Text Box: Midway Amateur Radio Club November News & Views Now that winter is about to set in, many a ham is gearing up for a long spell of snow and cold. It helps that Cycle 24 is starting to “peek” around the corner and we’re starting to be blessed with occasional sunspots. Depending on the sources I’ve read, some think it’s already here, and others say it’s not quite here—yet. Just like weather, we never really know for sure until we get there, but the forecasts are fascinating, nevertheless. The only way to know for sure is to get on the air, call CQ a few times, and see what happens! The bands may sound dead, but if everyone is listening and no one talks, well, do the math… That’s why amateur radio is so much like fishing: if you know the basics and your timing is right, that “one that got away” makes for good discussion, and if you do land the good ones, so much the better! Again, we never know if we don’t try, so have fun on the air this winter! DUATHLON – In October, MARC once again provided communications for the Duathlon (trail running and bike riding) at and around the Cottonmill Lake area. A total of 7 Club members took part in the event, and we kept excellent tabs on the participants along the way. Thank you, Bob, WA1YOF, for heading it up, and thanks to the other ops who showed up and helped out. MARC NET – Henry, NØHA, has faithfully been calling the net for the Club every Thursday night for quite some time, and we do appreciate his doing that. After a bit of a slowdown in check-ins over the summer, turnout has improved this fall. We can always use more check-ins, and we can share different topics from time to time of interest to the Club and the hobby in general. To make for some variety, Henry has called the net on the first Thursday of every month on our east machine, 145.295(-), then called the remaining nets on our west machine, 146.625(-) PL 123.0. This has seemed to work quite well, and it let’s us know that both repeaters are up and running. HAMFEST – It’s very hard to believe, but the Hamfest is just about 10 weeks away, and it will be here and gone in no time, it seems. Henry, NØHA, has the flyer prepared, and Vern, NKØH, will be getting the flyer sent out here shortly, once he gets all the e-mails in order. We’ve already had a request for a flea market table, so let’s hope we get many tables filled and emptied over the course of the day. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, enjoy the airwaves, and 73 to all! Mike Osterberg KØVZ, President Midway Amateur Radio Club Kearney NE