SUMMERTHUNDER 2024 starts today! This is the summertime VHF/UHF simplex event from the folks behind the popular WINTERHEAT. From hamactive.com: "SUMMERTHUNDER, is a month-long UHF/VHF simplex event crafted to empower amateur radio operators by offering a dedicated platform to test and enhance their UHF/VHF capabilities. From its inception, SUMMERTHUNDER aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of stations, encouraging operators to adapt and refine their equipment setups throughout the month-long event. Distinguishing itself from shorter on-air events, SUMMERTHUNDER, along with its winter counterpart (WINTERHEAT), extends over several weeks to capture a more realistic and nuanced assessment of stations. This prolonged duration enables operators to make adjustments in real-time, ensuring a dynamic and continuous enhancement of their capabilities. Streamlining communication, SUMMERTHUNDER mandates all contacts to occur on pre-designated frequencies. This approach simplifies the process for operators, eliminating the need to search for stations calling CQ. Operating within Technician class privileges, all FCC-licensed amateur radio operators can actively participate in the event. Adding to its uniqueness, SUMMERTHUNDER utilizes a custom-built, over-the-web logging system that facilitates real-time statistics and logging of contacts. This one-of-a-kind method enhances the overall experience, providing operators with valuable data in an unprecedented manner. Beyond its role as a skill-building platform, SUMMERTHUNDER serves as an invaluable opportunity for Emergency Communications (EmComm) operators. Leveraging the event, EmComm groups can coordinate emergency communication activities, assessing mission functionality and readiness for potential crises. SUMMERTHUNDER, continues to evolve and grow, combining its rich history with the potential for real-world emergency preparedness." SummerThunder will commence on July 1, 2024 at 00:00:01 UTC and conclude on July 31, 2024 at 23:59:59 UTC. During the event, radio operators are encouraged to make as many contacts as possible during the event window. All contacts are made via FM-Voice and include both analog and digital modes (Fusion, DMR, D-STAR). Packet modes are not part of this event. Talk about SUMMERTHUNDER with other local simplex enthusiasts in the RVAHams Slack #simplex channel.
Rob Marshall KI4MCW provided the club's Field Day score and stats:
W4RAT entered as Class 2A with 40 participants, no GOTA station, using commercial power. We have a preliminary total score of 802 points. This includes a points multiplier of 2X and 250 bonus points: Public location: 100 points Site visited by invited served agency: 100 points Entry submitted via web: 50 points We made 276 contacts, 100% phone. By band: 80m - 115 contacts 40m - 99 contacts 20m - 45 contacts 15m - 17 contacts By operator: N1VCU - 115 contacts (42%) KC4VGR - 44 contacts (16%) N4WLC - 39 contacts (14%) KI4MCW - 36 contacts (13%) KA4QVZ - 15 contacts (5%) KQ4LYL - 10 contacts (4%) K9WVU - 6 contacts (2%) KD4LEM - 6 contacts (2%) KB2OYI - 2 contacts (1%) KQ4FVL - 2 contacts (1%) W7WOW/4 - 1 contact (<1%)
Bill Catogni N4WLC gets the prize for the DX-iest contact, with Hawaii on 15m (plus a personal contact with Germany).
All official RATS codeplugs have been refreshed and are now available for download.
Full codeplugs were updated to include a new Goochland (GCH) repeater which will go on the air later this summer on 443.4375 MHz, +5 offset, CC1. Limited (LTD) codeplugs were updated to include both the new Goochland (GCH) zone as well as the Portable Repeater (POR) zone previously found only in the full codeplugs. The POR zone will be in use by a second portable repeater in the Richmond Metro cluster later this year. Due to the slim chances of any overlap in operation, and to eliminate the need for an additional zone, this system will share KV4VP's existing uncoordinated pair that is already in a whole bunch of radios.
