About Us
Lake Amateur Radio Association,
Inc.
www.k4fc.org
www.n4fla.org
Our
members have diverse interests including VHF FM repeaters
(using VHF radios to talk
with other local amateurs), weak signal VHF/UHF
(talking to stations hundreds
or thousands of miles away on VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies),
Public Service (providing
communications for events like the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon,
disaster communications, and assisting government agencies with
emergency communications), DX
(talking to stations in
foreign countries), Contesting
(competing to make contact
with as many other stations as possible), fox hunting
(locating hidden
transmitters), digital
(computer communications via radio), and many other aspects of
the hobby.
In
addition to the radio equipment installed in our clubhouse, LARA
maintains three repeaters (two VHF and one UHF), a mobile
communications trailer for public service and emergencies, and
several VHF digital communications stations. The UHF repeater is
also connected to the EchoLink network allowing amateurs around the
world to connect to it via the Internet.
Our general
meetings are held at the clubhouse on the third Saturday of each
month at 10 AM.
Before
each monthly meeting, we offer an FCC license testing session at
8:30 AM. (No appointment necessary.) We cover the necessary business
of the organization and follow up with a discussion time where
members help each other with questions or problems. After some
meetings, we have an educational program aimed at increasing the
technical knowledge and operating efficiency of our members. A few
times a year, we have a cookout after the meeting.
The
We hold a
nightly net at 7 PM on our 147.000 MHz primary repeater
(minus
600 KHz offset, 103.5 Hz tone); the UHF repeater (442.900 MHz, plus
5 MHz, 103.5 tone) is also linked during the net, allowing check-ins
on both UHF and EchoLink. In addition, a simultaneous packet
(digital) net is held on 145.01 MHz. The purpose of the nets is to
handle any message traffic into or out of
We use
the callsign K4FC for operations from the clubhouse, including for
the repeaters located there, and for Field Day. We use the callsign
N4FLA for our ARES operations, for the 147.000 MHz repeater, and for
public service activities.
We have
members that have been licensed for 30 or more years and members
that have only recently become licensed. With the vast array of
knowledge and experience possessed by our members, there is
expertise in virtually every area of amateur radio.
Benefits of
Membership
·
Fun! –
While amateur radio is a technical hobby, the reason for the
technology is to communicate. By participating in club meetings,
nets, activities, and events you’ll meet other amateurs that share
your passion.
·
Mentoring – Whether it’s learning about a new operating mode,
building an antenna system, or any other aspect of amateur radio,
our members help each other.
·
Public
Service – There are opportunities to serve our community throughout
the year by providing communications for various events around the
county and providing emergency communications. "When All Else
Fails... Amateur Radio" is not just a slogan, it is a fact proven
out over and over.
·
Education and Training – From basic electronics to emergency
communications, there are ample opportunities to learn the how’s and
why’s.
·
Help
with Equipment and Installation – Whether you need help programming
a new radio or putting up a tower, our members are constantly
helping each other.
·
Legislation – Whether it’s a proposed change to the local tower
ordinance or federal legislation affecting amateur radio, we keep
the membership advised of what is happening.
·
Fraternity – We joined the ranks of amateur radio because we like to
communicate. Membership provides opportunities to meet and mingle
with our extremely diverse membership.
·
Use of
LARA Repeaters – While our repeaters are open to all licensed
amateurs, it is considered proper etiquette to support the
organization owning the repeaters you use. As we own the property
and tower, the cost of maintaining the repeaters includes the
monthly power bill, insurance, upkeep on the equipment and
buildings, and Internet access.
For
more information, contact:
LARA
Information – Doug
Rehman (K4AC)
President
doug@k4ac.com
ARES
Information – Strait Hollis (KT4YA)
Emergency Coordinator
kt4ya@comcast.net