Category: BandBits

President’s Message

As we head into August, the finish line for our biggest event of the year is in sight. September Superfest is just around the corner on September 19–20, and excitement is building across the region. Superfest is the lifeblood of our club as it brings together hams from all over the Midwest, generates vital support for PAARC, and showcases the very best of our amateur radio community. However, an event of this scale simply cannot happen without our members stepping up. We are in immediate need of volunteers to help make this weekend run smoothly. Stay tuned for info on how to sign up to help. Let’s make sure we have all hands on deck so everyone, including our volunteers, can enjoy the event!

Before Superfest arrives, we have another important opportunity to support and grow our local ham community right here at home. We will be holding our free bi-monthly amateur radio license testing session. If you have friends or family who have been thinking about getting their Technician ticket, or if you’ve been studying to upgrade your own privileges to General or Extra, this is your time to shine. Spread the word to anyone interested in taking the exam and join us at the Morton Knight of Columbus at noon on August 15.

Thank you all for your continued dedication to PAARC, whether you’re building mesh nodes, stepping up for storm coverage, or rolling up your sleeves for Superfest. I look forward to seeing a full house at our August 11 member meeting as we put the finishing touches on our fall plans.

73,

Rob Zell, N9KRZ
President, PAARC

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Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors – July 7

Meeting started at 7:15pm on Zoom

Present: N9KRZ- President, N9PIE- Secretary, W8WNG- Tom Trustee, KE9DCS- Ed, W4BRD- David Fogle- Treasurer, KD9ANU- Rich Holman- Midwest Superfest. KC9IH- Casey non board member

Midwest Superfest: Alpha Antenna- follow up with Jake. Alpha sent $250 in gift certificate; Radioodity- Radio GS5B. Got contact from Stacey at Three Sisters regarding initial deposit and insurance certificate. Asking for volunteers.

Repeater move: Rob has reached out to Bill but hasnt talked about ingersoll

Treasurer Report: Need to close out CEFCU account and go elsewhere. Tom will reach out to PNC to find out information and Rob will talk to Ben

Red Cross- Ed still trying to reach out to them

Remove Blake and Ben and keep Jake and Rob H in google drive, passed on a motion by Rob, second by Val

Emails – Change in Chedddar up so we dont need to forward a bunch to Rich and Tom

Bunker- regarding bunker the county has decided to close the underground portion. Our portion of the operation there should not be affected.

Rich motioned, second by David seconded to adjourn the meeting

Meeting ended at 8:07pm

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Midwest Superfest: Tickets, Flea Market and Volunteers

Tickets will be distrubed to members at the upcoming Membership meeting August 11 at Highview Christian Church in Washington. You can also purchase tickets and Flea Market spaces on line at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/midwest-superfest-2026/items. Tickets are also available through Midwest 2-Way Communications, 5058 Edgewater Dr. in Groveland.

We will be posting a Volunteer Sign Up on the club website soon. We need club members to help as volunteers in a variety of jobs.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at Three Sisters in September!

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Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

August 5, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
August 12, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
August 19, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:30 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

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Sunday Net Logs

The Sunday Club Net meets every Sunday at 8:30 pm. on the 147.075 and 146.850 Repeaters

7/5
N9KRZ KD9ANU KE9BPB KC9IH KD9WRX K9TNT N9NDF KN0WHF N9WFT W9WAS KD9AER K9STL KT9Y N9PIE K9KCS KD9WVP KD9PXZ AA9MK K9CEW KE9DFF KD5CT KI5SQP N9DOA KB9ATO KB9OMS K9RCS Submitted by W8NWG 73

7/12
N9KRZ KD9ANU K9LE K9XJT W9WGN KD3AMF KD9IBC KC3VJQ W8NWG W9FYR N9NDF N9PZ KD9VAN N9WFT KD9IVV KD9PXZ KD9AER W9KIR N9PIE KD9STL W9YES NM0O W9JDP KE9DCS N9GZ K9CEW W9WAS KE9DFF KD5CT KC9IH KC9YTT KD9YER KB9ATO KB9OMS K9HJZ KE9CKM KE9BPB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73 

7/19
N9KRZ KD9ANU K9LE W9WGN KD9IBC W8NWG K9HJZ KC9IH KD9WVP W9JDP KD9NYN KE9DMW W9KIR KN0WHF KD9AER N9PIE N9GZ KE9EYE KD9STL KE9AOJ KE9ENV K9RCS N9PZ WX9CAH W4BRD KE9DFF KD5CT W9WAS KE9DAI KC9YTT W9YES KC9REG Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/26
N9KRZ KD9ANU K9LE W9WGN KD9IBC W8NWG K9HJZ KC9IH KD9WVP W9JDP KD9NYN KE9DMW W9KIR KN0WHF KD9AER N9PIE N9GZ KE9EYE KD9STL KE9AOJ KE9ENV K9RCS N9PZ WX9CAH W4BRD KE9DFF KD5CT W9WAS KE9DAI KC9YTT W9YES KC9REG Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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Newcomer Net Logs

The Newcomer Net meets every Thursday at 8:00 pm. on the 147.075 and 146.850 Repeaters

7/2
N9PIE W9WAS KD5CT W9KTN KE9DFF KE9CKM K9LE W9WGN KB9OMS KI5SQP KD9DBQ W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

7/9
N9PIE KJ5PZV KE9DMW W9WAS KE9DFF KD5CT K9LE KD9NYN KI5SQP W4BRD N9ATF Submitted by N9KRZ 73

7/16
N9PIE KE9DFF KD5CT W9WAS KD9NYN W9WGN KB9OMS KC9TCM K9RCS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

7/23
N9PIE KE9ENP KE9DNR KE9DFF KD5CT W9WAS KN0WHF W9YES KD9NYN KB9OMS W9WTF Submitted by N9KRZ 73

7/30
N9PIE KE9ENV KE9EDF KE9DMW W9WAS KD9DBQ KI5SQP KN0WHF KD5CT K4LSW Submitted by N9KRZ 73

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July Club Events

August 4 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

August 11 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Membership Meeting: Highview Christian Church, 403 James Parkway, Washington, IL 61571. Details to be announced.

August 12 – 7:30 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

August 15 – Noon – License Testing – Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). No Testing Fee.

August 25 – 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting – Zoom

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 62516.

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President’s Message

First and foremost, I want to extend a huge thank you to all of our members who have stepped up during this incredibly active storm season. Many of our members have put in serious hours supporting Peoria County ARES and our various local EMAs, providing a steady, reliable line of communication when severe weather threatened our communities. I am incredibly proud of how this club stands ready to serve when Central Illinois weather gets wild.

We also just wrapped up our ARRL Field Day down at the Mackinaw River, POTA Park US-10090. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who came out to setup, operate the stations, or just support the club. Operating under field conditions along the river provided its own unique set of challenges and rewards, but it was fantastic to see our portable setups in action and to spend some quality time together off the grid.

Looking ahead, our focus now completely shifts to the Midwest Superfest. This is our premier annual event, and it takes all hands on deck to host a successful event. We still need volunteers for setup, ticketing, logistics, and teardown, so please consider how you can help. Let’s carry the momentum from Field Day straight into Superfest and make this year’s Midwest Superfest our best one yet!

