Category: KARC Posts

Official posts of the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (KARC)

Posted on

2023 Board of Directors

Board members and positions were finalized at the 13-FEB board meeting. Please meet your 2023 Board of Directors:

RoleNameCallContact
PresidentDustin ThomasN8RMApresident@w8vy.org
Vice PresidentGeorge FoleyK3CPvice-president@w8vy.org
SecretaryAlex StuartKE8ICMsecretary@w8vy.org
TreasurerChristoph HartelKD8QNLtreasurer@w8vy.org
Member At LargeBruce AthertonKE8MRNfireball9207@charter.net
Member At LargeGerardo "Mac" RinconKE8RRGKE8RRG@GMAIL.COM
Technical DirectorChuck AgostiWD8AXAcagosti@statesystems.com
TrusteeJohn TuckerWB8ZVVtrustee@w8vy.org
Emergency CoordinatorPatrick McVerryK8MCVpatrick.mcverry@gmail.com
Posted on

Field Day 2022

Come join us on June 25th & 26th at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, We’ll be at the West Lake Campground sites within the fairgrounds. Enter off of Lamont Ave, take the first open gate on the left into the camping area, follow signage.

Phone and Digital stations are planned with both HF and VHF operations available to cover all license classes. For new hams it’s a great opportunity to get hands on and learn how to setup a station, experience HF contesting, and get on the air with mentorship.

Station and Antenna Setup will begin at 9am, contest operations kick off at 2pm (18:00 UTC) and will run through 2pm Sunday. Talk-in will be hosted on the KM8CC DMR repeater located across from the fairgrounds : 443.400 MHz, +5 input, CC1, TS1, TG9.

Posted on

W8JVP and KE8BSV are going on a POTA tour!

Club member and Member at Large, Ken Irish (W8JVP) and son Dennis (KE8BSV) will be taking a tour of National Parks, Monuments and Memorials, west of the Mississippi and activating POTA references along the way. Their tour starts May 17, 2022 and will go for 26 days into mid June. 

They’ll be living and working in a 29 ft motorhome and their equipment will consist of an ICOM 7100 and a 36ft vertical telescoping mast mounted on the back of the motorhome as well as a backup OCFD 40 meter dipole. For local comms they’ll be using a Comet UHV mobile antenna (20/40 6 Meter and 2 M capable ). 

They’ll be on the lookout for local hams  on 40 and 20 meters, so let’s help them get their contact quotas for activations!  Keep your eyes on the POTA spotting page at https://pota.app/#/  for their call signs and help them activate! 

Their itinerary can be found below.

Trip-IterneraryDownload
Posted on

August 2019 Meeting – Ham Radio Deluxe

oin us for the August meeting of the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club at the Red Cross Chapter House on Thursday, August 15 at 7 p.m.

The educational topic will be Ham Radio Deluxe presented by Ken MacLeod (N8NOR).

You and other club members and friends are invited to this event. The event is FREE.

Please pass the word about our club and this meeting to your friends. We post information about events on W8VY.ORG and on our Facebook page Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (click on Events). We also have a calendar on our website.

If you have questions about our club, its activities and events, do not hesitate to use the email addressed secretary@w8vy.org

Posted on

July 2019 Meeting – DMR Digital Mobile Radio

Join us for the May meeting of the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club at the Red Cross Chapter House on Thursday, July 18 at 7 p.m.

We sadly note the passing of Bryan Staufer (KD8PXQ) who became an SK on June 25, 2019.

The educational topic will be DMR Digital Mobile Radio presented by Dustin Thomas (N8RMA).

At the meeting we will also discuss the results of our ARRL Field Day activity on June 22-23.

You and other club members and friends are invited to this event. The event is FREE.

Please pass the word about our club and this meeting to your friends. We post information about events on W8VY.ORG and on our Facebook page Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (click on Events). We also have a calendar on our website.

