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 United States 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 United States 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