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NARS Nets are on Tuesday at 7:00 pm, and Wednesday at 8:00 pm.
A ham radio net is an organized on-air gathering of amateur radio operators who meet at a scheduled time and frequency to communicate, share information, practice operating skills, and provide a structured way for stations to check in. Nets can be held on local repeaters, simplex frequencies, HF bands, or digital networks.
Nets serve several important purposes:
Emergency Communications
One of the primary reasons for holding nets is to maintain readiness for emergency communications. Regular participation helps operators become familiar with proper radio procedures, message handling, and net discipline. When severe weather, natural disasters, or other emergencies occur, trained operators can quickly provide communications support when normal systems are unavailable.
Training and Practice
Nets give both new and experienced operators an opportunity to practice radio communications in a structured environment. Participants learn proper operating techniques, phonetics, signal reporting, directed net procedures, and efficient communication methods. Regular practice helps build operator confidence and competence.
Information Sharing
Many clubs and organizations use nets to distribute announcements, meeting information, event updates, and technical news. Club officers can communicate upcoming activities, public service events, training opportunities, and operating tips to members quickly and efficiently.
Building Community
Nets help strengthen the amateur radio community by bringing operators together on a regular basis. Members can become familiar with one another, welcome new hams, and maintain friendships. For many operators, the weekly club net is an important social activity that helps keep them active in the hobby.
Public Service Coordination
During public service events such as marathons, parades, bike rides, and community events, nets provide an organized communication channel for volunteers. A net control station can coordinate activities, track resources, and relay information among operators in the field.
Types of Nets
Common types of amateur radio nets include:
- Club Nets - Sponsored by local amateur radio clubs.
- Traffic Nets - Used to pass formal written messages.
- Emergency Nets - Activated during emergencies and disasters.
- Training Nets - Focused on education and operator development.
- Technical Nets - Discussions about equipment and operating techniques.
- Social or Ragchew Nets - Informal conversations among operators.
- Public Service Nets - Used during community events and exercises.
At the center of most nets is the Net Control Station (NCS), which manages the flow of communications, calls for check-ins, and ensures the net operates in an organized manner. Some clubs have a Net Logging Station (NLS) to allow the NCS to focus on communicating with stations checking in.
In simple terms, a ham radio net is the amateur radio equivalent of a regularly scheduled meeting held over the air. It helps operators stay connected, develop skills, share information, and maintain readiness to serve their communities when needed.
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2027 Winter Field Day is January 23rd & 24th, 2027
Winter Field Day is an annual amateur radio operating event held on the last full weekend of January. Organized by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA), the event encourages amateur radio operators to set up temporary stations and operate in challenging winter conditions. Unlike traditional home-based operating, participants deploy radios, antennas, and power systems in the field to test their ability to communicate effectively during cold weather, snow, ice, and other conditions that could be encountered during a real emergency.
The primary goal of Winter Field Day is to improve emergency preparedness and operating skills. Participants operate using HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies while making contacts with stations across North America and beyond. Many stations rely on generators, batteries, solar power, or other alternative power sources to simulate operating when commercial power is unavailable. The event provides valuable hands-on experience in setting up portable equipment, managing power resources, logging contacts, and maintaining communications under less-than-ideal conditions.
Winter Field Day is also a great opportunity for clubs and individual operators to showcase amateur radio to the public. Visitors can observe stations in operation, learn about emergency communications, and even get on the air under the supervision of licensed operators. The event combines technical skill, preparedness training, and camaraderie, making it one of the most enjoyable and educational weekends on the amateur radio calendar. Whether operating from a heated tent, a campsite, a park pavilion, or a backyard, participants gain practical experience while demonstrating the resilience and versatility of amateur radio communications.
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- Hits: 145
Nominations for certain officer positions for 2027-2028 are to be made to the Nominations committee by the October Membership meeting on October 16, 2026 at which time the slate of candidates will be proposed. The elections for the 2027 Officers will be held on November 20th, 2026. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the November membership meeting prior to calling the vote.
The following positions are up for election
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer - Tom Hoherd
Article IX – Elections
Any member in good standing, as described in the Bylaws, is eligible to hold office in the Club,
provided that the member does not hold office in any other Amateur Radio service Club.
Members holding an office in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) are exempt from this
restriction. The Nominating Committee will, at the October General Meeting, propose a slate of
nominees for the general elections in November. Additional nominations may be made from the
floor at the November General meeting. The term of office is two years for all Officers and two
years for elected Directors.
The term of office for all newly elected positions will commence at the annual NARS Banquet in
January. The nominee who receives the greatest number of votes by secret ballot will be elected.
In the event of a tie, the resolution will be the responsibility of the current Board. Election results
will be published on the Club website and in the next newsletter after the elections.
The Board will take the steps necessary to assure the secrecy and security of elections. Ballots
will be distributed to all full members in good standing at the meeting or by electronic means at
the time of the election.
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- Hits: 348
This is the remaining schedule for Net Control Stations and Net Logger Stations through the end of October 2026
| Date | Day | Net Control - Name | Net Logger - Name |
| September 29, 2026 | Tuesday | K3MBC - Mark | K3MBC - Mark |
| September 30, 2026 | Wednesday | KJ5WGR - Glenn | KA2EEU - Scott |
| October 6, 2026 | Tuesday | KI5YPD - John | KA2EEU - Scott |
| October 7, 2026 | Wednesday | KJ5WGR - Glenn | KA2EEU - Scott |
| October 13, 2026 | Tuesday | WJ9O - David | WJ9O - David |
| October 14, 2026 | Wednesday | KJ5WGR - Glenn | Need Logger |
| October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | KI5YPD - John | KA2EEU - Scott |
| October 21, 2026 | Wednesday | K3MBC - Mark | KA2EEU - Scott |
| October 27, 2026 | Tuesday | KN5DS - Dale | Need Logger |
| October 28, 2026 | Tuesday | KN5DS - Dale | Need Logger |
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- Hits: 354
ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week’s top news stories in the world of amateur radio, along with interviews and other features. Enjoy ARRL Audio News anywhere: on your smart phone or tablet, your local repeater, or stream it on the go!
You can listen to ARRL Audio News every Wednesday evening beginning at 7:30 pm on the NARS repeater system right before the Wednesday evening Net.
Amateur Radio Newsline™ (ARN) is a free service to the amateur radio community. They produce a weekly audio news bulletin called a “QST” or “bulletin of interest to radio amateurs” that is delivered by a downloadable MP3 audio file from their website or through a podcast subscription. Operations are supported primarily by voluntary donations from individual amateurs and amateur radio clubs. ARN is a 501(c)(3) Federal tax-exempt corporation and most contributions made to them are tax deductible.
You can listen to Amateur Radio Newsline every Saturday morning at 10:00 am on the NARS repeater system.
