July 10th 2025 #467 - NA3CW | W3GMS Roundtable

W3GMS Thursday Night Roundtable

🗓️ Roundtable Summary – July 10, 2025

Host: Chuck, NA3CW
Repeater: W3GMS – 146.985 MHz (PL 100 Hz, Tone Squelch 94.8 Hz)
Topic: “What is your favorite season and why? And what are your favorite summertime activities?”

🌤 General Discussion Highlights:

• Favorite Seasons:
  The overwhelming favorites were spring and fall due to mild temperatures, reduced humidity, and comfortable outdoor conditions. Only a few expressed fondness for summer or winter.
• Common Themes:
  • Disdain for hot, humid summers.
  • Enjoyment of seasonal transitions, especially when related to hobbies like radio, gardening, or travel.
  • Strong nostalgia for activities tied to youth or family traditions.
• Activities Mentioned:
  • 🚲 Biking, hiking, trail walking
  • 📡 Antenna projects and tower work
  • 🎣 Fishing, especially during striper runs
  • 🪵 Woodworking and shop time
  • 🐎 Horse riding and animal care
  • 🥫 Canning seasonal harvests
  • 🎸 Playing instruments (guitar, CW key)
  • 🧹 Cleaning and organizing shack/parts
  • 🏕️ Camping and QRP operating
  • 📻 Field Day, VHF contests, Hamfests

🔧 Technical & Personal Updates:

• Ron (WA3VEE):
  Shared photos from Field Day and offered biking invitations to fellow hams. Planning woodshop projects for fall and hoping to expand into 160m.
• Joe (W3GMS):
  Winter fan and deep into organizing radio parts inventory with 150+ bins. Ongoing mentoring with Luke and working on tower progress.
• Luke (KC3SCY):
  Focused on CW proficiency and helping build riser assemblies with Joe.
• John (WA3KFT):
  Over 50 years licensed, still active in VHF contests and hamfests. Prefers paper QSL cards and analog methods.
• Wayne (KC3SQI):
  Enjoying fishing and antenna experimentation. Battling HVAC interference on 10 meters.
• Jim (AF3Z):
  Enjoys hiking, sailing, and especially ragchewing in CW. Talked about shedding clutter, Goodwill runs, and field day reflections.
• Mike (W3MFB):
  Loves autumn for harvest season, cooking, and cooler air. Reminisced about eBay sales of fine china and appreciating life’s small joys.
• CR (W8CRW):
  Highlighted the comfort of spring and fall. Prefers working outside without needing AC or heat.
• Scott (W3KZG):
  Enjoys garage work, woodworking, and plane spotting with his dog on the deck.
• Jeff (W3JAM):
  Discussed trails, biking, and English-style horseback riding. Torn between spring and fall due to mid-Atlantic heat.
• Adam (KB3ZUV):
  Reflected on past summer enjoyment but now prefers cooler months for radio and horse activities.

📝 Closing Notes:

• Hamfests & Cleanouts:
  Several members are gearing up for local hamfests and shared their ongoing struggles with radio clutter.
• Repeater Etiquette Reminder:
  Use max power during intermod, pause before speaking, and stay under the 3-minute timer.
• Round 2 Summary:
  Most operators elaborated further on the seasonal reflections, with added anecdotes about home improvement, life changes, and evolving ham habits.