2026
Content / Activities / Resources
Below is a sneak preview of upcoming meetings and events for 2026
General Membership Meetings are held on the
First Wednesday of every month @ 1900 Hours
Pfeiffer Community Center
301 Blue Bell Road (Main Street and Blue Bell Road)
Williamstown, NJ 08094
GPS Heading : 39.682622°, -74.993315°
Simulcast Live Via ZOOM
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944, Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
New ZOOM Guidelines For General Membership Meetings
To enhance the experience for everyone attending the General Meeting, whether in person or via Zoom, the Board of Directors has established some guidelines for Zoom participants. These guidelines are designed to ensure that everyone can focus on the meeting while also allowing Zoom participants to interact before the meeting starts.
Here are the guidelines:
Please adhere to these guidelines to ensure a smooth and enjoyable meeting experience for everyone. Following these protocols will help us maintain an inclusive and focused environment for both in-person and remote attendees. Thank you for your cooperation!
Here are the guidelines:
- Before the Meeting :
- Zoom participants are welcome to keep their cameras and microphones on to chat among themselves before the meeting begins. During this time, the Zoom audio will not be broadcast to the general audience, and local audio will not be connected to the Zoom meeting.
- During the Meeting :
- Just before the Pledge of Allegiance, a reminder will be posted for Zoom participants to mute their microphones and turn off their cameras. This ensures that all Zoom participants will see the meeting camera instead of another Zoom participant's camera. Participants in the room never see the cameras of the Zoom participants.
- Zoom participants can use the "raise your hand" button to ask questions or make comments at appropriate times during the meeting. The Zoom operator will notify the moderator, who will recognize the comment or question at the right time.
- After the Business Meeting :
- The Zoom audio will be muted immediately after the business meeting concludes to prevent any disruptions to the in-person audience from the PA speakers.
Please adhere to these guidelines to ensure a smooth and enjoyable meeting experience for everyone. Following these protocols will help us maintain an inclusive and focused environment for both in-person and remote attendees. Thank you for your cooperation!
Wednesday, January 07, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
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This month’s program features Kevin Zembower KC3KZ, who recently retired at 62 and will present a practical case study on designing and deploying a cost effective, rapidly deployable amateur radio station. He will explain the choices and tradeoffs required to meet a modest budget and describe the hands on work of building and installing antennas on a compact Baltimore city lot.
What you will learn :
Intended audience :
In addition to exploring the construction of a modern HF station, the overview of the current state of microcomputer-based control functionality should be impressive.
I hope to see you there.
What you will learn :
- Station planning : Criteria used to select transceivers, power options, and essential accessories.
- Antenna challenges and solutions : The process and obstacles of installing an HF dipole in a constrained urban yard, plus descriptions of other antennas built and erected.
- Buying guidance : Practical advice for purchasing new and used equipment, including priorities and common pitfalls.
- Software and operating tools : Programs and utilities useful for logging, propagation analysis, and station control.
Intended audience :
- New or returning amateur radio operators seeking a cost effective HF setup.
- Retirees interested in a straightforward, practical approach to getting on the air.
- Club members and technical volunteers who advise others on small lot installations.
In addition to exploring the construction of a modern HF station, the overview of the current state of microcomputer-based control functionality should be impressive.
I hope to see you there.
January 10, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Happy 11th Anniversary!
Forum Topic : SDR Overview
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, February 04, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
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Meeting Program :
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Antenna Facts, Myths, And Tips
By Hal Kennedy N4GG
This month, Hal Kennedy N4GG, will join us over Zoom for a practical, hands-on session that cuts through the jargon and gives you clear, usable guidance for better antennas and a more reliable station. Whether you’re a newcomer stringing your first wire or an experienced builder tuning a beam, this meeting will separate useful rules from persistent myths and leave you with tips that you can apply to your station. Here is what Hal is planning to cover :
Antenna Gain
SWR
Transmission Line Loss
Antenna Tips
This should be a highly informative and interesting program, so bring your questions and concerns for Hal to answer. See you there.
By Hal Kennedy N4GG
This month, Hal Kennedy N4GG, will join us over Zoom for a practical, hands-on session that cuts through the jargon and gives you clear, usable guidance for better antennas and a more reliable station. Whether you’re a newcomer stringing your first wire or an experienced builder tuning a beam, this meeting will separate useful rules from persistent myths and leave you with tips that you can apply to your station. Here is what Hal is planning to cover :
Antenna Gain
- * Where it comes from : Hal will explain the physical meaning of gain, how antenna shape and size concentrate energy, and why higher gain isn’t always “better” for every job.
