ARRL Delaware Section

ARRL Delaware Section Manager Newsletter – November 2024 

 

Greetings from Sussex County 

As we move further into fall, October seemed like a blur! To me, October brings the start of my  camping season which runs into May until the weather gets warm again. I just returned from a  camping trip at Cape Henlopen State Park. A quick drive from my house, Cape Henlopen  provides many activities to get outside. I camped for a week and ran a POTA station every day  making over 600 contracts. POTA is a great way to continually test your portable kit to make  sure all is operating correctly. Using equipment over and over again allows you to assemble your  station and get on the air quickly and repeatedly.  

 

Although there is a cell tower just a brief walk from the campground, I also wanted to test out a  new addition to my gear. A Starlink Mini satellite system. This system is self-contained in a  single package (antenna, power connection, router and network connection) and is slightly larger  than a sheet of paper. Starlink quickly became a life saver for many in North Carolina. Many  reports came in mentioning Starlink was the only access to the outside of devastated areas.  Deployment of the unit was fast and easy and it can run off of a simple USB-C power bank  which makes the unit very portable and can simply be placed on the ground or a pole. I  boondock camp so this unit will come in handy for remote POTA operations. 

 

NEW Date for Delaware State Convention/DELMARVA Electronics Expo – 2025 

Due to a conflict with both Easter Weekend and Passover, the 2025 Delaware State Convention  & DELMARVA Electronics Expo date has been changed. The New date is Saturday, April 26,  2025. The location remains the same at the Cheer Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown,  

DE 19947. At 6am the parking lot gate opens. This year’s schedule will include presentations  including hearing from an amateur radio operator who deployed to North Carolina after  Hurricane Helene. Any questions contact Jamie, W3UC at hamfestdelaware@gmail.com.  

 

Delaware Section holds annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET) 

The Delaware Section, which included all three counties, participated in the annual Simulated  Emergency Test on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Stations throughout the state participated  including DEMA, county EOC’s, hospitals and personal stations. Many lessons were learned  showing the continual need for training. Once all the feedback is received from participants an  After Action Report will be available.  

 

Online Digital Training Classes Resume 

The ARES Online Digital bi-weekly Training Classes have resumed. Classes were suspended for  the summer but are now back in full swing. These online Zoom based classes offer training on  the WinLink Global Email over Radio System. The topics vary so there is no set agenda. The  group assists newbies and experienced users alike with any issue. Past topics have been 

connection type (sessions), creating an email and addressing, Peer to Peer (P2P), etc. The Zoom  starts early at 7pm to assist operators to get bugs worked out of the systems. The main course  starts just after 8pm. To get on the email list for reminders and the Zoom link (which is good for  several classes) contact Wendy, W3NRN at kiddo@arrl.net. The next training is scheduled for  Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 7pm.  

 

ARRL Service Disruption Update – DXCC Resumes Operations 

DXCC is now back online and fully functional. The application will still need to be completed  via the online portal with accuracy being key. After completing your application you may bring  your cards and forms to a local DXCC Card checker or send in the paperwork and cards to the  ARRL DXCC Desk. The ARRL webpage has data on the application process and finds a DXCC  card checker. Visit www.arrl.org/online-dxcc-application for more information.  

 

Join the National Traffic System (NTS) – Traffic and Message Handling & The  Radiogram Portal (open to the public) 

The ARRL got its start by organizing message delivery to get messages delivered efficiently and  accurately to their destinations via different radio stations. This tradition continues today using  CW, voice and digital. Why practice traffic handling? It teaches good operating skills, gives you  valuable skills in passing health and welfare messages in times of emergency, learn how to  operate under adverse conditions without power and create friendship and camaraderie. Any  license class can handle traffic, even with a basic handheld radio. With the NTS2.0 update came  the Radiogram Portal. This web-based portal allows for anyone to send a Radiogram via  Amateur Radio. This is a great way to introduce the public at your next public service event to  amateur radio. Have them send a message to a family member wishing them a Happy Birthday. I  used it a couple of weeks ago to send a message to one of my brothers and worked like a top.  The portal can be found at nts2.arrl.org/radiogram. Go to nts2.arrl.org for more information on  the portal or the NTS or contact me. 

 

Upcoming Events & Contests 

  • Winter Field Day – Winter Field Day (WFD) is just around the corner. Winter Field  Day is the last full weekend in January. This year’s event is on January 25 & 26, 2025.  Winter Field Day is an annual event for amateur radio operators to set up field operations  in remote locations, enabling them to connect with other participants worldwide. WFD  aims to help participants improve their preparedness for disasters and enhance their  operational abilities in adverse conditions. Setup alone or with a group or club. Setup in a  POTA Park and get double duty out of the day. Or reserve a campsite for an overnighter.  Remember to register to get on the map. To register or get more info visit  www.winterfieldday.org.  
  • North American SSB Sprint Contest – Begins at 000 UTC on November 10 and  concludes at 0359 UTC on November 11. Worldwide contest. North American stations  contact as many radio amateurs as possible. Non-North American stations contact as  many North American stations as possible. Visit https://ssbsprint.com/rules/.

Visit contests.arrl.org or www.contestcalendar.com for details on these and upcoming contests. 

 

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest & Upgrading Members – Callsigns now into  the KD3 prefix. 

Join me in welcoming the latest additions to our vibrant community: 

  • Earl Street Jr., KC3BNC 
  • Geoffrey Geis, KC3ZWX 
  • Robert Stanton, KC3ZYW 
  • Judith Carter, KC3ZZO 
  • Ryan Hollinshead, KD3AAF 
  • Ethan Davis, KD3ABK 
  • Zachary Zeisler, KD3ABS 
  • Kyle Salmon, KD3ABU 
  • Charles Snyder, KD3ABW 

Let’s Get Together! 

With the average age of an amateur radio operator about 74 years old we must keep active now more  than ever. Continual training, working on assembling and testing equipment, ICS and ARES  classes are often referred to as ‘Alzheimer’s prevention” due to being engaged and staves off some  possible medical issues. With the ARRL joining Grouper you can get paid for your amateur radio  activities. I have gotten emails from folks in the section who have received their first $50 check!  What a deal. Get paid to do what we love. Our passion for the Amateur Radio Service can not only  help us health wise but can also get us paid. Hope to hear you on the air!

 

 

73, Steven Keller Delaware Section Manager 

Email: kc3dso@gmail.com 

Cell: 240.515.0620 Office: 302.604.7470 

ARRL Delaware Section Reflector (https://groups.io/g/ARRLDelawareSection) 

ARRL Sections – Delaware (https://arrl.org/sections/view/delaware) 

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