Next Meeting: October 9th at 6:30 PM
Join us at the Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management Center for our monthly meeting on
October 9th at 6:30 PM. Let’s use this time to brainstorm and plan more activities to keep the club
buzzing! Ideas like workshops on digital modes, group antenna builds, or casual on-air events could
really amp up our engagement. Bring your suggestions, questions, or a snack to share. New members
and visitors are always welcome! Exciting news: At our last meeting on September 11th, we voted and
passed to post the newsletter on the club website for easier access—check it out there from now on!
August Nets Recap
Our August nets were strong, with 26 check-ins across five Sunday sessions—great
participation! Join us every Sunday at 6:30 PM on the repeater to connect, hone your skills, and keep
the conversations flowing. WE NEED NET CONTROLS!!! Leading a net is straightforward and a
rewarding way to give back to the club. If you’re ready to try it, contact Justin (N0JBE) at
JB@N0JBE.com for guidance or to sign up. Let’s aim for even higher check-ins next month!
ARES Update: Volunteers Needed and New Nets Starting Soon
While there weren’t major club developments this month, it’s an ideal opportunity to build our
foundation. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) plays a crucial role in providing backup
communications for Cerro Gordo County during emergencies. As ARES Emergency Coordinator, I’m
seeking more volunteers to expand our capabilities. If you have experience in VHF/UHF, want to
explore digital tools like Winlink, or are eager to participate in training and drills, we’d love to have
you. No experience needed—we’ll provide the training! Contact Justin (N0JBE) at JB@N0JBE.com to
join or learn more. Together, we can enhance our readiness and serve the community better. Starting in
November, we’ll host weekly ARES nets on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM on the 147.315 repeater
(tone 103.5)—this will be an FM net focused on emergency comms practice. On the first Wednesday of
each month, it switches to a simplex net on the Cerro Gordo County simplex frequency of 147.570
MHz. Join in to stay sharp and connected!
Club APRS Digipeater: Coming Soon?
There’s been exciting talk in the club about setting up an APRS digipeater—what is it, and why
should we care? A digipeater (short for digital repeater) is a station that receives APRS (Automatic
Packet Reporting System) packets—such as position reports from GPS-enabled radios—and
retransmits them to extend their range. It’s like a relay point that helps signals hop further, especially in
areas with spotty coverage. For our club, a digipeater would be a game-changer: It improves local
APRS infrastructure, allowing members to track vehicles or assets during events like Field Day or
Skywarn activations, send text messages without cell service, and even integrate with emergency
reporting. Plus, it’s a fun project that encourages experimentation with digital modes and could attract
new hams interested in tech. If you’re keen to help plan, build, or maintain one, share your thoughts at
the October meeting or email JB@N0JBE.com. Let’s make this a reality and boost our club’s digital
presence!
Packet Radio Update: N0JBE-7 Node Now Available in Mason City
Looking to dive into digital modes? Packet radio lets you transmit data over the air for
messaging, file sharing, and connecting to Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)—a precursor to modern
internet tech via ham radio! The N0JBE-7 packet node is live in Mason City on 145.050 MHz, offering
local access for APRS, chat, and BBS experiments. Questions or need setup help? Bring them to the meeting or email JB@N0JBE.com. This ties in perfectly with our APRS digipeater discussions—let’s
get more members packet-ing and innovating!
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars!
River City Rifle and Pistol Club Gun Show: November 22nd–23rd. Our club has a table to
showcase amateur radio and connect with the community. We need volunteers to staff it—
whether for a shift or the whole day, your help promotes the hobby and could recruit new
members. Interested? Contact Justin (N0JBE) at JB@N0JBE.com to sign up.
Winter Field Day (WFD): January 24th–25th, 2026. This is a W0MCW event, but all hams are
welcome to join the fun! Set up portable stations in winter conditions to make contacts and test
your gear. More details as it approaches—start thinking about your setup now!
Solar Weather Outlook
August Recap: Solar activity in August was active, aligning with Solar Cycle 25’s peak phase,
featuring elevated sunspot numbers and occasional flares that supported good HF conditions on higher
bands.
September/October Outlook: As of September 25, 2025, solar activity is moderate to high, with a
sunspot number of 155 (ten groups visible, four with beta-gamma fields) and solar flux at 184 SFU.
Recent flares include an M1-class on September 24th and a C3-class on September 25th. Geomagnetic
conditions are quiet (Kp=3.00), with solar wind at 463.4 km/sec and no equatorial coronal holes facing
Earth. Forecasts show a 35% chance of M-class flares and 1% for X-class in the next 48 hours, with
low geomagnetic storm probabilities (10% active at mid-latitudes, 15-20% at high latitudes).
For HF propagation: Elevated flux and sunspots enhance ionospheric ionization, favoring strong
daytime openings on 10m, 15m, and 20m for DX. Lower bands like 40m and 80m should have stable
nighttime paths, with potential variability from flares or minor disturbances. As Solar Cycle 25 nears its
peak (evidenced by declining cosmic rays), expect continued activity into October. Check
spaceweather.com for updates and share your QSOs on the net!
Station Spotlight: Share Yours!
We want to feature your station next month! Whether it’s a simple VHF setup, an HF
powerhouse, or something digital like an APRS rig, send details, photos, and tips to JB@N0JBE.com
by October 1st. Let’s inspire each other and keep the spotlights rolling!
Get Involved!
Sunday Nets: Every Sunday at 6:30 PM—join to practice and connect. Net controls needed—volunteer
today!
Skywarn Nets: Activated during severe weather (tornado/severe thunderstorm warnings or
watches with active storms) to relay reports to the NWS and EMA. Practice weekly to stay
ready!
ARES: Join our team for emergency comms training and drills—contact Justin to get started.
Club Activities: Not much new this month, so let’s spark some! Propose ideas for fox hunts,
POTA activations, workshops, or socials at the meeting or on our Discord. Your involvement
keeps us thriving.
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