What a fantastic turnout for our August meeting! The room was buzzing, both in person and online, as our very own Dave (KO4USA) pulled back the curtain on one of the most powerful tools available to the modern ham: the HamClock. If you were there, you already know this was one for the books. And if you missed it, you're about to find out what all the excitement was about.
For those who attended, we know Dave covered a mountain of valuable information. Now you have the chance to re-watch, pause, and absorb every detail at your own pace. For those who couldn't make it, get ready—you now have a front-row seat to one of the most practical and enlightening presentations of the year.
More Than a Clock, It's Your Shack's Mission Control
As Dave so brilliantly demonstrated, calling HamClock a "clock" is like calling a transceiver a "speaker." Designed by Elwood Downey of the Clear Sky Institute, it’s a dynamic, network-connected dashboard that provides unparalleled situational awareness for any operator.
Dave’s presentation was a masterclass that demystified the entire process, showing us just how attainable this incredible tool is. He expertly guided us through:
- The "How-To": From purchasing a ready-to-go, pre-programmed unit to the satisfaction of a do-it-yourself build with a simple Raspberry Pi, Dave laid out all the paths to getting a HamClock up and running.
- The Core Features: We saw a live demonstration of the stunning world map, tracking the gray-line in real-time. Dave showed us how to instantly visualize critical propagation data, including live solar flux (SFI), sunspot numbers, and geomagnetic indices (A and K_p).
- The "Wow" Factor: The presentation went even deeper, showcasing live DX cluster spots populating the map, real-time satellite passes (including the ISS), aurora predictions, and even PSK Reporter activity. It’s the ultimate way to see exactly what the bands are doing, right now.
Whether you're a seasoned DX-chaser looking for that perfect gray-line opening or a new ham wanting to understand space weather, Dave's talk had something for everyone.
Watch the Full Presentation: HamClock with Dave, KO4USA
Ready to transform your shack? Click below to watch Dave’s complete presentation. If you were there, revisit the details you want to master. If you missed it, prepare to be inspired!
Club Business, Big Wins, and What's Next
The evening wasn't just about HamClock. The first part of our meeting was packed with important club updates and celebrations. We covered upcoming events, held an important discussion on the new slate of officers for the upcoming elections, and reviewed our club bylaws.
We also had the pleasure of celebrating our members' recent accomplishments, including those who aced their General license exams. And, of course, a huge round of applause for the entire NFARL team for bringing home the win in the Georgia QSO Party for the fifth consecutive year!
Catch up on all the news and announcements in the Club Business portion of the meeting.
A huge thank you to Dave (KO4USA) for dedicating his time and expertise to deliver such a phenomenal and useful presentation. We hope these recordings serve as a valuable resource for all our members.
