After doing battle with some computer and program glitches related to a change in operating system and service packs, things on our website are getting back to normal. Now that we have some assurance that our web publishing and server software will cooperate you may wish to explore the QRP page and see the complete story on the Popular

Pixie transceiver some GEARS hams are building. We are offering these in pdf format so if you have Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer you can printout publication quality copies of the pix and schematics of this exciting little QRP rig. If you don’t have Acrobat you may be asked if you want to download a free copy. (Say “yes”)

1. QRP -- The info presented on the the QRP page should now be stable enough for you to surf, read, and printout . If you are going to try your hand at do-it-yourself construction of the Pixie transceiver, you may want to print out the schematic sections of the project as they are presented in the article entitled: The Pixie-2 overview. As you build each section of the project, you can double check the connections against the schematic drawings. A great learning process!

2. IRLP Only a few viewers, so far, have discovered that with a few clicks you can listen to hams around the world on the sample IRLP reflector nodes that are available from the IRLP page of this web site. It has been available only from the Directory page, but now you will find a convenient IRLP link on the home page. Remember when you are listening to a “reflector” you may hear hams from most anywhere in the world -- but only if someone is talking. Until a contact starts up all you will hear is silence. (Maybe we should throw in a little static and QRM to make it sound more familiar ?) Also, remember if you want to talk back, you must activate the GEARS node and connect with the repeater or reflector of your choice. We are preparing a more detailed set of printable instructions for you on using the IRLP link. Meanwhile, there are a number of GEARS repeater users who have used the IRLP system often enough to answer any questions you may have.

3. NTS With the acrobat reader you have access to other useful material. Check out the Traffic Net pages for official ARRL message forms, Q-signal lists, ARRL numbered message list and other operating essentials for the ham communicator. Also there is a great story about the history of ham traffic nets..Plus - more to come!