The D.E.A.R.S. General upgrade class is happening this weekend, May 6-7.  The location is the community room at the Edgehill/Ridgewood Lakes development off of US 27 in Davenport:

50 Westridge Rd.
Davenport, FL 33837

The class times are as follows:

• Saturday May 6th – from 9 am to 4 pm
• Sunday May 7th – from 12 pm to 4 pm, with the General exam happening at 4pm

All are welcome to come to the class, even if you aren’t ready to take the General exam yet.  We’ll have in-class demonstrations of HF radio operation, digital modes, and more!  If you want to take the General exam on Sunday at 4:00 pm, please bring your current Tech license and the test fee, which is $15.

Hope to see you there!

D.E.A.R.S. Coffee Mug

Mickey’s Radio Shack

The April D.E.A.R.S. “Fun” Net will take place Wednesday, April 26 at 7 pm. The amazing Bruce Keller (K4BAK) will once again take charge as Net Control! It is always such a pleasure to hear Bruce in control. He does such a phenomenal job at the helm.

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 “Fun” Net!!

Kathy K4WDW

The April D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place onWednesday, April 12, 2017
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 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.

Our guest speaker this month will be Steve Szabo, WB4OMM, ARRL North Florida Section Manager. I am really looking forward to Steve’s presentation. You won’t want to miss this meeting!!
I will also have LOTS of exciting news to share!!

The April meeting and V.E. Test session will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. 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 pl103 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.
You won’t want to miss this meeting!! See you real soon!!!

Kathy Blake
K4WDW

Click here to donate.

Join us for the 2017 Relay for Life Event on Saturday April 8 beginning at 1 pm and continuing through the night ending on Sunday morning April 9 at 7 am.

Yes!! We will be there all night long. Stop by and visit us at Site #12.

We will be selling popcorn, Activa yogurt, water, coffee, D.E.A.R.S. magnets and D.E.A.R.S. coffee mugs. All donations will be given to the American Cancer Society through the Lake Buena Vista Relay For Life.

If you would like to make a personal donation to this worthy cause, please go to the Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista website and look for our team name which is  D.E.A.R.S. INC. WRECK-IT RALPH. Join our team and make your donation.

If you are able to donate some volunteer hours at our site, please feel free to come and participate with us at any time you are available to assist.

I hope to see you all there and thank you for your support!!

Kathy Blake, K4WDW

This month’s net will take place Wednesday, March 22 at 7 pm. The amazing Bruce Keller (K4BAK) will once again take charge as Net Control of the “Fun” Net!

Please join us from all over the world and check in with Bruce (Net Control). 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.

I want to hear a net full of participants so please settle back with your cup of coffee in your fabulous D.E.A.R.S. coffee mug (left handed or right handed) and let us know you are listening. 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 be a part of the “Fun” Net!!

Kathy K4WDW

The March D.E.A.R.S. Club Meeting and V.E. Test Session will take place on

Wednesday, March 8, 2017
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 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.

We will be discussing the upcoming General Upgrade class which D.E.A.R.S. is offering the weekend of May 6th and 7th.  Come to the meeting for some details of the class including fun demos and a sample of the material which will be presented.  Class sign-ups will be taken after the meeting!!

The March meeting and V.E. Test session will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. 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 pl103 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.

Come check out the General upgrade class and sign up to get on the HF bands!

Kathy Blake
K4WDW

Mickey is ready for the February Net!! Are you?? We certainly hope so!!

This month’s net will take place tomorrow evening – Wednesday, February 22 at 7 pm. The amazing Bruce Keller (K4BAK) will once again take charge as Net Control!! Bruce is the one who has made our net well-known as the “Fun” Net. Thanks, Bruce.

Please join us from all over the world and check in with Bruce (Net Control). Everyone is welcome to check in and share any traffic or announcements with us.

As indicated, we will begin promptly at 7 pm Eastern Time. You will find us on frequency 147.300 PL 103.5.

I want to hear a net full of participants so please settle back with your cup of coffee in your fabulous D.E.A.R.S. coffee mug (left handed or right handed) and let us know you are listening. 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 be a part of the “Fun” Net!!

Kathy K4WDW

You won’t want to miss the Exciting February D.E.A.R.S Club Meeting!

Tom Gallagher, ARRL Chief Executive Officer (NY2RF) has graciously agreed to be our guest speaker for this meeting just prior to HamCation weekend.

We invite anyone who would like to hear Tom share his vision for amateur radio to attend this meeting. Please be our guest even if you are not a member of D.E.A.R.S. We welcome all ham radio operators or anyone interested in ham radio to attend. Even if you are a member of a different radio club or just visiting the Orlando area, please join us.

This important meeting will take place at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 8.

There will be a V.E. Test Session at 5:00 pm prior to the meeting and is open to anyone who would like to obtain or upgrade their ham license. This includes all levels of licensing. As stated previously, 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.

The February meeting and V.E. Test session will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. 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 pl103 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 take place at the McDonald’s located by Disney’s All Star Resort entrance. Club members usually begin arriving around 4:00 – 4:15 pm.

Let’s show Tom our support for his efforts with the ARRL by providing him a large audience. He will be offering a Q&A period following his presentation. This is your opportunity to find out the answers to all those questions you have always wanted to ask!!

I hope to see you all there!!

Kathy Blake
K4WDW

The first D.E.A.R.S Club Meeting of 2017 will take place on Wednesday, January 4 at 6:00 pm. This is the perfect way to start your New Year!!

The V.E. Test Session will take place at 5:00 pm prior to the meeting 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.

We have moved the meeting this month only to the 1st Wednesday of January because we have a very special guest speaker!! Ray Novak (N9JA), Senior Sales Manager for ICOM, is visiting Walt Disney World and has agreed to speak to our Club members. We invite anyone who is interested in hearing Ray to attend this meeting even if you are not a D.E.A.R.S. Club member.

We want to thank Ray’s family for allowing him to take some time out from their vacation to afford us this fantastic opportunity. We really appreciate you!!

The January meeting and V.E. Test session will be held in the Players Conference Room at Disney’s All Star Resort. 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 pl103 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 take place at the McDonald’s located by Disney’s All Star Resort entrance. Club members usually begin arriving around 4:00 – 4:15 pm.

Let’s show Ray how much we appreciate him taking valuable time from his family vacation to visit our Club!! I anticipate a super large crowd!!

Kathy Blake
K4WDW