Thursday, August 6, 2026
29 check-insThis Week's Question
“What's new and exciting with you? Any new projects, gear, or ‘toys’ you've picked up — or want to try — that might be helpful for you or for others in the organization?”
Tonight is a fun, low-pressure show-and-tell. New radio? New app? Finished a training course? Curious about something you've heard others rave about? We want to hear it — no project is too big or too small.
Not sure what to share? No problem — scroll down for a whole menu of ideas, from Winlink and APRS to SDRs, DMR, TAK, laptops, and earning your next license upgrade. Pick anything that sparks your interest and tell us about it.
Show & Tell: What's New & Exciting in Your Shack?
Some of the best nets aren't really about a single topic — they're about us. Tonight we want to hear what's new and exciting in your world: a new radio, a new app, an antenna you built, a course you finished, or a project sitting on the bench.
And if you don't have a “new toy” this week? That's perfectly fine. Maybe there's something you've been curious about — a mode, a piece of gear, a skill — and you'd like to know if anyone else has tried it. Bring that too.
Every new gadget and every new skill in this group makes the whole team stronger and more capable when it counts. This is how we learn from each other — one story at a time.
For Net Control — This One Runs Itself
No script needed tonight — just go around the room and invite each station to share something new or exciting. A few friendly prompts if someone needs a nudge:
- “What's the newest gear or software you've tried?”
- “Any projects on the workbench right now?”
- “Is there something you'd like to learn or get trained on?”
- “Anything you'd recommend the rest of us take a look at?”
Not Sure What to Share? Try One of These
Anything counts — big or small, finished or still a work in progress:
- A new radio or accessory you picked up (or have your eye on)
- A piece of software or an app you've been learning
- An antenna, cable, or project you built or repaired
- A class, course, or license upgrade you're working toward
- A computer, tablet, or laptop you're setting up for the shack
- Something you're curious about and want to ask the group
Ideas Worth Exploring
Looking for your next project or something new to learn? Here are some of the topics this group can help each other with. Expand any that catch your eye — and if you already know one well, speak up and become the mentor for someone else!
Email and formal traffic over radio — even when the internet is down.
Winlink is one of the most valuable skills an ARPSC member can have. If you've set it up, share how it went. If you haven't, this is a great one to learn — ask about a training session and we'll get you on the air with it.
A whole radio receiver on a USB stick for around $30.
An inexpensive RTL-SDR dongle turns a laptop into a wideband receiver — great for monitoring, learning about signals, and decoding digital modes. A perfect low-cost entry into computers-plus-radio. Ask about a hands-on training.
Free online courses that make you a stronger, credentialed responder.
IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 are free FEMA independent-study courses that help you plug into any incident. Finished one recently? Tell us how it went. Working on one? Great winter goal — we can point you to the right ones.
Explore beyond the local repeater.
APRS puts your position and short messages on the map. HF reaches across the state and country when everything else is down. Microwave networking can move real data (even video) point-to-point. Dabbling in any of these? Share what you've learned.
More privileges, more bands, more capability.
Upgrading to General or Extra opens up HF and a lot more spectrum. Studying for an exam? Let the group cheer you on — and we can share study resources and practice-test tips to help you pass.
Digital voice opens up new networks and talkgroups.
DMR and other digital radios connect to worldwide networks and crisp digital audio. Programming a codeplug can be a fun challenge — and a great group project. Got a new radio? Bring it up and we'll help you get it going.
So much of modern comms runs on a computer — let's get comfortable with them.
A Windows laptop or tablet unlocks Winlink, TAK, SDR, logging, and more. Getting more proficient with computers makes every other skill easier. Setting one up for the shack or field? Share your setup — and don't hesitate to ask for help.
The little upgrades that make operating better.
A good in-ear headset keeps your traffic private and easier to hear in a noisy environment — a small change that makes a big difference in the field. Found a handy speaker-mic, antenna, or gadget? Pass along the tip.
Why Sharing Like This Matters
When one of us learns a new skill or tries a new tool, the whole team gets stronger. Tonight's conversation is how good ideas spread through the group:
- Someone's project sparks your next one
- A member becomes the mentor for a skill you want
- We discover new capabilities the team can lean on
- Questions get answered by people who've been there
- Newer members see how much there is to explore
- We all get a little more capable, together
Keep in Mind
No such thing as too basic. Whether it's your first HT or your tenth project, your story is worth hearing.
