NEW WEBSITE SUBSCRIBERS!

We would like to welcome the following operators aboard the GERATOL Website. Thanks for taking the time to register on our website, and we look forward to working you on the GERATOL Net this season.

K8YS – Dean from the state of Michigan

KX1W – Ron who was first licensed in 1971, is from NJ

WA3PWX – Al who was first licensed in 1970 and is from the state of NY

We now have 344 registered users on our Website, which is a long way from two years ago. Many thanks to one and all subscribers for taking the time to register.

Just a reminder: for those who wish to place a COMMENT on a POST or who wish to place a POST of their own on the website, when you register with your call sign, and/or name associated with a call sign on QRZ, we always upgrade your free subscription to “CONTRIBUTOR” which means you can place comments and posts. If you register with an email only, you are only granted “SUBSCRIBER” status. No POST or COMMENT privileges.

GERATOL NET SPECIAL EVENT STATION

• W1G will be active: Apr 6-Apr 13, 0001Z-2359Z
• The GERATOL Net Worked All States net is celebrating 52 years of service to the Amateur Radio community. For a special downloadable certificate, look for W1G Special Event on 3.668 Mhz exclusively, starting at 0100Z each evening. https://geratol.net
• This year’s celebration has a beautiful certificate available for download, once you work W1G. (See below) This is probably one of the nicest looking certificates we’ve ever had, thanks to Bob – AI4IL for his design efforts on this one.

REMOTE QSO’s and QSL’s with N1KL/Remote

I have returned to MA from our stay in FL, and have been working to catch up on any QSL cards needed, for those who worked me REMOTE from the various states the past two plus months.

So far, I have sent out Remote QSL cards to the following stations:

W3NU – Frank Sent QSL for our QSO while I operated remote in AZ

KA4CZL – Steve Sent QSL for our QSO while I operated remote in AZ

AA3KC – Brian Sent QSL for our QSO while I operated remote in CO

If there are any ops whom I may have missed, PLEASE let me know by sending me an email to n1kl@arrl.net and provide the date we worked.

WELCOME ABOARD !

We would like to recognize the following stations/ops for taking the time to register on our GERATOL Website:

W8AR – Walt who hails from the great state of Ohio, he is an Army vet and was first licensed in 1977

AK1NH – Conrad from the state of New Hampshire. A retired school teacher, Conrad was first licensed in 1978 and for those looking for primary state abbreviation for NH, Conrad fits the bill.

Thanks again for taking the time to register on our website. A reminder, those who register and get approved by the website administrator, are eligible to place POSTS on our website, and/or add comments to new posts, such as this one.

GERATOL SILENT KEY UPDATE

We are sad to share the news on the loss of yet another long time GERATOLer:

KC0T – George G # 656 from MN

My thanks to Barry, K2MF for sharing the sad news about George.

It is with great sadness, we share the news on the passing of our Chairman of the Board, and long time GERATOLer, Frosty – W0FP G # 2026

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

For many years Frosty served as the Chairman of the GERATOL Board of Directors, and literally was the GLUE that kept the tradition of the GERATOL net alive and relevant. His efforts assisted in keeping the net going into it’s 52nd season in service to the Extra Class ham community.

PROGRAMMER AND CREATOR

In addition to his role for many years as our Chairman of the Board, Frosty designed, programmed and shared the tools we use to track progress for completing many awards, certificates and endorsements. Many GERATOLers, including myself, use GNEC and GLIST as phenomenal GERATOL tracking tools, and data resource material.

GNEC ENDORSEMENT TRACKER

GNEC allows ops to track their progress against many of the GERATOL Awards and Endorsements, via a quick glance on the opening page. The RED button designates a completed endorsement.

GLIST REFERENCE TOOL

GLIST allows you the ability to search via GERATOL #, D #, etc. to see if you may still need to work that station.

In addition to his work as our Chairman and Programmer, Frosty was ever present on the net, and would not only run the net every Sunday evening, but would be there each night to fill in for any NCS unable to make their scheduled NCS rotation. His location in Liberty, MO in the middle of the country, afforded him the ability to hear check ins from both coasts…

Frosty was also an avid County Hunter, and we believe he actually completed worked all counties, not once, not twice, but THREE times over !! He was also a member of Quarter Century Wireless Association and an Air Force veteran.

FAREWELL TO FROSTY

My recollection of him had to do with his laugh. When one of us GERATOLers would tickle his funny bone, he would let out a hearty laugh, to acknowledge your humorous comment.

We thank Frosty for his years of service and dedication to our net, and we would like to extend our sincere condolences to his Family and Friends. RIP Mr. Frosty !!

Please, fellow GERATOLers, feel free to respond to this post, and add your comments/stories/etc about Frosty. If you are unable to add a comment, simply send me your comment, and I will be happy to add to the comments section on your behalf on this POST. Send to: n1kl@arrl.net

73, Kevin N1KL

Saturday 7/22 Sked at 0700Z NO QSO’s

REGARDING AK SKED

Unfortunately, despite the efforts of: JJ – W5RJJ, Louis – N9LY, Bill – KI7O and Bob – AI4IL and KL7AJ -no QSO’s were made with our sked set up with Eric – Eric – KL7AJ

I did correspond with Eric later on Saturday, and he said he was indeed on frequency, and called a few times himself, and heard nothing at all. He said the band was totally dead his way. So, once again the condition gods were plotting against us.

