Get On The Air Program

Mark Wagner, N1ZYZ

GOTAP Coordinator
Get On The Air Mark Wagner, N1ZYZ GOTAP Coordinator I would like to start by thanking Jack and the club for the opportunity to speak at the NARC meeting this past month. I hope those in attendance enjoyed the presentation as much as I did. It was also great to get the immediate feedback after the meeting from several folks in need of GOTAP assistance.

On the downside, it had been suggested that we try and get a rig up and running before or after the club meetings. Due to the location at the library, we will not be able to do this.

Monthly Spiels

GOTAP is a program that the ARRL has put together in order to help new and existing hams get on the air and stay in the hobby. If you are finding it difficult to get on the air please contact me and I’ll do my best to have the club help you get up and running.

I’ve been trying to run “code practice” every night at 20:30(local) by listening and calling CQ on 28.360 MHz. I have had many enjoyable QSOs with a wide variety of local hams. I would encourage anyone trying to build CW confidence or code speed to join in. Both my CW speed and proficiency have improved dramatically since I started. Since this is a “practice”, feel free join in the fun. More good news in this area is that KD1AW is organizing a more formal session. Check his article in this issue.

New Hams

I haven’t received an update this month so I don’t have a formal list of newbies to welcome into the hobby. However, I have been working with Bill Durocher, KB1CSE who just earned his ticket in April. If you happen to hear him on the air, please give him a warm welcome.

Random Thoughts

 I encourage all folks to attend field day. I am actively calling many of the GOTAP contacts to invite them to attend and make sure that they know when and where. Matthew, N1ZYY, and I are looking forward to it as a great opportunity to see many different aspects of amateur radio operating in one place. This is great chance for all hams, but especially the “infrequent” and future hams, to come out and Get On The Air using frequencies and modes not always accessible. Every club member should be encouraging folks to come.

Thanks to Matthew, N1ZYY, for finding a web site that generates tests. If you're thinking of upgrading try some “practice” tests at http://w5ac.tamu.edu/ham-exam-v2/ham-exam.html.

I have gained the confidence to go out into the world on 40 and 80 meter CW. Thanks to all of you who have worked with me on 10 meters. You truly made a difference.

To anyone who hasn’t worked CW since last field day, come drop in our “code practice” sessions at 28.360 and get the rust out at a nice slow, comfortable pace.

I strongly encourage everyone to attend the pizza nights and/or breakfasts, it’s a great way to get to know folks in the club. If we were to set a mobile HF rig up at Hayward's, we could probably work 20 to 30 states while waiting in line...

If you have any areas you'd like to see covered in this column, feel free to tell me.

Contact Information

If you are a new ham, or if you are having problems getting on the air, or if you just want to say hi, please contact me. You can reach me on the Nashua repeater (147.045+/224.28-), by phone at 603-424- 1516 or email: markwagner@geocities.com.

73 de Mark, N1ZYZ

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