I am very sorry to report that the following three Geratolers are being reported by QRZ as Silent Keys:

Peter von Chrustschoff W8US G# 308

John Henderson N4NAB G# 1345

Dan Clevenger WØVD G# 2225 – Dan was also active with the Straight Key Century Club #2515

We will miss them!

73 Barry K2MF G# 325 D# 739

I am very sorry to report that Urb LeJeune W1UL G#253 D#686 became a silent key on January 22, 2021.

Urb was active with the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC #6668) and a regular on the Geratol Net at different times over the years.

News of Urb’s passing may be viewed here:

https://obarc.org/index.cfm

73 Barry K2MF G#325 D#739

As part of our ongoing series on the 50 states, this POST will cover the state of Virginia, which was the 10th state to formally ratify the United States constitution, following New Hampshire and just ahead of New York.

Quite often, as we work the fifty states for awards and/or endorsements, we may not be aware of some of the fun facts associated with those states. This series focuses on some historical, as well as fun facts about our fifty states.

Virginia is one of only four states called a “Commonwealth”. The four US states whose legal names include the term Commonwealth are: Kentucky, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. However, this term does not affect laws or life in these states today, nor did it when they were first created either.

Virginia is home to the largest “office building” in the world, better known as “The Pentagon”. The Pentagon serves as the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense including all branches of our military services. The Pentagon, however, has a Washington, D.C. mailing address. The building was designed by American architect George Bergstrom and built by contractor John McShain.

Virginians were instrumental in writing the United States Constitution. James Madison drafted the Virginia Plan in 1787 and the Bill of Rights in 1789. Virginia ratified the Constitution on June 25, 1788.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, with 17.6 miles span (shore to shore), is the world’s largest bridge-tunnel complex. Its official name is Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Bridge-Tunnel.

Other Fun Facts about the Commonwealth of Virginia:

• Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I, who was called the Virgin Queen.
• Virginia was one of the 13 Colonies in the American Revolution.
• The Virginia General Assembly is the oldest continuous law-making body in the New World. And it prohibits the governors from serving two consecutive terms.
• Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk Virginia, is the world’s largest naval base. For those ex-Navy GERATOLers, perhaps you spent some time in Norfolk. I recall the sign posted in the park, which read: “Sailors and Dogs, keep off the grass” I was glad my stay there was temporary (TAD baby) !!
• In some terms, Virginia can also be given the title of the “Home of the Internet.” Loudoun County hosts data centers that are responsible to cater to almost 3 quarters of the web’s traffic. The County has more than 10 million square feet of building space and more than 100 massive data centers. And there is no sign of this growth abating.
• In 1607, Jamestown–the first English colony in what would become the United States–was founded in Virginia. Jamestown was also Virginia’s first capital. The town was established on the bank of the James River.
• Bourbon, also known as American Whiskey, is often considered a Kentucky drink, but bourbon’s roots are actually Virginian; Fayette County was in Southwest Virginia, but in 1792, county lines were redrawn and the area became part of the new state of Kentucky. 
• Both wars fought on American soil, the American Revolution and the Civil War, ended in Virginia; the Civil War at Appomattox Courthouse National Historic Park, where Generals Grant and Lee would meet to sign the surrender, and the American Revolution in Yorktown, where the combined forces of the French and American armies would defeat General Cornwallis for a final victory in the war. 

• Virginia contains 544 miles of the Appalachian Trail, more than any other state. Virginia also boasts the most photographed spot on the AT, the picturesque view from McAfee Knob. 
  

That’s it for now, hope you find some of the facts about Virginia interesting, and thanks to those Ops who put VA on the net each season !

Kevin N1KL Site Administrator

Hello fellow GERATOLers. I know many of you have posted “Comments” to several posts. We have had an issue with some of the security settings, and have discovered the COMMENTS that many of you have made, were ending up in a “pending” folder.

Al and I prefer to err on the side of site safety, and hence, keep your email accounts safe and secure from any SPAMMERS. Now that we know what the issue has been, PLEASE don’t be bashful about placing COMMENTS on any of our POSTS, and we will see to it, they get attached to the POST ASAP.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Keep those “COMMENTS” coming guys…

Kevin N1KL

To all GERATOLers far and wide, we would like to wish you a Happy, and above all, Healthy New Year !! For many of us, we can’t wait to put the year 2020 in our rear view mirrors !!

Here’s to a great 2021, without pandemics, pestilence or poor propagation !!

Since we are celebrating the coming of a new year, and the passage of time, here are some photos of some Ham Radio gear from years gone by. See if you can identify any of the following rigs, and/or manufacturers.
(There is a description of the various rigs shown, following the last picture)

Details for Rigs listed above, starting with Rig # 1:

RG # 1 Drake R4C; Manufactured by the R.L. Drake company.

