We regret to report that IRG member KE0SUM – Jonathan Hall, has passed away.

Jonathan was well-known to us as long-time member and a regular participant in the Sunday Night Net, and as a fellow “fox hunter”. He also enjoyed portable operation in particular. Many hams know him from his time working at Ham Radio Outlet.

We will all remember Jonathan for his jovial nature and outgoing personality. Our sincere condolences to Xander, Alison, and all of Jonathan’s family.

Jonathan Hall Obituary – (1955 – 2026)

Please check the above link for additional information regarding the wake for Jonathan, when details are finalized, and to leave your condolences.

Mark your calendars for the first hamfest of the new year – the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club Winter Hamfest, coming up on Saturday, January 17th, 2026.

Just a reminder that the 285 TechConnect Radio Club will be presenting their annual TechFest next month, on the 2nd Saturday. Check out their TechFest page for more information.

At BARCfest today, I came across a table from a ham club I hadn’t known about. They incorporated in August of 2025, so pretty new on the scene. If you’re out East in Colorado, check out the Eastern Colorado Repeater Association.

RMHAM has decided to step up and present The SUMMER Swapfest to replace the previously cancelled Denver Radio Club event. We’ll hold this on Sunday, August 24th, 2025 between 9 AM and 1 PM. RMHAM wants to continue to provide a summertime opportunity for Colorado hams to buy, sell, trade and most importantly have the “eyeball” QSO’s that we all enjoy!.
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Sunday, August 24th, 2026, is the date for the Summer Swapfest you’ll want to circle on your calendar with the brightest highlighter you can find! Join us at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton, Colorado from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM!
— The SUMMER Swapfest!

The 2025 DRC Hamfest has been cancelled.

Due to a compilation of circumstances the PPRAA Board of Directors has reluctantly decided to cancel Megafest for 2025.
— https://ppraa.org/megafest

Just a reminder, LARCfest 2025 is coming up on Saturday, April 5th. Doors open at 9AM. License testing will be held from 8-10AM in the Clover building located south of the Exhibit hall.

Bob – KEØSJ, is continuing work on the 449.525 repeater, which is typically linked to the 145.280 machine. We still have an occasional issue with deliberate QRM during the Sunday Night Net, and ongoing QRM from unlicensed operators.

We recently enabled the tone requirement using 156.7Hz, and sometimes need to unlink the repeaters. We therefore recommend using only the 145.280 for the net on Sunday Night.

We’re experiencing some interference issues on the 449.525 repeater. It appears to be a couple of issues. One being a malicious station using 2 radios to generate feedback between the 449.525 and the 145.280, which happens mostly during the Sunday Night Net. The second issue is noise being generated near, or at, the repeater site, possibly a harmonic from non-ham equipment.

As a temporary measure, we have enabled a tone requirement for the 449.525, but this is functional only if the repeater is unlinked from the 145.280. The tone frequency is currently 156.7. If the repeaters are linked, the tone requirement becomes inoperative.

Bob – KEØSJ, will be working on this issue as time is available. The goal is to update the repeater linkage such that the 449.525 can operate with a tone requirement while linked, and also change the tone to 100hz.