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 25 August 2018

Yep! We are going out to play radio again in August! Saturday 25 August 2018 is the day to load up your gear and play radio.

We will meet for breakfast at Cracker Barrel, Sanford, FL at 0730 EDT. That’s the time to brag on how well you did in the FOBB and Skeeter Hunt QRP contests. I didn’t get to play much FOBB due to nearby lightning. After one contact, I quickly took down my EFHW and headed home. It rained very hard for the next 3 hrs and lots of lightning strikes too close for comfort.  In the Skeeter Hunt I managed to get 3 hours and 50 minutes before my lightning alarm announced lightning within 8 miles of my location. I got home before the rain, but managed 15 QSO’s and 14 states in a lazy day down by the lake. So despite no sunspots QRP can still work. Best DX was UT last weekend.

So come join us and play in the park. About 0900 we should be setting up at Sylvan Lake Park west of I4 about 5 miles on SR 46. Come find us in Picnic area A, unless someone stakes it out before us. Soccer season is firing up so watch for excited kids darting into the street as you enter the park.

By noon, we generally turn into pumpkins and head for the showers. Hope you find us in the park or on the air!

72,

Kelly K4UPG for the Central Florida QRP Group

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