On the last 4th of July, the North Fulton Amateur Radio Emergency Service (NF ARES) provided crucial communication assistance to the Sandy Springs Police Department during the city’s Live Music and Fireworks Display. The event, which drew an estimated eight thousand attendees, was well-organized and featured a strong police presence. NFARL volunteers played a role in ensuring smooth operations. A police briefing before the event emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance due to current world events, urging everyone to report any safety concerns immediately. During the fireworks display, the loud booms from the 1,170 tubes of fireworks even triggered many […]

Ted Macklin (K4MPM) here! I wanted to share some tips while they’re still fresh in my mind about building one of those 4:1 Guanella Current Baluns. If you’re thinking about tackling this project, which is awesome, believe me, these pointers will save you some headaches. Just for a little context, this balun is a real workhorse. It’s an RF choke and transformer all in one, designed to take a higher impedance, like 200 ohms, and bring it down to 50 ohms. That’s crucial for getting a better match with your transceiver and really improving your SWR. From what I’ve learned, […]

Our June 17th meeting was packed with exciting updates, crucial Field Day preparations, and a fascinating dive into Software Defined Radios! For those who missed it, or if you’d like a refresher, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive recap and two informative video recordings from the evening. Field Day 2025: Getting Ready for the Big Event! Check out the 2025 Field Day post and register your participation in the picnic, stations, and as a volunteer. Field Day is just around the corner, and our preparations are in full swing! We discussed the progress across all our stations, ensuring we’re […]

What a fantastic day we had at the recent Dummy Load Wattmeter workshop! We’re thrilled to report that it was a resounding success, with great participation and an enthusiastic atmosphere. Around 25 club members and guests joined us, making for a lively and engaging event. The energy in the room was palpable as everyone worked diligently on their projects. In total, an impressive 18 kits were successfully built during the workshop! It was truly rewarding to see so many members actively involved in constructing these valuable pieces of equipment. Everyone had a lot of fun, and the collaborative spirit was […]

Again this year, on behalf of the Georgia Radio Amateurs, we (NFARL) requested Governor B. Kemp to issue a Proclamation for Radio Amateur Week to coincide with ARRL’s nation wide Field Day event on June 28-28, 2025. We are very pleased to present this year’s Governor’s Proclamation declaring the last week in June as Amateur Radio Week! Signed by Governor Kemp and in possession of the club. Available for viewing during field day! What a wonderful endorsement of the many contributions by Hams and services we provide for our local communities particularly during times of emergency and weather related disasters.

Get ready for an exciting event for all amateur radio enthusiasts! The Atlanta Hamfest is just around the corner, and NFARL will be there in full force. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow hams, explore new gear, and learn something new. NFARL at the Hamfest: Find Us! NFARL will have four tables dedicated to our members. Stop by to say hello, and pick up some great deals. Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (General Admission) Location: Jim R. Miller Park – 2245 Callaway Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008 Admission: General Admission $10 […]

Wow—what an energetic and inspiring club meeting we had on Tuesday, May 20! With just 37 days to go until the 2025 ARRL Field Day weekend (June 22–23), our preparations are in full swing—and NFARL is coming together to make this our best Field Day yet! 🎯 This Year’s Theme: “Radio Connects”We’re embracing the 2025 theme by doing exactly what ham radio does best: connecting people, skills, and communities across the airwaves. 👥 Leadership & Team RolesA huge shout-out to our Field Day Co-Chairs: Dave KO4USA, Lee N4WYE, and Mike KN4OAK. They’re already driving planning with awesome momentum! Thanks also […]

Calling all NFARL members! Get ready to be a part of the biggest amateur radio event of the year! Our club, NFARL, is excited to announce our participation in the ARRL Field Day 2025, and we need YOUR help and enthusiasm to make it a huge success. ARRL Field Day, happening this year on June 28-29, 2025, is a fantastic opportunity to practice our emergency communication skills, showcase the power of amateur radio, and enjoy some great camaraderie with fellow hams from across North America. To kick things off and ensure we’re well-prepared, we’re holding a dedicated NFARL Field Day […]

The NFARL Amateur Radio Emergency Service meeting was held outdoors on the second Tuesday. The topic was Go Bags – homemade portable kits that will support operation away from any supportive infrastructure. Abby, KQ4JEU displayed her kit contained in a waterproof portable box. It was complete with battery and charging system, an Icom 7100, and Baofeng handhelds. It had detachable front controllers for the HF and VHF for easy access. Jim, W4IU showed his minimalist iPad with a low power bluetooth dongle and a Kenwood handheld that connected to a digipeater. Robert, AJ4RJ, in addition to running the meeting, showed […]

On May 10th NFARL celebrated the USI One-Day-Getaway contest event and held our annual picnic at the West Bank Park, Lake Lanier, GA. Many of the usual characters were present and brought their famous and delicious dishes for a most enjoyable picnic. A few of us launched multiple antennas with serious slingshots. Bill Cassanova used his Sling Shot Arborist Throwline Launcher with Trigger and overshot the target. This year we had some new faces and Roy KQ4OYM put on a workshop with our webmasters and those interested in directly posting on our website. Once the antennas were operational, Mike Riley […]