Nets, clubs, and interesting things

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The website lunchbunch.net is associated with The Lunch Bunch, an amateur radio group focused on providing a friendly environment for new ham radio operators to make their first contacts and connect with seasoned hams. Here are the key details:

• Purpose: The Lunch Bunch began in February 2021 to support new ham radio operators by offering a welcoming space to practice and learn. It aims to foster fellowship and assist beginners in the hobby. The noon timing was chosen as it aligns with lunch breaks, making it convenient for participants to join.

• Activities: The group hosts a daily net (a scheduled on-air meeting) at noon, with a consistent net controller for each weekday. Topics for discussion are encouraged but not mandatory, allowing for casual and engaging conversations. The group also organizes events like ham fests , ham radio equipment and shares resources such as YouTube videos and websites related to ham radio, including equipment like the QRP-Labs kit.

• Community Engagement: The Lunch Bunch promotes a sense of community through activities like raffles (e.g., a 5-amp-hour battery giveaway for Yaesu FT1-FT5 radios) and participation in events like POTA (Parks on the Air) fests. They encourage members to explore amateur television (ATV) and software-defined radio (SDR) technologies.

• Technical Details: The net operates on various platforms, including DMR Talkgroup 312128, Fusion Room 75056, AllStar Nodes 50015 and 46145, EchoLink Nodes 459455 and 94681, and the 2-meter band. It is based in Tennessee, USA, and organized by individuals with call signs N4IJL and KD4PRH.

• Website Features: The site includes event announcements, such as ham fests and POTA events, and links to external resources like YouTube videos and QRP-Labs. It emphasizes community interaction, with mentions of members’ activities and updates on radio equipment.

For more information, you can visit their website at www.lunchbunch.net.

“The meanest net on radio” as Roger says.  Purpose and Activities: The Dixie Traders Net hosts a weekly net every Friday at 8 PM EST on the 145.37 W4KEV repeater system, with additional connectivity through AllStar Node 50015 and EchoLink Node W4KEV-R. The net, led by net control operator Roger (KD4PRH), known as “In Tha Hood,” provides a platform for ham radio operators to check in, trade equipment, and participate in community activities like radio giveaways. It emphasizes fellowship and encourages participation from operators worldwide.

• Community Engagement: The net is highly interactive, with regular check-ins and prize giveaways, such as radios (e.g., Yaesu FT-2980, Baofeng UV-5R, and Radioddity GC-5) donated by members or sponsors. For example, winners like Joey (KX4XU) and Charles (KQ4IIV) have received radios, highlighting the group’s commitment to community goodwill, especially during events like the Christmas season. The group also connects with other nets, such as The Lunch Bunch, with members like Bob (KS4NG) participating in both.

• Equipment Trading: ham radio equipment The website and net serve as a marketplace for ham radio gear. Listings include a wide range of items, such as:

• Transceivers like the Yaesu FT-891, Icom IC-7600, and Xiegu X6100.

• Power supplies (e.g., Astron 12 Amp, Pyramid Linear 20 Amp).

• Antennas, cables (e.g., 75 ohm coax, LMR400), and accessories like Kenwood MC60 desk mics.

• Specialized equipment like Motorola XTL-5000 transceivers and ATV (amateur television) gear. Members post specific requests, such as solar panels, push-up poles, or AllStar/EchoLink assistance, often including contact details and QRZ email references.

• Technical Details: The net operates primarily on the 2-meter band via the W4KEV repeater system in Tennessee, USA. It supports multiple modes, including P25 repeater operation, DMR, and D-STAR, catering to diverse radio enthusiasts. The website provides technical details and links to related resources, such as the W4BBB Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville and the LMARC repeater system.

• Social Presence: The Dixie Traders Net maintains an active presence on platforms like Facebook (e.g., https://www.facebook.com/groups/1666451623674553/), where weekly swap-and-sell listings are posted. The group encourages camaraderie with phrases like Roger’s “call a friend” and “don’t make me come out there,” which motivate participation.

• Events and Recognition: The net is known for its lively atmosphere, with events like ham fests (e.g., Dalton ham fest) and giveaways creating excitement. It draws significant participation, with check-in records reaching up to 165 when prizes are offered. The group is recognized within the amateur radio community, as seen in mentions on platforms like Reddit and TLARC.

The Breakfast Bunch Net

145.230

M-F 6a-8a

Net controls

 KR4AXE-Joe 

 KQ4ZHO-Kurt

Friendly morning rag chew net 

Give them a check in as soon as you can!