- * Effects of the Earth on practical antennas : Learn how ground conductivity, antenna height above ground, and nearby objects change real-world radiation patterns and effective gain.
SWR
- * What it is : A plain-language definition of standing wave ratio and what the numbers actually tell you about your power transfer.
- * When it is important : He’ll discuss situations where SWR directly affects performance or safety.
- * When it is NOT important : Common cases where obsessing over a perfect SWR wastes time and resources.
- * Why is your measurement usually wrong : Measurement pitfalls, instrument limitations, and how to interpret SWR readings sensibly.
Transmission Line Loss
- * Everything matters : Hal will cover how cable type, length, characteristic impedance, build quality, and operating frequency all combine to determine loss.
- * Where to put the antenna tuner : Practical guidance on tuner placement to minimize loss and maximize radiated power.
Antenna Tips
- * Wire and support lines : Best practices for routing, insulation, and avoiding RF in feedlines.
- * Tie-downs : Simple, durable anchoring methods that protect your installation in wind and ice.
- * Longevity and mechanical load : How to design for fatigue, reduce stress points, and plan maintenance so your antenna lasts.
This should be a highly informative and interesting program, so bring your questions and concerns for Hal to answer. See you there.
February 21, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic : Amateur Packet Radio
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, March 04, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
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Meeting Program :
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This month’s program will be presented by Rob Sherwood NC0B. Rob, who has been testing radios for 50 years, will show us how to interpret his published receiver performance data, and offer some practical guidance for selecting a receiver or transceiver that fits your operating style.
Rob’s work began in the era of printed performance tables and has evolved with the launch of NC0B.com. His presentation will address how the transition to online publishing, Zoom presentations, YouTube videos, and Groups.io discussions has changed how hams access and interpret receiver data.
Key points to be covered :
In addition, Rob has given feedback to manufacturers including Elecraft, FlexRadio, Kenwood, Ten Tec, and Hilberling to help improve receiver performance. His testing methodology and clear explanations have made his data a standard reference in the amateur radio community.
Please join us for this month’s General Membership Meeting to see where your current radio ranks and, more importantly, gather ideas for your next radio. See you there!
Rob’s work began in the era of printed performance tables and has evolved with the launch of NC0B.com. His presentation will address how the transition to online publishing, Zoom presentations, YouTube videos, and Groups.io discussions has changed how hams access and interpret receiver data.
Key points to be covered :
- What the NC0B listing represents : The web site lists 158 receivers and transceivers with 14 performance metrics; the table is sorted only by close in 2 kHz third order dynamic range (DR3). It is not an overall top to bottom ranking.
- Why DR3 was once the dominant metric : Historically important when DR3 values were typically 60–80 dB.
- Why other factors matter today : With many radios now achieving 100 dB DR3, operator interface, ergonomics, and other receiver characteristics are increasingly more important when selecting a radio.
- How to avoid buying a “dud” : Practical guidance for narrowing choices among the two dozen-plus excellent radios currently on the market.
- Subjectivity of “best” radio : How personal operating style, band priorities, and user interface preferences influence the right choice for each ham.
In addition, Rob has given feedback to manufacturers including Elecraft, FlexRadio, Kenwood, Ten Tec, and Hilberling to help improve receiver performance. His testing methodology and clear explanations have made his data a standard reference in the amateur radio community.
Please join us for this month’s General Membership Meeting to see where your current radio ranks and, more importantly, gather ideas for your next radio. See you there!
March 07, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic : The Magic Of WSJT
Join us Saturday, March 7 at 9:00 AM in the W2MMD Clubhouse for a deep-dive Tech Saturday session titled “The Magic of WSJT.” We’ll pull back the curtain on what makes FT8, Q65, MSK144, WSPR and the rest of the WSJT family so incredibly effective at digging weak signals out of the noise.
This is not a how-to-operate session (plenty of those already exist), but rather an under-the-hood look at the clever DSP and modulation tricks that let these modes pull through 20+ dB below the noise floor.
We’ll try to use plain-English explanations of the different encoding schemes, why each mode is tuned for its job (fast QSOs vs. moonbounce vs. meteor scatter vs. propagation beacons), and a few “aha!” moments about the engineering that’s quietly revolutionized weak-signal work.
Whether you’re an FT8 regular who’s always wondered “how does this even work?” or just curious about modern digital modes, we hope this will be an interesting session.
See you there….
This is not a how-to-operate session (plenty of those already exist), but rather an under-the-hood look at the clever DSP and modulation tricks that let these modes pull through 20+ dB below the noise floor.
