The September D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place on Wednesday September 11, 2019.

V.E. Test Session begins at 5:00 pm

D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting begins at 6:00 pm

V.E. Test Session will be held at 5 pm at Disney’s Pop Century Cast Services building in the Route 66 conference room and is open to anyone who would like to obtain or upgrade their ham license. This includes all levels of licensing. You do not have to be a D.E.A.R.S Club member to attend the V.E. Test Session or the Club meeting. We invite everyone to attend.

One suggestion from the July general club meeting was to start a tradition of introductions at the start of the meeting. To have some fun with introductions, we will have a slightly different topic for each month. This month will be sharing years since you were first licensed.  See the agenda for more details!

For this meeting we will be constructing and tuning 2 meter Discone antennas to aid everyone is joining the monthly fun net! This should be a fairly laid back activity and a great time to socialize with your fellow hams. If you have a soldering iron or needle nose pliers, please considering bringing them. We will have some to share, but it will be helpful to have more on hand. An antenna analyzer will also be present to tune the antenna. We will also be hearing from Jim Schilling, KG4JSZ as he is running for the ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director.

*** IMPORTANT – NEW MEETING LOCATION ***

This month’s meeting will be held at Disney’s Pop Century Cast Services Building. Directions to the location are as follows:

Disney’s Pop Century Cast Services Building
Building B
Magic conference room

Coming from I-4:
– Take Osceola Parkway exit, follow signs for “Other Guest Areas”
– Follow signs for Pop Century Resort and take Right turn on Victory Way
– Turn right at sign for Pop Century Resort onto Century Dr
– Before security guard post, take left onto Cayman Way
– Speak to guard at gate, and park in lot

We will be monitoring the 147.300 PL tone 103.5 repeater and the 442.000 D-Star repeater. If you and are having trouble finding us, just give a call on 146.52 simplex.

The “Chat and Chew” will remain at the McDonalds near the All-Star Resort. Someone usually arrives between 4 and 4:30 pm. Just remember to leave in time to travel to the new meeting location before the meeting starts.

73s de Andy, Ian, and Steve

The August D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place on Wednesday August 14, 2019.

V.E. Test Session begins at 5:00 pm

D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting begins at 6:00 pm

V.E. Test Session will be held at 5 pm at Disney’s Pop Century Cast Services building and is open to anyone who would like to obtain or upgrade their ham license. This includes all levels of licensing. You do not have to be a D.E.A.R.S Club member to attend the V.E. Test Session or the Club meeting. We invite everyone to attend.

For this meeting we will be hearing from Aaron Magness, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Walt Disney World Emergency Management. We will also be discussing adjustments to a portion of the club bylaws. It should be a really fun evening!

*** IMPORTANT – NEW MEETING LOCATION ***

This month’s meeting will be held at Disney’s Pop Century Cast Services Building. Directions to the location are as follows:

Disney’s Pop Century Cast Services Building
Building B
Memories conference room

Coming from I-4:
– Take Osceola Parkway exit, follow signs for “Other Guest Areas”
– Follow signs for Pop Century Resort and take Right turn on Victory Way
– Turn right at sign for Pop Century Resort onto Century Dr
– Before security guard post, take left onto Cayman Way
– Speak to guard at gate, and park in lot

We will be monitoring the 147.300 PL tone 103.5 repeater and the 442.000 D-Star repeater. If you and are having trouble finding us, just give a call on 146.52 simplex.

The “Chat and Chew” will remain at the McDonalds near the All-Star Resort. Someone usually arrives between 4 and 4:30 pm. Just remember to leave in time to travel to the new meeting location before the meeting starts.

See you there!

Steve Martin

KI4IUN

The June D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place on Wednesday June 12, 2019.

V.E. Test Session begins at 5:00 pm

D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting begins at 6:00 pm

V.E. Test Session will be held at 5 pm in the Box Office Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Cast Services Building and is open to anyone who would like to obtain or upgrade their ham license. This includes all levels of licensing. You do not have to be a D.E.A.R.S Club member to attend the V.E. Test Session or the Club meeting. We invite everyone to attend.

For this meeting we will have Rick Nitz from the USCG Auxiliary and is also a fellow member of  Orlando ARES. Rick will be speaking about offshore emergency operations. It shall be interesting to learn how they handle emergencies off land.

We will also be discussing the plans for ARRL Field Day coming up on June 22nd. We welcome all to come join us for this great evening!

