HamWAN is a “by hams, for hams” wide area high speed digital network which is now being deployed in the Lowndes county and the South Georgia area.  Networking technology has now progressed enough that Amateur Radio operators are able to integrate their analog and digital emergency communications networks with low cost HamWAN wireless technology in order to achieve superior communication stability in the face of emergency communication situations.

HamWAN provides advanced internet protocol routing techniques in order to provide a seamless networking experience for Amateur Radio operators and by offering network services such as weather cameras, repeater access, VoIP PBX, ADS-B and SDR receivers. When systems are properly configured, software applications will keep on functioning just as if nothing had happened, and the all-important mission of emergency communication can carry on.

HamWAN, when not being used for non-emergency situations, provides networking capability for individual hams using our allocated 44Net IP space for day to day communications requirements.  Presently several area repeaters have been linked together using Ubiquiti microwave radios & Mikrotik routers and switches.  To experience this new and exciting technology tune your station to the VARC 146.760 repeater system today.

The Georgia ARES statewide meeting is coming up on Saturday January 24th.  This yearly event will be located at the following address:

Happy Holidays!

The VARC wishes all a happy and safe holiday season.   Make sure to try out APRS, D-Star, HF, or any other mode that might interest you in the coming year.  Be radio active!

The VARC would like to inform local D-Star users that it has received the new D-Star VHF module and 1.2 GHz duplexer for the existing 1.2 GHz voice and data modules.  The VARC technical team is in the process of installing the new equipment at the clubs repeater site.  The equipment was provided via a grant administered by the Department of Health.  The VARC has been asked to sponsor the equipment for local amateurs so they can use the equipment to provide communications during emergency situations.  The club is providing the antenna and power systems for the new equipment.  If you are interested in supporting the D-Star effort please use this website to join the club.

It is time to prepare for field day 2014!  The VARC had a great year last year by making one of the highest scores ever.  It almost time to do it again and VARC members are starting to gear up. If you are interest in participating this year go to the “Help Me” on the home page and send a message for more information.

Please have a wonderful and safe thanksgiving with your friends and family this year.  Don’t forget to wish your amateur radio friends who keep amateur radio going in your area a happy thanksgiving.  Most of all let us remember those who can’t be home for the holidays because they serving our country both domestically and aboard.  God Bless those who serve others…

As of this year the VARC has stopped its regular mass emailing of area amateurs in regards to its activities and updates.

This was done in a effort to limit the amount of email coming into personal email boxes and to better support those who are actually interested in keeping up with the VARC  and area amateur radio happens.

If you would like to be added to the email list server simply go to the “help me” on the w4vld webpage and request to be added to the list.

Make sure to provide your name, call sign, and good email address.

Once you join you can either read the mail, add content, comment on happens, etc.

73,  VARC Webmaster

The  VARC provided communications support to the Honey Bee Bike Ride  in Hahira – Thanks to our members for their continued support of this event.

Be sure to listen out for K2BSA this week as they are operating from West Virginia for the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree. We will keep our D-Star repeater, W4VLD B,  connected to D-Star reflector 33A during the duration of the Jamboree.

[ribbon toplink=”true”]K2BSA On Air Frequencies[/ribbon]

SSB in MHz: 28.390, 24.960, 21.360, 18.140, 14.290, 7.190, 3.940

PSK-31 in MHz: 28.120, 24.920, 21.080, 18.100, 14.070, 10.142, 7.080, 3.580

EchoLink: K2BSA-R Demonstration Station (node 4566), WV8BSA-R VHF Repeater (node 6544), W6BSA-R UHF Repeater (node 9877), Conference *JOTA-365* (node 480809)

D-Star: WV8BSA and Reflector 033A

CW: There will be limited operation on CW as time permits

From www.k2bsa.net/jamboree-live

Members of the VARC just finished up field day for this year.  What a wonderful experience for members, visitors and perspective amateurs alike. Ham radio shouldn’t be hard but rather fun and enjoyable which is what this event was.

It was great to see the following amateurs:  Bobby, Michael, Greg, Payne, Sheila, Barry, Tim, John, Bob, Mike, and several others who came to socialize.  There where several non-hams attending which were mostly member’s family or invited friends.  The pot luck Saturday evening was delicious and just plain enjoyable! Again Mike’s grilling expertise was top notch!  The grilled sausage was very tasty…

The VARC operated with three stations again this year using emergency power provided by solar panels.  One station operated 6 meters and the two others operated in the HF bands.  The 6 Meters station antennas was a 3 element cushcraft beam up 70 feet on a tower.  One of the HF stations used a 520′ loop antenna and the last station used a tri-bander beam up on the tower at 66 feet.  There was also a 40/75 inverted V but it failed during the event.

The HF bands were really good this year.  In fact very good!  Most contacts where made on 20,15,10, and 6 meters.  Around 100 on 6 meters alone.  The HF bands were just plain HOT!  Especially 6 Meters Sunday afternoon just before the event was over.

The goal this year was 500 points but after just the first hour the VARC scored already 300 points.  The overall contact score was 1160 contacts using only SSB.  When the score for using emergency power is factored in the final score is 2300 points!   Bobby KF4GTA (the contest machine) scored the most contacts for the event.  Thank Bobby for raising the bar for next year!

The greatest quote heard from many of those who visited field day was… “I didn’t realize that ham radio was this high tech.”

Make plans to attend next year… Field Day 2014….     CQ Field Day… This is W4VLD… 3E…. GA….