Dear fellow PVARC members,

Ever wonder why we hold weekly nets on the K6PV repeater?  One reason is for club members to say hello and hear information about PVARC activities.  But equally important are opportunities for our members to test their radios each week.  Earthquakes--our principal disaster threats--provide no advance warning....you are either ready or you aren't when they hit.  Other disasters such as hurricanes, floods, ice storms, and the like give ham operators time to test and prepare before the incident.  So do test your radios during our nets.  We're on tonight at 7:30 pm for the analog net with 2-meter cross-band for those on the Peninsula's west side, followed by the DMR net at 8:00 pm.  

Our next club meeting at Hesse Park is Thursday, Feb. 6, when we'll be hearing from K9TAD Terry Dennison about sunspots, their role in propagation, and where we're headed (we are currently at the solar cycle bottom).  Did you know disaster amateur radio communication also uses HF bands?  One area heating up in activity is the 60-meter band (5 MHz) where both the Federal government and amateur radio can communicate with each other.

Lastly, this Saturday is the monthly W6TRW Swap Meet at the Northrop Grumman complex in North Redondo Beach from 7:00-11:30 am along Aviation Blvd south of Marine Avenue.  Gary Lopes, WA6MEM, and I will be there with the ARRL booth so perhaps we'll see you too.

Have a great week and 73 to all,

Diana, AI6DF