As I look back at another year that has gone by far too quickly, I marvel at the resilience of the PAPA System and the ability of our club to thrive despite the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. I’ve always said that it’s the membership that makes the PAPA System the best linked repeater system anywhere and every day you prove me right. While our extensive multi-mode repeater system keeps us connected to each other, I miss the regular face-to-face social interactions that we traditionally enjoyed on a regular basis. As we slowly begin to gather again in-person, we will continue to have our monthly on-line meetings and weekly nets that have come to define the PAPA System.
The accomplishments of 2021 are numerous and perhaps none are more significant than the rollout of the new website: www.papasys.com. This new Internet presence allows us to better serve the membership by providing timely System information, interesting news related to the hobby, and forums for discussion of important amateur radio topics. If you’ve not yet visited the new website, I encourage you to log on, request a new password, and explore all of the new features. Of course, this would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our member volunteers who have spent countless hours to bring this project to fruition. My sincere gratitude to the web team for all of their hard work.
Maybe you’ve heard some new voices on the System from the Las Vegas area. That’s because we’ve recently installed a new repeater at Low Potosi Mountain. This site provides handheld coverage of the greater Las Vegas area and works well starting at Stateline. Make sure to visit the website for updated codeplugs before you travel. When you hear activity from Las Vegas, please encourage our new friends to register as a guest on the website. Remember, no call goes unanswered!
I’m excited to announce that the PAPA System was awarded a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC). This grant will fund mission critical system upgrades for sustained off-grid operations, a self-reliant digital microwave backbone and radio frequency maintenance tools to address the specific requirements of our analog and digital networks. Our Tech Team has their work cut out for them in 2022! Thanks to ARDC for their support of the PAPA System.
None of these accomplishments happen without the hard work of the Board of Directors, the Steering Committee, our many member volunteers, and our PAPA partners. If you have the time, motivation, and skills to help out by volunteering, we’d love to hear from you. It’s your club and I know you’ll find it rewarding to get involved. I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the operations and support of the PAPA System.
I wish the entire PAPA family the best in 2022. I look forward to speaking with you on-air, in-person, and on-line. My best for a Happy and Prosperous New Year for you and your family.
Cecil Casillas, WD6FZA
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Thank you for all your dedication to the group!!