W3GMS Thursday Night Roundtable

Febuary 5th 2026 - KC3OOK | W3GMS Roundtable

Bill (KC3OOK) hosts the W3GMS 146.985 Thursday Roundtable with two prompts: what do you want to learn (or learn more deeply) this year, and what’s something you learned that you thought you’d never use—but did. The group ranges from ham topics like CW, antennas, verticals and ground systems, test equipment, FM satellites, and discrete RF design, to real-life learning like time management, estates/probate, teaching while learning, and even picking up acoustic guitar. The night also includes a quick incident report and fix for Echolink/AllStar connectivity, plus the usual mix of practical advice, project updates, and good repeater camaraderie.

January 29 2026 - W3MFB | W3GMS Roundtable

Mike (W3MFB) takes the chair on the W3GMS 146.985 Thursday Roundtable and pitches a practical idea: revive scheduled on-air “skeds” on bands like 6m/10m (and beyond), with everyone first meeting on the repeater and using 985 as the coordination/backchannel in case stations can’t hear each other direct.   The group weighs the best day to run it (Tuesday/Wednesday get the most love), how often makes sense (monthly vs quarterly), and why it should stay separate from the Monday Workbench.   Operators compare station capabilities and antenna plans for spring, discuss keeping it technician-friendly (10m/6m), and share quick notes from Winter Field Day and local simplex activity—ending with a welcome to a new check-in and some classic 985 off-script side chatter.

January 22nd 2026 #496 - AF3Z | W3GMS Roundtable

Net control Jim (AF3Z) opens the 146.985 Thursday Roundtable with two big prompts: what everyone noticed from the recent CME/solar flare activity, and the toughest operating conditions they’ve ever dealt with—dead bands, weird propagation, brutal heat/cold, station noise hunts, and more. Along the way, the crew trades real-world ham stories (including a Field Day “hydrate or regret it” moment you won’t forget), compares notes on what HF was doing during the event, and shares practical prep and coordination for Winter Field Day—now planned as a weather-driven, Saturday-only operation. A mix of technical talk, field-tested lessons, and the usual 985 camaraderie.

January 8 2026 #493 - ARRL Handbook? | W3GMS Roundtable

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

January 1 2026 #492 - VEE New Year | W3GMS Roundtable

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