The meeting will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. We should be able to get in the room starting around 5:45 pm. Directions to the location are as follows:

Disney’s All Star Resort Cast Services Building

1601 West Buena Vista Drive

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Players Conference Room

Follow Buena Vista Drive through the light by McDonalds. Take your first right onto Showtime Drive (if you get to the Security Guard Shack, you have gone too far!). Stop at the security camera kiosk, push the button to alert security and show a photo ID (can be a drivers license) to the host or hostess via the security camera. Let them know you are there to attend the D.E.A.R.S. Club meeting. The gate to your right will open. You may park in any of the visitor (or open) parking spaces.

Enter the Cast Services Building through the covered entrance and double glass doors. Turn left and follow the hallway to the end and turn left again. The Players Conference room is on the right.

We will be monitoring the 147.300 PL tone 103.5 repeater and the 442.000 D-Star repeater. If you have made it to the McDonalds at All Star and are having trouble finding us, just give a call on 146.52 simplex.

The “Chat and Chew” will be at the McDonalds located prior to the All Star entrance. Someone usually arrives between 4 and 4:30 pm.

See you there!

Rebekah Bachstein

K4YAY

Join us Wednesday evening, May 22nd at 7 pm for the May D.E.A.R.S. Fun Net. The illustrious Captain Bruce Keller (K4BAK) is taking a well deserved break so I will be at the helm as Net Control! I am excited to be Captain for this evening, just like my good friend Captain Minnie who is currently steering the ships!

Please join us from all over the world and check in to our net. Everyone is welcome to check in and share any traffic or announcements with us.

We will begin promptly at 7 pm Eastern Time. In the Orlando area you will find us on the D.E.A.R.S. repeater at frequency 147.300 PL 103.5. You can also join us via EchoLink node #632802.

Settle yourself in your radio shack, grab a cup of coffee in your D.E.A.R.S. coffee mug(right handed or left handed – either way works) and check in to the net. We want to know you are listening and we can be heard.

We love to share our net with all hams no matter where you may be located. It is an exciting time for everyone to listen to old friends and make some new ones! Interested to see what everyone has been up to this past month.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to once again be a part of the monthly D.E.A.R.S. Net!!

Look forward to hearing from everyone soon!

Rebekah Bachstein
K4YAY

The May D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place on Wednesday May 8th, 2019.

V.E. Test Session begins at 5:00 pm
D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting begins at 6:00 pm

V.E. Test Session will be held at 5 pm in the Box Office Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Cast Services Building and is open to anyone who would like to obtain or upgrade their ham license. This includes all levels of licensing. You do not have to be a D.E.A.R.S Club member to attend the V.E. Test Session or the Club meeting. We invite everyone to attend.

For this meeting we will have Scott Spratt from NOAA in Melbourne, Florida. Scott will be discussing hazardous weather in our area leading up to hurricane season.

The meeting will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. We should be able to get in the room starting around 5:45 pm. Directions to the location are as follows:

Disney’s All Star Resort Cast Services Building
1601 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Players Conference Room

Follow Buena Vista Drive through the light by McDonalds. Take your first right onto Showtime Drive (if you get to the Security Guard Shack, you have gone too far!). Stop at the security camera kiosk, push the button to alert security and show a photo ID (can be a drivers license) to the host or hostess via the security camera. Let them know you are there to attend the D.E.A.R.S. Club meeting. The gate to your right will open. You may park in any of the visitor (or open) parking spaces.

Enter the Cast Services Building through the covered entrance and double glass doors. Turn left and follow the hallway to the end and turn left again. The Players Conference room is on the right.

We will be monitoring the 147.300 PL tone 103.5 repeater and the 442.000 D-Star repeater. If you have made it to the McDonalds at All Star and are having trouble finding us, just give a call on 146.52 simplex.

The “Chat and Chew” will be at the McDonalds located prior to the All Star entrance. Someone usually arrives between 4 and 4:30 pm.

See you there!
Rebekah Bachstein
K4YAY

The April D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place on Wednesday April 10th, 2019.

V.E. Test Session begins at 5:00 pm
D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting begins at 6:00 pm

V.E. Test Session will be held at 5 pm in the Box Office Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Cast Services Building and is open to anyone who would like to obtain or upgrade their ham license. This includes all levels of licensing. You do not have to be a D.E.A.R.S Club member to attend the V.E. Test Session or the Club meeting. We invite everyone to attend.

