NFARL February Meeting – Exploring FreeDV

Are you interested in the future of digital voice on the amateur radio bands? Whether you are a long-time club member or someone brand new to the world of ham radio, we invite you to join the North Fulton Amateur Radio League (NFARL) for our upcoming monthly meeting. This is an open meeting—everyone is welcome to attend! Presented by: Roy, KQ4OYM While VHF/UHF digital modes like DMR and D-STAR are common, digital voice on HF has often been limited by proprietary technology. Enter FreeDV. Roy will take us through the story of FreeDV and its flagship mode, RADE (Radio Autoencoder). […]

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Get Your Ham Radio License in One Day!

Are you ready to join the world of amateur radio? NFARL is hosting a special “Ham Cram” session designed to take you from zero to licensed in a single day! Why Join the Ham Cram? Accelerated Learning: Spend 6 hours in a classroom environment where we teach you the answers to the FCC Technician pool. Immediate Testing: Take your VE exam right after the class while the information is fresh. Awesome Bonuses: If you pass the test, you’ll receive: A FREE 1-year NFARL Membership. A programmed Handheld Radio (HT) with “NFARL Metro Atlanta” channels already set up, if you’re under […]

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[NEW DATE] NFARL Returns to GARS TechFest 2026 – Volunteers Needed!

NEW DATE– TechFest 2026 has been postponed due to the high possibility of winter weather impact to roads   NEW DATE: Feb 21, 2026   Mark your calendars! NFARL is excited to announce our participation in the GARS TechFest 2026, the premier FREE amateur radio event in Gwinnett County. This annual celebration brings together ham radio enthusiasts of all experience levels to learn, share, and explore the latest in amateur radio technology. About GARS TechFest GARS TechFest is an excellent opportunity for individuals to learn about the latest developments in amateur radio technology, share knowledge and experience, and network with […]

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January 2026 NFARL Meeting: Decoding Radio Performance with Rob Sherwood NC0B

“Performance Numbers – What Do They Mean?” by Rob Sherwood NC0B We were privileged to host Rob Sherwood, the renowned expert behind Sherwood Engineering’s comprehensive receiver performance testing, for an eye-opening presentation on interpreting radio specifications and lab measurements. For over 50 years, ham radio operators have relied on performance numbers to evaluate transceivers, but as Rob explained, many of us have been misinterpreting the data. The famous “Sherwood Table” – which ranks over 150 HF transceivers by their 2-kHz dynamic range – is often misunderstood. That ranking applies only to close-in dynamic range, not to every performance metric! Rob’s […]

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Santa’s Emergency QSO: When 40 Meters Saved Christmas

It was the morning of December 24th when NFARL Lee Johnson, N4WYE, heard an unusual call on 40 meters. “CQ CQ CQ, this is S4NTA calling any station. I have an emergency traffic regarding gift delivery in the Atlanta area. Come back please!” Lee quickly grabbed his mic. After a brief exchange, the situation became clear: Santa’s sleigh was overbooked, his reindeer were overworked, and he desperately needed a local operator to handle a special delivery to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “I’ve got you covered, Santa,” Lee replied. “The NFARL and SEDXC families came through with four large bags of […]

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NFARL 2025 Holiday Party: Registration is Open!

Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with your fellow NFARL members! We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 NFARL Holiday Party, this year hosted at a wonderful restaurant. Join us for a fantastic evening of great food, fellowship, and holiday cheer! Event Details Date: Saturday, December 20th, 2025 Location: Brookwood Grill 880 Holcomb Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30076 Time: 5:30 PM: Doors Open 6:00 PM: Event Starts (Welcome & Introduction at 6:30 PM) Registration and Cost The cost is $50.00 per person, which includes a delicious plated meal (salad, entree, sides, and dessert) […]

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🥳 Record Turnout at HamJam 2025! 🥳

The North Fulton Amateur Radio League (NFARL) is thrilled to report that HamJam 2025A was a resounding success, setting a new record for attendance! This year’s event, held last Saturday, November 8th, brought together over 60 enthusiastic participants from the amateur radio community. The high turnout reflected the community’s interest and passion for the hobby. Attendees enjoyed a full day of engaging and informative presentations from fellow Hams, with a focus on programs supported by the NFARL YESA (Youth Education, Scholarship and Education) Program. This year’s speakers covered a range of cutting-edge and essential topics: Michael Walker VA3MW / KE2EAF […]

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High Flying Ham Radio

For those who couldn’t make it to our October meeting, or if you just want to rewatch one of our most captivating presentations of the year, we have great news! The video of Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA’s, talk on “High Flying Ham Radio” is now available for viewing! Get ready to witness how amateur radio is truly reaching the edge of space! Jack, a talented high school senior, dove into the exciting world of high-altitude flight, covering the fundamentals of using both super-pressure pico-balloons and latex balloons in conjunction with ham radio beacons. He also connected this technical work to his […]

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! NFARL is Heading to the Stone Mountain Ham Fest!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to participate in the biggest hamfest in Georgia! The North Fulton Amateur Radio League (NFARL) is excited to be a part of the 2025 Stone Mountain Ham Fest at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Join us for a full weekend of ham radio fun, forums, and fellowship on Saturday, November 1st, and Sunday, November 2nd, 2025.   NFARL Booth: Volunteers Wanted! We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us staff the NFARL booth on both days! This is a fantastic chance to represent our club, talk to other hams and prospective hams, and show […]

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October Meeting: High Flying Ham Radio with Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA 🎈

Mark your calendars! The North Fulton Amateur Radio League (NFARL) is holding its monthly meeting, featuring our annual Board Member Elections followed by a captivating presentation on the intersection of ham radio and high-altitude flight. Meeting Details Date: Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7:00 PM) Location: Preston Ridge Community Center 3655 Preston Ridge Road Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30005 This October meeting is one of the two NFARL regular meetings at which business is typically conducted. The evening will begin with the annual election of club officers. Your Vote is Important! The club’s leadership for […]

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