Radio Clubs

 In my Amateur Radio lifetime, I have been a member of several local radio clubs:

The Old Bridge Radio Association

The Metuchen ARC

The Raritan Bay Radio Amateurs

The Piscataway ARC

The Raritan Valley Radio Club

The South Plainfield ARC

The Electronic Testing Society of NJ

Each had their pros and cons, but of all of them by far the best of them was the Piscataway ARC. First and foremost, it was NOT a repeater based club. It was an activity based club.We conducted Special Event Stations, including an annual one to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the Voice of America, as we were located very close to what was once one of early antenna sites. Our club call sign was K2VOA.

in addition to Special Event stations, every Summer we went to Camp Diana, which was a Special Needs camp sponsored by the Lions. We would spend the entire day introducing the kids to the wonderful world of Amateur Radio. 

We also held the most kick butt Field Day every year. Members of other local clubs would come by for the food ...and to operate for a bit.

We also held an auction each year to generate funds for the club. The only bad memory about the auctions is that one year I donated my original HW-8 as one of the items for bid, Biggest Amareur Radio blunder that I ever made!

Still these were good times, and perhaps the best of times. I was honored to serve as VP for two terms and as President for two terms.

In reminiscing about PARC with fellow member Bob W3BBO, I told him thar the greatest thing about the club was that there was not one single member that I.would not want to sit next to at a meeting. Every single member was "good people" PARC seemed to defy that old saying that  "there's one in every bunch". What greater testimony can there be for an Amateur Radio Club?

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Thank you, Joseph and Cara

 The 2026 Skeeter Hunt is over. I posted the Scoreboard yesterday.i think that now that it's over, that I might just start making more posts here. Call it part of my recovery process. As long as i can think of something not boring to write about, I will.

By the way, the link to the Skeeter Hunt Scoreboard appears on the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt tab above.

Now to explain the title of this post. From 1979 when I first got on the air, until about 2000, I was just another run-of-the-mill Amatuer Radio Operator. Most times I operated around 75 - 100 Watt1, even though I was always intrigued by QRP.

I got married in 1998 and Marianne and were fortunate enough to bring our son, Joseph, into this world in 2000. Cara came a year later in 2001.

My antennas always included some kind of wire where one end was anchored to the house. It's that way to the present day. However, that one anchored end is near their bedrooms.

It was about the same time that the cause du jour was RF Exposure. Not wanting to take even the mosr infantesimal.chance that my RF energy could have some long term effect on them, I decided to go 100% QRP. Yes, I do have a 100 Watt amplifier, but thar is reserved for new DX. It's more of a paperweight than anything else.

So that's my story as to how I became a QRPer 99% of the time. I hope to be bringing more new content soon.

72 de Larry W2LJ 

RP - When you care to send the very least!

NJQRP Skeeter Hunt 2026

 For me, it was a bust.

Not only were band conditions horrible, but I was handicapped antenna-wise.

1i still cannot negotiate stairs, so getting to the basement shack was not an option.instead, i set up in the dining room, using my AlexLoop.  I ended up working one station- Marv K2VHW, who lives on the other side of town. Other than Marv, I heard no other Skeeters  or other QRPers. I did hear a few FL QSO Pafry revelerscccc$ 

The RBN map seems to tell a differet 6stsory. 

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Guess I was told.

 I received the following email ftom DL2ARL today via the io Group for ATS rig owners:

Gentlemen, Larry,

this is a forum dedicated to the ATS rigs created by Steven Weber. Sure, it has grown silent here in the last time, but this is no excuse for you to hijack this group for your needs.  Why do you steal the bandwidth of this group with your Bumblebees? 

 

Please create your own group and stay away here

I reponded as follows

The Skeeter Hunt and Flight of the Bumblebees are two annual QRP outdoor events which are generally looked forward to by the QRP community with great anticipation.

Including ATS owners was an act of courtesy toward that community. It appears that we were mistaken. We won't bother your group again.

Thank you.