73,

Rob Zell, N9KRZ
President, PAARC

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Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors – June 2, 2026

Start time 7:00pm on Zoom

Present: N9KRZ Rob Zell President, N9PIE Val Zell Secretary,K9LE Jake Walters non board member, KD9DBQ Rob Herrin non board member, W8WNG Tom Hunt Trustee & interim for Superfest, KE9DCS Ed Dennis Director at Large, KC9IH Casey Kerchner non board member, KD9ANU Rich Holtman Interm for Superfest, W4BRD David Fogle Vice President & Treasurer

Trailer still at Ben’s house. No rush to get it off his property; KE9ENP- Don a possible place to store. Jake or Tom will help get it towed

Ben & David( Birdie) finish paperwork for bank? Hopefully by this week or next week to finish paperwork. Rob Zell did research on new bank and found Morton Community Bank as a new bank and vice president is on board: 1 to 1 transfer to Morton Community Money Market if possible.
Tom motioned to table for a month to do more research David motioned 2nd to table for a month.

Ask Jake about raffle license – Rich Holtman is getting ahold of him; Jake has all paperwork boxed up and getting to Rich tomorrow.

Status on post office box- Jake has paperwork, Tom is going to talk to the post office tomorrow.

Got official approval to move to Ingersoll and Rob Zell will talk to Bill Maddox. Illinois Repeater Association “construction permit” is good for 180 days and can be renewed.

Rob proposed a free year of member dues to official BOD role volunteers and Superfest committee volunteers (not day of volunteers).

License testing at Superfest – Laurel and ARRL free testing rules prohibit charging entrance fees if people show up solely to test. Recommendation is to put a sign up and have someone escort them to it.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18p

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Midwest Superfest: Point of Pride

One of the things that sets the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club apart from many others is that we have an annual Hamfest. Our event, Midwest Superfest is unique in that it has been in existence for 68 years, making it one of the longest running hamfests in Illinois. That’s something to be proud of. Midwest Superfest provides an opportunity for hams from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa and other surrounding states to come together to exchange ideas, buy and sell used equipment, gain knowledge in our forums and seminars, get licensed, or upgrade their license, and simply share in the fellowship and goodwill that is offered by our unique hobby.

Superfest serves several purposes for our club. It is an important event for the regional amateur community; it’s a meeting place for the ARRL state and regional sections and it raises money to support our repeaters, Field Day, bimonthly license exams sessions. It keeps our dues affordable.

Most importantly, it is a point of pride for the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club because not many clubs can do this. You can share in that pride by parcticipating and volunteering your time to help with one of the many tasks that are needed to make this event happen. Whether you can offer an hour or two, or a whole day, your club needs you.

We hope to see you at an upcoming Midwest Superfest on-line meeting.

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Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

July 1, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
July 8, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
July 15, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:30 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

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Sunday Net Logs

6/7
N9KRZ KD9ANU W4BRD W8NWG KD9IBC KD9RYH K9HJZ KC9IH KC3VJQ KD3AMF KD9WVP KD9IVV KD9VAN KE9ENP W9GLO NN9WFT KD9QQU KD9AER KD9NYN KD9WRX N9PIE KD9STL N9JOZ K9XE N9GZ KE9DFF W9WAS W9KTN KD5CT K9LE N9NDF KE9ENV W9YES W9FYR KC9TCM KJ5MLZ K9RCS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/14
N9KRZ KD9ANU W9YES K9QZ K9HJZ KD3AMF KC3VJQ NP2WJ KD9WVP N9NDF KD9VAN KB9OMS W8NWG K9XE N9PIE KE9ENP KE9ENV KD9AER KE9DCS KD9STL K9XJT KE9BPB N9WFT KC9YTT N9GZ KD9NYN W9GLO KE9DFF KD5CT W9WAS K9LE KC9IH K9RCS W9KIR W4BRD N9PSU WF9E KE9AOJ KD9PXZ Submitrd by KD9DBQ 73

6/21
N9KRZ KD9ANU W9YES KD9NYN W9WGN KD9IBC KD9RYH W4BRD KD9VAN W9WTF W8NWG KE9ENP KD9PXZ N9WFT KB9ATO KD9STL KD9AER KE9DFF W9WAS KI5SQP N9PZ KC9IH N9NDF KB9OMS K9LE W9GLO N9PIE N9GZ W9KIR KC9IPP KE9CFK KD9WVP KD5RAW Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/28
N9KRZ W8NWG KD9WVP N9PIE N9WFT KD9IVV N9NDF KD9QQU NP2WJ W9KIR N9GZ KD9AER KD9STL W9GLO K9LE K9RCS W4BRD W9WGN N9PZ KB9ATO KB9OMS WF9E W9WAS KD5CT K9HJZ KD9NYN KD9IBC KE9DCS KC9IH K9XJT KD9WRX K9CEW Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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Newcomer Net Logs

6/4
N9PIE KE9DMW W4BRD KE9DFF KD5CT KD9DBQ W9YES K9XJT KE9CKM KD9VAN Submitted by N9KRZ 73

June 18
N9PIE KD9ENP KD5CT KE9DFF W9WAS K9LE KD9DBQ KB9OMS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

6/25
N9PIE KD5CT W9WAS W4BRD KE9DFF KD9DBQ KJ5PZV W9WTF N9WFT Submitted by N9KRZ 73

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July Club Events

July 7 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of Director Meeting – Zoom

July 14 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Membership Meeting: Details to be announced.

July 15 – 7:30 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

July 28 – 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting – Zoom

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 62516.

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President’s Message

I hope everyone enjoyed our “Go Kit Show and Tell” at the May meeting! It was great to see the diverse layouts and clever engineering our members put into their portable rigs. Now, it is time to put those concepts into practice. ARRL Field Day is right around the corner on June 27–28. We are still locking down a few of the details (see story below), so please keep a close eye on your email, our Discord server, and the club repeaters for more updates to come regarding location, station configurations, and setup times.

While Field Day is our immediate focus, we have another major event fast approaching that requires all hands on deck: the Midwest Superfest^TM. An event of this scale doesn’t just happen on its own; it takes a dedicated crew to keep things running. We are actively looking for a volunteer to step up and coordinate our club’s efforts for Midwest Superfest. This is a critical leadership role that involves organizing volunteers, managing logistics, and ensuring the hamfest runs smoothly. This event is a primary means of income for our club and is the major contributor to our very low yearly membership dues. Without Midwest Superfest^TM to subsidize yearly dues, our club will have no choice but to raise the membership dues. If you have some organizational skills to share and want to give back to the club in a big way, please reach out to me or any board member directly, drop a message in the Superfest Discord channel, or bring it up at the June meeting. Let’s work together to make this summer’s events a massive success.

73, Rob Zell – N9KRZ

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Field Day/POTA Event set

This year the club is planning to operate from the Canoe Launch area at the Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area (POTA US-10090) on Saturday June 27th. Directions can be found by searching for “Mackinaw River DNR Canoe Landing” on Google Maps.

The club is planning to operate from the start of Field Day at 1pm, until 7pm. Setup will start at noon. Are all welcome to come up and learn about setting up POTA stations, operating (either in the field or in general), and see what amateur radio is all about.

The plan is to have five operating stations set up (for 6m, 10m, 15m, 20m, and 40m) that are operated throughout the contest. Computer logging will be used, and all logs (.adi format) should be turned into W9YES after field day. All equipment used will need to be powered off batteries.

By operating at a POTA park, any operator who makes ten contacts will achieve a successful POTA activation, even if the club callsign is used (this requires any logging software to have separate station and operator callsigns used).

