RATS News: Election #2 is Starting Soon | New Training & Prep Net This Weekend | 6m Tailgate | Dues
RATS Secretary
Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society
News
September 5, 2025
Inside this email:
Hanover Training & Preparedness Net Launches Saturday on 145.11/R
Join us for the 6-meter Tailgate on September 13
Activities Committee Kickoff Meeting
Election #2 is Starting Soon
We have encountered a slight delay with the distribution of ballots for the second round of the RATS Board of Directors election. If you got a ballot in the first round, you’ve got another one on the way. This time, we’re filling a Director vacancy created by Reid Barden’s transition to Secretary during the first election. The deadline for nominations and biography submissions was September 3. Look for another Election Runner ballot in your email this weekend. Voting will close at the start of the September membership meeting.
Hanover Training & Preparedness Net Launches Saturday on 145.11
From TJ, KN1ONE and the Hanover VA Amateur Radio Club via RVAHams Slack:
We’re excited to launch the Hanover Training & Preparedness Net: a monthly, scenario-based training net designed to sharpen operator skills and build real emergency readiness.
First Net: Saturday, September 6th @ 15:00
Frequency: N8ELS 145.1100 repeater
This isn’t your average ragchew net. If you check in, you participate with guided exercises that focus on message handling, tactical net discipline, and realistic emergency scenarios. Open to all licensed amateurs (ARES membership encouraged, but not required). Come join us, take part, and strengthen your skills.
The Hanover Training & Preparedness Net is a monthly, scenario-based training net conducted on the N8ELS 145.1100 repeater. Unlike traditional ragchew or comment nets, this exercise is designed to provide amateur operators with practical experience in message handling, tactical net discipline, and operating under realistic emergency conditions. Open to all licensed amateurs, this net emphasizes active participation to build confidence, strengthen operator skills, and enhance community readiness when normal systems fail.
You asked, we listened: More fun, less-business-y membership meetings and more efficient Board meetings are here. Learn more or access meeting documents and video.
Join us for the 6-meter Tailgate on September 13
RATS will be unloading a bunch of miscellaneous stuff from our storage unit at the upcoming 6-meter Tailgate. This free event is hosted by the Central Virginia 6 Meter SSB Net and will run from 8 am to noon on September 13 at the rear parking lot of Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church, 2300 Dumbarton Road in Henrico County.
Equipment to be liquidated mostly consists of older radio gear that has been donated to the club in recent years. Many items are "non-working/parts only" or otherwise of nominal value, but we do have a few goodies in the mix. Questions about the sale can be directed to Rob Marshall KI4MCW and/or the Technical Committee.
Activities Committee Kickoff Meeting
An initial meeting of our proposed Activities Committee will be held on September 16 at 7:30 PM. Invitations initially went directly to 28 members who have previously expressed interest in helping with club social and educational activities, but any member who is interested is welcome to participate! If formed, this committee will assume responsibility for planning and execution of the club’s two annual Field Days and possibly a few other smaller events throughout the year. If you would like to be a part of (or lead!) this new group, please see our meeting announcement and register here.
Meeting registration is required in order to receive the link to the Zoom session. As of 9/5, an insufficient number of sign-ups have been received and this meeting is in jeopardy of being cancelled. During our recent member survey, over two dozen of you said you would or might be willing to get involved with this sort of stuff. We need your help! The future of our club and our ability to continue providing these popular activities depends on your active participation!
Dues are Due by 9/30!
The RATS membership year ends September 30 and dues are now due for the upcoming year. You can pay online at www.rats.net/renew. Renewals must be received by end-of-day 9/30 to avoid a lapse in membership and voting privileges. Memberships not renewed by 12/30 will be automatically relinquished. You can check your status and update your contact information at rmms.rats.net. Allow at least 14 days for your records to be updated after submitting an electronic payment, or several weeks for payments sent by mail. Contact trea...@rats.net with payment questions.
Meetings and Club Contacts
Next membership meeting: Friday, September 19 at 7:30 PM
Next Board meeting: Wednesday, October 1 at 6:30 PM
Link to all meetings: https://go.rats.net/zoom
Meeting minutes and video: https://www.rats.net/club-info/minutes
Listen to our repeaters from anywhere with the Broadcastify network and Brandmeister Hoseline
Club leadership, committee, and workgroup contact information is available on our website.