📡 Calling All STARS Members and Ham Radio Enthusiasts!

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Help Us Shape the Future of Our Club with a New Logo!

The STARS Board is excited to announce a fresh initiative aimed at revitalizing our club’s identity and fostering a sense of unity among both long-standing and prospective members. As part of our commitment to growth and innovation, we’re embarking on a journey to redesign our club logo to better reflect the dynamic spirit of amateur radio in today’s world.​

🎨 Your Voice Matters: Choose Our New Logo

We have curated three distinct logo designs, each capturing unique facets of our club’s heritage and aspirations. Now, we turn to you—our valued members—to help select the emblem that will represent STARS moving forward.​

Here’s how you can participate:

  1. Review the Logo Options: ​
  2. Cast Your Vote: Reply to us with your preferred logo choice (Option 1, 2, or 3).​
  3. Share Your Thoughts: Feel free to include any feedback on the designs or suggest ideas for future club programs and events.​

Submit your response from our Contact page

Option 1
Option 2
Option 3

🌟 Reconnecting and Growing Together

This logo redesign is more than just a visual update; it’s a symbol of our club’s evolution and a step towards reengaging former members while welcoming new enthusiasts into our community. By involving everyone in this process, we aim to reinforce the collaborative spirit that defines STARS.​

Let’s seize this opportunity to celebrate our shared passion for amateur radio and to chart a vibrant path forward together.​

📅 Stay Engaged and Informed

Keep an eye on our communications for upcoming events, workshops, and opportunities to connect with fellow ham radio aficionados. Your active participation is the heartbeat of our club’s success.​

Thank you for being an integral part of STARS. Let’s make this next chapter our most exciting yet!

Attention Ham Radio Enthusiasts and Club Members!

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Are you ready to enhance your antenna setup skills? Join us for an engaging evening with our fellow STARS member, Ian Barron, KE9CQS, as he presents on the essential knots used for stringing antennas.

Event Details:

  • Date: April 10, 2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM
  • Location: Bridgeview Community Center

Presentation Title: “Knots” for Antenna Setup

Ian will guide us through various knots crucial for securely and efficiently setting up antennas. Mastering these knots ensures stability and ease during both temporary and permanent installations. Some of the knots to be discussed may include:

  • Bowline Knot: Ideal for creating a fixed loop at the end of a rope, useful for attaching lines to anchors or poles.
  • Taut-Line Hitch: An adjustable knot perfect for tensioning guy lines, allowing for easy adjustments without retying.
  • Clove Hitch: Effective for securing a rope to a post or tree, commonly used in antenna setups.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator or new to the hobby, understanding these knots is vital for effective and safe antenna installations. Ian’s demonstration will provide hands-on insights, ensuring you leave with practical knowledge applicable to your setups.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your field skills and ensure your antennas are securely and efficiently deployed. We look forward to seeing you there!

A Letter From The Club President

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I would like to take this time to thank all the members of STARS. Hopefully we are moving in the right direction. This club has been around for many years. I’m hoping to help our club grow. We have several dedicated members. I believe the programs we have been putting on each month are very interesting and informative. As with any club, we need input from all members. Please reach out to someone on the board with ideas you have to move us forward as a club.

Please bring a friend to the meetings, hopefully they will like what they see and join our ranks.

We are always looking for ideas for presentations. If you have a passion for something within ham radio and would like to share it, think about giving a presentation.

After last month’s presentation by Tom, KE9JQ, several of us are planning to do an outing when the weather breaks to do POTA.

I would like to thank Tom, KA9ZXN, who for as long as I’ve known him has been such an integral part of this club. I want to thank Tammie, KC9RFJ, for her work as treasurer. I want to thank Stew, KD9GHO, our second in command who is helping us reach out on social media. I want to thank Dan, W9SAU, who does an amazing job with leading our VE team. I also want to thank Nick, KB9JRG, who has spent a lot of the little free time he has working on keeping our website up to date.

73

KC9DSP

Dennis Calderone

Highlights from our February Presentation

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The STARS Radio Club extends its heartfelt appreciation to Tom, KE9JQ, for his captivating presentation on “Parks on the Air (POTA) Operations” at our February 13th meeting. Tom’s deep passion for both amateur radio and the great outdoors was evident throughout the evening, making for an inspiring and enjoyable session.

Parks on the Air (POTA) is an international program that encourages radio enthusiasts to set up portable stations in national and state parks, combining the love of radio with the beauty of nature. Tom’s presentation brought this experience to life, sharing his personal adventures of activating various parks with his spouse. Through his vivid storytelling, attendees could almost picture themselves stationed under a canopy of trees, radio in hand, with the sounds of nature all around. His experiences demonstrated that POTA is more than just a radio activity—it’s an opportunity for exploration, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments in breathtaking landscapes.

