I meant to put this out for your info earlier.  I had an open house and skills day for the local clubs and also listed the Fourlanders as one of the sponsors.  I"m thinking about sending it in to QST.  It did get all the text in the GA ARRL NL this week.  They just left out a couple of the pix.  I think the publicity is always good for us.  Sorry for the strange formatting.  You are all familiar with that for sure.  73, Bob

World Amateur Radio Day – Skills Day/Open House – Summary

To co-incide with WARD, The North Georgia Amateur Radio Club W4QQ, The Gateway
Amateur Radio Club K4GAR and The Fourlanders Contest Team W4NH hosted a Skills
Day and Open House at the W4ZST shack in Dahlonega.

We had a fantastic turnout with 28 folks attending.  The largest crowd we’ve ever hosted here.  The shack got a little crowded as that it the only spot available for the presentations but we had tents, tables and chairs outside for gathering and especially for our lunch.  Members from our local clubs and several others from SARA in Cumming.  Several members came early and stayed late for set up and take down and their help was greatly appreciated.

We had morning presentations by Brad KM4QHI on Dstar and the PiStar HotSpot, Pete N4KHQ on the AllStar Node HotSpot, Paul W4DUI on the new LORA/Meshtastic system, and Mike KK4PMW on DMR and the OpenSpot Pro.  They were well attended and most commented on how much they learned.











We broke for lunch at Noon to BBQ Smoked Boston Butts and chicken by NGARC President David K4XRT with Buns and BBQ sauce.  Brunswick Stew and Cole Slaw by Bob W4ZST ala the Fourlanders W4NH favorites.  Also Potato Salad, Cold Drinks and Water.  A couple of announcements were made along with around the tables introductions of all the attendees.  Many new friends were made and many got to meet in person for the first time after knowing each other on the radio.




We picked up again for the afternoon session where Russ K4WQS had his portable solar powered HF/VHF GoBox and antenna set up outside for demonstration.  Russ also did a well received tutorial on installing and using the popular PowerPole connectors. After that Buck KC4GCK did a demo of Surface Mount construction techniques that also got a lot of attention and was well attended.  


Since the shack is set up for five band multi-op by W4NH and EME by W4ZST and friends, it is not the best for presentations but we did have several of the multiple monitors around connected so that everyone didn’t have to just be in line of sight.  It seemed to work well.  I will continue doing that for future get-togethers here. 

Thanks to all who attended and contributed to this club effort.  73, Bob W4ZST