Gila Amateur Radio Society, Inc.

https://www.blogarama.com/technology-blogs/1448360-ham-shack-blog/57121772-understanding-radio-codes-comprehensive-guide

I wanted to let everyone know Charles Rogers NM5CR, a member (and current VP) of GARS passed away on Monday at Lovelace Heart Hospital up in Albuquerque (complications from heart surgery). He has been in GARS at least since I joined the club. He lived in Silver City but has since moved down to Deming but was in attendance at the monthly Saturday breakfasts and club meetings. He was involved in the local club and ARES in the Los Alamos area before coming down to our corner of the state. Rest In Peace Charles. 73 Mark

Hi all, here's an introduction to APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System). It's a digital mode that is primarily operated on 144.39 MHz in North America. This mode is great for reporting your location while you drive and you can view your progress on the internet at: https://aprs.fi . Many VHF radios have the capability to utilize APRS built in but any FM VHF transceiver can be set up to use with APRS. There's a very portable option that'll even work with the least expensive handheld VHF radio. You can also use APRS to send short text messages to other hams as well as send messages to your friends and family via SMS. This is yet another option for the new technician who is looking into what can be done with ham radio besides talking on a handheld repeater. View some of the videos I collected below to learn more. Best Regards, Mark K5MGK

Hi all, I wanted to post this in case some of our new technicians (or anyone else in our club) are curious what they can do with their newly acquired ham license beside talking on a handheld radio. FT8 is a "digital mode" (still an analog signal over-the-air but which a computer can encode/decode) that allows hams to make short, concise contacts with another ham halfway around the world (called DXing in hamspeak). Digital modes allow a ham to operate with a modest antenna and low power transceiver but still be able to have fun reaching all over the world. Even a technician with transmitting privileges on 10 meters can join in on the fun. We are currently in the highly active part of the 11 year solar cycle and this helps 10 meters become alive with great propagation! I have attached a screenshot of my activity on 10 meters just yesterday. The map shows all of the hams that were using and listening on FT8 with their computers and their computers sent periodic data over the int

  It's now official on the ARRL website. Details can be found at: https://www.arrl.org/exam_ sessions/silver-city-nm-88061- 1 We have five people interested in taking the exam, but if you know of others or would like to take the exam yourself, please let me know: w5mts@arrl.net . Mark, K5MGK, Jeff, K5VU, and I will be the VEs.  Marc, W5MTS GARS President