Outing Saturday July 22, 2017

We’re going to go out and try to stir up some QSO’s to show how it is done! Come join us Saturday July 22, 2017!

We will meet at 0730 at Cracker Barrel in Sanford, FL for breakfast and show n tell (bragging). Around 0900 we will be setting up in Sylvan Lake Park. Normally we are in Picnic area A beside the lake unless someone has reserved it. So load up your gear or come out and share ours for a bit if you have your license to operate.

We enjoy having those interested in low power (QRP) amateur radio especially portable in the outdoors. Since 2009 we have been gathering and stirring up the air waves with our little radios. Lots of ideas and helpful tips if you are wanting to know what gear is useful and how to hang wire HIGH in the tall trees.

This is good practice for the upcoming Flight of the Bumblebees QRP on air contest on July 30th. Usually over 100 Bumblebees (portable ops) gather to make contacts in this short contest. Next month is the Skeeter Hunt and many of us enjoy this annual event. So come tune up your ears and gear. It’s summer in the park and time to play ham radio.

72,

Kelly K4UPG for the Central Florida QRP Group

Outing Saturday May 27, 2017

Here we go again! Time to head out and play radio in the park!

As usual, we will gather for breakfast at 0730 at the Cracker Barrel in Sanford, FL. This is also a time to show off new rigs, brag about DX, solve world problems and eat some biscuits and gravy. Did you make it to Hamvention or any other recent hamfests? Come join the chatter with us.

K4AHO in the shade

KA4KXX

About 0900 we should be setting up in Sylvan Lake Park and picnic area A unless it has been reserved. If you don’t see us there check the other 2 picnic areas and watch for our license plates and antennas in the parking areas.

Yes, conditions on the bands have been slow going, it might even rain. But we always have a good time. If you want to practice for Field Day conditions or just ragchew on the side this event will fill the bill.

Hope to see you there…

72, Kelly K4UPG

for the Central Florida QRP Group

Outing Sat Apr 22, 2017 SOMETHING DIFFERENT

We’ll meet as usual at the Cracker Barrel in Sanford, FL at 0730 EDT on Saturday April 22, 2017.  Come join the chatter and brag about your new rig or DX exploits.

BUT we’ll be operating later from a slightly different location because our outing takes place during the annual QRP To The Field event:

This is a national QRP event and attracts a good crowd of operators each year. Every year has a theme and this time it involves operating near a river to qualify for extra multiplier points.

So we’ll move west on highway 46 about 3/4 mile from our normal spot at Sylvan Lake Park to operate from WILSON’S LANDING PARK along the Wekiva River! If you cross over the bridge when heading west, you missed the turn!

We’ve been to this location once or twice before. There is a small pavilion, rest rooms, water and a lot of wide open space with trees to use for hanging wire! If you operate from the first pavilion, you will need to bring along a mast or pole and mount as there are no trees nearby. Most of the time the large 2nd pavilion by the river boat landing is occupied with the picnic and kayak/canoe crowd so plan accordingly and bring antenna supports as needed. Verticals might be a good way to go here too!

This is a relaxed speed contest and a good opportunity to get your feet wet with using CW as most ops will gladly QRS to adjust to your speed. So come join the fun, or if you stay home, jump on the air and see if you can catch us while we’re out playing radio!

CUL es 72,

K4UPG for the group