Tom also highlighted the joy of operating low-power (QRP) stations in the field, emphasizing the unique challenge and satisfaction of making contacts with minimal equipment. While POTA does feature various contests, it is also a welcoming community that encourages skill-building, emergency preparedness, and the shared excitement of radio communication. His engaging and approachable style made the topics accessible, inspiring both seasoned operators and newcomers alike to embark on their own POTA journeys.

The thoughtfully designed slides complemented his discussion, providing practical insights, helpful resources, and a glimpse into his personal portable setup. Several attendees left the meeting not only with a newfound appreciation for the hobby but also with a strong desire to take their radios into the wild and experience POTA for themselves.

Thank you, Tom, for sharing your expertise and enthusiasm! Your presentation was a meeting highlight, and we are grateful for your dedication to inspiring our community and promoting the perfect blend of amateur radio, adventure, and the great outdoors.

Attention Ham Radio Enthusiasts and Club Members!

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Are you ready to take your amateur radio skills to the next level? Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of insights, expertise, and inspiration with one of our very own STARS members, Tom KE9JQ. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Event Details:

📅 Date: February 13th
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Bridgeview Community Center

Presentation Title: POTA Operations

Tom KE9JQ will be sharing his experiences, tips, and knowledge to help you enhance your ham radio operations. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to learn and connect with fellow radio enthusiasts.

Spread the word, invite your friends, and get ready for an engaging session. We look forward to seeing you there!

Highlights from our January Presentation

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The STARS Radio Club would like to sincerely thank Larry, KB9REV, for delivering an outstanding presentation on “Practical Propagation” at our January 9th meeting. The event was highly informative and well-received by everyone in attendance. Larry’s expertise, approachable tone, and perfect delivery made complex topics easy to understand and engaging.

His slides were thoughtfully designed, providing accurate and valuable information without being overly technical. This made the session enjoyable for operators of all experience levels. Attendees left with practical insights on determining band conditions, maximizing station performance, and understanding propagation paths more effectively.

Thank you, Larry, for sharing your knowledge and passion for amateur radio. Your presentation was a true highlight, and we are grateful for your dedication to helping our club and community grow and succeed in this remarkable hobby!

Below is a link to our weekly nets.

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Our group is open to all radio enthusiasts, especially those interested in the hobby and service aspects of radio communication. Nets

For a list of additional nets,

Here is a link to the ARRL Illinois Section Chicago Area Net Directory.

Attention Ham Radio Enthusiasts and Club Members!

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Are you ready to take your amateur radio skills to the next level? Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of insights, expertise, and inspiration with one of our very own STARS members, KB9REV. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Event Details:

  • Date: January 9th
  • Time: 7:00 PM
  • Location: Bridgeview Community Center

Presentation Title:
“Practical Propagation”

Our speaker, Larry Schwab, is a seasoned operator and VE with an impressive track record that speaks volumes about his dedication and mastery of the hobby.

  • Worked All States on 7 separate bands
  • DXCC on 7 separate bands with over 200 confirmed DX contacts across all bands
  • 19,000+ confirmed contacts spanning the globe, from Orland Park to Perth, Australia—all achieved from a modest city lot with just two HF antennas and 100 watts.

This presentation will focus on practical, easy-to-understand methods to predict and utilize propagation paths effectively. Whether you’re a newcomer to amateur radio or a seasoned operator, there’s something here for everyone:

  • Learn simple ways to determine if a band is open, when it’s open, and where it’s open.
  • Gain tips to maximize your station’s potential by knowing when and where to call CQ.
  • Enjoy a non-technical, approachable explanation of propagation paths tailored for both new and experienced Hams.

Join us for an evening that promises to elevate your understanding of propagation and help you make the most of your station. This event will provide amateur radio enthusiasts of all skill levels an opportunity to learn, share, and deepen their passion for amateur radio.

Spread the word, and we hope to see you there!

Happy Holidays!

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Last Thursday, we gathered for the Stars Annual Holiday Affair—a wonderful mix of club busness and camaraderie. While this year’s turnout was a bit more intimate, it created an atmosphere of connection and conversation that everyone truly enjoyed.

During the meeting, we finalized the details for our new testing location. Moving forward, all license testing will be held at the Justice Library. Check the Events Tab on the website for upcoming test dates.

Looking ahead to 2024, we’re excited to announce monthly programs designed to inform, inspire, and connect our members. Kicking off in January, our very own Larry Schwab (KB9REV) will take the stage with a presentation you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned—details will be posted here soon!

On behalf of the Officers of the Stars Radio Club, we want to thank each of you for being part of this incredible community. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful holiday season. Here’s to a fantastic New Year filled with new contacts, learning, and plenty of time on the airwaves!