an Extra Class formatted call. I always try to stress the fact, any and all call sign formats are more than welcome, in fact, encouraged, since we have several endorsements that require those types of call signs. As long as they have the appropriate license class, they are MORE than welcome to join our ranks. Spread the word !

GERATOL NET TURNS 50 THIS SEASON !!

During this coming 50th season, feel free to put your own POSTS on the website, about your experiences on the net, and tell us about the interesting, unusual or otherwise fun QSO’s you’ve had, while working toward your basic, or as NCS, or grabbing that LAST state you needed, or whatever !!

For example, I recall working from my mobile on the net one evening from VT, putting VT into as many logs as possible. As I was making one QSO after another, a rather curious VT police officer approached my truck, and asked what I was up to. I explained, and he was intrigued. So much so, he stayed there listening to me hand out signal reports, swap numbers, exchange info with other ops for nearly an hour ! He gave me his email address, and I sent him the name of a local club in his area, where he could learn more about our hobby !! You never know who’s listening !! Or watching for that matter ! Let’s hear your interesting stories…..

If you are not sure about how to place a POST with your story, just fire me off a note, and I will be happy to either send you a tutorial showing you how to place a POST, or will add the POST on your behalf. Just send your request to: n1kl@geratol.net

As mentioned, our upcoming season represents the 50th Anniversary of our net. To celebrate this milestone, a new award will be made available by our Awards Manager, Dave – KJ8V. Stay tuned for details from Dave and Sandy, and get ready to begin working toward the new award, this coming season and join in the celebration.

Let’s make the coming season another fun, and friendly experience for new and old members alike, as we have been doing for fifty years now !! Spread the word, GERATOL turns 50, and for those who have not checked in for some time, please take a minute to join us some evening, to help celebrate our anniversary, and to share your experiences.

All the best, Kevin N1KL GERATOL Website Admin and Public Relations

Sorry to have to report that KE3A Bill FL #1208 is a Silent key. RIP Bill you will be missed.

Dave KJ8V

I am happy to report that there were no Geratoler Silent Keys listed in QST. If it can be trusted

Dave KJ8V

I am sorry to report that I just learned today that Bill became a SK on June 1, 2021.

His obituary is available at this link: https://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2021/06/30/obituaries/bill-moore/14320.html

In addition to his activity on the Geratol Net, he was also an avid county hunter and mobile operator, having earned USA-CA #693 from CQ Magazine on January 26, 1991.

He was most recently serving as the club Historian for MARAC (the Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club).

We will all miss Bill!

73 Barry K2MF (G# 325, D# 739)