Dear fellow PVARC members,
As our cities, state, and nation work together combating the unprecedented COVID-19 virus the Palos Verdes Amateur Radio Club will be adjusting its near-term activities. In light of many emergency declaration orders and public health advisories we want our members to avoid contagion and remain healthy while getting through this period.
Here's the status of our club activities:
PVARC Monthly meetings on 1st Thursdays: PVARC will not hold any in-person meetings until authorities declare it is safe to do so. Last Friday the City of Rancho Palos Verdes announced all its park buildings--including Hesse Park--will be closed to the public through at least March 31 to avoid COVID-19 contagion. Because this closure is likely to be extended PVARC's April 2nd monthly meeting at Hesse Park will be canceled. Our May 7th meeting still falls within the time frame banning public gatherings under some emergency orders, so we'll keep you advised as events unfold. In the meantime our Board is looking into online meeting platforms.
PVARC Monthly HF Enthusiasts Group meetings on 2nd Saturdays: Last Friday the Palos Verdes Library District shut all its branches to the public until at least Monday, April 6. Our monthly HF Enthusiasts Group meeting last Saturday was canceled and we advised most of our known HFE attendees via email. I do not expect the next scheduled HFE meeting on April 11 will be held. The May 9th HFE meeting is also unlikely.
Weekly K6PV Nets: Yes, these are continuing...including tonight's net. As usual, our DMR net runs from 7:00-7:25 pm on K6PV and the Analog FM net is 7:30-7:55 pm, including the 2-meter cross-band link. Please check in and say hello to fellow club members.
What's happening elsewhere: All Los Angeles area ham radio clubs have similar situations preventing meetings in the near-term. Other cities in L.A. County have shut their park and library buildings to the public for periods currently extending up to the end of April. The amateur radio groups using hospital facilities have been advised of no public meetings, classes, or other events there for at least 45 days (i.e., end of April).
Cancellations: The W6TRW Swap Meet at Northrop Grumman set for March 28 has been canceled in addition to the annual Baker 2 Vegas relay race on April 4-5 where ham radio has a major role in communication. Many of our members already learned this year's International DX Convention in Visalia, CA, on April 24-26 has been canceled as was the massive Dayton Hamvention scheduled for May 15-17 in Xenia, Ohio.
Amateur radio has always been a valuable communication mechanism during times of emergency...and hams are regarded for adapting with changed conditions. We hope you will get on the air--whether it's HF, VHF, or UHF--while self-isolating at home. There really can be more on the airwaves than just news about COVID-19.
73 and take care,
Diana, AI6DF
Weekly K6PV nets every Tuesday evening:
DMR net: 7:00-7:25 pm, 447.120 MHz RX, 442.120 MHz TX, Color Code 1, Time Slot 2, Talkgroup 31060
Analog net: 7:30-7:55 pm, 447.120 MHz, (-) , Tone Squelch, PL 100.0; 2-meter cross-link for west side of Palos Verdes: 144.910 MHz, Tone Squelch, PL 156.7