Larry W2LJ 

Several members of the group reached out and asked me to continue sending out notifications. My goal is to create participation and not.spam. if anyone out there in any of the io Groups that I reach out to would like me to cease and desist posting notices about QRP operating events, just let mr know.

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!s ancare act of courtesy toward that commu

Happy 250th, USA!

 

 

Today we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our request for Independence.  May the idea that all men are created equal with the God given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness thrive for another 250 years.

Both the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt and the Flight of the Bumblebees are doing well with sign ups. Each event has over 100 QRPers signed up. Please keep in mind that these are separate events and you must sign up for each, individually. Signing up for one, does not get you entered for Both.

Having so many Hams signed up is a hopeful indicator as to the health of these two events. QRP Afield and QRP To The Field have gone the way of the Dodo. The QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint only had 9scores reported this year.

It seems thar between POTA and the K1USN Sprint held each Sunday evening,, QRP Sprints are becoming an endangered species.Going out and operating portableIis not as special as it used to be,

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

QRPTTF a bust?

 Until Paul NA5N starts posting some claimed scores it will be difficult to definitively  gauge participation in QRPTTF 2026. However, if chatter on the QRP reflectors is any indication ..... not so great.

I've seen e-mails which seemed to imply that there were very few stations calling CQ QRP or CQ TTF.  Most stations worked seemed to be either POTA or Florida QSO Party participanrs 

This is kind of troubling as QRPTTF has always been a cornerstone QRP event. I don't know why participation seems to be dropping off. Possibilities might include that there are fewer CW operators around than there used to be, or perhaps the QRP Community is getting older and less likely to take to the field. There's also the possibility that FT8 has grown so popular as to become the preferred mode of choice now. As a rule, FT8 and other digital modes are prohibited in the QRP Sprints.

Which brings to mind another matter. Jody K3JZD has announced that photos and comments from FOBB 2025 have been posted to https://ars-qrp.com/ for your viewing pleasure.

Jody also announced that signups for FOBB 2026 will begin on June 21st.. As that's the First Day of Summer, it's also the date that signups for the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt commence. Just a friendly reminder that you'll have to sign up for both, individually. Signing up for FOBB does NOT automatically sign you up for the Skeeter Hunt and visa-versa.

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

QRPTTF Today

 Sorry for the late notice. QRP To The Field is today, Saturday Aptil 25th. All thr rules can be found at zianer.com/qrp/qrp/qrpttf/himzianer.com/qrp/qrp/qrpttf/him.

I will not be heading out to the field for various reasons, some of which I will go into a bit later. The forecast for my QTH is rain all day.

You may have noticed that a while ago, I removed my retirement countdown clock. I had originally planned for my last day to be this coming Friday. I bumped that up to February 1st. I'd had enough and called it quits a tad early. They say that when you retire, you get your chance to travel. For me, it was a trip to the hospital five days later on February  5th.

I woke up that morning with really bad stomach cramps. I thought it was a case of food poisoning, as I've gone through that twice before, when I was much younger. The cramping got so intense that I dialed 911. I was taken to the emergency room and underwent a CAT scan. Turns out that an 18.5 inch section of my lower intestine got knotted up and had to be removed via emergency surgery.

I spent February in the hospital between recovery, physical therapy and some time spent while they had to put my A-fib under control. I am home now, but am depending on using a walker to get around. That means no going down to the basement for now to get to the main shack. I'll be using the KX3 and the AX-1 antenna or the Alex Loop from the main floor for now.

In addition, my 80 - 10 EFRW came down during one of our two snowstorms this past winter. I will need help replacing that once I start getting around better.

While 2026 has been a rough go so far, things could be a lot worse. It's going to take some time to get back to "normal" and I'll deal with each day as it comes.

This is what happens when you don't shave for a month. I've decided to keep it for now .... my badge of honor.