If you have questions about our club, its activities and events, do not hesitate to use the email addressed secretary@w8vy.org

Posted on

June 2019 Meeting – ARRL Field Day Prep

Join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday June 20th, 2019 for the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club meeting to discuss the 2019 Field Day site review and strategy planning.

This months meeting will take place at our 2019 Field Day site. Please join us at the pavilion in Oshtemo Township Park located at 7275 West Main Street behind the Township Hall and Fire Department. The Club meeting will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Posted on

ARRL Field Day 2019

The Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (W8VY) and the Southwest Michigan Amateur Radio Team (K8KZO) invite you to Field Day 2019!

Come join us on June 22nd and 23rd at Oshtemo Township Park located at 7275 West Main Street behind the Township Hall and Fire Department. Talk-In is on 147.040 (PL 94.8) K8KZO Repeater.

Operations kick off on June 22nd at 18:00 UTC (2pm EST) but we’ll need help in the morning to setup Antennas and Stations so stop by around 8 am for setup. Operations run through June 23rd at 20:59 UTC (4:59pm EST) when we’ll need further helping hands in site tear down.

We’d love to see everyone get together for some radio community time, so we are sponsoring an afternoon potluck on June 22nd between 2 and 4pm! Get a few hours of calls logged and take a break to join us for Pulled pork and fixings, a vegetarian option will also be available upon request. There will be a grill if you want to throw something on for yourself or to share.

Please sign up to bring your favorite seasonal side dish or dessert to pass.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4BAEA82EA3FD0-field

Posted on

May 2019 Meeting – Antenna Rotors

Join us for the May meeting of the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club at the Red Cross Chapter House on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

The educational topic will be Antenna Rotors presented by Randy Mead (KE8R).

W8VY embroidered iron-on patches have arrived. Get your free member patch. Purchase extra patches for $3 each.

At the meeting we will also discuss the results of our MI QSO Party activity on April 20. Two donated SDR receivers will be given to the top two operators.

Hamvention and ARRL Field Day are approaching. We will show you the new Hamvention 2019 ARRL App for electronic devices (phones and tablets).

You and other club members and friends are invited to this event. The event is FREE.

Please pass the word about our club and this meeting to your friends. We post information about events on W8VY.ORG and on our Facebook page Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (click on Events). We also have a calendar on our website.

If you have questions about our club, its activities and events, do not hesitate to use the email addressed secretary@w8vy.org

Posted on

W8VY Iron-on Embroidered Patch

The W8VY iron-on embroidered patches for all club members have arrived. Each member receives one free patch. Patches will be distributed at the May 2019 Club meeting. If you wish to purchase more patches, please bring $3 for each additional patch. The patches are circular and 2.5 inches in diameter. They can be ironed on most fabric. I have one put on the side of my cap. You might want to attach the patch at a few places with thread because the iron-on glue will weaken with time and exposure to heat or wetness.

Image of W8VY Iron on Sew on Patch
W8VY Patch on a Cap
Posted on

April 2019 Meeting – Ham Radio Podcasts

Join us for the April meeting of the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club at the Red Cross Chapter House on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m.

The educational topic will be Ham Radio Podcasts presented by Mark Kerstetter (KE8HAA). The presentation will discuss what podcasts are and how to use them. We will explore 10 podcasts about amateur radio comparing their content and format, frequency of release, length, website, and even listen to samples.

At the meeting we will also discuss our planned MI QSO Party activity for April 20. Two donated SDR receivers will be won by the hams collecting the most contacts.

A radio club near Ann Arbor is planning a one day bus trip to Hamvention in Xenia, OH. We’ll present costs and details at the March meeting.

You and other club members and friends are invited to this event. The event is FREE.

Please pass the word about our club and this meeting to your friends. We post information about events on W8VY.ORG and on our Facebook page Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (click on Events). We also have a calendar on our website.

If you have questions about our club, its activities and events, do not hesitate to use the email addressed secretary@w8vy.org

Proudly powered by WordPress