D.A.R.K. Dam Amateur Radio Klub

Hello, my D.A.R.K.lings!

Phew! It’s been a week, hasn’t it??? We have had a mixed bag of conditions and propagation on the bands since the 20th when our event started! For the most part, Renee has worked on 10m phone for a bit, but most of our contacts have been on 20m phone with a sprinkling of 40m phone for fun. Stephen has also been working CW as a bonus for this event, so we are very excited about this new aspect!

Today, I will be back on 20m phone for the W0T/KE0TGG 40th Anniversary of Truman Dam and Reservoir Special Event. After I finish training the CERT class tomorrow afternoon…you guessed it, probably 20m phone again! But I will have an eye on propagation and if other bands open up, I will try my luck there. Sunday is a free for all where I will operate for as long as I can stave off my migraines so as many people as possible have the chance to work us for the event!

HERE is the QSO information for the SE.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in making this effort a success, whether you helped log our paper contacts into the computer program, volunteer to help with the certificates/QSL cards, work the radio, and any other part you take in this special event!

73,

Sam Henley KE0LMY

As we quickly approach the first weekend of our special event for Truman Dam, we want to release some information here on our site about our plans!

Since this is our very first special event, there is a lot for us to learn. Our goal for the Truman Dam event is to have fun making contacts and have a barbecue to encourage camaraderie within our club. As we begin to hold more special events, we will advertise more and really build these events into big club activities!

Here is the page containing our certificate example. We will offer two different delivery methods: a PDF via email or a full color certificate if recipients provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. We will be seeking volunteers to fulfill the certificate preparation in August.

We are also looking for designs for QSL cards for this event as well as for the club in general. Photos of the dams which can be used are available in our Facebook group.

We have been approved for the use of a 1×1 callsign: W0T, which caused Renee to create the following meme:

Sandy Crane AE0DU has graciously accepted the responsibility of coordinating the sides for the potluck style barbecue. Please contact her via the post in our Facebook group to let her know what you would like to bring! We have had seven people donate money for the meat so far and this will be purchased from The Butcher Shop in Camdenton.

Hi, all!

Sam here!

I know, I know. It’s been a hot minute since I updated the D.A.R.K. blog. No excuses. I have, however, been posting updates on our FB group because it’s quick and easy to do from my phone! 😀

Here we go:

Thanks to Jason Wood KC0KWL, we will have Echolink restored to the Benton County repeater (146.925 PL 107.2) in the not too distant future! I am so excited to finally be able to say this since it’s been almost a year without Echolink! Many of our members are snowbirds and still want to check in on the BC ARES nets at 7 PM CST on Sunday nights and also be able to chat with us when they aren’t in the county, so this will be such a wonderful resource to bring back!

Our plans for the 40th Anniversary of the Completion of Truman Dam special event are on track for the last two weekends in July! You can operate from anywhere, but please message Roger KD0WXT about when you want to use the club call and keep records so we can mail out QSL cards and certificates afterward! Our primary location will be our farm and we are considering having a cookout. We’ll discuss that at the July meeting.

There will be no “official” June meeting because many of our members are heavily involved in Warsaw Jubilee Days, however we will have an informal meeting on Saturday at the CERT/ARES/EMA tent by the Methodist Church prior to the parade. Be there by 9:30 for the meeting or if you would like to volunteer that day, please be there around 8 AM.

We are waiting for the example t-shirts to be completed. When we have received them, we will present them at the meeting after that and take preorders. The delay was due to the club logo needing to be vectored and Jubilee Days hitting during the same time!

We have taken delivery of the duplexer for Benton County to use (under an MoU) on the Emergency Communications trailer until they can purchase their own (probably in 2020). Thank you SO much to the club members who have stepped forward to donate and help myself and Roger recoup part of the $700. You guys and gals are AMAZING!!!

As you all know, there has been a tremendous amount of information on the extremely high pool at Truman Lake and I have been working (as Deputy Director of the BC MO EM) to stop rumors, false information, and speculation on Truman Dam failing. The dam is operating as designed. If you want to receive updates, just visit bcmoem.com and subscribe to the blog.

More updates and new things for the website will be posted after Jubilee Days!

73,

Sam KE0LMY