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Christmas Eve 2025

 I apologize for my absence. I've received several e-mails inquiring as to why there have been no posts in the past month. I don't want to bore anyone with details or to start sounding like those guys on HF who only talk about their health problems. But I have been facing a few issues that have precluded me from getting on the air.  In addition a few weeks ago, we had a bit of a heavy, wet snowfall accompanied by high winds that knocked down one of the masts that support my EFRW. Should be a relative easy fix with the help of my son, but that will depend on having a dry, precipitation free weekend. So for HF, I might be confined to the HF9V or my magloop for now.

But today is Christmas Eve. Thanks to those of you who reached out, privately. It does a body good to know that people enjoy this little blog of mine and that they care.

So from my house to yours, I wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.! I hope you awaken tomorrow morning to find that Good Ol' Saint Nick was generous with Ham Gear under your tree.

And more importantly, may the peace and love that the Christ child brought with Him to Earth remain with you all the days of your lives.

You guys are the best. Really!

72 de Larry W2LJ 

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Good news and bad news

 The results for Field Day 2025 are out in the December issue if QST. 

The South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club got some good news and some bad news. The good news? We placed 3rd in our category, 3A Battery.

The bad news? There were only three entries in that category this year, There's usually 5, 6 or even 7 - but this year only three. And to boot, we came in a distant third.

Not our best effort and Marv K2VHW and I have been thinking about ways to improve our QSO count. For the past few years, we've had a CW station, a SSB station and a Digital station. The CW station operated primarily on 40 Meters, while the SSB'ers operated primarily on 20 Meters. In 2026 we want to mix that up some - perhaps scheduled 2 hour time block where we switch bands.

Marv's goal is to get us up to 500 CW QSOs in the log. That's a lofty goal as he and I are the two primary CW Ops and we're no longer spring chickens. When you're not a contester as a favorite part of the hobby, keeping your seat in a chair that long for an undertaking like that is a tall task.

Now, if we could get both of us working 20 and 40 Meters at the same time, it might be easier - but that would go over like a lead balloon with the SSB guys.

Anyway, it's things to think about for next June.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Tally Ho!

 The 2025 - 2026 QRP Fox Hunt Season has begun! If you've never tried this before, I highly recommend it, It's a lot of fun and after one ro to hunts, you're bound to become hooked.

The particulars, rules, regulations, results and all that kind of stuff can be found here - https://www.qrpfoxhunt.org

Personally, i will not be participating this year, as either a Fox or Hound.  The main reason being that the Hunts start here at 9:00 PM EST and run for an hour and a half. That being said, when I do participate as either a Fox or Hound, there's an adrenaline rush. I get all wired up from the thrill of the hunt and generally cannot fall asleep until somewhere close to Midnight.  When you have to wake up at 5:00 AM for the next workday, it spells "being fuzzy all day".  If I was still in my 20s or 30s, that wouldn't be a big deal. As I get closer and closer to 70, it is a big deal.

As a Fox, it seems everyone wants to see their results super fast. To that end there's a "live QSO map" where the Foxes can enter the calls of the Hounds they work as they work them and a little green dot will pop up on a ,ap of North America. This is actually a great tool for preventing duplicate contacts - but it involves keyboard entry in real time.

I'm a fossil. I log with paper and pen and transfer to my computer afterward. I'm also not the most proficient Fox in the herd, either. Great Hams like John K4BAI or Rick NK9G can easily work somewhere around 70 or so Hounds per Hunt. I'm usually lucky to get near 50. If I were to try and type and operate at the same time, that would most likely go down to 30 or 40 per Hunt. I'm not that talented.

But my issues aside, the QRP Fox Hunts are a grand old time. You should try it at least once - but I'll warn you that they're like Lays potato chips. You most likely won't be able to stop at one.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

All Hallows Eve

Happy Hallowe'en!

Hallowe'en originally was not a spooky thing- but started a three day period in the Catholic Church to remember those who have gone on before us. It is known as Hallow Tide.

Hallowee'en was the vigil before All Saints Day, where we honor and remember those who we believe have made it to heaven. The next day, November 2nd, is All Souls Day, where we remember in particular, family and friends who have passed on,

In Poland, this is what a typical cemetery look like for Hallow Tide. Candles are placed on the graves of loved ones.