The club’s IC-7300 and FT-991A will be used as two of the radios if anybody wants to try them out. For for the other equipment, we are asking club members to bring awnings, lawn chairs, tables, radios, antenna, tuners, coax, batteries, and laptops if they’re able to. If you’re not able to, feel free to join us anyways and being any of your friends who are curious about amateur radio.

We have a goal of as a club to try to make 500 contacts during field day this year, across all of the bands. If you come out and you’ve never made an FT8/FT4 contact an want to learn, we will likely have at least one station on digital any point and would be more than happy to give you an introduction to it.

Check the website and Facebook for more information.

• David Timm, W9YES

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Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors – May 5

Start time 7:04pm on Zoom

Present: N9KRZ- Rob Zell President, N9PIE- Val Zell Secretary, KD9RYH- BEN Knapp non board member, KD9DBQ- Rob Herrin non board member, W8WNG- Tom Hunt Trustee, KE9DCS- Ed Dennis Director at Large, W9YES- David Timm Director at Large, KC9IH- Casey Kerchner non board member

Midwest Superfest: chairman needed to take Jake’s spot? Several names were suggested

Looking for alternate places to have meetings: some ides include Keps and Divid Bird’s church.

Facebook: access needed for president, secretary, and vice president. Tom will take care of it.

Ben will look into youtube access. Adam may have access as well.

Treasurer: Birdie and Kathy Hunt need to find time for developing a system for the club treasurer. Rob Z wil, reach out to Jake Ben and Birdie need to get together to sign papers for the bank. Birdie (David) needs to figure out time to meet Ben, and Tanya needs to sign paperwork and need a note to approve Birdie as owner of the account.

Treailer Storage: Ask Craig Thompson or Rich Holtman for storing trailer Rob Z will reach out

Red Cross and Club Equipment: Ed Dennis is going to check out Red Cross in downtown peoria near Cat LC building. Ed Dennis or Rob Zell will get with Ben to get the radios and other club items.

Repeaters: Devin has express interest in becoming repeater chairman

Other Business: June 17th Emergency Expo at Grand Prairie

Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm

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Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails^®.

June 3, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
June 10, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
June 17, Emergency Expo 4:00-7:00 PM, The Shoppes at Grand Prairie (East of Dick’s Sporting Goods)
There is no ARES Monthly Meeting for June

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

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Sunday Net Logs

5/3
N9KRZ W8NWG KD9ANU W9WGN KC3VJQ N9NDF KD3AMF KD9IBC NP2WJ K9HJZ KD9WVP W9WAS KE9ENP KE9DMW KA9FCB N9WFT KD9WRX KE9CLC KE9DCS N9PIE KD9STL K9RCS KC9TCM K9LE WF9E AE9DM W9YES N9PSU KD9AER KE9DFF KD5CT KI5SQP KC9IH K9XE KB9ATO KD9RYH N9GZ KD9NYN W9KIR Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/10
N9KRZ KD9ANU W9WGN KD3AMF KC3VCQ KE9CLC N9PIE KB9OMF W9KIR KE9DMW KE9STL KD9AER, K9RCS K9XJT KD9WVP W9YES KD9YER KE9CFK KE9TCM KD9OMS N9WFT W9WAS KE9DFF KI5SQP N9CS K9IH KD9RYH KD9NYN K9CEW KD5CT Submitted by W8NWG 73

5/17
N9KRZ KD9ANU KD9IBC K9RCS NP2WJ KD9VAN N9PIE W8NWG KD9QQU N9WFT N9NDF KE9BPB K9QZ W9KIR KB9YYD W9YES KE9EYE KD9STL N9GZ N9PZ K9LE KD9AER W9WAS KI5SQP W9WGN N9CS KC9IH KB9ATO WF9E KD5CT K9CEW KE9DFF Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/24
N9KRZ KD9ANU KD9IBC W9WGN NP2WJ KB9OMF KC3YKM K9RCS KC9IH KC3VJQ KD9WVP KC9YTT KE9ENP W9JDP N9NDF N9WFT KE9BSA W8NWG N9PIE KD9AER KE9DCS KD9NYN KD3AMF KI5SQP W9WAS W9YES K9LE KB9ATO KD9STL KB9YYD KE9ENV KE9AOJ N9GZ K9HJZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/31
N9KRZ KD9ANU W9YES KD9IBC W9WGN KD9NYN K9HJZ KD9WRX KC3VJQ NP2WJ KD3AMF KD9WVP N5WLD KD9IVV KE9ENP KD9PXZ N9PIE W8NWG N9NDF KC9VEW W9KIR N9SL KD9AER KD9STL N9PZ K9LE KE9DCS K9RCS KE9EZD W9WAS KD5CT KC9IH K9XJT KC9YTT KB9ATO N9WFT WF9E KD9ERS W9GLO KE9CKM K0OCM N9GZ Submitted by KD9DBQ

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Newcomer Net Logs

5/7
N9PIE KE9DMW KE9ENP KE9FJW KE9CKM KE9DFF W9WAS KD5CT K9LE KD9WVP N9CS KD9RYH Submitted by N9KRZ 73

5/14
N9PIE KE9ENP KE9DMW KE9CKM W9WAS W9KTN KE9CLC KE9DFF KD9QQU KB9OMS KD9DBQ W9FYR W9GLO KI5SQP N9NDF KN0WHF Submitted by
N9KRZ 73

5/21
N9PIE KE9DFF KE9CLC KE2IMZ W9WGN K9OBI W9YES KI5SQP KD5CT W9WAS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

5/28
N9PIE KE9DMW KE9DFF KE9EZD KE9EMP KA9FCB W4BRD W9WAS KD5CT KE9CKM KG5WOY KI5SQP KE9ENV K9RCS W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

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June Club Events

June 2 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of Directors – Zoom

June 9 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Membership Meeting. NEW LOCATION: Highview Christian Church, 403 James Parkway, Washington, IL 61571.

June 17 – 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Emergency Expo

June 20 – Noon – License Testing – Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). No Testing Fee.

June 23 – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting – Zoom

June 27 Field Day – Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area (POTA US-10090). Set up begins at 12:00 noon. Operations will continue until 7:00 p.m. or later as conditions allow. More information will be posted on the web Upcoming Club Events/Meetings page.

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 62516.

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President’s Message

With April behind us, I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped organize and support our testing session last month. It is always rewarding to see new hams get their start and current operators advance their license class—that growth is the lifeblood of our club. As we head into May, our focus shifts toward the summer season. This is the time to finalize your antenna repairs, optimize your go-kits, and ensure your equipment is ready for the warmer weather.

Looking ahead, our biggest event of the summer is almost upon us: ARRL Field Day, which will take place on June 27–28. We need all hands on deck to plan our setup, station assignments, and operations. Whether you are a veteran contester or a newcomer who wants to see how a “real” field station comes together, please join us at our upcoming meetings to discuss how we can make this year’s Field Day our best one yet.

Finally, I am really looking forward to our May membership meeting, where we will be holding a Go Box Show and Tell. This is a fantastic chance to bring in your portable setups—whether it’s a full EMCOMM station in a hard case, a lightweight POTA bag, or even a simple mobile rig you’ve rigged for emergency power. Seeing how different operators solve the challenges of power, antenna deployment, and organization is always a great way to expand your creativity. Whether your kit is a work in progress or a polished masterpiece, please bring it along and share your ideas with the group. I’ll see you all there!

