DARC September 2024 Meeting Reminder – Where’s My Dinner?

Greetings! It’s September already! Kids are in school, the crops are ready to harvest, and (hopefully!) the long hot days are drawing to a close.

We should celebrate the oncoming end of summer. How about food? The Decatur Amateur Radio Club will have its quarterly “eating meeting” at Libby’s Catfish and Diner in Priceville at 6:00 on Tuesday evening, September 3rd. If you don’t know, Libby’s is out on Highway 67 east of the I-65 interchange. Head away from Decatur on Highway 67 and continue up Priceville Mountain after the 2-lane portion of the highway begins. Once you’ve reached the top and passed the big white cross, Libby’s will be on your right. Just follow your nose for the smell of fried catfish! Please arrive early and in great numbers because sometimes after a Monday holiday the normally-Monday-evening group tries to take over the restaurant despite others having reserved it.

If you want to go to the Morgan County Courthouse, feel free. I don’t think there’s any food there, and there probably won’t be any fellow hams either. Law enforcement officers may spend some time questioning you, so you probably will enjoy some type of conversation, albeit likely uncomfortable at times, just like the temperature. And they won’t be interested in what great deals you found at the hamfest last month.

The meeting will NOT be streamed on Microsoft Teams for obvious reasons (have you ever enjoyed watching someone talking with his or her mouth full? Case closed!)

Are you or someone you know ready for a license or upgrade test? Remember that the Decatur club is still scheduling license testing every month on the first Saturday of each month. The testing sessions will be held in the Decatur Public Library on 6th Avenue NE (Highway 31) at 1:00. Please bring ID (especially your FRN, which is required on the license application) and your $15 fee. And, most importantly, PLEASE send an email to DecaturHamTest@w4atd.org so we can have the testing materials prepared and available for you. September 7th is our next scheduled testing date. PLEASE NOTE: WE ALWAYS NEED VOLUNTEER EXAMINERS TO HELP WITH THE TESTING PROGRAM! If you want to help in some way (Extra class license is normally required), please let us know! And if you send an email and do not get a timely response, please let the secretary know.

Remember also that the roster of current club members is now online at www.HamClubOnline.com. Set up your free account and if you have paid your dues (and the Secretary has updated the database) you should see that you’re associated with the DARC. If there’s an issue, let us know.

See you on Tuesday evening, September 3rd, 2024, at Libby’s Catfish and Diner in Priceville. Come hungry!

Richard Matthews

Author: KB4CAY

Ham since 1981. Secretary of Decatur Amateur Radio Club since 2001. I like digital modes and listening to local repeaters.