This receiver was used in tandem with the Drake T-4XC Transmitter. It was capable of receiving SSB, CW, AM and RTTY. It was the third generation of the receiver; it’s predecessors were the Drake R4, R4-A and R4-B.

Rig # 2 Johnson Valiant Transmitter; Manufactured by the E. F. Johnson company.

This transmitter was manufactured circa 1955-1962 and was capable of Modes: AM/CW, Bands: 160 – 10 meters, Input Power: 200 watts (AM), 275 watts (CW), VFO: Internal, Power Supply: Internal
Final Tubes: ( 3 ) 6146 parallel, Modulator: ( 2 ) 6146 push-pull

Rig # 3 Ameco AC-1 Transmitter, manufactured by AMECO Company

This transmitter was sold as a kit, and was a popular rig for Novice operators, looking to terrorize the HF bands on 80 and 40M CW. I bought mine at Lafayette Radio in Natick, MA for around $25.00 Wound my own coils, and found the Novice band crystals at local ham fests ! What a blast.

Rig # 4 Heathkit SB101 Transceiver; Manufactured and sold as a kit by the Heathkit Company out Benton Harbor, Michigan

Heathkit rigs were designed to emulate the look and feel of the more expensive, Collins equipment. The SB-101 was an 80-10M CW/SSB Transceiver. 180W PEP on SSB, circa 1967-1970

Rig # 5 Collins KWM-2 Transceiver; Manufactured by the Collins Radio Company. Today, known as Rockwell Collins Inc.

This transceiver is still sought after by many old time radio enthusiasts. I got my first chance at using one, while stationed at NCTC Naval training center in Pensacola, FL. What an amazing rig it was, and still is to this day. It operated 80-10 Meters, with SSB and CW. Output was 100W PEP (nominal)

Rig # 6 The Yaesu FT101 Transceiver; Manufactured by Yaesu Corporation

This transceiver was a solid state rig, except for the finals. It also employed the use of various modular elements, which could be removed from the rig for repair, and/or sent back to manufacturer for repair. Upon graduating from college, my wife purchased this rig for me, as a graduation present, and I used it up until I purchased an ICOM IC-735, at which time, I gave it to my Dad, WA1EJY who used it for many, many years. The rig had an output of around 130W PEP, and was extremely rugged and forgiving. It operated 160 through 10, on SSB, AM and CW.

Rig # 7 Heathkit Apache Transmitter, Manufactured by the Heathkit Company of Michigan. The rig operated AM and CW, and was sold circa 1958-1960 and sold at the time for a whopping $230.

It had input of around 150W on AM and 180W on CW and the transmitter weighed in at a hefty, 103 lbs. !!! I saw one of these in MINT restored condition at the Tampa, FL Hamfest a few years ago, and was tempted to barter with the owner, but remembered I only had so much room in our car for the return trip to MA !! LOL !

Rig # 8 NCX-3 Transceiver, manufactured by the National Radio Company of Malden, MA.

The rig only operated on 80/40/20 Meters, but had an output of 200W and could operate SSB, CW and AM with the latter output reduced to 30W. It had VOX or PTT, a 5200 KC (now khz) filter and bandwidth of 2.5KC at 6db

Rig # 9 R390A Receiver; The one pictured was manufactured by the Collins Radio Company

For those of you ex-service guys who were in communications, I bet this receiver brings back memories from the 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s era. Total production of the R-390A is over 55,000 units. Initial production started in 1955 and ran through approximately 1970. The receiver was manufactured for our military by a variety of manufacturers including: Collins, Motorola, Capehart, Stewart Warner, Fowler Industries and Electronic Assistance Corp. I recall, as a Navy intercept operator in training, having to spend many hours listening to CW on an R390A

Rig # 10 Gonset Communicator G-50 6 Meter AM Transceiver, Manufactured by Gonset Corp

The rig operated on 6 Meter AM, covering the entire 50-54 Mhz and putting out 50W. The rig was popular during the mid 60’s, when the 6 Meter band was open every day. With openings so regular, I recall having a sked with a fellow ham in Iowa during my summer vacation.

Feel free to place a “Comment” on this POST and let us know what rigs you recall using over the years, and perhaps, which ones you are using today.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !!!

Kevin, N1KL Website Administrator

Merry Christmas !