73,

Rob Zell, N9KRZ
President, PAARC

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Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors – April 7

The Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm via Zoom

Present: N9KRZ- Rob Zell N9PIE- Val Zell KE9CLC- Birdie KDRYH- Ben KD9DBQ- Rob W8WNG- Tom KE9DCS- Ed W9YES- David KC9IH- Casey

Status of treasurer- Birdie will stay on as treasuer

• last 3 years of treasuer papers
• Rob and Birdie get put on the club bank account

Birdie volunteered to take on role of VP. VP role not terrible and not a big role – primary function to find topics for memeber meetings every month and help president out

Birdie appointed as VP/Treasuer

Discuss Spotter Training

• Rob(KD9DBQ) will let us know right away if it gets canceled due to possible severe weather – make sure someone is at the meeting site to let others know, annouce on repeaters and post on Facebook and Discord

Update on the Survey’s top 5 interests:

1.Antenna building
2.POTA
3.DX Hunting

4. Fied Day
5. Emergency Communication

Maybe alternate places to have a meetings

• Peoria Riverfront Museum
• Lakeview Museum
• Libraries

Facebook- add president and secretary to post things

Presntations club members want to see:

• Satellite/EME
  -RTTY
• Tech License level items, intro things
• FT8, Fox Hunting
• Pictures, diagrams, presentation on station/ antenna grounding/ bonding
• Ed Fong ( professor in California)

What events do you want the club to host?

• POTA
• Field trips to NWS, TV stations, etc

Repeater Allstar link – still working on getting it set up

The meeting was adjourned at 8:008 p.m.

__________

The April 14 membership meeting was devoted to National Weather Service weather spotter training. More than 50 people attended.

______________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

May 6, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
May 13, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
May 20, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:30 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

______________________________________

Sunday Net Logs

4/5
N9KRZ KD9ANU K9LE KD9IBC W8NWG KE9DFF K9HJZ NP2WJ KC9IH KJ5HHT KD9WVP N9NDF KC9YTT N9PIE N9WFT K9RCS KE9DCS KD9RYH KD9YER KE9AOJ W9WAS KD5CT N9PZ NPSSU W9YES KA9FCB WF9E Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/12
N9KRZ KD9ANU W9WGN KE9CKM KD9IBC KD3AMF KC3VJQ KC9IH KB9ZWT K9RCS W9FYR KE9BSA W8NWG KE9EMP NP2WJ N9WFT N9NDF KN0WHF KC9YTT KD9AER K4LSW KE9DCS KD9STL KD9RYH N9PIE KD9QQU KD9WVP W9YES KC9GGC W9WAS KI5SQP KD9WRX KE9BPB KE9DFF KB9ATO W9KIR KD9NYN K9XJT KD5CT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/19
N9KRZ K9LE KD9ANU KD9IBC W9WGN KD3AMF K9HJZ KB9ZWT NP2WJ KC3VJQ KC9IH KE9DCS K9XJT K9RCS N9PIE KE9ENP KN0WHF W8NWG KD9STL KD9PXZ KD9AER KD9RYH KD9WVP K9TNT KD9WRX W9YES KT9Y N9GZ KE9DFF W9WAS KD5CT W9KTN KI5SQP K4LSW N9NDF W9KIR KB9ATO KC9VEW N9SL Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/26
N9KRZ KD9ANU K9LE W9WGN KD9IBC KD3AMF K9HJZ KC3VJQ KC9IH KD9WVP W9WTF W8NWG AE9DM KE9ENP K9TNT NP2WJ KE9BPB W9KIR K9XE N9PIE KD9AER K9RCS KD9RYH KN0WHF KD9STL KE9ENV KE9DFF W9WAS KD5CT KI5QSP KE9DCS WF9E KB9ATO KC9TCM KD9YER Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

______________________________________

Newcomer Net Logs

4/2
N9PIE KE9DFF KE9CKM KJ5HPE KN0WHF K9LE KD9ANU N9NDF KD9DBQ W9GLO K9RCS KD5CT KJ5MLZ KE9ENP Submitted by N9KRZ 73

4/9
N9PIE KE9DCS KE9EMP KE9DFF KE9DMW W9WAS KD5CT KE9CKM KE9CLC KN0WHF K9LE KD9DBQ KD9RAO W9YES KD9ANU N9WFT KD9ERS KI5SQP Submitted by N9KRZ 73

4/16
N9PIE KE9ENP KE9DFF KE9CLC KD5CT KE9CKM KC9SYO KN0WHF KE9CZI KD9RYH KD9DBQ N9NDF W9YES K9LE Submitted by N9KRZ 73

4/23
KE9DFF KE9ENP KA9FCB KE9DCS KD5CT KE9CKM W9WAS KD9VHI KD9DBQ KB9RAO W9YES KD9NYN Submitted by N9KRZ 73

4/30
N9PIE KE9ENP KE9DFF KE9FJW KE9DMW KE9CLC W9WAS K9LE N5WLD KD9WVP KI5SQP KD9NYN W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

______________________________________

May Club Events

May 5 – 7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting – Zoom

May 12 – 7:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting – Show and Tell: Ham Radio Go Box

May 20 – 7:30 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

May 26 – 7:00 p.m. – Midwest Superfest Meeting – Zoom

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 62516.

______________________________________

President’s Message

As we move into March, we are officially entering “weather aware” season here in Central Illinois. With spring storms well underway, now is the perfect time to double-check your antennas, test your backup power systems, and ensure your mobile rigs are ready. Our ability to provide reliable communication when the weather turns severe remains one of our most important community services. Whether you are supporting Peoria County ARES or working with our various local county EMAs, I know this club stands ready to provide the vital links our community depends on.

To help grow our ranks and strengthen that response, we are looking forward to our next amateur radio testing session at 12:00 PM on April 18, 2026, at the Knights of Columbus in Morton. If you know someone looking to earn their first license or a fellow ham ready to upgrade, please encourage them to join us. We do not charge a testing fee.

I also want to highlight some of the exciting tech gaining traction in our area: Meshtastic. We’ve seen a fantastic, growing mesh network taking shape in Tazewell County, and I want to encourage everyone to help us expand that footprint into Peoria County and beyond as well. While it operates on the 900 MHz ISM band rather than our traditional ham frequencies, it is a powerful tool for off-grid messaging and local networking that complements our existing emergency kits perfectly. Whether you’re a seasoned HF operator or just starting to build out a mesh node, there is plenty of room for innovation and expansion this spring. I look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting to discuss these projects and more.

73,

Rob Zell – N9KRZ
President, PAARC

______________________________________

Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors – March 3

Members of the Board met on Zoom at 7:03p.m. There was no formal Board business due to lack of a quorum. Present: N9KRZ- Rob, N9PIE- Val, W8WNG- Tom, W9YES- David, KDRYH- Ben, KD9DBQ- Rob, KC9HI- Casey, K9RCS- Rich

Discussion: We will start using the Asset manager on HamClubOnline.

Rob talked to Craig Thompson about the website and the server.

Jake looking at new banks

Treasurer? Rob Z will reach out to Birdie to make sure he is willing to do this position

Appointing a new Vice President and Repeater Chairman, we will recruit members for a new Vice President.

Working with Bill Maduox- regarding Ingersoll.

Surveys need to be sent out via HamClubOnline.

Kathy Hunt still willing to help out with going over financial records.

Discussion ended at 7:36pm

__________

The membership meeting on March 10 was cancelled due to the enhanced risk of severe weather.

