Get On The Air Program

Mark Wagner, N1ZYZ

GOTAP Coordinator
Get On The Air Mark Wagner, N1ZYZ GOTAP Coordinator Well as we begin the month of April, I thought that it would be a good time to start pounding out my column again. So, what has Mark been up to you ask?

(I pause here so that you can ask...)

Well, I have been off continuing my research in the area of Ham Radio. For the last couple of months I have been researching old articles on DX to distant lands. I thought that I would share some of the results of my research with you.

Hooked on Foniks

I am sure that all hams are familiar with the international phonetic pronunciations of the alphabet when working other US stations. I am also willing to bet that you have often heard hams from other countries using a different set of phonetics. Did you know that there is an alternate set of phonetics? This set has existed for many years and should be used when working distant lands, especially GOTAP - continued on page 7 GOTAP - continued from page 6 when your contact don’t speek English as gut as we duz. So, without further ado, here is the list:
A as in Are N as in Nine
B as in Bee O as in One
C as in Cue P as in Pneumatic
D as in Djakarta Q as in Quahog
E as in Eye R as in Rye
F as in Four S as in Sea
G as in Gnome T as in Tsunami
H as in Heirloom U as in Umlaut
I as in Ihram V as in Vee
J as in Jalepeno W as in Why
K as in Kneel X as in Xylophone
L as in Llama Y as in You
M as in Mnemonic Z as in Zero
Newbie Tip of the Month: You are not required to use phonetics on CW (especially these) … and you probably shouldn’t.

C What !!!

I have been trying to run “code practice” on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 2130 Local by listening and calling CQ on 28.360 MHz. I've had many enjoyable QSOs with a wide variety of local hams. I'd encourage anyone trying to build CW confidence or just working on code speed to join in. I've found that both my CW speed and proficiency have improved dramatically since I started. Since this is a “practice”, feel free to announce yourself and join in the fun.

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 NARC help you get up an running. If you know anyone who needs GOTAP help have them contact me or get me their names. Over the summer, I stopped running the code practice on 28.360 MHz. Let me know if you would like to participate in this and we can set up a schedule.

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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