November Outing Sat 28 Nov 2020

QSL CU in da park later!

We’re still in COVID territory and cases of infection have increased dramatically. You are free to operate in the park and follow good social distancing and mask guidance. Many of us have pre-existing health issues and have chosen not to expose ourselves.

Breakfast at 0730 AM at Cracker Barrel Sanford, FL and 0900 setup in Picnic Area A of Sylvan Lake Park should you choose to be outside and play radio.

This is the Saturday following Thanksgiving. I will attempt to operate from my backyard or the seldom used lakeside park in our community. Hope conditions allow us to connect on the air. I’ve gotten rusty using my CW without our normal outing schedule.

72,

Kelly K4UPG for the Central FL QRP Group

Saturday August 22, 2020 Outing

Been too long since we’ve been able to gather?

Sylvan Lake Park is located off SR 46 west of the I-4 in Sanford opens at 0900 and you are welcome to venture out and play a bit of QRP portable amateur radio if you desire! We normally gather for breakfast early, but in the Covid times we’ve not comfortable doing that although you are welcome to do so if you’d like.

We gather at Picnic Area A (see map link above) which is lakeside and had plenty of room and two pavilions in case one has been reserved. There are plenty of trees to hang antennas and that’s where we have made many QSO’s over the past 10 years.

Due to my personal health issues, I’m not going to join activities this month, but hoping we’ll be able to regroup soon.

In the meantime, I’ll be hanging my 20 & 40 m Delta Loop minibac antenna

to operate as Skeeter #31 in the 2020 Skeeter Hunt this Sunday 16 August 2020 between 1 and 5 PM local time. I will be in our small neighborhood park for the contest. Bragging rights: Last year I was Top FL Op… rain chased most of the competition away.

See ya on the air!

72,

Kelly K4UPG for the Central FL QRP Group

July 2020 Outing? Up to you!

I hate to say it, but I must. COVID-19 continues to be an issue for us to safely gather per our normal practice.

We normally meet at Cracker Barrel in Sanford, FL for breakfast at 0730 ET on the 4th Saturday of the month.After breakfast you will find us in Sylvan Lake Park and Picnic Area A down by the lake around 0900 ET. That’s our favorite spot for portable ops over the last 10+ years.

Most of us are in the most vulnerable age group and have enough health reasons to be cautious in meeting despite the fact we are mostly outdoors and not in close contact. I personally have both cardiac and a weakened immune system condition that force me to be extra careful.

Sylvan Lake Park is open according to the Seminole County website. (Excellent COVID-19 info online) Masks are a county ordered requirement.

It is truly up to you to decide if you want to play in the park. If weather permits, I will setup in my neighborhood, but lately the weather has combined with COVID-19 to make outdoor radio less available. WFTV’s weather app has a nice lightning warning by the way. Nice to know if is closing in on you.

In the meantime, take advantage of the FREE  QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo  

Until things improve, please stay safe and make lots of QSO’s when you are able!

Keep an eye on our updates. We look forward to gathering as soon as conditions improve.

72,

Kelly K4UPG for the Central Florida QRP Group in Orange/Osceola/Seminole Counties