Eric also said he would be very willing to give it yet one more try.

POTENTIAL HI SKED

JJ – W5RJJ periodically checks into the HI/CA Net and he asked folks there if there were any ops from HI who would be willing to arrange a sked, to have HI come on frequency for those who need it for their basic and/or other endorsements. He’s reaching out to those guys now, and will be letting us know if that can a reality. JJ suggested we do a 2 fer, and get a sked with AK and HI on the same night, so you guys don’t need to take multiple sked naps !! LOL

So stay tuned, and we will keep you all posted via this website on developments.

73, and thanks to all. Kevin N1KL

We have arranged for a sked with AK at 0700Z 2/22/25 (or 2AM Eastern Time) on 3.668 Mhz

Once again, Eric – KL7AJ from Fairbanks has agreed to be on frequency at 0700Z time. Again, that is 2AM East Coast Time.

In addition, the net control for this upcoming event will be W5RJJ – JJ from NM. I am unavailable that evening (morning). Also, on frequency, KI7O – Bill from OR will be on hand to insure we can hear Eric.

Assisting on frequency once again to assist, and to insure all on the East Coast are heard trying to check in will be: Louis – N9LY and Bob – AI4IL

I have the following ops listed as those who wish to work AK for basic or other endorsements:

KA4CZL – Steve
W3NU – Frank
N1TL – Tom
NM2R – John
AI4IL -Bob
AA1QW – Brian
W5RJJ – JJ

Any questions, feel free to email me at n1kl@arrl.net

Good luck to all, and many thanks to JJ, Louis, Bill and Bob for their help.

Kevin N1KL

Reminder, the sked with KL7AJ – Eric, is on 3.668 Mhz at 0600Z on 2/15/25, which is 1AM Eastern, NOT 2AM as previously stated in my last post.

I have the following stations who wish to participate:

KA4CZL – STEVE
W3NU – FRANK
N1TL – TOM
NM2R – JOHN
AI4IL – BOB
AA1QW – BRIAN
W5RJJ – JJ

If I missed anyone, please let me know asap, and I will make sure we add you to the list, or just show up on frequency, 3.668 at 0600Z and we will make sure you are heard.

73, Kevin N1KL

New Sked with Alaska set for 2/15/25

We have confirmed that Eric, KL7AJ will be on frequency (3.668 Mhz) at 0600Z on 2/15/25. So, that would be 2AM Eastern on Saturday morning. Late for sure, but conditions are better suited at that time.

We are thrilled Eric is willing to take another shot at working the folks who need AK for their basic award, and wish to thank him ahead of time for the effort. Regarding a QSL, as previously stated, Eric does NOT use eQSL, so a SASE is required.

As we did previously, I will be operating from either WA, OR, AZ or CO to insure we can hear Eric. Also on hand we will have Louis, N9LY to insure we are hearing the folks on the East Coast who need to work Eric, and we are also hoping JJ from NM will also be on hand.

These are the ops who have notified us they wish to work AK:

KA4CZL – STEVE
W3NU – FRANK
N1TL – TOM
NM2R – JOHN
AI4IL -BOB
AA1QW – BRIAN
W5RJJ – JJ

If I missed anyone, fire me off a note and I will make sure we add you to the list.

If there are any question, feel free to email me at n1kl@arrl.net

3.668 +/- QRM

As often is the case from season to season, we experience some rather HEAVY QRM on or near our operating frequency of 3.668. This year is no exception, with ops who are just above our frequency, and no doubt, running some power, making it tough for NCS ops to start or even run the net.

As they have done in the past, our NCS ops will move our net frequency down to 3.667 or even lower, to avoid any conflicts and to insure our net gets to operate. So, if you don’t hear us on 3.668 Mhz at 0100Z, tune down, a few KC’s to tune us in.

Thanks to our NCS ops and to our regulars, for helping us out.

SK Update

It is with sadness, we have to report the loss of another long time GERATOLer,
Gabriel – KZ2A G#782. Gabe put New Jersey in many logs over the years. Our condolences to his family and friends.

73, Kevin N1KL Website Administrator

02/08/25 – For those who still need AK for their basic award, we continue working with Dean, WL7PM and with Eric, KL7AJ. Both have agreed to arrange another sked with us, to try and put AK in the log books of those who still need it.

Here is the list of ops who have requested I put them on the notification list, for when the next sked is going to take place:

KA4CZL – STEVE
N1TL – TOM
W3NU – FRANK
NM2R – JOHN
AI4IL – BOB
AA1QW – BRIAN
W5RJJ – JJ

In addition, I will be asking Louis – N9LY will be on hand, to insure we are hearing all the East Cost ops on frequency. Louis, hope you can once again be on hand.

