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From the Archives 2026...
January 2026 Membership Meeting - Room A207
Where Did My Signal Go ?
The ionosphere is an amazing phenomenon that makes our long-distance amateur radio communications possible. We will discuss the ionosphere and its regions to understand how each one either helps or hinders our communication. We’ll find out why 75 meters is useless during the day but reaches halfway around the world during the night, or why 40 meters is dead during the day at the same time you are working into Europe on 10 meters. The presentation will stay at a practical level and explain how we can use the ionosphere to our advantage. It will not include mind numbing math or calculus, molecular physics, graphs or charts, nor a quiz at the end.
Presenter
Scott Freeberg WA9WFA, was first licensed in 1967 and currently holds an Extra Class license. He was a Radioman in the US Navy in the early 1970’s. Scott is an Electrical Engineer and recently retired after a 41-year career in the implantable pacemaker business. He enjoys working DX on 10-160 meters using FT-8 and CW, with a little SSB and CW rag chewing on 75 and 40 meters. More recently he is trying to finish Worked All States on 60 and 160 meters. In retirement, he has been collecting and restoring old tube ham radios, building superheterodyne receivers, and writing magazine articles for QST and ARRL’s On The Air. He has been “snowbirding” in Oro Valley for the past 4 years. See you in January.
February 2026 Membership Meeting - Room A207
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A Look at the Benefits of Amateur Radio
Join us on Zoom for a special presentation by Thomas Witherspoon (K4SWL), adapted from his keynote address at HamXposition 2025. In this engaging talk, Thomas explores the enduring values that have kept amateur radio vibrant for generations—and why they matter more than ever today.
Through stories and insights drawn from decades of experience, Thomas highlights how curiosity, kindness, community, diversity, and mentorship (Elmering) form the foundation of our hobby. He explains how these core values foster innovation, welcome new operators, and help amateur radio remain self-sustaining well into the future.
As a passionate field operator, QRP advocate, and community builder, Thomas will show how meaningful connections, supportive mentoring, and a spirit of joy and generosity enable us to push technical boundaries, strengthen our networks, and build lasting friendships across bands, borders, and continents.
Presenter
Thomas Witherspoon (K4SWL) cheerfully admits he is terribly addicted to playing radio in the field. He is the owner and editor of The SWLing Post and QRPer.com, and the founder and curator of both the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive and the Radio Spectrum Archive. His passion for shortwave listening and field-portable amateur radio is evident in everything he does.
If you hear Thomas on the air, chances are he’s activating a park for POTA or WWFF or operating from a summit for SOTA—combining his love of the outdoors with his enthusiasm for radio.
March 2026 Membership Meeting - Room A207
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LICW and the Rennaissance of Morse Code
Please join us for an interactive evening with instructors from the Long Island CW Club. We will discuss why in today’s modern age of communication, there continues to be a growing interest in the original radio mode, CW.
In this session we will cover:
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The original uses of morse code
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The benefits of CW
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The founding of LICW
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Curriculum development and evolution
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The students and members we attract
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The hidden benefits of LICW membership
Presenters
Don Zvareck KC0DWZ
Don, KC0DWZ, has been a licensed amateur radio operator for just over five years—but his journey to CW began much earlier. More than five decades after first considering his license, he decided it was time to overcome the obstacles that had held him back. In January 2023, he joined the Long Island CW Club—a decision he’s never regretted.
After achieving his first on-air CW QSO following just nine weeks of classes, Don’s enthusiasm quickly turned into service. By September 2023, he was teaching at the Beginner’s Carousel 2 level and has since gone on to instruct Intermediate 1 and 2 classes. He also serves as Lead Instructor for the LICW Sending curriculum and teaches Beginning Sending to new members, helping others discover the same excitement and confidence he found on the key.
Don is retired and lives in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota with his wife, Cindy. Together they enjoy time with their two adult sons and three grandchildren.
Scott Wooten KW4NJA
Scott has been a licensed amateur radio operator since January 2021 and holds a General Class license. After a year of operating SSB, he discovered a passion for CW that elevated his involvement in the hobby to a new level.
In February 2022, Scott joined the Long Island CW Club, where he began in the beginner CW classes. Since then, he has become an instructor, teaching Beginners Carousel 2 before progressing to Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, and Advanced 1 classes. In addition to teaching, Scott serves as the coordinator for both the Associate Instructor and Bootcamp programs.
Scott is a retired Captain from the Fire Service after a distinguished 22-year career. He resides in Athens, Georgia, with his wife of 40 years. Together they have three grown children and three grandchildren.
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Do you have an idea or suggestion for a meeting topic?
Let Steve W1SR know about it !
Send an e-mail with your suggestion to W1SR@arrl.net.
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MONTHLY MEETINGs at 7:00pm local time
LOCATION:
NOTE: Renovations completed. We are back in Room A207 !!
Pima Community College, NW Campus
7600 N Shannon Rd.
Click HERE for Map and Directions.
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Don't miss the Monthly Raffle at the meeting !
An electronic process has been created to allow you to purchase your raffle tickets on-line, and a separate "randomization program" will select a winner.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
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