This Net is an open Net and is not affiliated with any club.  All properly licensed HAMs are welcomed and encouraged to join us!  We usually have between 60 and 70 check-ins, and our goal in 2021 is to grow that to 80+!

The Sunday Night Net, broadcast from Chattanooga, TN, generally follows the schedule below, but at times we do move things around to accommodate something.

The Net is held every Sunday evening beginning at 2000 (8pm eastern time).

73, Hear ya on the net! – Jim – KM4MPF

The Clinton Amateur RadioService (CARS) is a group of amateur radio enthusiasts centralized in Clinton, Tennessee.

The club's call sign is KJ4TRK.

The club has its monthly meetings in Clinton. KJ4TRK has weekly "on air" radio nets on the

147.360 MHz repeater 8pm on the 1st thru 3 Tuesday of the mont. 4th Tuesday is the in person meeting at 7pm.

(KA4OAK). The members of this group can post announcements, ask questions, share photos and files, create events, and more.

The Tennessee Amateur Radio Association (TARA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2024 to promote and advance the amateur radio hobby across Tennessee. Below is a detailed description based on available information:

• Mission and Purpose: TARA’s mission is to foster a vibrant community of ham radio enthusiasts, clubs, and organizations by promoting amateur radio as a tool for communication, emergency preparedness, and technical innovation. It aims to enhance public awareness, encourage new operators, and celebrate the diverse interests within the hobby. TARA serves as a central hub for Tennessee’s amateur radio community, supporting local clubs and providing resources for operators.

• Activities and Services:

• Education and Training: TARA organizes workshops, seminars, and licensing classes to help members improve skills, learn new techniques, and prepare for higher-level licenses. They also conduct test sessions to grow the number of licensed operators.

• Networking and Social Events: The association hosts events like hamfests, picnics, and club meetings to foster camaraderie and knowledge-sharing among members. These events provide opportunities for operators to connect and exchange ideas.

• Community Service: While primarily member-focused, TARA participates in public service activities, leveraging amateur radio for emergency communications and community support.

• Advocacy: TARA represents Tennessee’s amateur radio operators to local, state, and federal regulatory bodies on issues like spectrum allocation and licensing regulations.

• Structure and Organization: TARA is divided into four regions across Tennessee, each with a regional coordinator to support local activities. The organization does not currently charge membership dues or fees but funds its operations through donations and the sale of items. Any revenue is reinvested to support programs and initiatives benefiting the amateur radio community.

• Leadership and Origins: TARA was founded by individuals passionate about radio communication, with key figures like Will, who developed an interest in amateur radio at age 10 and earned his Technician license in 1996. He later obtained his General and Amateur Extra licenses and has been active in the Parks on the Air (POTA) program. In 2023, Will established the Tennessee Valley Exam Team, which has administered online exams to over 600 applicants since June 2023, supported by approximately 50 volunteer examiners. His background includes public safety work and receiving the Red Cross “Communicator of the Year Award” in 2002.

• Community Engagement: TARA encourages members to promote its activities through social media and word-of-mouth to attract new enthusiasts. The organization maintains a presence on platforms like Facebook (e.g., Tennessee Amateur Radio Association page with 172 likes), where it shares updates on events and initiatives. It collaborates with local clubs, such as the Nashville Amateur Radio Club (NARC), Sumner County Amateur Radio Association (SCARA), and Robertson County Amateur Radio Club (RCARC), to support regional ham radio activities.

• Relation to Other Groups: While TARA is a distinct entity, it likely complements groups like the Clinton Ham Radio Group, The Lunch Bunch, and The Dixie Traders Net by fostering broader statewide connections. For example, members of the Clinton Ham Radio Group may participate in TARA’s events or benefit from its educational resources, given their shared focus on community and technical advancement in Tennessee’s amateur radio scene. TARA’s regional structure aligns with the state’s “Grand Divisions” (West, Middle, and East), similar to the Tennessee Amateur Radio Emergency Service (TNARES).

• Public Service and Emergency Preparedness: TARA emphasizes amateur radio’s role in emergency communications, aligning with the ethos of groups like TNARES, which organizes licensed operators for emergency and public service events under the motto “When all else fails.” TARA supports these efforts by promoting training and preparedness among its members.

For more information or to get involved, visit https://tnara.org/ or check TARA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TennesseeAmateurRadioAssociation.

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