Lake Effect is a participating NPM organization:

National Preparedness Month info

About Lake Effect

Thanks for dropping in at Lake Effect ARC!  You are welcome to look around, to check out the events list and even request being added to the newsletter circulation list.  Membership is free and without obligation, and memberships are valid thru December, 2012.  All hams, regardless of license class, club affiliation are encouraged to play radio with us whenever you can!

2009 radio event season is behind us. Stunningly successful year - lots of events and activities, lots of great contacts, plenty of good technical and practical learning.  One could do worse!

Events for 2009 included:

UP200, Midnight Run & Jackpine 30 Safety Net - February 29-21.  Net is organized by the Marquette Hiawatha ARA.  Contact Lou, KG8NK to volunteer: <lgembolis@chartermi.net> See pics, eh?

Michigan QSO Party  - Join us for an afternoon quickie event Saturday, 18 April, from 14:00 to 18:00 edt.  We'll be operating from the Shiras Hills neighborhood - lake end of Allouez Street.  It is hoped that the altitude will make up for some of the frustrating experiences we've had with this event in the past.  Talk-in via 146.97 repeater (no tone).  After-action Report.

North Country Trail Hikers Safety Net  (May 15, 16, 17).  The Marquette chapter of NCTH is hiking the UP from west to east.  This spring hike will cover approximately 21 miles over three days: Forest Hwy 630 to Victoria townsite.  Hams needed to monitor hike progress - the hike leader will be HT equipped and use 146.52 simplex and the White Pine repeater as she can along the way. After-action report.

N8T Operations from Big Lake State Forest Campground 6/24 - 30 near Covington, MI. North Country Trail Association Volunteer Trail Building Adventure sponsored by the Peter Wolfe chapter of the NCTA. See the Peter Wolfe Chapter writeup of the trailbuilding and the N8T Band/Ops plans.

Field Day  June 27-28.  Operating from Big Lake State Forest Campground near Covington, Mi (see map).

4th of July Parade Safety Net - 4 July, organized by Kiwanis Club of Marquette, cooperating participant.

International Lighthouse Weekend - 14-16 August.  Organized by Hiawatha club this year. Contact Pete, k8pt@chartermi.net, to sign up for a shift or just drop in at Lake Effect shifts: Friday 8:00 to midnight, Saturday 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm or Sunday 9:00 am to noon. See after action comments.

N8T-North Country National Scenic Trail One-Day Special Hike over the Mackinac Bridge Special Event. Bridge Walk is Labor Day, September 7th. Event will run September 5-7 from the Chippewa County Fair Grounds near Moran.  The Shore-to-Shore Chapter of NCTA is organizing a camp for NCT hikers to get to walk the 5 miles segment of the trail that goes over Mighty Mac and possibly do some other trail hiking and sight-seeing in the area. Great excuse for a radio event in any case. See N8T Band/Ops plans.

North Country Trail Hikers Volunteer Trail Building Adventure encampment, off Highway 510 north of Marquette in Marquette County, Michigan. Operating again as N8T 17-21 September 2009. See N8T Band/Ops plan. 

North Country Trail Hikers Fall hike safety net.  The hikers will be doing the trail east from the Old Victoria townsite.  October 2, 3, 4 based at Loop Road Lodge, Trout Creek, Michigan.

National Wildlife Refuge Week Special Event. October 11 - 18 nationally. Lake Effect has handed off national coordination and promotion of this event and is looking for a different refuge. See related information, eh?

Cleanup, fixup, general recovery mode over the winter. See you in February for the UP200, eh? February 19, 20, 21 all across the central Yoop. Mush!!

Solar Flux ranges from 50 (low) to 300 (high).  Sustained high values for SF indicates stronger ionization, hence higher MUF.  Values above 150 (sustained) are prime for HF.

K values range from 0 (low) to 9 (high) indicating degree to which propagation will be disturbed / MUF depressed by geomagnetic factors.  Low values are desirable.

Relationship between "K" and "a" Indices