Kansas Throws a QSO Party
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- Written by: Greg Wolfe
Nine members of the Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club and a good friend from the Lone Star State participated in this year's Kansas QSO Party, combining their efforts at multiple locations to record more than 500 contacts over a two-day period.
Roughly 44% of the 532 contacts the operators made Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 took place at what is fondly referred to as the "antenna farm" in Edgerton owned by Del Sawyer, KØDDS. There, Del, Bob Shaumeyer, KCØTZX, Eric Dziadosz, KFØQIS, Jeff Darby, KSØJD, and Byron Kroeger of Texas, KI5GNH, racked up 166 contacts on the single-sideband mode while Marty Peters, KEØPEZ, the treasurer of the club, and Andrew Kaberline, AEØZL, were connecting with 69 hams using the CW (Morse code) mode.
Amelia Earhart -- SPARK-Con Keynote Speaker
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- Written by: J Andera (KØNK)
When the name Amelia Earhart is mentioned to anyone familiar with aviation, the name conjures up the story of the historic Amelia Mary Earhart (1897-1937*) who went missing in July of 1937 someplace in the South Pacific Ocean as she attempted to fly around the world.
But there is another Amelia Earhart, this time Amelia Rose Earhart, who also has a story to tell about flying around the world. That story was heard by those who attended the ARRL Midwest Convention Banquet in Sedelia, MO, on Friday evening, Oct 10. The meal at the Banquet was good, the company of fellow hams was great, however it was the keynote speaker that made the banquet special.
Ameila Rose Earhart addressed a full house at the ARRL Midwest Convention Banquet. KSØJD photo.
The modern-day Amelia Earhart told her story of some the challenges and trials she faced in her life, well before her flight around the world—turbulence as she called it.
Solar Shines at Field Day Before Clouds Prevail
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- Written by: Rick Nichols
Howard Cripe (N0AZ) mans his solar-powered digital station just inside the Peg Barn
Approaching showers forced members of the Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club to begin the tear-down process a couple of hours early during Field Day 2025, but by then Howard Cripe, NØAZ, had already managed to rack up 20 important contacts - count 'em - using his solar-powered digital station located in the Peg Barn at Ensor Park and Museum in Olathe. Pictures from the event may be viewed in the Club Picture Album under the Field Day folder.
A Pleasant Day at the Tallgrass
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- Written by: J Andera (KØNK)
Some of the team had to leave early, but those who remained to the end got in on a group picture in front of a sod roof building. Jeff is behind the camera.
With a light north wind and mostly clear skies, the SFTARC’s annual mini-DXpidtion to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was among the most pleasant we have ever had. Not only was the weather pleasant, but we had the most SFTARC participants ever. A total of 14 club members participated in this May 17th event! For several participants, this was their first Parks-on-the-Air event from the Tallgrass (POTA designator US-3673).
Field Day 2025
- Details
- Written by: G Wolfe (KIØKK)
The Santa Fe Amateur Radio Club from Olathe will be hosting the 2025 ARRL Field Day event at Ensor Park and Museum located at 18995 W 183rd St, Olathe, KS 66062.
Avoid US HWY 169 south of 175th street. Use Ridgeview off of 175th street to access 183rd street.
Talk In will be on the Gardner 147.195 RPTR.
The park is where the Marshall Ensor homestead was located during his life and while he was a teacher at Olathe High School, now Olathe North High School.
The ARRL Field Day event will be on June 28 and June 29, 2025. The operators will begin making contacts on Saturday at 1pm, June 28 and will operate until Sunday at 1pm, June 29.