St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club Newsletter

Serving Amateur Radio Operators Throughout Central Minnesota

President’s Message

Greetings Club Members,

As we move into the colder months, it’s a great time to focus on operating, learning, and preparing for next year’s activities. Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent events and helped promote amateur radio throughout the St. Cloud area.

Our club continues to grow through the dedication of our members. Whether you’re a new Technician, an experienced DXer, a CW enthusiast, or an active POTA operator, your participation helps make our club stronger.

We encourage everyone to attend upcoming meetings, participate in on-air activities, and invite others to discover the exciting world of amateur radio.

73,

Randy Welsand WJ0L

Clubhouse and Station Improvements

The clubhouse has seen several exciting improvements recently.

Last Thursday, our aging furnace was replaced, ensuring reliable heat for the coming winter months. In addition, we now have central air conditioning, a welcome upgrade that will make the clubhouse much more comfortable during meetings and activities throughout the year.

Many thanks go to Jesse, KC0TAB, and the fine folks at AIR MAX Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning for their outstanding work and support of our club. Their professionalism and dedication are greatly appreciated.

As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the station, members also tackled some much-needed cable management both inside and outside the clubhouse. During that work, we discovered a problem with the antenna rotor. To keep our station operating at its best, we will be replacing the rotor this Saturday.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and effort to these projects. The continued dedication of our members helps keep our clubhouse and station in excellent condition for all to enjoy.

Upcoming Events

St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club Annual Gathering

Mark your calendars for the St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club Annual Gathering on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM at:

Moose Lodge #1400
1300 3rd Street North
Waite Park, MN

The evening will include:

• Election of two Directors-at-Large for two-year terms
• A brief business meeting
• Presentation of the club’s annual awards
• Prize giveaways
• Fellowship with fellow members and guests

A limited menu will be available for our group at a very reasonable cost.

This is our first gathering at the Moose Lodge, and we are very pleased to have secured this outstanding venue. Special thanks to Jason and Stephanie Brix for helping make this location available for our annual gathering.

Mondays – Activities Night

Join us every Monday at 6:00 PM at the clubhouse for Activities Night.

Whether you’re interested in operating, building, troubleshooting equipment, learning new skills, or simply enjoying the company of fellow amateur radio enthusiasts, Activities Night offers something for everyone. Members, prospective members, and guests are always welcome.

Technical Spotlight

Reducing RF Noise at Home

Many operators struggle with increasing levels of man-made noise. Consider these tips:

• Identify noise sources by using a portable receiver.
• Replace noisy power supplies when possible.
• Use ferrite chokes on cables.
• Check LED lighting and electronic devices.
• Improve station grounding and cable management.

A quieter station often leads to significantly better weak-signal performance.

License Testing

Interested in upgrading your license? Watch the club website and social media pages for upcoming VE test sessions.

Operating Tip of the Month

Improve Your CW Copy Speed

• Practice every day, even if only for 10 minutes.
• Copy complete words instead of individual characters.
• Listen to on-air QSOs regularly.
• Focus on accuracy before speed.

Consistency is the key to improvement.

Amateur Radio Trivia

Question: What does “73” mean in amateur radio communications?

Answer: Best regards.

Join the Fun and Get Involved!

The St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club continues to thrive because of the dedication and participation of its members. We encourage everyone to attend club events, volunteer when possible, and help promote the hobby of amateur radio throughout our community.

We look forward to seeing you at the clubhouse and at our Annual Gathering!

73,

St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club
“Advancing Amateur Radio Through Education, Service, and Fellowship”