This has been an exciting year thus far for the Christian Amateur Radio Fellowship (CARF). It is a pleasure to serve as an officer and work alongside Cas (KF6CUE) and Bernie (KB0L). This is written to share with you what has transpired to date.
Dayton Hamvention
KF6CUE speaking with Bo Lindfors Chief Navy Marine Corps MARS (N9UH) while Steven Linn looks on
We were pleased to have a booth for CARF at the Hamvention this past May. What a blessing to meet several CARF members face-to-face and introduce CARF to many within the amateur radio community! In addition to me, Cas (KF6CUE), Debbie (KG6GCQ) and my son Steven served as greeters.
KG6GCQ visiting with Buck Vaughn, KR4NL, Treasurer for the Richmond Virginia Amateur Telecommunications Society (RATS)
Five individuals filled out the application form and joined CARF while visiting the booth. We gave out over 125 brochures, many a business card, and a few New Testaments donated by another Hamvention attendee. We also shared a power point presentation with photos of CARF members, shacks, mobile installations, and eyeball QSOs occurring in Hamvention booths of years go by!
Radio Chaski
A special service opportunity presented itself this year. Radio Chaski is located in Urubamba, Peru, just north of Cusco. It went on the air in 1992 as a shortwave station with FM and AM stations subsequently coming on line. Through discussions I had with missionaries affiliated with the station, I came to learn that the 25 year old AM transmitter had failed. The cost to replace with a new 2.5 kW unit was $8,400.
After significant due diligence, prayer, and discussion amongst the CARF officers (including some who served in the past) it was decided to present a check to the station in the amount of $3,000 toward the purchase of a new transmitter. This was a wonderful opportunity to put the funds in the CARF treasury directly to work in the continued sharing of the Gospel. The new transmitter is now on the air!
In addition to our direct contribution, another $700 has been donated toward the purchase, bringing the total to 44% of the transmitter’s cost. Obviously, there remains an opportunity to continue supporting this purchase. If anyone desires a document with details about the project for your own interest or to share with others, please contact me via e-mail: KD0HII@carf.net.
New Stations & Members
| As the Friday morning net control station, one of the most exciting occurrences for me is checking in a new station to the net! While I don’t have an official list, it has been gratifying to hear some new stations participating in our 75m net. I welcome each of you and encourage you to continue to join us on-air in daily fellowship. I’m also very pleased to extend a welcome to seven new members of CARF. | |||||||||
| Name | Call | ST | CARF # | Name | Call | ST | CARF# | ||
| Rev. David Hamm | K4EET | MD | 880 | William W. Saddler | W8WWS | OH | 881 | ||
| James McCoy | KS4DE | NC | 882 | Russell C. McGuire | KU4UK | AL | 883 | ||
| Robert Hitchens | K8VQC | MI | 884 | Kenneth Barr | KD9ALA | IN | 885 | ||
| Raymond Faircloth | KB4RAY | NC | 886 | Michael Miller | AC0BD | IA | 887 | ||
| George Arsics | W2ZB | GA | 888 | ||||||
40 Meter Net
Given the desire to expand our on-air fellowship, we undertook some testing of the 40m band in June, just after the 75m net. The propagation tended to be favorable and encouraged the creation of a net on 40 meters. We sincerely hope that this will allow stations from the west to more easily participate and are optimistic that stations farther away will able to check in as well. Please see www.carf.net for detailed scheduling information.
Recognition
- Appreciation for each of you that has checked in this year to date!
- Warm thanks to each that regularly serve as net control and those who serve so willingly substitute on an occasional (and often immediate) basis.
- Bob Eller (K4REE) for his consistent fine work as CARF site webmaster.
- Cas Grys (KF6CUE) for maintaining the weekly prayer list.
- Thankfulness for the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior.
As I ponder what may yet happen this year, I’m looking forward with the hope and expectation of hearing even more stations joining both our 75 and 40 meter nets. I’m grateful for the stories shared each day along with many an inspirational thought. For me, the CARF net is a good way to start the day, helping me select the correct focus before work or family interaction (yea, my family sleeps in late).
Please continue to share your prayer requests both on air and directly with Cas (casdeb@reagan.com). My thanks to each and every CARF member and net participant for providing encouragement, both on air and during those rare, always special, eyeball QSOs!
Brian Linn, KD0HII
CARF President