Skynet 4-25-20 “Space and Astronomy in the Time of COVID-19” & “Astronaut Tips on Handling Isolation” 9PM CT

hunterfreeman

SKYNET!!!! 9PM CT – 10:30PM CT

Saturday’s Topic: “Space and Astronomy in the Time of COVID-19” & “Astronaut Tips on Handling Isolation”

Net Control: Billye KF5PDS

Afterglow Movie 10:30PM: “A Scanner Darkly” (2006)

2-Meter Repeater W5FC: 146.880MHz, PL 110.9, –
Echolink: W5FC-R, node 37247.

Youtube.com Search “DARC Skynet”
Facebook.com Search “DARC Skynet”
Twitch.tv Search “KE5ICX”

Direct Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCishlh8WmW7OXy9Q6sxsaag

Continue reading

Tech Net News 04-25-2020

1920px-Guglielmo_Marconi_1901_wireless_signal
Happy 146th Birthday! Credit: en.wikipedia.org

I don’t have any major club announcements today. Be sure to watch this website and the club Facebook page for updates about upcoming activities.

And unfortunately, I goofed up this morning and missed the Lecture and Lab. But, if you participated, please share what you did and learned. Have you tried a new digital mode today?

The contest calendar is offering plenty of was to have fun while you stay at home this weekend. In fact, did you know there’s an award for contacting “stay home” amateur stations? The RSGB Hope QSO party is still going on, and the 10-10 International Spring Digital QSO Party is trying to add excitement to the 10-meter band. The Florida QSO Party is also this weekend, and it offers a unique bonus opportunity: the chance to spell LOVEBUG with special event callsigns.

Continue reading

Skynet 4-18-20 “The NASA Twins Study: The Kelly Astronauts” 9PM CT

scott-kelly-twinSKYNET!!!! 9PM CT – 10:30PM CT

Saturday’s Topic: “NASA Twins Study: The Kelly Astronauts”

Net Control: Brenda WB5OZL

Afterglow Movie 10:30PM:
“This Island Earth” (1955)

2-Meter Repeater W5FC: 146.880MHz, PL 110.9, –
Echolink: W5FC-R, node 37247.

Youtube.com Search “DARC Skynet”
Facebook.com Search “DARC Skynet”
Twitch.tv Search “KE5ICX”

Direct Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCishlh8WmW7OXy9Q6sxsaag

Continue reading

Tech Net news 04-18-2020

iaruThe next Lecture and Lab will take place one week from today, and it isn’t cancelled—it will be a virtual event, focusing on using digital modes like FT8 and FT4. The Lab will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 25th. Please see our post about virtual meeting information for instructions on how to participate.

Today is World Amateur Radio Day. I’ve hope you’ve been on the air having fun!

The contest calendar has quite a few entries for this week and this weekend, but please not that Texas State Parks on the Air has been cancelled. Instead, you could try your hand at the RSGB Hope QSO Party, still ongoing, or the Michigan or Ontario QSO Parties. If you’re a new ham or you’ve never made an SSB contact before, the ARRL SSB Rookie Roundup will be taking place tomorrow. Please note that in-person mentoring is strongly discouraged.

Continue reading

Skynet 4-11-20 “Apollo 13 – Movie vs. Reality” & “Capella, Castor, Pollux and SkySafari 6” 9PM CT

Screen Shot 2020-04-10 at 1.09.00 PM

SKYNET!!!! 9PM CT – 10:30PM CT

Saturday’s Topic: “Apollo 13 – Movie vs. Reality” & “Stars of the Month, Capella, Castor, Pollux and SkySafari 6 Pro Cellphone App.”

Net Control: Tom KE5ICX

Afterglow Movie 10:30PM: “Apollo 13” (1995)

2-Meter Repeater W5FC: 146.880MHz, PL 110.9, –
Echolink: W5FC-R, node 37247.

Youtube.com Search “DARC Skynet”
Facebook.com Search “DARC Skynet”
Twitch.tv Search “KE5ICX”

Direct Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCishlh8WmW7OXy9Q6sxsaag
Continue reading

Tech Net News 04-11-2020

cord-1_custom-7bd627c07df4f44cde314afdf72a88a703efa586-s800-c85
We seem to have inherited some string from our ancestors. Credit: M.H. Moncel

Remember, the next Lecture and Lab isn’t cancelled—it will be a virtual event, focusing on using digital modes like FT8 and FT4. The L & L will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 25th. Please see our post about virtual meeting information for instructions on how to participate.

If you didn’t have time last weekend, be sure to check out our latest club newsletter for some cool stuff in the spirit of Old Timer’s Night.

And don’t forget that all our club nets are still going on, including a 10:00 am stuck-at-home net Monday through Friday on the 146.88 repeater. Remember, if Tom can’t make it, you’re welcome to take a turn as net control…and you’re always welcome to bring announcements, real or funny.

The contest calendar is full of events this weekend, with QSO parties in New Mexico, North Dakota,  and Georgia, as well as the ongoing RSGB Hope QSO Party for those stuck at home. In honor of Yuri’s Night, we also have the Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest available.

Continue reading

Getting Started With Virtual Club Meetings

Google Meet Icon

Because of the world-wide Coronavirus pandemic the DARC will be utilizing Google Meet for our online/virtual meetings related to club activities.  The first official club activity due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic will be the virtual BOD meeting on Apr 7, 2020 at 6pm central time. There will be additional virtual events later in Apr 2020 and in May 2020……..

Continue reading