TALARC EchoLink Conference Net Report for Dec. 8, 2018

Net Control Station W9WMJ conducted the monthly net on *FMCA-ARC* EchoLink Conference Node 522547 on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. The net was opened at 1200 ET [1700Z] and closed at 1255 ET [1755Z]. Twelve check-ins participated in today’s operations, including the Net Control Station.

Contact with the following radio operators was logged:
W9WMJ, Marty; Greenwood, IN [Net Control Station]; MD Post 180
K6ACV, David; Lockwood CA; Post 50
K6TOI, Ann; Lockwood, CA; Unit 50
WA3DVO, Everett; Palmer Park, MD; Post 275 [Post Club N3TAL]
K8DHH, John; Taylor, MI; Hdqtrs. Post
N6XLS, Doug; Sunnyvale, CA; Post 380 [Amateur Radio Post 380 Club]
KD9HHS, Zach; Muncie, IN; SAL Squadron 19 [Sqdn. Commander]
WA5LIE, Fred; Sanger, TX; SAL Sqdn. 71
WB5YPP, Sandy; Sanger, TX; ALA Unit 71
WØMGD, Steve; Fayetteville, AR; Hdqtrs. Post 1000
K7ZZQ, John; Layton, Utah; Post 139
W4CEC, Chris; Wake Forest, NC; Post 187 [Post Club WF4TAL]

Two announcements were offered. First was a wrap-up of TALARC’s Nov. 11, 2018, Veterans Day Special Event. Briefly, it noted that well over 400 contacts were confirmed via 20m, 40m, IRLP and EchoLink through the 6-hour operation. Also, the QRZ.com page for the Special Event 1x1 call sign, N9V, received more than 1,300 hits on the day of the activity. And more than 30 new members joined TALARC within 72 hours of the special event. Item two: Christmas greetings and New Year’s wishes were offered to all.
Discussion on the net included: It was noted by John K8DHH that a new FM satellite was recently placed into operation for use by amateur radio operators around the world. Doug N6XLS, when asked about his post, “Amateur Radio Post 380,” noted that the post has more than 40 members and that a current FCC license and all the necessary requirements to become a Legionnaire are needed to gain acceptance into this California post. Chris W4CEC reported that the eight TALARC members at his post club, WF4TAL, are busy preparing for Tech Class exams they will conduct in January 2019. Members of this club continue to work closely with local Scout units, from Cub Scouts to older boys and girls. Chris and his folks also conduct training that leads to receipt of the BSA Radio Merit Badge. He mentioned a newly established Scouting group with 25 Scout members who are interested in amateur radio. NCS Marty W9WMJ introduced to the net Steve WØMGD, and noted that Steve has expressed interest in serving as the net control station operator for the monthly Saturday EchoLink conference net and that he, Steve, will likely begin with the January 2019, EL net operations. Johnny K7ZZQ asked the possibility of a DMR net or other digital modes. Marty W9WMJ pleaded ignorance about DMR and asked Johnny to email information about this particular mode. It was noted to Johnny and others on the net that there is a TALARC digital net, and it’s in the form of D-STAR.

The TALARC EchoLink Net for December closed at 1255 ET [1755Z].

Submitted by Marty, W9WMJ