Outing Saturday, 22 Sep 2018

It is still hurricane season with lousy HF propagation, frequent thunderstorms, and humongous bugs to bug us. So why do we do it?

BECAUSE WE LOVE PLAYING HAM RADIO IN THE OUTDOORS!

So once again we will start our outing at 0730 EDT at the Cracker Barrel, Sanford, FL. This is show ‘n tell and outrageous braggin’ time and we solve all the world’s biggest problems over a hot breakfast and copious amounts of coffee. About 0900 we should be setting up at Sylvan Lake Park in picnic area A and the small pavilion by the lake if it is not reserved.

So if you don’t like to eat breakfast and hear all the latest chatter, come on out to the park and join the fun. We have a variety of antennas, gear, and accessories and most of the time if you are a licensed ham, you can even take a turn at the key or mic if ya ask real nice like.

Look forward to seeing you swing by and having an eyeball QSO.

72,

Kelly K4UPG for the Central FL QRP Group

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Outing Saturday 28 July 2018

Summertime in Central Florida is like monsoon season most anywhere in the tropics! Strong afternoon rains and thunderstorms can be the norm. For 8+ years now, we have been able to play radio in the park for most of the morning though. I use the WFTV weather app to monitor approaching storms. It has a GPS feature to track your location and a very nice lightning alert notication when a lightning strike is detected within 8 miles of your position. When I operate in my home QTH I also pay attention to the nearby golf course which has lightning detectors and loud sirens. You don’t want wire in the air connected to your radio when those alerts go off.

Contests in the summer often tempt hams to stay on the air longer than we should for one more contact. Don’t let temptation take you out of the hobby!  Just sayin’!

We’ll gather for breakfast at 0730 EDT Saturday, 28 July 2018 at the Cracker Barrel in Sanford, FL. There we will solve all the problems of the world and start to straighten each other out. Before we come to blows we will adjourn from problem-solving, bragging and show-n-tell to head to Sylvan Lake Park to setup our gear. About 0900 EDT you’ll find us in Picnic Area A unless someone reserved it. Just watch for our cars with antennas and a bunch of hams standing around gabbing.

Annual Flight of the Bumblebees QRP Contest is Sunday 29 July 2018. The NJQRP Skeeter Hunt is coming up soon too! Get your practice time and test that new antenna or tuner!

Come on out and join us! You’ll have a blast!

72, Kelly K4UPG for the

Central Florida QRP Group

 

June 30 2018 Saturday Outing NOTE DATE

Due to annual ARRL Field Day falling on our normal meeting day, we will meet on Saturday 30 June 2018! Please take note of this change and support your local club in its Field Day efforts!

We will follow our normal plan of the day and meet at Cracker Barrel, Sanford, FL at 0730 EDT for breakfast, bragging time, show ‘n tell and solving world problems. Following the festivities, we will move to Sylvan Lake Park and begin setting up our gear. Walt KA4KXX sez he might sleep in but I think he will show up with his poster board manhattan DSB and CW homebrew rig. He has a ball and Ron WD8PNL is there to break down the circuits and schematics for those of us that are less knowledgeable. Ron’s always a big help to all of us and is an encourager and super fine ELMER.

Homebrew at work!

Look for us down by the lake at Picnic Area A and if that area is reserved you’ll find us somewhere in the park by watching for our license tags, antennas and other gear.

Hope to CU in the park!

72,

Kelly K4UPG for the CFL QRP Group