W4F, A Special Event Station Commemorating Florida’s Statehood : March 8, 2025

Come Have Fun With Us!

LMARS will once again be hosting a Special Event Station Celebrating Florida Statehood.

As Florida commemorates its statehood anniversary, March 3, 1845, LMARS, Lake Monroe Amateur Radio Society will come together to celebrate this significant milestone.

We will operate under the Special Event call sign of W4F. We will operate SSB voice, CW, and FT8.

Date & Time: March 14, 2026 // 9.00am - 5.00pm…

Event Lead: Woj Kossowski KE4MSM | Co-Lead: Joe Marsh KQ4AID.

This event is open to all. If you're a Technician level operator and operate at HRO you can operate under a Control Operator and will be able to operate in the lower bands.

Details are as follows…

SSB Voice:

SSB voice will operate out of the Winter Springs Ham Radio Outlet (HRO). We will be using one of their great radios and HROs multiband vertical. Since we will be in the store, space will be limited and you must register. They will be open for business and we have to be respectful of that. We will operate under 2 hour blocks and rotate what we are doing between the operators. We will always have one participant operating on the radio and another participant logging (LMARS will supply the logging computer). All others will be observing. Space is limited though. There will be drinks (water, soda, gatorade) and light snacks.

SSB operating frequencies will be based on band conditions and QRM but will start as follows… 20m: 14.255 // 15m: 21.335 // 10m: 28.360 (+/- QRM).

CW & FT8:

The CW & FT8 stations will operate at the participants' home. You must use a logging program to keep your contacts. You must export the log as an adif file and send that file to Woj KE4MSM and Joe KQ4AID, right after your operating time is over. If you're not sure about this let us know and we will get you set up. We need the logs ASAP because those who make contact with get a Special Event Certificate. They can't get the certificate until we send the logs in to be uploaded.

CW Operating Bands & Frequencies (based on band conditions & QRM) : 20m: 14.035 - 14.060 // 15m: 21.050 - 21.100 // 10m: 28.050 - 28.150 (+/- QRM)

FT8 Operating Bands & Frequencies : 20m: 14.074 // 15m: 21.074 // 10m: 28.074

All event participants and those we make contact with will be able to download a Special Event Certificate a few days after the logs have been uploaded from the event.

OPERATING PLAN BELOW

Register NOW:

Questions/Comments, please reach out…

Woj Kossowski KE4MSM woj@netzero.net 407-620-8589

Joe Marsh KQ4AID jhmarshfla@gmail.com 407-454-1520

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OPERATING PLAN

Date/Time: 3/14/2026

• Operate during the 2-hour block/s for which you signed up. [9-11am; 11-1pm; 1-3pm; 3-5pm]

Call Sign: Use only the W4F call sign and only use during the time slots you are registered for.

Logging: FT8 & CW stations export your logs as ADF and send it to me right after the completion of your last operating session. Do NOT upload your W4F contacts into your personal online log database such as QRZ, LotW, etc. *Send ONLY contacts made under W4F.

Voice:

• Location: 521 East State Rd 434, STE 1009, Winter Springs, FL, 32708-2602
• Arrival: Shift 1 (9.00-11.00am) operators arrive at 8.30a. You can still come into HRO to operate, observe, and/or log even if you didn't sign up. We will do our best to get you operating time but it is not guaranteed.
• Frequencies: Based on band conditions and QRM but will start as follows… 20m: 14.255 // 15m: 21.335 // 10m: 28.360 (+/- QRM).
• Exchange: Minimum: Location / Signal Report. Special certificate on QRZ W4F page. Have fun with it. Share whatever details you want. Our club LMARS (N4EH) is operating the event. We are partnering with Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) in Winter Springs Florida and working out of their location. Using the XXXX Radio. Find out where they are from. Get and give a signal report. There will be a special certificate available via the W4F QRZ page once the logs are uploaded.
• Gear to Bring: Camp chair (only needed if you are hanging out outside). Any special food/snacks you want.

CW:

• Location: From your personal location.
• Frequencies: Based on band conditions and QRM but will start as follows… 20m: 14.035 - 14.060 // 15m: 21.050 - 21.100 // 10m: 28.050 - 28.150
• Calling & Exchange: Minimum: CQ SES W4F // Signal Report // Cert on QRZ W4F Have fun with it. Share whatever details you want. Our club LMARS (N4EH) is operating the event. Find out where they are from. Get and give a signal report. There will be a special certificate available via the W4F QRZ page once the logs are uploaded.

FT8:

• Location: From your personal location.
• Frequencies: Normal FT8 Frequencies: 20m, 15m, 10m
• Calling & Exchange: CQ SES W4F ((GRID)) Normal FT8 Exchange. FT8 WSJT-X Setup: * **
• Start a new Log. Change your call sign within WSJT-X to W4F. When done send only your W4F log to Woj and Joe