On this special Christmas edition of the W3GMS 985 Roundtable, host Greg, W3DIB, takes the helm for an informal, open-mic discussion on the W3GMS 146.985 MHz repeater, bringing together amateur radio operators from across the region and beyond via RF, EchoLink, and AllStar.

The roundtable kicks off with short-time and full-time check-ins, followed by relaxed, conversational mic-passing where stations share holiday greetings, personal stories, and what’s been happening in their shacks and lives. The evening’s discussion starter centers around winter weather preparedness—from snow removal strategies and generator readiness to favorite (and least favorite) parts of winter operating.

As always, the conversation drifts naturally into station projects, CW keys and bugs, Winter Field Day planning, family traditions, nostalgia, and the camaraderie that makes amateur radio special, especially during the holidays. With voices checking in from multiple states, the roundtable highlights the strength of the W3GMS community: friendly, inclusive, and always welcoming to newcomers.

Whether you’re listening live or catching up later, this episode captures the spirit of ham radio—connection, conversation, and community—on a Christmas night well spent on the air.

📡 Thursdays on the W3GMS Parksburg Repeater – 146.985 MHz

🎄 Holiday Edition

🎙️ Open discussion, all stations welcome

Hosted by Bill, KC3OOK

This episode of the W3GMS 985 Roundtable, hosted by Bill, KC3OOK, centers on one of the most practical and universally relevant ham radio topics: HF antennas and how operators actually use them. The discussion begins with a two-part question on band-specific HF antennas versus multiband solutions and quickly evolves into a wide-ranging exchange of real-world experiences.

Participants share hands-on insight into dipoles, fan dipoles, inverted V antennas, off-center-fed designs, end-fed wires, verticals, hamsticks, beams, and mobile HF setups. Operators discuss what works well, what compromises are unavoidable, and how space, height, feedline choice, and noise environments shape antenna performance far more than theory alone.

The Roundtable also touches on practical mobile installations, hamstick performance, ladder line versus coax, tuner use, and the realities of operating with limited space or challenging conditions. As the conversation opens up, the group moves naturally into general operating habits, station projects, winter radio activities, and the kind of informal technical wisdom that comes from years on the air.

True to the Roundtable format, the discussion is unscripted, experience-driven, and collaborative—highlighting that there is no single “perfect” antenna, only antennas that work for your situation.

Recorded live on the W3GMS Parksburg repeater (146.985 MHz)

Weekly Roundtable – Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern

Topics include: HF antennas, band-specific vs multiband designs, mobile HF operation, tuners, feedlines, and practical station setups

This episode of the W3GMS 985 Roundtable, hosted by W3MFB, features an open, unscripted discussion where real-world operating experience takes priority over charts, predictions, and theory alone. Operators check in from across the coverage area to share perspectives on propagation, operating habits, and what actually works when the bands don’t cooperate.

The conversation explores HF propagation indicators including K-index, A-index, sunspot numbers, MUF, and common band condition tools, while emphasizing that successful contacts often come down to patience, staying on frequency, and calling CQ when others don’t. Participants compare solar data against what they’re actually hearing on the air and discuss why “poor conditions” frequently mean fewer operators rather than unusable bands.

Additional discussion touches on microphone audio quality, gain discipline, repeater etiquette, and the impact of small operating choices on overall signal intelligibility. True to the Roundtable format, the exchange blends technical insight with personal experience and practical advice drawn from years on the air.

Recorded live on the W3GMS 146.985 MHz repeater

Weekly Roundtable – Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern

Topics include: HF propagation, solar indices, CQ strategy, audio quality, repeater operation, and real-world operating experience