The GERATOL Net has resumed operation at 0100Z on 3.667 plus/minus QRM once again this season !! Those not familiar with the GERATOL Net, are probably wondering, what the heck is this GERATOL, some sort of medicine ?? Well, it can be quite habit forming, as well as beneficial to your health, but unlike it's "sound alike" medicinal namesake, it is actually a Worked All States net in the Extra Class portion of the 80M Ham Band. In this case, GERATOL stands for: Greetings Extra Radio Amateurs Tired of Operating Lately. Pretty clever, eh ? At least clever to those hams who remember the namesake medicine being advertised on the Ed Sullivan show !! For the younger folks, probably not so much. Young or old, new comer or old timer, ALL properly licensed hams are welcome and greatly encouraged to participate and join the fun. As mentioned, the net is a Worked All States net in the 80M Extra Class section of the band, and represents quite a challenge for those inclined to challenging, yet relaxing activities in the ham shack during those long, cold winter nights. To keep the interest level up, as new states come on board for you to work toward that WAS on 80M, the net has several challenging but very fun awards and activities. To find out more, go check the GERATOL Website at http://geratol.net Or better yet, tune up to 3.667 Mhz some evening at 0100Z and jump in to say hi. You are more than welcome to join us, since no membership is required. N1KL Kevin
Back-in-the-day, I upgraded to Extra specifically to get onto the GERATOL Net to get the last couple of "far away" states I needed on 80 meters to complete 5BWAS. I've since worked them all on 80 meters many times.
Thanks Mel for the note. We'd love to have you back on the net some evening to renew old acquaintances, and like yourself back in the day, we have a new crop of ops looking for states they need, and believe it or not, New York has not been on much lately. So come join us some evening. All the best, Kevin N1KL
The last time I checked in to this net, a number of years ago, I was lectured by an individual for not having a 1X2 or 2X1 call. Tom WA4ILH
Well Tom, I've been checking into the net since 1986 and over that time I NEVER EVER heard anyone on the net, net controls, check-ins or board members EVER chastise or lecture anyone who checked in with any format call sign. I have heard them "inform" people without the proper class of license they need to upgrade but that is all I ever heard, and even then those stations were not "lectured" but gently encouraged to upgrade and come back and join us. The main reason no one would "lecture" anyone without an extra class formatted call, is due to the fact there are multiple endorsements given out for working 2x3, 2x2 calls, etc. and for that reason alone any format call is more than welcome. (I first started checking in as- WA1GUL, and was welcomed warmly) I'm not doubting it happened, but just relating my own experiences over the last 32 years. Stop by and try it again, you may be surprised at the warm welcome you will receive....we'd love to see TX checking in. All the best, Kevin N1KL formerly WA1GUL
OK thanks Kevin, I'll try to check in soon. Right now, my vertical won't tune (with aMFJ autotuner at the base of the vertical) to 3.6 but it probably needs some basic maintenance. I used to know Frosty W0FP when I lived in Kansas City before I retired in 2010. He was a regular check in back then. Don't know if he's still around. Tom WA4ILH
OK Tom, good luck with the maintenance on tuner/antenna situation. Indeed, not only is Frosty still around, he's the Chairman of the GERATOL Board. He and quite a few of the County Hunter folks took a liking to the net, and many have remained as regular check-ins even after working all 50. I'll mention to Frosty we exchange notes, I bet he'll remember you also. Thanks for looking at this post, and if you get a chance to load up on 3.668, try it on Sunday evenings, it's the night that Frosty is NCS. He'd get a kick out of hearing you I bet. Kevin N1KL
The Geratol Net is a Blast. As a relatively new Ham, the Net is friendly, welcoming, and excellent operating experience. Not only can you Work All States, there are awards for working all the Canadian Provinces, working amateurs who have been licensed 50 years or more, working amateurs with military service (Veterans Salute Award) and others. Its great to know that after checking in each evening there is a high probability of contacting another amateur from Oklahoma, Oregon, North Carolina, Missouri, Michigan , etc., etc., from Vermont. While working all 50 states with current band conditions is not easy, it is quite achievable on the Geratol Net. Highly recommended Net. Give it a try at 0100 zulu on 3.668. Steve AC1DR (Vermont)
Hi Steve, thanks for the note about the good 'ole GERATOL Net. That's a great reminder to folks who may already have WAS on 80, but who want the additional challenges associated with some of the new awards the net offers. They can check things out in greater detail at http://geratol.net Or better yet, join us some evening on or about 3.668 Mhz at 0100Z from now through to the Spring. Kevin N1KL
I operated on the net many times in the late 70's and most of the 80's giving out NH which was still fairly rare back then. With 1200W to 1/4 wave phased cage verticals and a full wave horizontal polarized Delta Loop hung from about 90' on the tower. I was heard very well even out to KH6 and beyond. Receiving was via 4 750-1500' Beverages with 3 well into the woods and feedlines up to 1000' so I could hear just about everybody which made me quite popular to the peanut whistle signals. I already had 5BWAS so never participated in any other awards. Carl Ham since 1955 Extra since 1968
Is it on before or after the Colostomy Net? I tried getting rich in the stock market by investing in Geritol, Viagra, & Ginseng, but my stocks didn't rise to the occasion.
I'm interested in getting back on the GERATOL net. I have tried to get the current list of numbers but, my PC blocks the zip files on the GERATOL site. Is a current list of number holders available elsewhere? Also curious if the ARRL was ever involved with the GERATOL system. Thanks Mike N3PM
Some guy who had used it to complete HIS 5BWAS, running a Swan 350 (was it?) barefoot into a wire antenna strung out the window of his 3rd floor apartment across a wide NY City thoroughfare to the apartment of a ham who lived on an upper floor of an apartment across the street.