First and foremost, may we wish all GERATOLers a very Merry Christmas, and hope that all may engage in some measure of Christmas spirit with family and friends, in this challenging year of 2020.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM OUR BOARD MEMBERS:

From our Chairman, Frosty – W0FP: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay Safe, Wear a Mask and stay 6 feet away from Others

From our Secretary, Frank – AA0ZP: To all GERATOLers, Wishing all of you a big batch of Propagation and a bag full of new contacts.  AA0ZP – Secretary Frank Taylor

From our Treasurer and Awards Manager, Sandy – KJ8W & Dave – KJ8V:
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Sandy and Dave !

A Ham Radio Christmas Poem:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack
The rig was turned off and the mic cord lay slack

The antenna rotor had made its last turn, the tubes in the linear
had long ceased to burn.

I sat there relaxing and took off my specs, preparing to daydream of
Armchair DX– When suddenly outside I heard such a sound, I dashed
out the door and looked all around.

The moon shone down brightly and lighted the night. For sure
propagation for the low bands was right.

I peered toward the roof where I heard all the racket and there was
some guy in a red, fur-trimmed jacket!

I stood there perplexed in a manner quite giddy: Just who WAS this
stranger? di di dah dah di dit ditty ?

He looked very much like an FCC guy who’d come to check up on some
bad TVI.

I shouted to him: “Old man…QR-Zed?”
“Hey you by the chimney all dressed up in red!”

I suddenly knew when I heard sleigh bells jingle
The guy on the rooftop was Jolly Kris Kringle

He had a big sack full of amateur gear; which was a BID load
for his prancing reindeer.
Transmitters, receivers, for cabinets and racks
Some meters and scopes and a lot of coax.

He said not a word ’cause he’d finished his work.
He picked up his sack and he turned with a jerk.
As he leaped to his sleigh, he shouted with glee
And I knew in a moment he’d be QRT.

I heard him transmit as he flew o’er the tree
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all seventy-three.”

“Ho Ho Ho” Reporting for Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Jim Damron, N8TMW.

Author: Unknown; Source; Amateur Radio Newsline

From the Website Administrator and Webmaster:

On behalf of Al, AE2T and myself, N1KL, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and thank you to all who have registered on the GERATOL Website this past year. Welcome aboard, and to those who have been loyal members, thank you very much !! Kevin, N1KL

UPDATES FROM KJ8V- Dave:

Health and Welfare Updates from Dave: I talked with Kenny KE9TC and Harv AA4HF today. Kenny sounded a lot better and he is making progress and taking one day at a time. But he really did sound better. I also talked with Harv and he is much better. He sounded great and was no longer bed ridden. He said that flat smooth surfaces to walk on were great but steps were still a challenge. Anyway, it sounds as if both are on the road to recovery. Both also said to tell everyone hello and to have a good Christmas and New Year coming up.

Problems with the Postal Service: Effective immediately I will process awards as usual, however, I will not start mailing certificates until January 8th, 2021. I will notify you of your awards and the numbers of the awards. I will need a valid email address with your submission for notification purposes. This problem all started back on October 16 2020. I mailed a certificate to a location in Pennsylvania on that date and it still has not been delivered. I mailed a replacement certificate for that one after two weeks and it took 33 days to be delivered and then only after getting some help from a Lady in Washington from the Postal service. Since then I have mailed several certificates etc. and they have taken a long time to get delivered. Don’t worry, you will get your certificates after January 8th

If you have any questions please send me an emailed so I can reply. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Thanks, Dave – KJ8V

WELCOME ABOARD !!

Let’s welcome aboard, our latest GERATOL Website registrant.

• AI8O – Dan; He hails from the great state of North Carolina. He’s is working on his basic, and he is also working toward his DXCC. Let’s get some new states, and some new Canadian Provinces up on the net for Dan to work ! Welcome aboard Dan, and thanks for taking the time to register on our GERATOL website.

Let’s be on the lookout for some new operators, interested in checking out the GERATOL Net.

• Be on the lookout for Bill, AB5G who hails from the state of Louisiana. Bill is very active in the area of Emergency Communications, and may join us some evening this season. Let’s make sure we give Bill the usual hearty, GERATOL Net welcome when he does check into the net.

GERATOL NET ACTIVITY

Conditions, as well as activity on the net are improving. Of course, the two typically go hand in hand. Monday, December 14th, Dale was quite busy with nearly 20 check-ins, representing 14 different states. This of course, is truly helpful to the guys working toward their basic award.

Speaking of conditions, here is an excerpt of some of the upcoming sun spot activity and the move off cycle 24 over to cycle 25, and hence possible improved conditions in the months ahead:

Sunspot Index and Long-Term Solar Observations (SILSO) in Belgium said this month that the minimum between Solar Cycles 24 and 25 “most probably” took place last December. SILSO, a part of the Royal Observatory of Belgium and formerly known as SIDC, cited as evidence the January 2020 increase in the 13-month smoothed sunspot number — the first upswing since the Cycle 24 maximum in April 2014.