This year, my mind wanders to memories about good Ham Radio friends who have passed, but have left their mark on me.. Not a complete list ny any means - but it seems like there's way too many.

Mark Rosenwald N2EBA

Charlie LaTerra N2LHD

Bill Koeth W2WK

Drew Moore W2OU

Julius Kardos W2VO

George Miller K2FD

Rich Alderiso AA2KS

Chuck Phillips WB2MSV

Norm Bendell KS2SBB

Bob Conroy KB2VMG

John Anesh AA2AV

Ken Louks WA8REI

They were all good friends and they are definitely missed - but memories about them live on - and that's a good thing. They are not forgotten.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Fun, but not enough

I got on the air for the Zombie Shuffle late, not until around 8:00 PM local time. I started on 20 Meters, but signals were weak and there was horrid QSB.  I struggled and worked a pair before switching to 40 Meters, where I made most of my contacts, and spent most of my time.

I went to 80 Meters for a bit where signals were loud, but not many Zombies. I only heard and worked one, K1RF. Two non-QRP stations answered my "CQ BOO" and I had to explain about the Zombie Shuffle. When one heard my explanation, he responded, "UR 5 WATTS? UR BLOWING MY EARS OFF!"

THAT is always fun!

I went back to 40 Meters but wasn't hearing any new Zombies and my CQs were going unanswered, so I packed it in around 9:15 PM local time. I worked 10 Zombies and 2 QRO stations in just over an hour. Lots of fun, but not enough. Next year, if God is willing and I am finally retired, perhaps I can get on for the 3:00 PM local time kick off.

72 de Larry (Vlad) W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Zombie Shuffle THIS Friday!

 The Zombie Shuffle always takes place on the Friday before Hallowe'en. Next Friday IS Hallowe'en, so the Shuffle is happening this Friday!

The Zombie Shuffle has become one of the most highly anticipated QRP events of the year. I daresay, right on par with the Flight of the Bumblebees. It's a strictly fun, low pressure, easy going event that is always a ton of fun.

All the details can be found at: https://www.zianet.com/qrp/ZOMBIE/pg.html

There's a new rule in place since I last participated in a Shuffle - it's called the "Rebirth Rule". You can work the same station twice on the same band, but it has to be at least tow hours after your first contact.

My ETS of NJ Meeting falls on Hallowe'en this year, so I am looking forward to joining in on the fun this year. It runs from 3:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight Local Time.

Hope to catch you shuffling on the bands Friday Fright!

72 de Vlad - Zombie # 858

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

W2LJ was a No Show

Unfortunately, the QRP ARCI Contest Manager found no time to participate in the QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party on Saturday!

I got a late start on Saturday morning, and was almost late for my own VE Session More on that in a bit. I ran out of the house without taking my morning heart meds and as a result, felt kind of crappy for the rest of the day, until I took them a few hours later than I usually do.  After grocery shopping, I was kind of too "pooped to pop", so I didn't get on the air. Lesson learned - take those @#^%$ pills before leaving the house in the morning!

Getting back to the VE Session - we had one candidate.  This has been a pitiful year for our VE Sessions. Candidates are becoming scarcer than hens teeth. We had one in May, only two at the Hamfest in June, and none in July, August or September! The only thing I can attribute this to is the genesis and popularity of online exams. Candidates don't have to travel and can take the exam from the comfort of their own home.

I told the Team that I was going to schedule monthly exams for 2026 for the first half of the year only. If the number of candidates does not pick up, we will cease monthly sessions and go to a quarterly schedule. One of our Team members suggested that we offer online exams and I told him that if the Team wanted that, then one of them would have to take over as Liaison. I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in taking on that responsibility. In my mind, there's way too many opportunities for irregularities and I'm not putting my license on the line for that.

Maybe that was a bit harsh, but it is what it is.

