2026 Net Control Needed for DVRA New Ham Net

[Bob Bowden KB3BB]

During 2024 and 2025 it’s been my pleasure to serve as Net Control for DVRA’s New Ham Net, now held at 7pm local time on the first Wednesday of each month on the DVRA 442.650 W2ZQ Repeater (Tx offset +5MHz, PL tone of 131.8 Hz required on your 447.650 MHz transmissions). The purpose of the net is to encourage on-air operation of new licensees and to answer any questions a new ham may have. Each month features a 5-10 minute talk on a topic that may be of interest to new hams, or to veteran Amateurs who want to try something new.

This Wednesday December 3^rd, our topic will be “adding an amplifier on transmit and/or receive to increase communications range and readability”. I’ll be serving as your Net Control, and hope you can join us.

Starting January 7^th, it will be time to hand the net off to a new Net Control to lead this net for 2026. Requirements are:

-         - Availability at 7pm on the first Wednesday of the month.

-         -Ability to reach the W2ZQ 440 MHz Quakerbridge NJ repeater with “room to spare”.

-         -Ability to come up with a new subject each month and go over the basics of that topic with Amateurs who are new to this hobby, as well as veterans who want to try new things.

-         -Experience with Ham Radio is important to have. The Net Control should have the ability to answer basic questions and, when appropriate, refer questions to other club members who are more experienced with the topic.

Note that YOU don’t have to deliver the 5-10 minute talk each and every month – you can recruit another club member or another Ham who is more of a subject expert to do a ‘guest presentation’.

If interested, please contact our club president Martin Crabtree at martin.j...@gmail.com to discuss the role and your willingness to serve in this capacity.

Thanks for your attention, and whether you’re a new ham or a veteran of this hobby, please continue to keep this Net well-attended. It’s educational and enjoyable, and your participation helps you and others enjoy our hobby in new ways!

With best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a great 2026,

Bob Bowden KB3BB