Category: News

Remembrance

Posted on By Michael M
News
Ralph "Red" Hollis Sept. 10, 1906 - Dec. 7, 1941
Ralph “Red” Hollis (Sept. 10, 1906 – Dec. 7, 1941)

As we take time to remember today, “a date which will live in infamy,” and we reflect on all of the lives lost, we bring our attention to the USS Arizona, where 1,177 crew members lost their lives on this day. Two of those sailors, Ralph “Red” Hollis and Forrest Dana, were founding members of our club.

After serving in the US Navy, Ralph moved to this area and worked with the Palm Beach Fire Department. Later he would join the Palm Beach Police Department, where he worked with fellow police officer Forrest Dana, and set up that agency’s first radio system. During this time he was in the reserves and was called back to active duty. Although he qualified for a deferment, he said his country needed him and he wanted to serve.

Ralph and Forrest were named to the CQ Hall of Fame in 2010.

WPBARG In The News

Posted on By Michael M
News

The West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Group is in the news again. This time on Fox 29. You can see that here – https://www.wflx.com/2023/10/18/growing-iceberg-titanic-exhibit-west-palm-beach/

WPTV also covered this. You can see that here – https://www.wptv.com/shining-a-light/growing-iceberg-at-titanic-exhibit-in-west-palm-beach On the last video, beginning at 1:22, Kristina showcases our spark gap transceiver array, while T.A. Walker tries his hand at sending code on the Morse code oscillator.

For more information – https://wpbarg.com/2023/10/10/wpbarg-joins-cox-in-titanic-exhibit/

Swains Island W8S DXpedition

Posted on By Michael M
Events, News

It takes several years to plan an expedition like this, and this one was originally scheduled in 2020, but postponed because of COVID.

The site states operations will be from October 4, 2023 until October 17, 2023, with 10 operators. The island is privately owned by the Jennings family who is assisting with the logistics. 

Of the 340 DXCC locations, Swains Island ranks 27 as the most wanted. The last time this island was activated was in 2002, 21 years ago. 

If you’re looking for this DXCC, start getting ready!

For more information – https://swains2020.lldxt.eu/

Additional discussion may be found here – https://wpbarg.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=323

Hawaii Fires and HF Frequencies

Posted on By Michael M
News

As the news of fires in Hawaii continues to develop and the death toll is approaching one hundred, with property damage currently over five billion, the people in Hawaii are in our thoughts and prayers. Below are some frequencies you can monitor (see note below).

7.088 SSB – Nets
3.880 SSB
7.080 SSB
7.095 SSB

More information on the Nets are here – https://www.konaweb.com/net/

Note: FCC rules permit SSB operation below 7100 (7.075 – 7.100) outside of the continental US (ITU 1,3 and FCC Region 2 West of 130° West or below 20° North).* Here, we are permitted a portion of frequencies (7.025 – 7.125) for CW, but please leave them open and do not transmit on them for now. 

*See Sections 97.305(c), 97.307(f)(11) and 97.301(e).

For folks considering financial donations, I would encourage you to vet the organization before donating. My go-to organization for many years continues to be Direct Relief. If you’ve not heard of Direct Relief, that’s likely because none of their donations are spent on fundraising. – https://www.directrelief.org/

We have created a topic in our Forum for further discussion here – https://wpbarg.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=822