For the meeting we will have John Knott from OARC on hand to talk about ARES Operations and Training. If you’ve been interested in participating in the local ARES organization, you’ll definitely want to attend! Also, the DEARS officer election will be taking place.

The meeting will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. We should be able to get in the room starting around 5:45 pm. Directions to the location are as follows:

Disney’s All Star Resort Cast Services Building
1601 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Players Conference Room

Follow Buena Vista Drive through the light by McDonalds. Take your first right onto Showtime Drive (if you get to the Security Guard Shack, you have gone too far!). Stop at the security camera kiosk, push the button to alert security and show a photo ID (can be a drivers license) to the host or hostess via the security camera. Let them know you are there to attend the D.E.A.R.S. Club meeting. The gate to your right will open. You may park in any of the visitor (or open) parking spaces.

Enter the Cast Services Building through the covered entrance and double glass doors. Turn left and follow the hallway to the end and turn left again. The Players Conference room is on the right.

We will be monitoring the 147.300 PL tone 103.5 repeater and the 442.000 D-Star repeater. If you have made it to the McDonalds at All Star and are having trouble finding us, just give a call on 146.52 simplex.

The “Chat and Chew” will be at the McDonalds located prior to the All Star entrance. Someone usually arrives between 4 and 4:30 pm.

See you there!
Sean Wall
KV4WV

The March D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place on Wednesday March 13th, 2019.

V.E. Test Session begins at 5:00 pm
D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting begins at 6:00 pm

V.E. Test Session will be held at 5 pm in the Box Office Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Cast Services Building and is open to anyone who would like to obtain or upgrade their ham license. This includes all levels of licensing. You do not have to be a D.E.A.R.S Club member to attend the V.E. Test Session or the Club meeting. We invite everyone to attend.

For the meeting we will have a few guests — David Casto, Director of  Emergency Management from Sumter County will be in to discuss the upcoming storm season and we will also have Michael Cauley and John Knott from OARC to discuss the MS Society Citrus Bike Ride next week.

The meeting will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. We should be able to get in the room starting around 5:45 pm. Directions to the location are as follows:

Disney’s All Star Resort Cast Services Building
1601 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Players Conference Room

Follow Buena Vista Drive through the light by McDonalds. Take your first right onto Showtime Drive (if you get to the Security Guard Shack, you have gone too far!). Stop at the security camera kiosk, push the button to alert security and show a photo ID (can be a drivers license) to the host or hostess via the security camera. Let them know you are there to attend the D.E.A.R.S. Club meeting. The gate to your right will open. You may park in any of the visitor (or open) parking spaces.

Enter the Cast Services Building through the covered entrance and double glass doors. Turn left and follow the hallway to the end and turn left again. The Players Conference room is on the right.

We will be monitoring the 147.300 PL tone 103.5 repeater and the 442.000 D-Star repeater. If you have made it to the McDonalds at All Star and are having trouble finding us, just give a call on 146.52 simplex.

The “Chat and Chew” will be at the McDonalds located prior to the All Star entrance. Someone usually arrives between 4 and 4:30 pm.

See you there!
Sean Wall
KV4WV

Join us Wednesday evening, February 27th at 7 pm for the February D.E.A.R.S. Fun Net with the illustrious Captain Bruce Keller (K4BAK) at the helm as Net Control! Bruce is the reason we call our net the “Fun” Net. He makes it an exciting event you don’t want to miss.

Please join us from all over the world and check in to our net. Everyone is welcome to check in and share any traffic or announcements with us.

We will begin promptly at 7 pm Eastern Time. In the Orlando area you will find us on the D.E.A.R.S. repeater at frequency 147.300 PL 103.5.  You can also join us via EchoLink node #632802.

Settle yourself in your radio shack, grab a cup of coffee in your D.E.A.R.S. coffee mug(right handed or left handed – either way works) and check in to the net. We want to know you are listening and we can be heard.

We love to share our net with all hams no matter where you may be located. This is a way to ensure we are being heard and our repeater is working properly and ready to be used in case of an emergency situation.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to once again be a part of the monthly D.E.A.R.S. Net!!

Sean Wall  KV4WV

Hi everyone – due to scheduling conflicts, the DEARS February meeting will be held on the original date, February 13th, and NOT a week early. Apologies for any confusion.