“[F]or now, this latest smoothed value in January 2020 is the very first point indicating a rise of the activity. So, the date of the minimum still needs a full confirmation over the coming months,” SILSO said on its website. “For now, preliminary smoothed values, limited to less than 13 months, hint at increasing values over coming months. If the rising trend indeed continues, this [December 2019] date will become fully definitive.”

Greetings fellow GERATOLers, and hope all are doing well.

We have a few GERATOL specific news items, and one generic Ham Radio related item of information for all.

GERATOL NEWS:

We would like to welcome to our GERATOL Website, our latest subscriber, Scott – KC8AOR. Scott will bring up the state of Michigan when he checks into the net. Scott earned his Extra Class license in November. Congrats Scott ! He also likes to pay forward what benefited him so much in his Ham career, by teaching and mentoring new Hams. We welcome you to our website, and more importantly, to our net on 3.668 Mhz. Thanks for taking the time to register on our website.

We would like to pass along our CONGRATULATIONS to the following GERATOLers…

• Carl – W9OO
  • Carl completed the NET 500 Award. He swapped “G” numbers with 500 other GERATOLers !
  • Carl completed the Net 50/50 Award, receiving 50/50 Award #10 As the low number of 50/50 Awards would suggest (His is #10) it is a tough award to complete, working all 50 States, and in addition working 50 other stations, where the operators were licensed 50 years or more !! Well done on both Awards Carl.
• Steve – AC9GK
  • Steve successfully completed the Board Award, 200, 300 and 400 by working 400 GERATOLers with “G” numbers !! Congrats Steve.
• Dale – WG5N
  • Dale successfully completed the Net 500 Award, by swapping GERATOL #’s with 500 other GERATOLers. Congrats Dale.

Let’s pass along our congrats to all of the guys who completed these latest awards !! Well done gents !

HAM RADIO NEWS:

Amateur radio licensees and candidates will have to provide the FCC with an email address on applications, effective sometime in mid-2021. If no email address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application as defective.

The FCC is fully transitioning to electronic correspondence and will no longer print or provide wireless licensees with hard-copy authorizations or registrations by mail.

A Report and Order (R&O) on “Completing the Transition to Electronic Filing, Licenses and Authorizations, and Correspondence in the Wireless Radio Services” in WT Docket 19-212 was adopted on September 16. The new rules will go into effect 6 months after publication in the Federal Register, which hasn’t happened yet, but the FCC is already strongly encouraging applicants to provide an email address. When an email address is provided, licensees will receive an official electronic copy of their licenses when the application is granted.

Under Section 97.21 of the new rules, a person holding a valid amateur station license “must apply to the FCC for a modification of the license grant as necessary to show the correct mailing and email address, licensee name, club name, license trustee name, or license custodian name.” For a club or military recreation station license, the application must be presented in document form to a club station call sign administrator who must submit the information to the FCC in an electronic batch file.

Under new Section 97.23, each license will have to show the grantee’s correct name, mailing address, and email address. “The email address must be an address where the grantee can receive electronic correspondence,” the amended rule will state. “Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the correct email address.” 

Source: ARRL News

Regards, Kevin N1KL

Happy Thanksgiving to all our GERATOL members, and a special “Thanks” during this Thanksgiving weekend to our Net Control Operators. Keep up the great work guys. I happened to check into the net the other evening while Dale was running the net, and he was a busy guy, with over 20 check-ins and 17 states represented.

WELCOME ABOARD !!

Welcome to our latest GERATOL Website subscribers:
K8JH – Jim who hails from Michigan. Jim has a “G” number, a “D” number, a QCWA number, and his call is an initial call. Welcome back to the net Jim, and glad you registered on our website. Jim checked into the net this past week, and many guys worked him, and welcomed him back to the net.
KW8I – Jim who will bring up the fairly rare state of West Virginia to the net. In addition, Jim sports a 2×1 “K” call, for those looking to complete Endorsement # 12.

Thanks for taking the time to register on the GERATOL Website guys, and should you have any questions about the site, or the net, feel free to fire me off a note, and I will try to answer.

HAM HUMOR:

We will leave you with this parting tidbit of ham related humor, and hope to hear you all on the net !!

73, Kevin N1KL Website Administrator

Happy to report that there were no Geratoler Silent Keys reported in the November QST. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to ALL GERATOLERS. Dave KJ8V