President's Letter

Jonathan Pearce, WB2MNF

January 2025

---

As we wrap up 2024, it's incredible to reflect on our accomplishments and look ahead to the exciting plans for 2025. December was a busy month, and it set the tone for an even more engaging and innovative year to come.
 
VHF Station Enhancement
 
One of our primary focuses for 2025 will be to increase user awareness of the VHF station's capabilities. We are planning a series of educational sessions covering operating procedures, best practices, and hands-on activities to improve our skills and maximize our station’s capabilities. To support this initiative, we are looking for presenters or online presentations and publications that can enhance our members' knowledge of VHF operating. These sessions will provide valuable learning opportunities for both new and seasoned operators.
 
New Technology Group Activities
 
We are also hoping to introduce new technology group activities. Following the success of the Meshtastic activities in 2024, we plan to explore more cutting-edge projects. This year, we will delve into areas like digital modes, software-defined radios, advanced antenna design, and circuit board design. We encourage members who have an interest or expertise in these areas to join us and share their insights. Collaborative projects will be a cornerstone of our activities, and suggestions for new ventures are always welcome.
 
Implementing a DMR Repeater
 
In 2025, we are hoping to implement a MMDVM board on one of our local 440 MHz repeaters to support DMR operations, specifically configured for communication within the Club. The MMDVM board allows the repeater to support many digital modes, including DMR (Digital Mobile Radio). It essentially takes the functionality of a DMR hotspot and adds the range and accessibility of a repeater. To facilitate member communications one timeslot may be dedicated to a Club-based talk group while another may be dedicated to private calling among Club members. Combined with the inexpensive DMR radios that support the Open GD77 firmware, this setup will make repeater monitoring more effective by squelching person-to-person conversations that might be uninteresting to others while making communication among Club members easier. If we can get this set up, there will be Tech Saturday Forum sessions and other opportunities for Club members to learn to use this new resource.
 
Continuing STEM Activities
 
Our STEM activities will continue to thrive in 2025, with new additions to engage and inspire students. We aim to create an awareness and interest in technology-related activities, helping students develop confidence in their abilities to perform these activities. By introducing soldering projects and hidden transmitter hunts, we not only encourage students to pursue amateur radio licensing but also prepare them for future studies in technology and engineering fields. Our goal is to foster a lifelong passion for learning and innovation, equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a technology-driven world.
 
Learn the Code
 
In response to interest from some members, we are considering creating training sessions to help members become proficient in CW (Morse code). These sessions will be designed to teach the fundamentals of CW, providing practice opportunities and tips for effective communication. We hope to inspire a renewed interest in this classic and valuable skill within our Club.
 
Social Activities
 
In addition to our technical and educational endeavors, we recognize the importance of social activities to build camaraderie and strengthen our Club community. This year, we plan to have variations on our successful holiday party, bringing everyone together for a festive celebration. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of hosting a spring picnic, providing an opportunity for members and their families to enjoy a day outdoors, share stories, and bond over shared interests.
 
Engaging More Members
 
Our goal is to create a vibrant community of members who are passionate about experimenting with and mastering new technologies. Whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or just curious to learn, there’s a place for you in these projects. We’re looking forward to fostering an environment of learning, sharing, and innovation.
 
Seeking Member Input
 
To ensure our activities align with member interests, we encourage you to share your areas of interest with Club leaders. We need your guidance to create relevant and engaging programs. Additionally, members with expertise in specific areas are invited to contribute their knowledge to help develop new activities and projects.
 
Exciting Plans for 2025
 
Our plans for the new year are ambitious, and with your participation and enthusiasm, we can achieve even greater heights. From enhancing the VHF station to diving into new technology projects and continuing our STEM activities, there’s much to look forward to.
 
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, let’s make 2025 a remarkable year for the GCARC.
 
73 de Jon WB2MNF
 
PS: If this letter seems slightly different from previous ones it’s because it was primarily written by Microsoft Copilot’s AI functionality with prompts from me. It’s somewhat disconcerting to see a skill that I’ve felt was reasonably good be eclipsed by a computer, but I must acknowledge that it writes better than I do. So I hope you will enjoy AI’s vision of GCARC in 2025!
 

This 24-hour (every January 1st from 0000 UTC through 2359 UTC) event is not a contest; rather it is a day dedicated to celebrating our CW heritage. Participants are encouraged to get on the air and simply make enjoyable, conversational CW QSOs. The use of straight keys or bugs to send CW is preferred. There are no points scored and all who participate are winners.

Thursday, January 09, 2025

Happy Birthday, January 17, 1706

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Full Wolf Moon - January 13, 2025 @ 1757 Hours The howling of wolves was often heard at this time of year. It was traditionally thought that wolves howled due to hunger, but we now know that wolves use howls to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, and gather for hunting. It is possible that European settlers may have used the term “Wolf Moon” even before they came to North America. Another name for this time period was the Center Moon, from the Assiniboine people, because it was the middle of the winter season. The Cree names of Cold Moon and Frost Exploding Moon refer to the frigid temperatures of this season, as does the Algonquin name of Freeze Up Moon. The Dakota names of Severe Moon and Hard Moon refer to the extreme cold and hard times of this season, as well as the fact that the snow sometimes develops a hard crust. Other names for this time include Canada Goose Moon (Tlingit), Great Moon (Cree), Greetings Moon (Western Abenaki), and Spirit Moon (Ojibwe). Old Farmer’s Almanac - www.almanac.com