AL7YK Bethel Amateur Radio Club (BARK)

Congratulations to Millie Twitchell (KL2WB) and Justin Brandt (KL2EX) whom both upgraded to Extra Class during the Saturday, May 12th, test session. I’m sure Ken Eggleston will have them registered as Volunteer Examiners very soon!

Congratulations to Tierney McCormick and David Leftner who passed the Technician class exam. Ken Eggleston has already entered the data in the FCC ULS database and you should see your license posted on Monday or Tuesday.

UPDATE MONDAY 5/14/12 @ 8AM

Tierney McCormick     KL3NA

David Leftner                KL3NB

Posted under Local HAM Comments

Just two weeks after the huge “supermoon” wowed skywatchers around the world, the heavens will offer up another observing treat — a solar eclipse on May 20 that should be visible from much of western North America.

The May 20 event is what’s known as an annular solar eclipse, in which the moon blocks out most of the sun but leaves a ring of light visible around its circumference.

It should be quite a spectacular sight for favorably placed — and appropriately careful —skywatchers throughout Asia, the Pacific region and parts of North America.

Annular solar eclipses: The basics

As the moon revolves around Earth, it passes between our planet and the sun once every 29.5 days. Most of the time,the moon zips either above or below the sun, and no eclipse occurs. [Video: How to View the May 20 Solar Eclipse]

Posted under Local HAM Comments

Allen DeSousa, KL7AED, now has an operational HF email service utilizing the Win Link system. He has successfully originated emails and passed on routine traffic. Ask Allen more about this valuable service!

Posted under Local HAM Comments

The Insomniac Net has been on the air for over 25 years and frequently has hams from all over the world check in. This is a large controlled net, meaning the Net Control operator has a roll call before they open the net to general check ins. To get listed on the roll call you must check in2 consecutive nights on the same night. Example, check in two Monday nights in a row and you’ll be added to the Monday roll call only.

The Net is a great way to learn net procedure, is a lot of fun and also features three trivia questions every night. I have set our 444.1 MHz repeater to automatically connect to the Insomniac Net every night at 2155 until 2330.

Let me know if you enjoy the net or would like to see it vaporize.

Posted under Local HAM Comments