The annual Mantua Potato Stomp Race will take place on Saturday September 6th from 8:00 AM to approximately noon. The Race Director has again asked us to provide communications support on the course. If you can help out, please let me know at k8cav.coms@gmail.com, thanks!
73, Rick K8CAV
This Week’s Net is Important
ATTENTION!
This is an IMPORTANT Net this week. Even if you have NO check-ns for June or July, so far, If you check into this week’s net, and then every net till the end of the year – YOU CAN STILL Qualify for the 20 for 20 PCARS Net Award! And don’t forget, you can still qualify for the 10 for 20 PCARS net award by stringing together 10 in a row! If you’re not home, you can still check in via EchoLink – let me know if you need help getting that going.
Last week we had over 30 Check-ins for NCS Brandon – KE8ARB. Nice job Brandon! Let’s see if we can keep that run going this week!
Net starts at 8:00pm (local) on the K8IV repeater. 146.895 mhz, 118.8 pl. And don’t forget the K8BF-L EchoLink node. Hope to hear you on the net.
73 de WB8LCD
TONIGHT 7/29
Practice CW Session
Please join us at the PCARS club site Tuesday July 29 starting at 7 p.m. where we’ll have a low-intensity demo of what working a POTA station on Morse code is like, and some practice
If you’re just getting your CW skills back after a hiatus or if you’re interested in the code but not confident about it, please join us. We’ll have code practice oscillators and keys available for use, or you can bring your own key and rig with power and use your own.
We’ll be listening to POTA activator recordings and responding off-the-air for practice, and learning how to find stations using the pota.app web page.
The fun starts at 7. Please join us – we always have a good time solving all the problems of the world! 73 de Rick KD8WCK
PCARS K8BF is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96686108444?pwd=hN5hDgTGWwdLBLXkLSeAfVOfSa4nGq.1
Meeting ID: 966 8610 8444
Passcode: 915088
It’s time again to collect Inputs for the upcoming edition of The Radiogram!
If there is something that has been holding your attention in The Greatest Hobby On Earth, you should let your fellow PCARS members know about it. We love seeing pictures of your recent kit builds and hearing reports of your summer vacation trips on the air. Let us know what you’ve been up to.
If you’ve never contributed to The Radiogram or if it’s been a while, now is a great time to share something with the club.
Please send your inputs in a plain old text file along with full size pictures to kc8jc@portcars.org by TUESDAY JULY 29th. It is VERY important that your articles arrive by that date.
73!
J.C. Wilson
With deep respect and gratitude, the amateur radio community commemorates the life of Joseph L. Arcure, Jr., known worldwide by his callsign, W3HNK. Born on Christmas Day, 1933 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Joe’s life was as vibrant and far-reaching as the radio waves he cherished. He leaves behind a legacy defined by devotion, generosity, and an unwavering spirit of service.
Joe’s fascination with radio began during a period of convalescence after a medical discharge from the National Guard. Encouraged by his father, Joe embarked on a path of radio repair, unwittingly setting the stage for a lifelong passion. Building a superheterodyne receiver, he was first introduced to the magic of amateur radio when he tuned in W3 Queen Victor Queen—sparking a journey that would connect him to countless voices and hearts around the globe.
Licensed in 1956 as WN3HNK, Joe’s first station operated on a modest 40-meter folded dipole. Driven by curiosity and tenacity, he soon upgraded his license in New York City—a process that became legendary in family lore thanks to a broken pencil and Esther, his steadfast wife and greatest supporter.
An avid DXer, Joe was struck by the “DX bug” in 1957, pursuing contacts with distant stations on CW, AM, and later SSB. His passion for connecting with the world reached a new milestone in August 1963, when a QSL confirmation request from Southern Rhodesia introduced him to the role of QSL manager. From that moment onward, Joe became the QSL manager for hundreds of DX stations, never turning anyone away and often funding QSL cards himself. His meticulous management, warm correspondence, and tireless commitment made him the most recognized QSL manager in the world.
Joe’s mailroom became a miniature United Nations, filled with letters, stamps, and QSL cards from every corner of the earth. He delighted in both the administrative and human sides of the hobby, fostering connections that transcended borders and languages. Inducted into the CQ DX Hall of Fame in 1979, Joe’s reputation for integrity and friendship was as enduring as his presence on the airwaves.
Beyond managing QSLs, Joe explored the world as an operator, participating in DXpeditions to Sint Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. His love for CW, especially on 15 meters, reflected nostalgia for his early days as a novice and his reverence for the golden age of radio.
Joe confirmed 337 current DXCC countries (363 all-time), and while a few rare ones eluded him, his pursuit of excellence and community spirit never waned. He was also known for helping fellow collectors and for sharing his collection of stamps and stories with friends old and new.
Joe’s generosity extended far beyond QSL cards; he embodied the very best of amateur radio—selflessness, mentorship, and camaraderie. He made no profit from his service, reinvesting every donation into furthering the exchange of QSLs and the joy of the hobby.
To all who knew him, whether through a cherished QSL card, a voice on the air, or a story told at a club meeting, Joe Arcure was more than “the ultimate QSL manager.” He was a beacon of kindness, a trusted friend, and a devoted steward of amateur radio’s highest ideals.
His legacy endures in every confirmation, every new contact, and every operator inspired by his example. The pileups will never be the same without him. 73, Joe—your signal remains strong in our hearts.
