B A R F Benzie Amateur Radio Friends
H e l l o and W e l c o m e
T o
B A R F
Benzie Amateur Radio Friends
A thought to ponder
Radio is about 138 years old. From the 1st tinkering and transatlantic transmission we have come a long way. Amateur radio has been from the beginning, since there were no standards prior. Hams created, developed, trained, and endured periods of downright deplorable treatment. Yet we have prevailed, not without a fight. Hams can talk, rag chew, contest, be part of public service, use digital, CW, video, am, FM and SSB. We can bounce signals off the moon and meteor scatter to communicate with others 1000’s of miles away. What’s all the fuss since any cell phone can call anywhere in the world. You pay for the cell phone then you pay for the service. Don’t forget a cell phone is a radio and digital platform. Ham radio is free to use, in fact it’s against the law to profit from its use. No other radio service has that limitation. Ham radio is the only service that is allowed to build, modify and repair its own equipment. At the end of the day using a cell phone is the easiest way to talk. But if your go back 138 years and know the history of radio, it becomes a nostalgic way to talk. We use it at home, in the car, on the boat, in the airplane and from the highest mountain top. Today the ARRL fights to keep our precious frequency allotments. We don’t pay for our spectrum as does the commercial operators. We need to show usage and value for what we do. Days of God given rights are long gone. Today we litigate rights, tomorrow, well anyone can read the trends, the future is unpredictable. So, join the ranks of the ARRL, get on the air and use the equipment you have. Build a new antenna for a band you do not or have not every worked. Most importantly, show the great hobby in a positive light. 73, KG8CW.
Check out DMR from a hot spot.
The use of DMR has reach a peak. There are serval servers, but TGIF is by far the best. Several others work well but are finicky. Connecting to the Benzie Barf room 2410 can be done from any DMR radio by using the 5002410 Code to upload to the hot spot. This means you have to have TGIF install on the hot spot. Check it out see you soon.
Christmas 2022 was well attended.
The food was good and the camaraderie was great. The group was given a state of BARF if you will as to equipment, funds and work ahead. The weather was cool but snow was not an issue this year. Help was ask for to sell our wares durning the Cherryland Swapfest this Febuary. I know a picture was taken and will be added as soon as I get it. Happy New to all.
BARF’s 442.600 repeater back on the air.
After a set of new finals, a receiver adjustment, a pl tune and a new firmware install the Benzonia repeater is back on the air. Currently the system is transmitting 60 watts. Wires X may be availble.
Cherryland Ham Fest 2022
Hamfest 2023 in February. Volenteer to Help in 2024.
Benzie Rotary Sunrise Bike Ride 2022
2 0 2 3 Area Ham Fests
ARRL Hamfest Calendar click here
Feb 11 Cherryland Ham fest
May 07 Cadillac ARC
May 19-21 Xenia Hamvention
Sep Finlay Ham fest
Sep 17 Adrian ARC
Nov Fort Wayne
