Pas-de-Calais Amateurs: Reinforcing Connections and Celebrating Milestones

CARVIN, Pas-de-Calais — The Association des RadioAmateurs du Pas de Calais (REF 62), located at 83 Rue Salvador Allendé in 62220 Carvin, remains a pivotal hub for the region's radio enthusiasts. As the local affiliate of the Réseau des Émetteurs Français, the association continues its vital role in fostering communication, technical expertise, and community spirit.

The organization is currently led by M. Hubert Vivien (F5MZE), who also serves as the primary email contact (f5mze@f5mze.com). Overseeing the crucial task of QSL card management is Mme. Martine Viseur (F0DSH), ensuring seamless communication for contacts both near and far. The association maintains an active online presence via its website, https://assoref62.wixsite.com/ref62.

Embracing the New Year with Renewed Energy

As the calendar turned, the members of the REF 62 administration extended their warmest wishes for the new year, emphasizing joy, happiness, health, and the realization of all projects. This sentiment is particularly resonant as the HF propagation, buoyed by the new solar cycle that began in December 2019, shows promising signs of improvement. Operators anticipate excellent conditions for DX (long-distance contacts) leading up to the expected peak in 2025.

Members are encouraged to mark their calendars for upcoming key events: the first part of the REF Cup featuring the French CW (Morse code) Championship in the last weekend of January, followed by the phone (voice) segment in the last weekend of February. An important date for all members is the General Assembly on Saturday, April 27, 2024, which was held exceptionally on a Saturday due to hall availability. The assembly gathered members at the Maison des Sociétés, 16 rue Aristide Briand in Arras, starting at 9:30 AM.

TM80LW: Commemorating Liberation and Expanding Horizons

A significant highlight for the region's radio amateur community is the special event callsign TM80LW. The Radio-Club de Wingles (F4KLR) operated under this callsign from August 31 to November 9, 2024, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the town of Wingles. This special operation spanned all modes and bands, including QO-100, demonstrating the club's versatility and technical capability.

For those who made contact with TM80LW, a double special QSL card was systematically sent via the REF bureau and via eQSL for all phone and CW contacts. Direct QSL requests required a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with the current postage rate. For FT8 contacts, confirmation was provided exclusively via eQSL.

The Radio-Club de Wingles (F4KLR), based at the Complexe sportif Michel Bernard, 19 rue André Pezé, 62410 Wingles, can also be reached via email at APRA62@orange.fr. More information on the TM80LW activation, including detailed QSL instructions, was available on its QRZ.com page: https://www.qrz.com/db/TM80LW.

The activities of the Association des RadioAmateurs du Pas de Calais and its affiliated clubs like F4KLR underscore the dynamic and evolving nature of amateur radio, marrying historical commemoration with cutting-edge communication techniques.