Winter Field Day: Where Ham Radio Enthusiasts Test Their Skills and Brave the Elements

Operating Winter Field Day 2022

As members of a local ham radio club, we are always looking for ways to learn more about this fascinating hobby and to connect with other enthusiasts. The upcoming winter field day is a great opportunity to do just that, as it allows us to test our skills and equipment in challenging outdoor conditions.

We are especially looking forward to the camaraderie and friendly competition that comes with participating in the winter field day. It is a great way to meet new people who share a passion for ham radio, and to learn from more experienced operators. We are also excited to see how our own skills and equipment stack up against those of other participants. read more

From the President….

I wanted to provide an update to our members and the public about our continuing club activities.  Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic we are presently having our monthly meetings virtually.  If you wish to join us and learn more about Ham Radio please send us an email to kd8lbs@gmail.com and we would be more than happy provide you with the information to login.  Our next meeting will be held on December 9th at 7:30 PM.

We have several upcoming events that are occurring with our club (please do not worry; we will be following proper safety protocols).  These include an Antenna building party, Winter Field Day event (this has become an annual event for us and we are in the planning stages now), etc.  Members; please look for more information via email and our member-only private chat server (Mattermost). read more

2020 Winter Field Day

It seems like it was just yesterday that we did this whole “Winter Field Day” thing, but in reality it’s been 365 days. With the combined gusto of everyone, and it was a great turnout, the OVEC crew has once again succeeded at “ham radioing” in a group setting.

We started coming out to the lake about 4 years ago after coming to the conclusion that we wanted our WFD OPS to not only be a ham radio operating event, but a club member social operation as well. It’s always been fun, and this year was no different. read more

AC8VK | OH KY IN Hamfest Finds

Quick review of finds from the OH-KY-IN hamfest, which was held September 21st 2019.

Hope you enjoyed the video. I am working on a follow-up on how to characterize flea market and second hand meters so they can be used in new projects.

73, Erik / AC8VK

OHIO STATE PARKS ON THE AIR 2019

Here we go again, it’s been another year and time for the 2019 Ohio State Parks On The Air (OSPOTA) operating event to grace us once again!

In the past, OVEC has activated Buckeye Lake State Park just east of Columbus Ohio. This year however, we have decided to make things a bit more interesting!

For 2019, OVEC will be activating Kellys Island State Park which is located up in Lake Erie north of Port Clinton Ohio. Everyone is excited to take on the challenge of doing something new, and enjoying the time to be spent with friends and family!
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AC8VK | Ugly Prototypes – Learn to Love Them

I love prototyping electronics projects – really projects in general – and I hope you do (or will soon). One trap that many Makers, tinkerers and would be citizen scientists get caught in, is holding ourselves to high design and finish standards.

This post was inspired by “What’s All This Pease Prototype Stuff, Anyhow?” – check it out.

In my youth, I had the great fortune of living within walking distance of a library that had the “maker” publications of era: QST, 73 and CQ – in addition to other hobby magazines. Currently we have access to tremendous volumes of build and prototype content via Maker oriented magazines, electronics blogs galore and youtube. read more

AC8VK | Hello World

Every technology adventure begins with a “Hello World” moment, whether it is getting that first computer program to run, or the first LED to blink, we always start small and build from there.

My friends at Ohio Valley Experimenters club have invited me to blog and video blog on www.kd8lbs.com and the invitation could not have come at a better time. Since getting reengaged with amateur radio and hobby electronics in 2016 I have been anxious to do some blogging about it. Why? Because I love the hobby, and I really enjoy connecting with people through it… and digital content is the new connections medium. read more