SK AC3P

It is with a sad heart that I must pass the following information. Frank Stone, AC3P, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, with his wife, children, and sister at his bedside. He will be missed by all, in the Radio, Astronomy, and Family community in which he lived.

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BRATS Supports the 2015 MS150

The BRATS were proud to welcome back Bill KA3IDB to the MS150 Chesapeake Challenge this year. In addition to helping with radio communications, Bill shared stories about the very first Chesapeake Challenge over 30 years ago when he was one of the volunteers that outnumbered the riders.

Altogether, the BRATS drove nearly 5,000 miles this weekend, providing communications support on over 150 miles of roads, directly assisted nearly a dozen riders, and stepped up and provided medical volunteers when the scheduled group was delayed. In short, the BRATS as always helped wherever necessary make the event run smoother and keep the riders safe.

These efforts were made possible thanks to the Easton Amateur Radio Society's continued support of the event through allowing our use of their repeater for the weekend for which we are as always grateful.

The BRATS wish to thank all of the hams who volunteered, including Ken K3RKU for helping coordinate with the EARS, N3GXH for working with the MS Society, and our drivers and radio volunteers K3DON, KA3IDB, WA3SWA, N3FJD, KB3NYW, W3DQT, KB3SKN, K5KNK, K2GZL, K9FXY, KC3CAC.

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SK N3FBQ

I regret to Inform you of the Passing of Dr. Frank "Doc" Barranco. Many BRATS knew Frank from the Baltimore County Fire Department, Navy-Marine Corps MARS, and Amateur Radio public service.
Doc Barranco was also a long time member of the Baltimore Amateur Radio Club. Many remember him sitting behind the table at the MARS booth at the hamfest.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home, 1050 York Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM on Friday, March 27 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 200 Ware Av, Towson, MD followed by interment at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Stella Maris, 4500 Dulaney Valley Rd, Timouium 21093 or to the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company, 1609 Bellona Av, Lutherville, MD 21093.

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Silent Key – K3OF

It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Edward Lind K3OF.

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BRATS Awarded #BGEGrants to continue improving our systems!

The Baltimore Radio Amateur Television Society has been awarded a grant from Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. as a part of their Emergency Response and Safety Grants program to continue improving and expanding our repeater network!

This is very exciting, as this will allow us to further improve our existing systems, and expand our reach by allowing us to purchase and install additional equipment for new sites.

BRATS Officers and board members at the BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grants press conference

BRATS Officers and board members at the BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grants press conference

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BRATS Hosts Successful 2nd Annual Ernie Walker Memorial Jamboree on the Air

JOTA Aboard the NS Savannah

The BRATS hosted 164 Cub and Boy Scouts and family members aboard the Nuclear Ship Savannah in Baltimore Harbor for the 2014 edition of the Jamboree on the Air. Scouts, parents, and our volunteers had a blast as we shared several aspects of ham radio, from chasing DX to experimenting with software defined radio.

Scouts make contacts with our two HF stations in the Veranda aboard the Nuclear Ship Savannah

Scouts make contacts with our two HF stations in the Veranda aboard the Nuclear Ship Savannah

We would like to thank all of the volunteers for their time and support this Saturday, including Walt Mathers, who planted the seeds for hosting aboard the NS Savannah, then walked miles of decks and climbed hundreds of ladders leading tours for the Scouts and their families, Cliff KB3VQU of the NS Savannah ARC for his assistance organizing, setting up antennas, and training our volunteers, Matthew, Shane K2GZL, our prolific CQers Mark W3MSR and Steve KA3ZMN, Johnel, Lizard N3GXH, and Oryx K0ryx.

Mark your calendar for JOTA 2015 — October 16, 17, 18!

Walt leading Pack 307 on a tour of the NS Savannah

Walt leading Pack 307 on a tour of the NS Savannah


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WB3DZO/MM Repeater!

Sailing Vessel Bay Retriever with a dual band 2m/440 antenna atop her mast

Sailing Vessel Bay Retriever with a dual band 2m/440 antenna atop her mast

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MS Society Thanks the BRATS

MS Society Thank you letter

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Coming soon: Internet stream of W3WCQ

w3wcq

Still in development, but it works!

w3rcj

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WB3DZO Data Repeater

The WB3DZO data repeater is now online and ready for normal amateur use. Come to the next meeting on Monday, May 12, at 7 pm at the Pikesville library to vote on a new name!

Channels are 5 MHz, with frequencies on 5870 on northern sectors, 5890 to the southeast, and 5910 to the southwest.

Until then, here's where we expect coverage from a Nanobridge NB5-G25 ($90 dish) to our network:

House coverage

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