______________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

Apr 1 ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
Apr 8, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink /Allstar
Apr 14, NWS Weather Spotter Training, Bartonville American Legion, 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Apr 15, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:30 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

______________________________________

Sunday Net Logs

3/1
N9KRZ W8NWG W9WGN KE9DFF KD9IBC K9HJZ NP2WJ N9CS K9TNT K9LE N9PIE KD9WVP N9NDF KC9SYO KB9OMS W9JDP KD9STL WF9E KD9PXZ KD9RYH W9YES W9KIR N9PZ KD9QQU W9WAS KD5CT KI5SQP A BUD Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

3/8
N9KRZ W9WGN NP2WJ KC9IH KD9WVP K9TNT W9WTF N9NDF NM0O KD9VAN KC9TCM W8NWG KD9RYH N9PIE N9PZ W9YES KE9EYE KD9STL KE9AOJ KE9DCS KD9AER KE9DFF W9WAS KD5CT KI5SQP KD9IBC KC9YTT KB9ATO K9CEW KD9YER KE9CFK W9KIR Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

3/15
N9KRZ K9LE KD9ANU W9WGN KD3AMF KC3VJQ NP2WJ N9PIE N9NDF W8NWG KD9VAN KD9IBC N9PSU KD9WVP W9YES KD9STL KD9RYH N9PZ KB9OMS KE9BPB KD9YER KE9EYE K9CEW KD5CT KE9DFF KF8EVQ KI5SQP W9WAS KJ5MNV KC9IH KD9VHI KE9CLC KB9ATO K9RCS W9KIR Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

3/22
N9KRKZ KD9ANU W9WGN KE9DFF KC9VJQ W9JDP KD9TEG KC9IH KC9VEW KD9VAN N9NDF KB9OMS KD9WVP K9STL K9LE KD9PXZ KADFCB KA9FCB KD9AER W9KIR N9PIE KD5CT KI5SQP W9WAS KE9BPB KB9ATO KD9RYH WW9DLM KB9IBC Submitted by W8NWG 73

3/29
N9KRZ K9LE KD9ANU KE9DFF K9HJZ KD9IBC KC3VJQ KD9IBC KD3AMF KD9WVP N9NDF W9WTF KE9ENP W8NWG K9RCS KC9TCM KE9DCS W9KIR KD9STL KD5CT KA9FCB N9WFT N9PIE KB9ATO W9YES N9PZ KC9YTT KB9YYD KD9RYH W9WGN KE9CZI KC9IH WW9DLM KD9PXZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

______________________________________

Newcomer Net Logs

3/5
KD5CT K9LE KD9WVP KD9DBQ K9RCS KD9RYH KJ5MLZ W9YES KB9RAO Submitted by N9KRZ 73

3/12
N9PIE KE9DFF W9WAS KD5CT W9KTN KD9WVP KC9VEW KD9NYN KD9RYH W9JDP KD9DBQ Submitted by N9KRZ 73

3/19
N9PIE KE9DFF KE9CZI KE9ENV K4LSW KD5CT KI5SQP KD9NYN KB9OMS N9NDF KD9DBQ W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

3/26
N9PIE KE9DFF KE9EYE KE9CZI KD5CT W9WAS W9WGN N9WFT KD9DBQ KC9VEW KD9QQU K9LE W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

______________________________________

April Club Events

April 7 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of Directors meeting – Zoom

April 14 – 6:30 p.m. NOTE THE EARLIER START TIME – Membership Meeting: NWS Weather Spotter Training: Bartonville American Legion Hall, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville.

April 15 – 7:30 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

April 18 – 12:00 Noon – License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). No Testing Fee.

April 28 – 7:00 p.m. – Midwest Superfest Meeting – Zoom

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 62516.

______________________________________

President’s Message

It is a profound honor to be welcomed as the new President of the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club. I am sincerely grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me to lead our more than 100 year old club.

As we transition into the spring months, we all know this is a critical time to be weather aware. With storm season approaching, Peoria County ARES’ role in providing reliable emergency communications and supporting EMA and NWS becomes more vital than ever. I encourage everyone to join Peoria County ARES and/or your local EMA, dust off your mobile rigs, check your backup power sources, and stay vigilant as we prepare to serve our community when the skies turn gray.

To ensure our club remains fully operational, we are currently seeking a dedicated member to step up as Vice President. This role is essential for coordinating our presentations and helping steer the club’s mission. If you have a passion for the hobby and a desire to help PAARC grow, we need your voice in our leadership team. Please reach out to me or any board member directly, join us at our next Board of Directors meeting on March 3, 2026, or our next member meeting on March 10, 2026 to throw your hat in the ring. Remember, this club is your club and we need all hands on deck to run smoothly.

Finally, we are planning to solicit feedback via a survey from club members to help direct the contents of our member meetings and focused club activities. Please be on the lookout for this survey in the near future.

Rob Zell, N9KRZ – Preident

______________________________________

Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors – February 3

The meeting was called to order via Zoom at 7:05 p.m.
KDRYH-Ben, KE9DCS-Ed, W9YES-David, KD9DBQ-Rob, K9RCS-Rich, N9KRZ-Rob, N9PIE-Val, KC9IH-Casey, K9LE- Jake, W8WNG-Tom, N9CS-Todd

Repeater Report – Repeater parts ordered

Jake will monitor Paypal

Cloud flare not spam is our domains

Club account at CEFCU, we will shop around for a new bank.

We must appoint a treasurer; what are the club requirements? Rob Zell will reach out and see if Birdie wants to continue.

Trailer must be parked parked in new place when Ben leaves – talk to someone who has space. We also need to get stuff from Darren’s house. It’s time for an inventory of equipment and and other items. Rob will talk to him about creating a database for inventory- Rob Z will talk to Tom.

File taxes- who does it and needs done and Todd N9CS got everything set up for 501(c)7

We will do a survey to see on club activities – send it on hamclubonline Appoint a VP- We need to get one

Appointment needed: repeater chairman – We need to get one

Rob requested authorization to purchase a club printer for testing and other activities – Approved

We will look into Cheddar Up account for better club payments/collections: premium $15 a month – Approved

We will talk to James Linaham- does taxes for non profit organizations

We need an accurate ledger system using- QuickBooks or other softwre. Tom will talk to his wife Kathy who has experience in this area to set up a system for the treasurer going forward

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

______________________________________

______________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

Mar 4, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
Mar 11, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink /Allstar
Mar 18, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:30 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

______________________________________

Sunday Net Logs

2/1
KD9RYH K9LE W8NWG KD9ANU N9PIE KD3AMF W9WGN KC3VJQ KD9IVC K9HJZ N9CS KD9DBQ NP2WJ KC9YTT N9NDF KD9WRX KD9WVP KE9ENP KD9VAN W9KIR W9GLO KD9STL K9RCS KD9AER KD9NYN KE9DCS W9YES KE9BPB KD9RJH KB9YYD KE9AOJ KD9YER KE9DFF KD5CT KI5SQP KC9IH KC9VEW W9WAS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

2/8
KD9RYH N9KRZ KE9DFF NP2WJ KD3AMF KC3VJQ K9CEW N9PIE KD9VAN W8NWG KC9YTT KD9AER KE9DCS W9YES KE9AOJ KD9WVP N9NDF W9WAS KJ5MNV KI5SQP KJ5AYX KB9ATPO W9KIR KC9VEW K9HJZ KR9BPB KC9IH Submitted by KD9DBQ

