I've been considering learning Morse code (CW) at some point. While I'm not particularly interested in the newer "FT-whatever" technologies, I'm drawn to CW because of its status as a classic aspect of ham radio. I'm also eager to expand my overall knowledge of ham radio, as I still consider myself quite a novice in the field, despite holding an Extra-class license.

Recently, I've become a member of a club. I attended my first in-person meeting last month and participated in our most recent meeting, which took place over Zoom this past Friday. I'm looking forward to taking part in the POTA (Parks on the Air) activities organized by the GSARA (Greater Society for Amateur Radio Activities) club.

I’ve been involved in radio as a hobby for over 60 years. I am an avid shortwave and medium wave DXer. I built general coverage communications receivers at the age of 10. I still have a collection of vintage communications receivers from the 1960s through the 1980s, along with an extensive paper QSL card and pennant collection.

I love operating my radio on the go, whether it's in a park, up in the mountains, or anywhere outdoors. When I first got into ham radio, I mainly used digital modes. I had a great time using FT8, JS8, VarAC, Winlink, SSTV, and all the modes in Fldigi. These days, I mostly use single sideband (SSB) for phone operation, but I still use digital modes every now and then. I always say that "ham radio makes me feel dumb every day, and that's okay." There's always something new to learn in this hobby.

First licensed as a novice in 1961 as WV2SXE, I spent a few years getting my code speed up to 25 WPM. I passed the General in 1962 and was issued WA2SXE in Tonawanda, NY. I upgraded to Advanced and entered the US Air Force military service in 1968. Assigned to SAC, 2nd Bomb Wing, Detachment 10, 1st Combat Evaluation Group, I worked as an Automatic Tracking Radar Specialist and Aircraft Controller on a Radar Bomb Scoring Crew while still keeping my CW alive, listening nightly

In 2021, I obtained my technician license and upgraded to General in 2022. I have a passion for CW and have been diligently studying since obtaining my license. I am keen on continuing my journey with CW. This spring, I had the opportunity to activate my first POTA park using CW exclusively, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences in the hobby for me.

Mary and Barry were dedicated board members, each with their distinct roles. Mary was responsible for overseeing the membership, ensuring the organization's members were well cared for. On the other hand, Barry served as the Treasurer, meticulously managing the organization's finances.

Todd, known in amateur radio circles as W1STJ, embarked on his ham radio journey in 2020 by earning his Technician License, quickly followed by his General License on the poignant date of 9/11/2021. He's diligently studying for his Extra Class License, honing his skills in SSB, FM, and the digital mode FT8. A cornerstone of the local radio community, Todd routinely runs the nets on Sundays and has been a reliable Station Captain at Field Day events for several years. He's a regular at social gatherings such as the barn, Pressed, and monthly club meetings and is known for his active use of the repeater during his daily commutes. Todd firmly believes in the ethos "Join a club, get on the air, and have fun!" and embodies this through his role as a host on the "Live Free and Ham" Podcast. Passionate about Parks on the Air (POTA), he enjoys activating parks and sharing his adventures on his website, W1STJ.com, inspiring others in the amateur radio community to explore the airwaves.

I would advise them to attend a local club's meeting(s) and get to know some folks who talk on the air. Let them know that developing good friendships with the hobby is relatively straightforward. They don't need the most expensive gear and should try every exciting mode. I have convinced some individuals to get their Licenses by letting them know that the first (Technician) can expose them to much radio fun.

This Member of the Month is Casey (KC1NID) Casey loves digital modes and is always willing to lend a hand to anyone! He loves to camp and play portable radio any chance he gets! We are thrilled to announce Casey (KC1NID) as our Member of the Month! Casey is a true digital mode enthusiast, and his passion for the hobby shines through in all that he does. He is always eager to lend a helping hand and share his knowledge with others, making him an invaluable member of our community. When he's not busy with radio, Casey loves to spend time in the great outdoors, camping and exploring new places with his trusty portable radio by his side. We are so grateful for Casey's contributions to our community and thrilled to honor him with this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Casey!

I got my technician license in March of 2023. My initial thought was that ham radio might be a useful skill for emergency communication. A friend also inspired me with a ham radio license. She used her radio for medical rescues on horseback in areas without cell phone reception. I thought that was pretty cool. I decided to go for it and give the radio a try. How hard could it be? Since then, I’ve been exploring and learning about different aspects of ham radio. I’ve found that it’s much more than a form of emergency communication.

I became a club member during the mid-1970s and began participating in various meetings in the early 1980s. My involvement progressed to becoming a VE (Volunteer Examiner) Lead, where I helped fellow hams obtain their license. Later on, in 2006, I assumed the position of Club Callsign Trustee for our club's repeater, and in 2007, I served as interim Club President

Our featured member for this month is John Grubmuller (K1XF). He offers some valuable advice for new hams worth considering. He wisely points out that this hobby encompasses various aspects and that individuals have distinct goals. Therefore, it is crucial to connect with like-minded individuals and cultivate meaningful relationships with them. It's worth avoiding the temptation to impose one's hobbies on others.

The club member spotlight for this month showcases Bill Freeman, KE1G. Bill's interest in amateur radio started at a young age as he received his novice license at the age of 13, on March 5, 1963. Nonetheless, the novice license had a short validity of one year and was not renewable. Subsequently, Bill had to wait until approximately 1972 to obtain his technician license to begin transmitting.

I've been pursuing this hobby since 1991, when I acquired my No-Code Technician license. I've been fortunate to have several Ham radio mentors who have guided me throughout my journey. Thanks to their support, I've been involved in several exciting activities, including Scouting, the local Ham Club in my teen years (Police Amateur Radio Team - PART), and I even helped found the Westford Academy High School Radio Club.

I was first licensed in 1999 as KB1EFZ. I started the hobby interested in VHF+ weak signal work (mostly SSB ). While mainly on HF these days, I have been exploring getting back into 2-meter and above weak signal work.