Given our experience with the two skeds we recently had, it would appear our best chances would be to arrange the sked the 0600Z time slot, or 1AM Eastern. The 0500Z sked resulted in nothing heard. Granted, condx no doubt played a key role between the two skeds, but as conditions appear to be improving this cycle, a sked later in the evening seems best case for us.

As was the case on the previous skeds, I will be operating remotely, either from the state of CO, WA or OR (TBD) based on availability of remote stations. Just a reminder, both ops only use SASE for QSL, no eQSL.

Also, to have the contact count, you must make the QSO from the state in which you are applying for the award. Operating remotely from WA and working AK, if you live in CT for example, does not qualify for the basic award.

For those reading this POST, if you are not on the list I just provided, and you wish to be added, please reply to this POST directly, or send an email to n1kl@arrl.net

As of this writing a date and time is not yet arranged. I will put out a new POST as the date/time are confirmed, and I will also email you individually, to insure you are aware of when the sked is set.

Any questions, feel free to email me at n1kl@arrl.net

73, Kevin N1KL Website Administrator

02/01/25 – ALASKA SKED RESULTS FRIDAY NIGHT/SATURDAY MORNING

Thanks to WL7PM, Dean from Homer, AK for taking the time to try and work those in need of an AK contact. We had a good showing last night, with the following Ops giving it a college try:

Chuck, N5WGA
Steve, KA4CZL
Frank, W3NU
Tom, N1TL
John, NM2R
and last but not least, Louis – N9LY who provided critical relays when neither Dean nor myself could hear some of the questions from Ops on the east coast. Louis also worked Dean, with a valid QSO.

CONGRATS to Chuck, N5WGA who made a successful QSO with Dean, and Chuck is now down to the FINAL state he needs to complete his basic, the ever elusive HI !!

For those who were unable to work Dean, or who missed the sked, we have another shot, this time with TWO AK stations, both Dean from Homer and Eric from Fairbanks will be on the net frequency at 0500Z Sunday evening. Good hunting to those in need of AK, and let’s hope for better condx. Sunday evening. Finger crossed for some good luck !!

WELCOME ABOARD !

We would like to welcome aboard, the following operators, who recently registered on our GERATOL Website:

AK1NH – Conrad
Conrad was first licensed in 1978, as a Novice. So like many of us, he has WAL! Worked All Licenses !
He is also a member of the QCWA, so for those who need a “Q” number from NH, Conrad is your man.

KB5ILY – Travis
Travis hails from the great state of Arkansas, and was first licensed in 1989, and again like so many of us, started his Ham journey as a Novice and worked all the way up to Extra. He too is a member of the QCWA, so again for those in need of a “Q” number from AR, Travis fits the bill. Also, he’s a great catch for working a 2×3 call sign from “5th” call area, for the Call Area Challenge certificate.

Welcome aboard guys, and thanks once again for taking the time to register on our GERATOL website, and we hope to work you on the net soon.

Silent Keys

With sadness, we would like to notify the GERATOL Net on the passing of Frank, AA9JJ this past November, who held GERATOL number 1712. Frank was an avid county hunter, along with his wife, Marilyn, N9QPQ who often worked the County Hunter Net together via their mobile installation.

Frank was an Air Force Vet, and had a long career as an Air Traffic Controller. Our condolences to his wife Marilyn and their entire family.

73 from your Website Administrator. Kevin – N1KL

Alaska Schedules for those in need of working AK

THIS FRIDAY (SATURDAY MORNING)

This Friday East Coast (Actually, Saturday morning) at 0600Z on 3.668 Mhz So, that is 1AM East Coast time on Saturday morning. We have Dean, from Homer AK who will be on frequency to work those in need of an AK QSO for their basic, or for any other endorsements.

I will be operating remote from the state of WA, to insure he can hear me, as we begin to try and make QSO’s. In addition, Louis – N9LY will be on frequency from WI, to insure those who may need to call from the East Coast are heard, and put on the list to make a call.

I listened to the Alaska SNIPER NET last night, on 3.920 from the WA remote station I use, and was able to hear Dean loud and clear in WA. 5/9++

THIS COMING SUNDAY EVENING

In addition, we have had another AK operator, Eric from Fairbanks, AK volunteer to try and work stations on the GERATOL NET frequency of 3.668 Mhz on Sunday evening, at midnight East Coast time, or 0500Z.

Once again, I will be operating remote from either WA or OR to insure Eric can hear us, and to get things rolling, for those who were unable to work Dean on our previous sked.

I have not yet asked Louis, N9LY but hope he can also be on hand for this schedule with Eric, to help insure those calling from the East Coast can be heard, as we try and make contact with Eric.

MY REQUEST TO ALL WORKING EITHER AK STATION

Both Eric and Dean are aware of the need to swap QSL cards, and I have told them both, those working either of them, would send an SASE with their QSL. So, no need to try and communicate how you wish to swap QSL cards, we have already informed both, and would like to keep it that way.

PLEASE, NO eQSL requests, since neither of them use eQSL.

So there you have it. TWO shots, with two different ops from AK on two different evenings, to try and get the elusive AK QSO in your log books.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to reply to this post, or email me at n1kl@arrl.net