We’ll try to use plain-English explanations of the different encoding schemes, why each mode is tuned for its job (fast QSOs vs. moonbounce vs. meteor scatter vs. propagation beacons), and a few “aha!” moments about the engineering that’s quietly revolutionized weak-signal work.
Whether you’re an FT8 regular who’s always wondered “how does this even work?” or just curious about modern digital modes, we hope this will be an interesting session.
See you there….
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Deadline To Renew Your Club Membership
Dues Is Monday, March 31, 2026
Dues Is Monday, March 31, 2026
Wednesday, April 01, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
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Tim Duffy K3LR, CEO of DX Engineering and the driving force behind the high performance contest station K3LR, will be our April featured speaker. K3LR is sited on a 16 acre antenna farm in West Middlesex, PA (east of Youngstown, Ohio) supporting 14 towers and more than 50 antenna systems covering 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. The station’s high band capability includes steerable OWA Yagi arrays; low band performance is supported by large phased arrays and a custom vertical Yagi; comprehensive receive arrays and noise mitigation systems to optimize weak signal reception.
Tim’s station is equipped with a bank of high performance transceivers selected for multi user reliability and superior receiver performance, paired with custom single band amplifiers engineered for sustained contest duty. Advanced rotator controllers, RF switching systems, and remote monitoring tools enable rapid reconfiguration and precise antenna control, while a 50 kW on site generator provides automatic backup power to ensure uninterrupted operation.
In addition, Tim maintains continuous receive monitoring system via CW Skimmer and Reverse Beacon Network links to support real time situational awareness and pileup management. A typical contest crew is comprise of approximately 12 on site operators supported by technical and logistics staff, drawn from a broader roster of more than 200 contributors. Each band is staffed by a two person team - one running and one searching - coordinated to operate up to six bands simultaneously; electronic transmit interlocks and strict timing protocols prevent on band interference and ensure rule compliance. On site housing, professional catering, and a dedicated logistics coordinator sustain operator readiness during 48 hour contest windows.
During this month’s Zoom presentation, Tim will present an overview to his dream station and it’s dominance in the world of contest stations. This will be an eye-opening presentation.
Tim’s station is equipped with a bank of high performance transceivers selected for multi user reliability and superior receiver performance, paired with custom single band amplifiers engineered for sustained contest duty. Advanced rotator controllers, RF switching systems, and remote monitoring tools enable rapid reconfiguration and precise antenna control, while a 50 kW on site generator provides automatic backup power to ensure uninterrupted operation.
In addition, Tim maintains continuous receive monitoring system via CW Skimmer and Reverse Beacon Network links to support real time situational awareness and pileup management. A typical contest crew is comprise of approximately 12 on site operators supported by technical and logistics staff, drawn from a broader roster of more than 200 contributors. Each band is staffed by a two person team - one running and one searching - coordinated to operate up to six bands simultaneously; electronic transmit interlocks and strict timing protocols prevent on band interference and ensure rule compliance. On site housing, professional catering, and a dedicated logistics coordinator sustain operator readiness during 48 hour contest windows.
During this month’s Zoom presentation, Tim will present an overview to his dream station and it’s dominance in the world of contest stations. This will be an eye-opening presentation.
April 04, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic : Hands-On Connector Installation Class
Class Is Full
Class Is Full
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, May 06, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
Bob Famiglio K3RF :
Future Proofing ARES
Taking the larger view for hams supporting Emergency Communications
What else should we be doing?
What else should we be doing?
May 09, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, June 03, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
June 06, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
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ARRL Field Day
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Wednesday, July 01, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
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2026 Field Day Review
July 11, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, August 05, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
August 08, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, September 02, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
2026 Hamfest Preview
2026 Hamfest Volunteer Sign-Ups
September 05, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, October 07, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
Submission of nominees for the 2027 Club Officer Elections
October 10, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Sunday, October 11, 2026
8th Annual ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention
48th Annual GCARC Hamfest
Presented By The Gloucester County Amateur Radio Club
Wednesday, November 04, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
2026 Hamfest Review
Final submission of nominees for the 2027
Club Officer Elections
November 07, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
Wednesday, December 02, 2026 @ 1900 Hours
General Membership Meeting
ZOOM Meeting ID : 982 4039 1944; Passcode : 091084
Join ZOOM Meeting Link :
https://zoom.us/j/98240391944?pwd=svvsv2aEYs4rGTob2mbZwnJboDY2In.1
Meeting Program :
Election of 2026 Club Officers
December 05, 2026 @ 0900 Hours
Tech Saturday Forum
W2MMD Clubhouse
Forum Topic :
Q & A Session About All Things Ham Radio and Socializing
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation
The HF Station Will Be Available For Local Operation