At this time it has not been determined whether the WV Statewide (3154) talkgroup will be carried on GCH. For now, we have included it in all codeplugs, mirroring the talkgroup setup of the New Kent (NKC) zone. WV Statewide might or might not be active on this repeater when it goes live.
Links to the codeplugs and supporting resources:
At its May 1 meeting, the RATS Board of Directors voted to approve dues for the upcoming membership year. There will be no changes to pricing for Full memberships: Individual memberships will remain $35, and Family memberships will remain $55. The next RATS membership year begins October 1 and renewals will be accepted beginning July 1.
The club will re-introduce Associate Memberships in 2024. These memberships are available to non-hams, as well as licensed hams residing outside Virginia. (This membership level exists in our bylaws but is not actively offered at this time.) Beginning October 1, Associate Memberships will be available for $20 per year. Associate members are ineligible to vote on club business or in our elections and cannot hold an office.
The Board also approved a reduced first-year membership rate for certain newly-licensed hams to compliment the club's enhanced new ham outreach efforts. Starting October 1, a special first-year membership price will be available to new hams who apply for RATS membership within 180 days of their initial FCC license grant date.
The club's ability to keep dues reasonable is made possible by the generosity of its members and others in the community who make donations to the club throughout the year. We appreciate your support!
The weekly C4FM net meets Saturday nights at 8 PM on the RATS 442.55 repeater and other Virginia Room member repeaters around the state. They're looking for some additional net controls to insert into the rotation. If you have a C4FM radio, a reliable link to one of the Virginia Room repeaters, and some interest in helping with this net, get in touch with Don DeLesDernier KQ4LEX. You'll find his contact info on QRZ.
This is not a RATS-affiliated net and you do not need to be a RATS member to volunteer.
The RATS repeater site near Chesterfield Town Center experienced two brief power outages mid-day Thursday, April 18 due to utility work in the area. Our backup power systems functioned as intended and none of the club's equipment missed a beat.
The club's repeaters, AREDN radios, network hardware, and other equipment are protected by dual 3 kVA uninterruptible power supplies, and since January 2018 we've been connected to our host TV station's large diesel generator. The RATS systems are equipped to provide reliable service, and we were pleased to find this setup worked correctly when needed. There were no disruptions to any RATS systems or services. (Photo by W4MAF)
We are looking for additional Net Controls to help with the weekly RATS net, Wednesday nights at 8 PM on the 146.88 repeater. If you're able to serve once or twice a month, or if you'd just like to try it out once and see how it goes, send a note to Robert Czyzewski KB2OYI via board@rats.net. We'll provide a script.
The South Boston DMR repeater is being relocated and it's getting a new frequency and color code. The RATS Master codeplugs for CS750, CS800D, and DJ-MD5 series radios have been updated to reflect this change in the SBO South Boston zone. Get more details in this announcement from DMRVA. Updated codeplugs are now available from https://rats.net/codeplugs. These new files are dated 4/14/2024 and support 34 popular DMR radios either directly or though free conversion software. Since this is a minor update, users of these radios who have made significant additions to their codeplug may find it easier to make a mass update to their existing SBO zone using the N0GSG Contact Manager software, or by manual updates to the 14 impacted channels using their CPS. This change does not impact the Limited (LTD) series codeplugs on our web site, so those will not be re-generated.
RATS members can now easily find upcoming club activities from their mobile device using the Wild Apricot for Members app. Download the app and sign in with an active RATS.net web login. Members can also access a directory of Board and Committee member contact information while on the go.
Download from the Apple App Store Download from the Google Play Store
A large number of volunteers are needed for the Virginia Special Olympics Summer Games, Friday and Saturday June 7 and 8 at the University of Richmond.
The only equipment needed should be an analog UHF HT, a battery in good shape (and perhaps a spare), and an external audio accessory that allows you to hear and be heard in a high noise environment. Please note that most positions will be outside or potentially strenuous.
Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society, Inc. (RATS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. PO Box 70613, Henrico VA, 23255Looking for something? Site Map
