October Newsletter

Next Meeting: November 13th at 6:30 PM
Join us at the Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management Center for our monthly meeting on
November 13th at 6:30 PM. With the club feeling a bit stagnant lately, this is a prime time to inject
some energy—bring ideas for activities like workshops, group builds, or social events to get us moving
again! Also, we generally do nominations and elections this time of year! So we’ll handle nominations
for club officers at this meeting. Bring your thoughts, or questions. New members and visitors are
always welcome! As a reminder, newsletters are now posted on the club website for easy access.

September Nets Recap
Our September nets saw 27 check-ins across 4 Sunday sessions—excellent turnout! Join us
every Sunday at 6:30 PM on the repeater to connect, practice, and keep things lively. The club always
needs net controls! If you’re interested in leading, it’s a simple way to contribute—contact Justin
(N0JBE) at JB@N0JBE.com for tips or to volunteer. Starting in January, we’ll aim to implement a
regular net control schedule to share the load and keep our nets consistent.

ARES Update: Operators Needed—Get Trained and Join!
We’re still seeking more operators for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) to bolster
our emergency communications support in Cerro Gordo County. To join, simply complete the basic
training outlined by the ARRL (available on their website) and submit your completion to Justin
(N0JBE) at JB@N0JBE.com. No prior experience required—we’ll guide you through drills and more.
This is a great way to give back and stay prepared! Don’t forget: Our ARES nets start in November
every Wednesday at 7:00 PM on the 147.315 repeater (DCS 047)—FM mode. The first Wednesday
each month switches to simplex on 147.570 MHz.

APRS Basics: How It Works and Key Components
Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is a digital mode that lets hams transmit real-time
data like position, weather, or messages over radio, often integrated with GPS for tracking. It works by
sending short data packets that can be received and relayed across a network, viewable on maps via
websites like aprs.fi. The main difference between digis and Igates: A digipeater receives packets and
retransmits them to extend range (like a relay or repeater), while an iGate receives packets and
forwards them to the internet (enabling global visibility via online servers). If you’re interested in
APRS for club events or emergencies, let’s discuss setups at the next meeting—it’s a fun way to add
tech to your station!

Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars!
– River City Rifle and Pistol Club Gun Show: November 22nd–23rd. We have a table to promote
ham radio—volunteers needed to staff it! Sign up with Justin (N0JBE) at JB@N0JBE.com.
– Winter Field Day (WFD): January 24th–25th, 2026. A W0MCW event open to all hams—test
your skills in winter conditions. More info coming soon.

Solar Weather Outlook
September Recap: Solar activity in September was moderate to high, with sunspot numbers
averaging around 155-172 and solar flux between 171-184 SFU, featuring occasional M-class flares
that supported solid HF propagation on higher bands.
October/November Outlook: As of October 19, 2025, solar activity is moderate, with a sunspot
number of 105 and solar flux at 156 SFU. Recent flares include an M1-class on October 19th, with
geomagnetic conditions quiet (Kp=2.67) after a G1/G2 storm on October 17th. Solar wind is at 516
km/sec, and an incoming coronal hole may spark a G1 storm on October 21st. Forecasts: 35% chance
of M-class flares and 5% for X-class over the next 48 hours; geomagnetic storms at mid-latitudes: 15%
minor, 5% severe. For HF: Higher bands (10m, 15m, 20m) should see good daytime openings due to
elevated flux, while lower bands (40m, 80m) remain stable at night, with potential flare disruptions or
enhancements. Solar Cycle 25 is near peak, with cosmic rays declining (-7.4% from average). Check
spaceweather.com for updates and share QSOs on the net!

Get Involved!
– Sunday Nets: Every Sunday at 6:30 PM—join and connect. Net controls needed—volunteer
now!
– Skywarn Nets: Activated for severe weather to relay reports to NWS and EMA. Practice
weekly!
– ARES: Complete ARRL basics and join—contact Justin.
– Club Activities: Club’s stagnant, so suggest ideas for fox hunts, POTA, or workshops at the
meeting or on Discord. Let’s revitalize!

Station Spotlight: N0JBE/NCS
This month’s station spotlight features A N0JBE portable setup in the car, which served as net
control for the Brew to Brew event that our ARES team supported. It was a bit overkill for the
occasion, but it turned into a fun experiment to integrate everything quickly and keep it running
smoothly throughout the day. The core included a Yaesu FTM-500 for local simplex operations,
handling short-range comms efficiently. For the main net, I used an Icom 7100 paired with a Heil
headset, which provided clear audio and reliable control over the primary frequencies as well as HF
Comms if needed. To add digital capabilities, a Yaesu FT-70 connected to a Mobilinkd TNC4 ran an
APRS digipeater and iGate, mounted on a roll-up J-pole antenna extended via a 33-foot mast attached
to the back of the car—this helped relay position data and extend coverage for participants. For
situational awareness, a Starlink Mini provided internet access to radar data, NWS chat and ISICS
radio listening if needed, ensuring we could monitor weather and public service in real-time. Finally, a
BTECH UV-Pro connected to a portable yagi allowed connection to my packet node (N0JBE-7) for
additional messaging during the event. It all came together as a versatile mobile command post,
blending voice, digital, and data tools. If you have questions on setup, feel free to reach out!

Submit your station details, photos, and tips to JB@N0JBE.com by November 1st to be featured next
month. Whether VHF, HF, or digital, let’s showcase and inspire!