2/15
N9KRZ K9LE W9YES KD9RYH KD9ANU KD9IBC KD3AMF KC9IH K9QZ K9HJZ KC3VJQ KD9WVP N9NDF KD9VHI KD9NYN W9GLO KJ5MLZ KE9DCS KD9AER KE9AOJ KD9STL W8NWG N9PIE KD9QQU W9WAS KJ5MNV KD5CT KJ5AYX KI5SQP K9RCS KD9PXZ KE9CFK KE9BSA KE9DFF Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

2/22
N9KRZ K9LE KD9ANU KD9QQU KD9IBC W9WGN KD9NYN KC9IH KC3VJQ KD3AMF NP2WJ W8NWG KB9OMS KD9WVP N0XOH KD9VAN KD9RYH N9PZ K9RCS KD9AER KD9STL W9GLO KE9DCS N9PIE KB9ATO N9NDF W9KIR KB9FRR W9YES WW9DLM W9WAS KI5SQP KD5CT KE9BPB KC9YTT W9WTF KD9RJH KE9DFF Submitted by KD9DBQ

______________________________________

Newcomer Net Logs

2/5
N9PIE KD9DFF W9WAS KD5CT KDWVP KD9DBQ W9YES KDVAN KB9OMS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

2/12
N9PIE KE9DCS KJ5MNV KE9DFF KE9CKM W9WAS KD5CT KD9WVP W9JDP W9YES KD9DBQ KB9OMS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

2/19
N9PIE KD9DFF KE9DNV KE9CZI KE9ENV K9LE W9WAS KE9CKM N9CS KD5CT W9WGN KI5SQP N9NDF W9YES KD9RYH KD9TZU Submitted by N9KRZ 73

2/26
N9PIE KD9DFF W9WAS KD5CT W9WGN K9QZ KD9DBQ KB9YYD KI5SQP W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

______________________________________

March Club Events

March 3 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of Directors meeting – Zoom

March 10 – 7:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting – Show and Tell: Ham Radio Go Box – Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville.

March 18 – 7:30 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

March 24 – 7:00 p.m. – Midwest Superfest Meeting – Zoom

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 62516.

______________________________________

President’s Message

Here it is, the official big announcement: I’m leaving.

My wife, KD9YPM and myself are moving to South Beloit to be closer to family. That being said, I will miss you, my radio family. I am grateful for not just being part of the family, but trusted to be your president. All of you have helped me battle cancer by just being there. You have become my cherished friends and I want to thank you. I am proud to add my name to the list of this amazing 100 plus year old club. I’m proud of the things we have done.

Rob Zell, N9KRZ will be taking over the rest of my term. I believe he will do a great job as he has you the members of PAARC to help him, but he will need your help. This is YOUR club. Be more than just a member, be an active member. If you have an idea, say something about it! Suggest a place to have a club tour, lead a demonstration, help with Midwest Superfest and support the testing sessions.

This club and this hobby are full of things to do. New radios, new modes, new bands, and with some luck and help from you all, a new repeater location. Last month, I challenged you to try something new, how are you doing with that? Try running a net, try a new mode, heck try and call out on the repeater more than on the Sunday night net.

I’ll still be around for a while yet. We will close on our new house in about a month, and there will be many things to do before we move and lots of things after we move. I will still be involved with the club the best I can be and I will be down for the Midwest Superfest. You are welcome to reach out anytime if there is something I can help you with, after all you are my family!

Till I see you on the air, thank you and 73’s

Ben Knapp KD9RYH

______________________________________

Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors – January 6

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
Present: Jake K9LE, Ed KE9DCS, Casey KC9IH, Val N9PIE, Rob N9KRZ, Ben KD9RYH, David W9YES, Rich KD9ANU, Tom W8NWG

Repeater: Still working on the link. Working with Scouts for access to the Ingersoll tower.

Midwest Superfest: Jake is taking over as Superfest Chair. The Committee will continue to meet on the same schedule (Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m.). He would like to bring in more weel known hams from internet platforms. The ARRL Illinois Convention will also meet during Superfest.

Winter Field Day: Coordinator David, W98YES is working on a location. Members will be allowed to bring their own equipment.

Other Business: New Board members need access to Google Drive, club email, etc.
Tower rent needs to be paid ASAP
Summer Field Day will be held June 27th and 28th.
The National Weather Service tour and balloon launch will take place Tuesday, January 20

The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

______________________________________

National Weather Service tour

Club members, families and guests had the opportunity to visit the NWS Office in Lincoln January 22. In addition to a tour of the forecast center, they watched the launch of a weather balloon. Balloons are launched simultaneously around the country to report atmospheric conditions.

_______________________________________

Winter Field Day 2026

Despite the bitter cold and snow, 2026 Winter Field Day was a success. With nearly 100 SSB, Digital and CW contacts on Saturday, many club members had a chance to operate and demonstrate ham radio for visitors. in addition, Tom W8NWG activated W1AW/9 on CW for ARRL’s America 250 Worked All States event.

______________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

Feb 4, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
Feb 11, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink /Allstar
Feb 18, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:30 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

______________________________________

January Net Logs

1/4
KD9RYH N9KRZ K9LE KD9ANU W9WGN KD9IBC K9HJZ KE9DFF NP2WJ KC9IH N9PIE KD9VAN KE9DCS W8NWG KB9OMS KD9AER W9YES KD9WVP K9CEW WF9E KD9YER N9NDF KJ5MNV W9WAS KL5VI KE9BPB KE9AON N9ISS N9GZ N9CS KI5SQP KE9CLC Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/11
KD9RYH N9KRZ KD9ANU K9LE KD9IBC W9WGN N9NDF KC3VJQ KD3AMF NP2WJ KE9DFF KE9DCS KD9WVP W9JDP W9WTF KE9CLC W9YES W9KIR W8NWG KB9OMS KD9VAN N9PIE N5WLD KD9STL W9WAS KD5CT KC9IH NM0O KD9PXZ KD9AER N9PSU K9HJZ KB9ATO K9RCS KC9VEW N9CS KD9RJH Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/18
KD9RYH N9KRZ KD9ANU KD9IBC KC3VJQ KD3AMF W9WGN N9CS W9JDP KC3ZTC K9HJZ KE9DFF KD9AER KC9IH KC9TCM KD9WVP N9NDF W8NWG N9PIE KB9YYD KB9OMS W9YES KD9STL KB9ATO KC9YTT KA9FCB W9KIR KE9DCS N9GZ W9WAS KJ5MNV AB5D KD5CT KI5SQP KA9FCB KC9PZP Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/25
KD9RYH N9KRZ K9LE KE9EMP W9WGN KD9IBC KE9DFF K9HJZ K9RCS N9PIE N9NDF W9WTF KD9WVP KD9AER W9KIR KD9RJH W8NWG KE9DCS KB9ATO KD9ERS W9GLO K9CEW KD9STL KE9BPB W9WAS KD5CT KE9AOJ KD9MPI Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

______________________________________

Newcomer Net Logs

1/1
N9PIE KE9DFF W9WAS WN9ERZ KD9WVP KB9OGS KD9DBQ KD9RYH KE9OMS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

1/8
KE9DFF KE9CKM N9KRZ WN9ERZ KE9CLC K9LE KD9RYH N9WFT K8RCS KB9OMS W9YES Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/15
N9PIE KE9DFF KE9CKM KD5CT KB9OMS KD9DBQ N9NDF K9RCS W9YES N9PSU N9CS W9WGN Submitted by N9KRZ 73

1/22
N9PIE KD5CT KD9WVP W8NWG W9GLO KD9RYH N9NDF KC9VEW KE9LV KJ5MLZ N9PSU Submitted by N9KRZ 73

1/29
KE9DFF KE9ENV N9PIE KD9WVP N5WLD N9CS KD9DBQ KC9VEW W9YES K9RCS KD9RJH Submitted by N9KRZ 73

______________________________________

February Club Events

February 3 – Board of Directors – Zoom

February 10 – 7:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting – Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville

February 18 – 7:30 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

February 21 – 12:00 Noon – License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). No Testing Fee.

