This reminder comes from Mitch W1SJ about the VT QSO party and W1AW/1 operations." Vermont QSO PartyThis weekend is the Vermont QSO Party. It starts at 7PM Friday night and runs for 48 hours. You can operate as much of it as you want.We are especially looking for new operators and operators without good stations to join the W1NVT multiop on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.If you are joining W1NVT...- You don't need to have a General class license - or a license at all for that matter. You will be operating as a guest op and I am the control operator.- You don't need to know how to operate or do a contest. I teach you that very quickly. Inside of 15 minutes, you will be putting a lot of stations in the log.- This is the BEST opportunity to get on the air and learn. Other stations are looking for VT stations, and they will be calling you. QRM is not too bad.- If you operate during other contests, things get very busy. If you operate not during a contest, it is tough to find stations to work.- Don't feel satisfied if you just operate FT8. FT8 is like tasteless oatmeal. A SSB run is like a steak dinner (or whatever the vegan counterpart is). - You don't sit around and watch. This isn't a spectator sport. You get in the contest. There is a tremendous amount of fun to be had. You must participate! - A great opportunity like this doesn't come around very often.To do this, simply email me and let me know what slot you want: Sat 12-2, 2-4, 4-6 or Sunday 12-2, 2-4, 4-6. We can work in other times, if necessary. I'll give you the details on how to get here and what to bring.If you are operating at home.... operate! Turn the radio on and call CQ on your favorite band. Call CQ - if you tune around others will not be able to find you. Use the cluster to let everyone else know where you will be. Some of the W1AW/1 crew will be on at various times with that callsign and at other times with their own callsign. There will be a lot of activity.Contest rules are at www.ranv.org/vtqso.htmlThe rules are a bit complex. Just get on and exchange your county (or grid square on FT8). Listen to some of our other operators and you will get thehang of it. We have a lot less rovers this year. If you are up to it, find a POTA park or pull-off in a rare county and give it a go!Hope to get you on the air.Mitch "73 de STARC ... See MoreSee Less
QST QST QST - Vermont QSO Party is this coming weekendThis is a QST.The 2026 Vermont QSO Party is this weekend, February 7th and 8th.See this: www.ranv.org/vtqso.html for all the details.73 de STARC ... See MoreSee Less
QST QST QST - CVFMA Swap Fest Saturday February 7th 2026This is a QST.This is from Rob N1XSS about the CVFMA hamfest happening this Saturday." Reminder of the CVFMA Swap Fest This Saturday February 7th we still have a few Vendor Tables available: Reserve your table by contacting CVFMA at: swapfest@cvfma.orgYou are invited to an Amateur Radio Swap Fest. Sponsored by the Connecticut Valley FM Association, an ARRL affiliated Amateur Radio Club. Door Prizes Icom ICV-3500 mobile radio, 50/50 Raffle. Same Great event at a new place right across the river in Charlestown, NH.Saturday February 7th, 2026. Charlestown Senior Center 223 Old Springfield Road Charlestown, NH – 03603 Setup starts at 7:00AM with the main event kicking off at 8:00AM, wrap up by Noon. Free admission for all attendees! Winning the 50/50 raffle could pay for that new handheld you always wanted or cover the cost of gas, snacks, and possibly a table or two. There will be a $10.00 per table charge for sellers with a One-Table Maximum. With the new location we will have a one table reservation maximum. If sufficient space is available on event day, we may be able to expand that to two.Set up a table to make some room in your shack for that new radio you have been looking at and recycle some of your older equipment to another Ham. Maybe set up a table to show off your favorite aspect of the hobby.Free tables will be available for anyone wishing to present only No selling! Can you demonstrate your logging program, do a satellite demo, show off your home brew antennas? This day is for "us"(you), to socialize with each other, make new friends and catch up with old friends. Bring your favorite presentation and share it with others. There will be plenty of fun, good times and good friends to be had by all.Reserve your table by contacting CVFMA at: swapfest@cvfma.orgDirections: I 91 exit 7 Head east on Rt. 11 towards New Hampshire, cross the bridge and continue east for 0.5 miles and bear right on to Old Springfield Road, continue 0.3 to the Charlestown Senior Center 223 Old Springfield Road Charlestown, NH Saturday Morning Talk In from the top of Mt. Ascutney on the 146.760 CVFMA repeater (‐) Pl 110.9 and on DMR Vermont talk group! "73 de STARC ... See MoreSee Less
Question from the Extra License Class question pool:" How many different input levels can be encoded by an analog-to-digital converter with 8-bit resolution?A. 8B. 8 multiplied by the gain of the input amplifierC. 256 divided by the gain of the input amplifierD. 256 "Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!73 de STARC ... See MoreSee Less
Question from the General License Class question pool:" What is the name of the process that changes the phase angle of an RF signal to convey information?A. Phase convolutionB. Phase modulationC. Phase transformationD. Phase inversion "Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!73 de STARC ... See MoreSee Less