Questions are welcome. Curious about something? Ask — someone here has probably tried it.
Share what you know. If you're good at something, offer to help — mentoring is how this group grows.
Try something new. Winter is a great time to pick a project. Tonight might just spark your next one.
Want to Learn More? Start Here
Heard something tonight that sparked your interest? These resources are a great next step — and remember, this group is always happy to help you get started.
Training & Getting-Started Resources
- TAK.gov — ATAK / WinTAK / iTAK Shared situational awareness and mapping for teams — a neat one worth exploring.
- Winlink Global Radio Email Email and formal traffic over radio — a core ARPSC skill worth learning.
- RTL-SDR.com — Software Defined Radio Guides and projects for the inexpensive USB SDR receiver.
- FEMA Independent Study (ICS Courses) Free IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 online courses.
More Modes, Radios & Licensing
- APRS — Automatic Packet Reporting System Position reporting, messaging, and telemetry over radio.
- BrandMeister — DMR Network One of the largest DMR digital-voice networks — great for a new digital radio.
- ARRL — Upgrade Your License Study up for your General or Extra — more privileges and more bands.
- HamStudy.org — Free Practice Exams Practice tests and flashcards for every license class.
One More Thing Worth a Look: TAK
Something Neat to Get Familiar With
If you're looking for a fun project to sink your teeth into, take a look at TAK (Team Awareness Kit) — a free situational-awareness and mapping platform used by responders and communicators. ATAK runs on Android, WinTAK on Windows, and iTAK on iPhone/iPad. It puts every team member on one shared map — live positions, markers, routes, photos, and chat — which can be a real game-changer for coordinating a deployment.
It's a great, low-stakes way to get more comfortable with your phone, tablet, or laptop, and it makes a fantastic winter project. Give it a try and get familiar with it — it's exactly the kind of tool worth having in our back pocket.
We Learn Best Together
So — what's new and exciting with you? Whether it's a new radio, a project on the bench, a course you're chasing, or just a question you've been meaning to ask, we want to hear it. Every idea shared tonight might be the spark for someone else's next project. Thanks for making this group a place where it's easy to learn, easy to ask, and easy to grow.
Check-In List
| # | Call Sign | Unit # | Name | City | Member |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N8HLY | 12 | Tom | Sterling Heights | Member |
| 2 | KE8WUO | 20 | John | Warren | Member |
| 3 | KE8RUH | 43 | Anthony | Grosse Pointe Woods | Member |
| 4 | N8CAF | 26 | Cliff | Clinton Township | Member |
| 5 | K8ACW | 46 | Art | Utica | — |
| 6 | KF8FQZ | 41 | Lisa | Warren | — |
| 7 | AD8OD | 21 | John | Troy | Member |
| 8 | KF8FRA | 44 | Peter | Warren | — |
| 9 | N8VDZ | 2 | Mike | Warren | — |
| 10 | N8XZ | 5 | Ron | Warren | — |
| 11 | WA4MLD | 18 | Ray | Warren | Member |
| 12 | W8VOX | 30 | Jon | Macomb | Member |
| 13 | AD8MP | 35 | David | Saint Clair Shores | — |
| 14 | KE8ZSA | — | Michael | Saint Clair Shores | — |
| 15 | N8KNS | 25 | Don | Sterling Heights | — |
| 16 | KF8ETQ | 23 | Darren | Fraser | Member |
| 17 | N8BZR | 27 | Brian | Harrison Township | Member |
| 18 | N8WCB | 6 | Dave | Sterling Heights | Member |
| 19 | WC8E | 8 | Jeff | Sterling Heights | Member |
| 20 | KF8FGS | 32 | David | Utica | Member |
| 21 | KE8YNU | 1 | Dave | New Haven | — |
| 22 | N8WRO | 10 | Tim | Richmond | — |
| 23 | KC8KJO | 14 | Tom | Memphis | Member |
| 24 | W8VD | 9 | Wally | New Baltimore | Member |
| 25 | KF8GSD | — | Cristian | Royal Oak | — |
| 26 | K8WA | 19 | Bill | Warren | Member |
| 27 | KA8UHG | 28 | Steve | Saint Clair Shores | Member |
| 28 | W8BPA | — | Vladimir | Southfield | — |
| 29 | W8BPD | 24 | Brian | Warren | Member |