We are observing an abnormally high rate of delivery failures for e-mails sent to members with @ARRL.net addresses.  These issues appear to be with the ARRL e-mail service, and thus are beyond our control.  RATS members with ARRL.net e-mails are encouraged to log in to their account on this web site and update their member profile to a non-ARRL e-mail.  This will ensure continued delivery of important club news and other communications.

RATS members, join us at Rockwood Park in Chesterfield County this weekend for POTA chasing, perhaps a fox hunt, and other ham radio activities.  We'll meet at 11 AM Saturday morning.  Call us on the W4RAT 146.88 repeater for directions and meet-up location.

Update:  This event has been rescheduled for 11 AM Saturday, September 30.

Our monthly Membership Meeting is tonight, Friday 9/15 at 7:30 PM via Zoom.  We will be welcoming back Axel Fisser (K8AXX).  Axel will be following up on his battery building presentation from a couple months ago with a lithium charging presentation.

Additionally, our newly elected directors, secretary, and re-elected treasurer will officially take office during the meeting.

And we'll be seeking a bunch of volunteers to serve on the Frostfest Committee, which is due to meet sometime in the next month or thereabouts, to evaluate the prospects for having a 2025 show.

RATS meetings are currently open to the public -- at this time you do not need to be a RATS member to attend.

Time is running out!  If you need to renew your membership, or if you're thinking of joining RATS, submit your renewal/application and payment through this web site before midnight September 30 to take advantage of the old 2019 pricing.  Dues are $25 Individual, $40 Family through the end of the day 9/30.

Just after midnight the morning of October 1, we'll push the button to raise dues to $35 Individual, $55 Family.

Help support our club and repeater systems, maintain your right to vote on club affairs, take advantage of member discount pricing on future group activities and workshops, and preserve your right to participate in club meetings and activities:  join or renew today!

This Friday September 15th, we will be welcoming back Axel Fisser (K8AXX). Axel will be following up on his battery building presentation from a couple months ago with a lithium charging presentation. Join us on zoom this Friday at 7:30pm eastern time.

The Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society is looking for more people to do presentations for our club meetings. If you have a presentation, or have someone in mind to do a presentation, please email programs@rats.net and our program committee will get back with you to coordinate a schedule and discuss your topics.

At its September 6 meeting, the RATS Board established a Program Committee.  According to our by-laws, the Program Committee "shall be responsible for the coordination and procurement of speakers and/or programs for each meeting."  This will alleviate a burden traditionally taken on almost entirely by the Board of Directors and it should help bring compelling content and new presenters to the monthly membership meetings.

If you would like to give a presentation at a RATS meeting, or if you are interested in serving on the committee (up to four seats are available) contact programs@rats.net.

The current RATS membership year ends September 30.  Members are encouraged to renew now to avoid a lapse in membership.  Dues will increase on October 1.  Renew before the end of day September 30 to enjoy the current 2019 rate ($25 individual, $40 family) for one more year.

Memberships not renewed will lapse on October 1, resulting in a loss of voting rights and other membership privileges.  Lapsed memberships may be immediately reinstated at the new pricing by paying online no later than December 30, after which a new application must be submitted for approval by the membership.  Don't delay, renew today.

Voting in the club's annual election closed at the start of this month's membership meeting and results were announced this evening.

Outgoing Board members - thank you for your service!

• Secretary - Ray Robins KN4OJB
• Director - Charles John KI4WCK
• Director - Jason Pye KD4LEM

Incoming Board members:

• Secretary - Steve Crow KG4PEQ
• Director - Bill Catogni N4WLC
• Director - Nathaniel Wooley W1OLE

Re-elected for a second term:

• Treasurer - Doc Ellis W4RYQ

The final meeting of the current Board will be Wednesday, September 6.  New Board members will take office at the September 15, 2023 membership meeting.  Official election results can be found here.

The monthly RATS membership meeting will be held via Zoom beginning at 7:40 PM.

Voting in the annual club elections will close immediately upon start of the membership meeting.  Electronic ballots will be tallied and the results of the election will be announced later this evening.  If you have not yet received a link to your ballot, or if you have experienced any difficulty casting your vote, please contact board@rats.net for assistance as soon as possible.

Club member Nathaniel Wooley W1OLE will give tonight's presentation.