Two years ago this month Dave W7UUU shared this with all of you. As he wrote at that time, ”I took over as editor and publisher of our club's newsletter in January. It was just your standard newsletter like most clubs produce. But I have a long background in graphics and as a writer, so when I took over the challenge as editor, I decided to make it something special.... a full-blown magazine, with club news interspersed of course, but lots of feature content. Some written by contributors in the club, some from friends here on QRZ, and a large quantity I produce myself. “ In the following year and 8 months Dave produced a wonderful magazine that many said rivaled QST. I agree. As his two year commitment was coming to an end, I wondered who would step in as the new editor. Even more I wanted to know who would want to follow that act! Well, I serve as the membership chairman and Vice President of the Radio Club of Tacoma. I have been a ham since April of 2014. My name is Mike Isakson W7XH, I have no background in graphics or as a writer. I became that guy! So, with the help of many contributing writers and Bj KO7T as an editor, the Loggers Bark has a familiar look providing cub news as well as feature articles. While Dave used MS Publisher, I have recreated the Loggers Bark with Adobe InDesign. It has been an experience to say the least. I invite writers (not AI generators) to submit feature articles to the loggersbark@w7dk.org . Past issues of the Loggers Bark can be found at https://w7dk.org/newsletter. I hope you enjoy the current issue: https://w7dk.org/images/rct_bark/bark_2026_04.pdf Mike W7XH
Links to issues from 2026 https://w7dk.org/images/rct_bark/bark_2026_01.pdf https://w7dk.org/images/rct_bark/bark_2026_02.pdf https://w7dk.org/images/rct_bark/bark_2026_03.pdf
If you guys were to take over the publication of QST magazine, I would renew my ARRL membership just to read that periodical.
Dave, That Norcal40 is sure a nice radio. For those of you who don't have a lot to spend on new equipment if you ever are down to Salem Oregon at NORVAC Electronics Jim has a lot of NORCAL and BITX SSB transceivers for really good prices that he received from a donation. There are a few NORCAL40's, a few Bitx40, Bitx17 ssb and some Ubitx transceivers for prices from 30 dollars for the BITX models to 50 to 75 for the Ubitx models. I came across a bitx20, 20 meter ssb and have already talked to 15 contries with the small 15 watts PEP and my phased verticals. If you are in town stop by NORVAC and check the radios out. This can help out some of the new hams getting started in HF radio without having to rob their piggy banks.
I have loved this newsletter since Dave shared it with QRZ. Dave will be a tough act to follow. I look forward to new issues! I agree that you could re-invent QST into a more 'inclusive and appropriate' magazine for our radio culture. Hoping for the best, for you, Dave, and Tacoma RC.
Hi Mike. Thanks for the update on Loggers Bark, my favorite ham magazine. And thanks to Dave for all his hard work. I can't wait to read the issues I missed, January through current. I thought maybe the mag died with Dave's retirement. Glad to hear it lives on. And glad you're not using AI. I've read a couple of the AI-generated mags that have been listed on QRZ and I did not care for them. I don't want to read what a computer brain dreams up. I want to read what humans write. Thanks for that!