February 24 – 7:00 p.m. – Midwest Superfest Meeting – Zoom

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 62516

.

______________________________________

President’s Message

Happy New Year!

As the days get longer and hopefully warmer, let us take a moment to think about new beginnings.

PAARC has a new board and new members. As hams we have new bands and many of us have new radios and new toys like mesh to play with. I would like each of you try something new with radio. Try a new mode, a new band, or even a new radio! Heck, you might even try a new way to help out the club. I do wish you all the health, happiness and joy in the coming year. May your signal be strong and your DX rare!

Be Safe, have fun and I’ll see ya on the radio!

73’s
Ben Knapp KD9RYH

______________________________________

2026 Board of Directors

President: Ben Knapp, KD9RYH
Vice President: Rob Zell, N9KRZ
Secretary: Val Zell, N9PIE
Treasurer: Vacant
1 year Director-At-Large – Ed Dennis, KE9DCS
2 year Director-At-Large – David Timm, W9YES
Trustee: Tom Hunt, W8NWG (appointed)
Midwest Superfest™ Chairperson: Jake Walters, K9LE (appointed)
Repeater Chairperson: Rob Zell, N9KRZ (appointed)

Net Control: Rob Herrin, KD9DBQ

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Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

Jan 7 ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
Jan 14, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink /Allstar
Jan 21, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:00 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
Hams Over IP Extension 101989

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December Net Logs

12/7
KD9RYH KD9ANU N9KRZ K9LE W9WGN KC3VJQ N9NDF KD3AMF K9HJZ NP2WJ KC9IH K9TNT KD9IBC N9PIE KD9WVP KB9ATO KD9VAN W8NWG KD9AER W9KIR KA9FCB W9YES KD9STL KE9BPB KE9DCS N9PSU KI5SQP N9PZ KD9NYN KB9OGS KD5CT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

12/14
KD9RYH K9LE KD9ANU N9KRZ K9TNT N9NDF AE9DM KD9PXZ KD9IBC KB9OMS KD9VAN KD8ENT KD9AER K8ROY W9KIR W9YES KD9STL KG9DH W8NWG N9PIE KB9SF N9CS N9PZ KD9QQU WF9E Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

12/21
KD9RYH K9LE KD9ANU N9KRZ KD9IBC W9WGN K9HJZ KC9IH KD9ERS W9JDP N9NDF KD9IVV KD9PXZ N9PIE/AG W8NWG N5WLD KE9BPB KD9STL W9GLO K9RCS KB9ATO KB9OMS NP2WJ KD9VAN KD9AER KD9WVP N9PSU W9YES N9PZ W9WAS KI5SQP KC9YTT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

12/28
W9WTF KD9RYH KD9ANU N9KRZ KD9IBC KC3VJQ W9WGN KE9BPB K9HJZ K9XJT KE9DFF KC9IH K9TNT N9PIE KB9OMS W8NWG KD9NYN KD9QQU KD9PXZ KD9VAN KD9AER W9YES W9KIR K9RCS KB9ATO N9PZ KD9RJH KD5CT KI5SQP W9WAS KD9WVP KB9OGS KE9CPJ KB9OMS W9JDP N9CS KC9ALV Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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Newcomer Net Logs

12/4
N9PIE KE9DFF KD9DBQ N9NDF KB9OMS KD9VAN W9YES KC9REG KE9BSA W9GLO N0XOH KE9CZT Submitted by N9KRZ 73

12/11
N9PIE KE9DFF KE9CKM W9WAS W9KTN KD9YER KD9WVP KD9DBQ KI5SQP N5WLD KD9OMS KD9RYH N9NDF N9ATF KE9QFF W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

12/19
N9PIE KE9DFF KJ5MLZ KE9CKM W9WAS KDSCT KD9QQU KD9DBQ NP2WJ W9YES KI5JQP Submitte by N9KRZ 73

12/25
N8PIE/AG KE9DFF KD5CT KE9CFK KE9CKM KD9WVP KD9YER KD9RYH KD9DBQ KB9OGS N9NDF W9YES K9PSU Submitted by N9KRKZ 73

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January Club Events

January 6– 7:00 p.m. – Board of Directors – Zoom

January 13 – 7:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting – Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville

January 21 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

January 24-25 – Winter Field Day: Location and Details to be announced

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 65216.

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President’s Message

Happy Holidays!

Winter is here and I hope everyone was able to get all their outside chores wrapped

up before the snow. Not that you cant hang antennas in the snow, it’s just far easier when it’s warm. To be fair, there always seems to be more list of to-do’s than time but prepping for winter radio makes the long winter nights far more fun.

Speaking of preparing for the future, we will be holding our Board of Directors election at the upcoming December club meeting which will not be held on the normal date. As you hopefully know, the first Tuesday of the month is the Board meeting, and the second Tuesday is Club meeting. But, for December we will be holding our meeting on Friday December 5th at Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 SW Water Street in downtown Peoria. We will have a very quick meeting and elect your incoming Board members and then enjoy some good food and drinks. Hope to see you all there! and bring your family and friends. As much as I’d like to provide dinner for all, it will be separate checks.

Be Safe, have fun and I’ll see ya on the radio!

73’s
Ben Knapp KD9RYH

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Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

Dec 3, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
Dec 10, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink /Allstar
Dec 17, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:00 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
HamsOverIP Extension 101989

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November Net Logs

11/9
KD9RYH K9LE N9KRZ KD9IBC W9WGN K9HJZ KC3VJQ NP2WJ NM0O KD3AMF W9JDP KB9OMS KC9IH KD9WVP N9NDF KD9IVV KE9BMA N9PIE W9GLO KD9PXZ KD9STL N9WFT W9YES KD9AER KD9NYE KE9DCS W9WAS KD5CT KI5SQP K9RCS W9KIR W8NWG KE9BSA KD9SPI KD9ERS N9GZ KE9BPB N9PSU Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

11/16
KD9RYH K9LE KD9ANU N9PIE KD9IBC W9JDP K9HJZ KD9AMF KC3VSQ NP2WJ KE9DNR KE9DFF K9TNT K9JXT KD9VAN KE9BBA W8NWG N9NDF KE5WOY KD9VHI KD9SPI W9KIR KE9BPB KD9MOA KD9PXZ W9GLO KD9AER KD9STL KE9CFK KD5CY W9WAS KC9IH KD9DBQ KD9WVP KE9DCS KE9CFK K9RCS W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

11/23
KD9RYH KD9ANU N9KRZ W9WGN KD9IBC KD3AMF KC3VJQ KB9OGS NP2WJ K9HJZ K9LE N9NDF KE9DFF KC9IH WD9EB K9TNT N9PIE KD9IVV KE9AOJ W9KIR KD9AER K9RCS KD9STL KD9PXZ KI5SQP KJ5MNV KE9BSE W9WAS N9PZ KB9OMS KE9BPB KC9YTT WF9E W9YES W8NWG N9PSU KE9DCS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

