In this episode of the 985 Roundtable comes from the W3GMS 146.985 MHz repeater and centers on a deceptively simple question that opens the door to amateur radio history: Do you own an ARRL Handbook—and if not, what radio books shaped your learning?

Operators from across Pennsylvania, the U.S., and Canada share perspectives on classic and modern technical references, from early ARRL handbooks and antenna texts to commercial licensing manuals, vintage tube-era engineering books, and modern digital libraries. The discussion highlights how knowledge has been passed down through generations of radio operators, how learning styles have shifted from print to digital, and why foundational theory still matters.

The conversation also weaves in updates from the field day site, antenna work in progress, Winter Field Day planning, repeater activity, and community events. As always, the tone is informal, educational, and collaborative, reflecting the mentoring culture that defines the 985 Roundtable.

Format: Open roundtable discussion
Net: 985 Roundtable on W3GMS 146.985 MHz
Recorded: January 8, 2026
Host: Joe, W3GMS

Welcome to the inaugural 2026 edition of the 985 Roundtable, a weekly amateur radio discussion hosted on the W3GMS 146.985 MHz repeater in Parksburg, Pennsylvania. This episode brings together operators from across the region and beyond for an open, informal conversation that goes well beyond radio.

The featured discussion asks a simple but powerful question: What makes you say “wow?” Participants share reflections on people, achievements, technology, history, craftsmanship, music, science, nature, and the pioneers whose ideas shaped the modern world. From Apollo-era engineering and World War II heroism to James Clerk Maxwell, Edwin Armstrong, and the beauty of national parks, the conversation highlights curiosity, ingenuity, and human achievement.

Also included are community updates, repeater announcements, upcoming VE testing, Winter Field Day planning, and a nod to the approaching 50th anniversary of the W3GMS repeater.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversation, technical curiosity, and the unique culture of amateur radio roundtables, this episode is a solid listen.

Format: Open roundtable discussion

Recorded: January 1, 2026

Net: 985 Roundtable on W3GMS

Host: Ron, WA3VE

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

Hosted by Mike, W3MFB

This special Thanksgiving edition of the W3GMS 985 Roundtable, hosted by Mike, W3MFB, shifts the focus from technical topics to something just as important: community, tradition, and shared experiences. Operators check in from near and far to reflect on Thanksgiving past and present, sharing favorite foods, family traditions, and memorable moments that shaped their holidays over the years.

The discussion ranges from classic Thanksgiving staples—stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, pies, and cranberry dishes—to deeply personal stories about family gatherings, childhood memories, hunting traditions, and quieter holidays spent reflecting on what matters most. As with any true Roundtable, the conversation flows naturally, mixing humor, nostalgia, and thoughtful reflection.

Interwoven throughout the evening are casual mentions of band conditions, repeater activity, and the role amateur radio plays in keeping people connected—especially on holidays when not everyone can be together in person. The result is a relaxed, welcoming discussion that captures the spirit of Thanksgiving and the strength of the ham radio community.

Recorded live on the W3GMS 146.985 MHz repeater (Parksburg, PA)

Weekly Roundtable – Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern

Topics include: Thanksgiving traditions, favorite foods, family memories, community, and amateur radio fellowship

This week on the W3GMS 985 Roundtable, the group dives deep into one of amateur radio’s most fascinating and frustrating topics: propagation. From unexpected VHF and UHF band openings to long-haul HF contacts made with modest antennas, the discussion spans real-world experiences that prove propagation is equal parts science, luck, and patience.

Participants share firsthand stories of six-meter “magic band” openings, airplane scatter, weather-driven signal changes, ducting, skip, gray-line surprises, and the occasional “how on earth did that work?” contact. The conversation also touches on antenna experiments, digital modes, repeater interference, and how local conditions can make or break a QSO.

Along the way, the group blends technical insight with decades of operating experience, reminding listeners that even with minimal power and imperfect antennas, the ionosphere can still deliver incredible results. Whether you’re a new ham learning the ropes or a seasoned operator chasing openings, this episode highlights why propagation keeps us all coming back to the radio.

Recorded live on the W3GMS 146.985 MHz repeater

Weekly Roundtable – Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern

This week’s 985 Roundtable asks two deceptively simple questions that turn into a full-blown tour of everyone’s winter prep, attic adventures, mast-tilting parties, and HF ambitions:

“Do you plan on doing any antenna work this winter?”

and

“Will you spend more time on the air or in the shack over the holidays?”

Operators check in with everything from balanced-line dipoles in the wind, planned 220 installs, attic VHF builds, and dreams of hex beams, to ground-mounted vertical experiments, six-meter beams resurrected from tree-trunk disasters, and classic Mosley and Cushcraft gear waiting for spring. Many are gearing up for seasonal operating—CW marathons, AM ragchews, DX chasing, BK weekend operations, and even all-night Thanksgiving HF sessions.

There’s also repeater progress updates, Winter Field Day prep, new site leadership roles, mast-tilt work parties, and a surprise cameo from a guitar providing a nightly “E” note. Newer hams share their first steps into HF, while seasoned operators offer practical antenna wisdom, maintenance tips, lightning worries, and the eternal truth that a loose dipole is better than a snapped one.

A relaxed, detailed, and jam-packed Roundtable full of stories, humor, technical insight, and the classic 985 camaraderie that keeps everyone coming back each Thursday night