VERON A35 Nijmegen: Celebrating 80 Years with Special Activities

Nijmegen, Netherlands — VERON Afdeling 35, Nijmegen, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the national VERON organization. The chapter is marking this milestone with a series of special activities and continues to offer engaging programs for its members.

Chapter Meetings and Location

VERON A35 holds its chapter meetings on the first and third Friday of every month, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Location: Wijkcentrum Ark van Oost, Zaal 3.1, Cipresstraat 154, 6523 HR Nijmegen.
The venue is easily accessible by car (with ample parking) and by bus lines 8 and 2 (the latter requiring a slightly longer walk). For those with mobility challenges, the room is accessible via an elevator.

Important Note: The Cipresstraat address is for meeting purposes only and should not be used for written correspondence.

Upcoming Events and Activities

Cylinder Dipole Lecture – Friday, May 16, 2025

Bert, PA1B, will deliver a lecture on his specially designed Cylinder Dipole antenna. This compact HF antenna, easily usable indoors, has allowed Bert to make contacts with numerous DXCC countries across Europe and beyond on 7 MHz through 28 MHz, using low power (4W and 400mW). The lecture will delve into the antenna's properties, including its simple construction, operation, matching, and unique radiation pattern. It will also cover aspects like determining the optimal length for bands like 80 meters, offering valuable insights for both experienced amateurs and beginners. Bert's cylinder dipole can be seen on his website.

PA80NYM: 80th Anniversary Special Event Callsign

To commemorate the 80th anniversary, VERON Nijmegen is activating a rotating Special Event Station (SES) with the call sign PA80NYM. This special call sign will be active from April 1 to December 31, 2025. Thirteen members have already signed up to operate from their own shacks during designated periods. A schedule for rotation will be established soon, taking into account holidays and personal preferences. A central logbook using N1MM software will be maintained. A QRZ.com page with information about the call sign and the chapter will also be designed. Members with historical photos are encouraged to send them to secretaris.a35@gmail.com. Interested members who haven't yet signed up can also email secretaris.a35@gmail.com.

Snertjacht (Foxhunt) Impression – February 16, 2025

The annual snertjacht was held on Sunday, February 16, 2025, in the hilly, wooded area between the Reichswald in Germany and the Groesbeekse bossen. Participants navigated the terrain, which saw paratroopers and gliders land during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. Despite the open landscape, participants followed their own routes. The finish line was at Gery's home in Breedeweg, where "snert" (Dutch pea soup) and coffee awaited. Ron, PH0RON, presented the certificates to the participants. Julia Bos (NL 746), Erwin van de Voort (NL14197), and Ardo van Kampen (PA0AVK) provided vivid accounts and photos of the event.

Field Day 2024 Visual Report

Chris (PE1NIB) created an engaging video report of the annual Field Day held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Frans' (PE0F) location. The report is available on YouTube.

Ongoing Activities & Initiatives

QSL Manager

The QSL manager is present during the chapter evening on the third Friday of the month for QSL card pickup and submission. Members are advised to check the agenda for any special activities on those evenings.

HF Contest Group (PI4NYM)

The PI4NYM HF contest team is active again! Martien PA3BGO, Gery PE2GER, Frans PE0F, and Hendrik Jalving are preparing to participate in contests using the call sign PI4NYM. They are currently working on refurbishing an antenna mast capable of reaching over 16 meters, along with a top mast, rotor, and support bearing. The contest location is currently at Frans (PE0F). The group welcomes new members to join their efforts in preparing and participating in contests, offering valuable experience in radio technology, antenna design, propagation, and operating practices.

"Maas & Waal Ronde"

Active radio amateurs participate in the "Maas & Waal Ronde" on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of the month. This round is broadcast on PI3NMG (145.750 MHz) and can be followed live with audio and video streams online. Each month, an interesting topic is discussed.

Regional Coffee Round (Regionale Koffieronde)

This round takes place every Sunday morning from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM via PI2NMG 145.750 MHz. It can also be followed via live streams on WebSDRs:

PA3FUA: https://sdr.gids.nl
PE0F: https://sdr.pe0f.nl
PI4TH: http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/

Call for More Active Members

VERON A35 actively encourages members to propose and organize radio activities. The board is eager to assist in setting up new projects, whether it's self-building initiatives, field weekends, or contributions to existing groups focusing on HAMNet, microwave contests, or regional rounds. Members interested in contributing or seeking more information about these activities are encouraged to contact the board.