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

June Outing – Field Day or Not? Saturday, 27 Jun 2020

Modified Field Day for 2020

This year’s ARRL Field Day is impacted by the COVID-19 virus restrictions but they are allowing new rules and operation from home QTH is encouraged. That may be a good option for our typical member!

It happens to fall on our normal outing day. Many of our members participate with their local clubs and it is up to you whether to visit the park or go straight to a FD site .

Typically there is some testing of rigs and antennas by portable stations so we should be able to make contacts from the park or your own backyard prior to the contest start. Click the FD Logo for a link to the rules and info page for this year’s event.

We will be continuing our 4th Saturday of the month outing as usual. We start out with breakfast and show n tell at Cracker Barrel in Sanford, FL at 0730 AM EST. We usually are at a big table and easy to spot. Not sure how many might make this part of the outing this early in the reopening. I think the staff will appreciate the business though!

If you are not a breakfast type or like to sleep in a bit, you can join the group in the Sylvan Lake Park about 0900 AM EDT. The park is open at 0900 EDT and Walter KA4KXX may show up about that time. I will not be going out to the park due to personal health conditions, but you are free to do so if you wish. Wx report isn’t clear, but I hope to set up and get a few minutes on the air from our neighborhood park. Hope to hear some of our regular QRP ops on 40 and 20 meters.

Normal location is down by the lake at Picnic Area A unless it has been reserved by someone else. If you don’t see us there, cruise through Picnic Area B and C and watch for our antennas and cars with Amateur Radio License Tags and antennas on them.

Social distancing, masks and all good advice is appreciated.

72, Kelly K4UPG for the CFL QRP Group