If you built a J-Pole at the July 18th workshop and are still wondering just how well one of these things performs — Gary Siepser, KR4LUL, has your answer. Gary finished his DBJ-2 build, swept it on 70cm at the workshop, and — the same day — took it home, hung it in a tree at roughly 6 feet off the ground, and hit the repeaters. No mast, no tower, no ground plane. Just a tree branch and a fresh coat of solder. 🛠️ From Kit to Feedpoint 📊 Checking the Numbers Gary’s 70cm sweep came in at a clean […]

Following up on our J-Pole Workshop announcement, NFARL members turned out on July 18th for a morning of hands-on antenna building, radio programming, and repeater know-how. Hams of all experience levels — including several brand-new licensees fresh off Ham Cram — built their own dual-band 2m/70cm J-Pole antennas, programmed their HTs with the new NFARL Metro Atlanta Frequency Plan via CHIRP, and picked up practical tips for getting the most out of local repeaters. By noon, tables that started out covered in twin-lead wire, PVC, and soldering irons were covered in finished — and tuned — antennas ready to take […]

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 […]

Introduction: What Is a Go Box? A “go box” is a self-contained, portable radio station built into a protective case that can be grabbed and deployed at a moment’s notice. Whether you’re activating a park for POTA (Parks on the Air), setting up a Field Day station, or responding to an emergency communications event, a well-built go box means the difference between being on the air in minutes and spending that same time untangling cables on a picnic table. The challenge with any go box is the same: how do you pack a capable, full-featured HF station into something you […]

Contest season is heating up and N4TOL is here to get you ready! In this new club video, John Tramontanis breaks down everything you need to know about the Georgia QSO Party (April 11–12, 2026) — whether you’re a veteran contester or just getting your feet wet for the first time. John also walks us through the NFARL Challenge, our club’s own contest-within-a-contest where members compete across multiple categories for certificates and some well-earned bragging rights. Sign up ahead of time so your score gets tracked and you can spot familiar callsigns on the bands! The GQP is calling — […]

Fellow NFARL members — mark your calendars and dust off your portable rigs! We’re inviting you to participate in the 4th Annual Georgia State Parks on the Air — a fantastic opportunity to combine the great outdoors with the joy of ham radio. 🗓️ When 2026 Contest Period: Start: Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 8:00 AM EDT (1200 UTC) End: Sunday, April 19, 2026 @ 7:59 PM EDT (2359 UTC) (Operating hours are subject to individual park rules and schedules.) 🏕️ What Is It? Georgia State Parks on the Air is a statewide ham radio event with a simple but ambitious […]