11/30
KD9RYH KD9ANU N9KRZ W9WGN W8NWG K9HJZ NP2WJ K9TNT K9LE KB9OMS KD9WVP W9YES K9XJT KD9AER KE9BPB W9GLO N9PZ KC9TCM KD9MOA KD9IVV KE9BMA KB9ATO KA9FCB N9PSU KD9STL W9WAS KD5CT KI5SQP W9KTN KD9IBC KA9BHU KE9CFK N9XJX Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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Newcomer Net Logs

11/6
N9PIE KE9DFF KD5CT KD9WVP KD9DBQ K9RCS KB9OGS W9GLO KD9ANU Submitted by N9KRZ 73

11/13
N9PIE KE9BXR KE9DFF KE9DCS KE9EAJ KE0CFK K9LE KD9HVI W9WGN KB9OMS KD9DBQ K9RCS NP2WJ W9YES KD9SPI K9XJT KE9CKM Submitted by N9KRZ 73

11/20
KE9DFF K9XJT KE9EAJ M9PIE KE9CKM W9WAS KD9CT KB9OMS KI5SQP KD9DBQ W9YES K9RCS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

11/27
N9PIE W9WAS KD9RYH KD9DBQ N9NDF KB9OMS Submitted BY N9KRDZ 73

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December Club Events

December 2 – 7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting – Zoom

December 5 – 6:00 p.m. – NOTE SPECIAL TIME AND LOCATION: Membership Meeting – Holiday Dinner/Election of Officers – Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 Southwest Water Street, Peoria

December 17 – ARES Meeting – Zoom

December 20 – 12:00 Noon – License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). No Testing Fee.

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 65216.

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President’s Message

Happy Halloween! This weekend is the time to set your clocks back, check all the batteries in your smoke detectors, clocks and radios and remotes and carbon monoxide detectors and all those other battery operated things. Hey, it’s a great time to make sure those antennas are ready for old man winter.

Speaking of getting ready for things i would like to ask for help with founding a Venture Crew. a Venture crew is an offshoot of Scouting America, so think a Boy Scout troop. Crews are for older teens (14-20 years old) and can be set up for special interests like radio! The plan would be for PAARC to sponsor the crew and provide elmers with kids getting into radio. For anyone that thinks we need to reach out to the next ham and help, this is your chance! Part of this deal would include PAARC being allowed to put a repeater on a tower that is Ingersoll Scout Reservation (ISR). They have a tower that will allow us to cover the western part of Peoria county and areas heading out towards Galesbug. The idea at this point would be to move the 85 repeater from Glassford and place it with some improvments at the ISR site and keep it linked with the 075 in Groveland. I think it’s a big win/win. please reach out to myself with any questions or offers to help.

We also need help with YOUR club’s board of directors. At the current moment all of the board positions are available.

Till I see you on the radio, 73’s!

Ben KD9RYH

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New Ham

Congratulations to Emden Larson of Lewiston.

He passed his Technician Exam in October and became the newest member of the Peoria Area Amateur Club.

License Exams are held during the third week of February, April, June, August, September, October and December. See the Upcoming Events page of our website for locations.

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Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

Nov 5, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink/Allstar
Nov 12, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on W9UVI (147.075)/K9PEO (146.850)/Echolink /Allstar
Nov 19, ARES Monthly Meeting via Zoom, 7:00 PM

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272
HamsOverIP Extension 101989

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October Net Logs

10/5
KD9RYH N9KRZ KD9ANU K9LE KD9IBC W9WGN KC3VJQ NP2WJ KD3AMF KD9WRX KE9BMA KD9VAN W8NWG KD9AER KE9BPB W9KIR KE9BSE N9PIE N9WFT W9CCT K9RCS W9YES KD9NYN N9NDF N9JOZ KB9SF N9PSU KE9BSA KD9STL KD9WVP W9WAS KJ5AYX KD5CT KI5SQP K9TNT KC9YTT KB9OGS KC9IH N9CS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

10/12
KD9RYH K9LE N9KRZ KD9ANU W9WGN KE9DFF KC3VJQ N9CS KD3AMF W9JDP N9NDF KE9BXR W8NWG K9RCS KB9ATO N9WFT N9PIE KD9WVP KE9BSE W9YES KE9BSA KD9STL KD9AER KE9BPB KD9VAN W9KIR W9WAS W9KTN N9PZ KD5CT KI5SQP KJ5AYX KD9NYN KC9IH WF9E K9CEW KE9BMA Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

10/19
KD9RYH K9LE N9KRZ W9WGN KC3VJQ KD3AMF K9HJZ KD9IBC W9JDP KD9ERS N9NDF KD9WVP W8NWG KD9IVV KD9AER W9YES NP2WJ W9KIR N9PIE K9RCS KB9OGS KB9ATO KD9STL WF9E KC9YTT KE9DFF N9PSU KD9NYE KD5CT KE9BSE KJ5AYX N9QOX W9WAS N9PZ K9TNT W3BMK WW9DLM KE9BSA KD9RJH KC9IH Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

10/26
KD9RYH K9LE KD9ANU N9KRZ KD3AMF W9WGN W9JDP KD9IBC KC3VJQ NP2WJ KD9TEG KD9ERS KD9TCM N9NDF K9XJT N9WFT KE9BMA KD9VAN W8NWG KD9PXZ KD9AER W9YES N9PIE W9GLO K9RCS N9GZ KE9DCS KD9STL KB9ATO KD9WRX K9TNT KD9WVP KC9IH KE9EAR WF9E KD9RJH N9PSU N9PZ KD5CT KI5SQP KE9BPB K9CEW KD9YER KD9MOA KE9CFK Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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Newcomer Net Logs

10/2
KE9CKM KD5CT W9WAS KE9DCS W9KTN KE9CFK KE9BSE N9PIE K9LE KI5SQP W9WGN KD9AER K9RCS KD9DBQ N02WJ KJ5MNV Submitted by N9KRZ 73

10/9
N9KRZ KE9BXR N9PIE W9WAS KD5CT KE9BMA KE9EAR KE9CKM KJ5AYX KD9WRXK KD9WVP K9RCS KD9DBQ NF2WJ N9NDF N9WFT KD9NYN N9PSYO KB9YYD Submitted by N9KRKZ 73

10/16
N9PIE KE9OFF KD9JXS W9WAS KD5CT KI5SQP KD9DBQ NP2WJ KC9IH KD9RYH K9LE N9WFT W9YES W9WGN KD9AER Submitted by N9KRZ 93

10/23
KE9BXR KE9CKKM N9PIE KD6CT W9WAS KD9WVP K9LE KI5SQP KD9VAN KD9MOA KD9DBQ KD9RCS KD9RYH W9WGN N9WFT KD9AER KB9OGS Submitted by N9KRZ 73

10/30
N9PIE KE9OFF K9LE KD9CT W9WGN KD9DBQ K9RCS KD9RYH W9YES Submitted by N9KRZ 73

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November Club Events

November 4 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of Directors – Zoom

November 11 – 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting: FreeDV HF Digital Voice presentation – Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville

November 19 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Meeting – Zoom

November 25 – 7:00 p.m. – Midwest Superfest Meeting – Zoom

NETS:
CLUB NET – Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Elmer Hour
NEWCOMER NET – Every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
ARES NET – First and Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m

All nets meet on the W9UVI Repeater: 147.075 (CTCSS Tone 156.7) linked with the K9PEO Repeater: 146.85 (CTCSS Tone103.5) and on EchoLink Node 706480 or All Star Node 65216.

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