Being a VE Liaison is a lot more work than just showing up to a session, grading exams and signing paperwork. The pre-session coordinating of candidates, making sure enough VEs show up, and preparing examination materials, in addition to post session paperwork eats up a lot of personal time. From what I understand, the on line sessions require even more work for the Liaison. 

Quite frankly, I've done this for a lot of years and it's getting to be that I'd rather spend the time sitting behind my own radio and getting on the air.

72 de Larry W2LJ

QRP - When you care to send the very least!

The weekend of October 11th and 12th

I did not post the weekend events for last week. Marianne and I went down the Jersey shore to celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary.  Yet again, I had the chance to sit for a bit and train my gaze upon the Atlantic Ocean and marvel about how our RF energy travels that great distance.

It was a beautiful day, not only was it our Annicversary, but also the weather was prefect at Asbury Park.

Unfortunately, it's looking like the weather is not going to hold true for this weekend. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, but Sunday into Tuesday we're staring down the gullet of a major Nor'Easter. Who knows? Rain totals anywhere between 2 and 5 inches, but more importantly we may see some pretty high wind gusts. The antennas have been through it before, I think they'll be okay again, but that worry is always on the mind of a Ham Radio Operator

Anyway, here's what to expect to be heard on the CW HF bands this weekend:

Contests:

QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party - http://qrparci.org/contest/fall-qso-party

Arizona QSO Party - https://www.azqp.org/

Nevada QSO Party - http://nvqso.com/contest-rules/

Oceania DX Contest, CW - https://www.oceaniadxcontest.com/

Pennsylvania QSO Party - http://paqso.org/pa-qso-party-rules.html

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon - https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/

South Dakota QSO Party - http://www.sdqsoparty.com/

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint - http://www.4sqrp.com/SSS/sss_rules.pdf

And for those who like to hunt Special Event Stations:

10/10/2025 | PCARS 60th Annual Ham fest

Oct 10-Oct 11, 0915Z-0914Z, W4MLB/60, Melbourne, FL. Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society. 14.245 14.265 14.325. QSL. W4MLB, P.O Box 1004, Melbourne, FL 32902-1004. This is the 60th annual PCARS Ham fest special Event station. Too late for October QST https://pcars.org/wp/#

10/11/2025 | 234th Anniversary of Columbus Day

Oct 11-Oct 13, 0000Z-2359Z, NJ2KC, Bridgeton, NJ. New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club. 7.234 14.234 21.234 29.234. Certificate & QSL. NJ2KC C/O Thomas M. Perrotti, 785 Vineland Ave, Bridgeton, NJ 08302-4822. NJ2KC.org

10/11/2025 | 4th Annual Scratching Post QSL Party in the Lucedale City Park

Oct 11, 0300Z-1300Z, K5K, Lucedale, MS. George County ARES-Lucedale, Mississippi. 7.074 7.265 14.325 28.390. QSL. Brent Albrecht, 2088 Will Pet Rd., Lucedale, MS 39452. see website for instructions gcmsares.org

10/11/2025 | Collins Radio 92nd Anniversary

Oct 11, 1400Z-1700Z, W0CXX, Cedar Rapids, IA. Collins Amateur Radio Club. 14.263 MHz. QSL. Brice AntonJensen, 1110 Lyndhurst Dr, Hiawatha, IA 52233. www.qrz.com/db/W0CXX

10/11/2025 | Ike Eisenhower's Birthday

Oct 11, 1330Z-2100Z, K3S, Port of Baltimore, MD. Nuclear Ship Savannah Amateur Radio Club. 7,14,18,21,28. QSL. Ulis Fleming, 980 Patuxent Rd, Odenton, MD 21113. Check spotting networks for frequency. See QRZ.com info for Savannah Award

10/11/2025 | US Navy Birthday

Oct 11, 1600Z-2300Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway Museum Ship. 14.320 7.250 14.070 PSK31 DSTAR on Papa System Repeaters. QSL. USS Midway Museum Ship COMEDTRA, 910 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. www.qrz.com/db/ni6iw

Have a great weekend!

72 de Larry W2LJL

QRP - When you care to send the very least!