Green Mountain Repeater Association Roster

GMRA News

06/03/2010 - GMRA Thursday Night Net debuts!

Although the association has had many nets on different nights of the week over the past 39 years, a regular directed net seemed to have disappeared with the passing of several long time senior club members. (Not counting the still active ARES/RACES organizational nets on the 146.610 repeater.)

In an effort to revive the weekly net format, the GMRA Board of Directors decided at the May 2010 board meeting, to start a weekly net on Thursday nights at 1930 hours. Everett Bollin (WA3DVO) volunteered to act as the Net Control Operator when available, and has been doing an excellent job. The net starts off with some quick ARRL and other ham-related news and information, then moves into the check-in phase. One interesting feature of the "current" net is the addition of "trivia" questions. Anyone checking into the net is given the opportunity to ask a trivia question on any given subject, and the remaining check-ins test their knowledge by attempting to answer the question. There is no limit as to how many stations can ask a trivia question, and the correct answers are usually given out toward the end of the net. (No fair looking up answers on the internet!!)

The purpose of the GMRA Thursday Night Net is to share social and technical information among the participating stations, and is open to all licensed ham radio operators. (Membership in GMRA is not required to participate in the weekly net.)

So come join us on Thursday nights at 1930 hours. Even if you are a mobile station or do not have any traffic for the net, please check in, test your knowledge of trivia, and be recognized!

12/28/2009 - Former club member George J. Fritsch, Jr (WA3TOX) becomes silent key.

George J. Fritsch, Jr. was called home by his Lord on December 28, 2009 after a year of battling cancer. George was born on September 6, 1929 in his parents' home in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a 1948 graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute where he enjoyed annual class reunions through this past October, leading the group in their fight song. George was a long-time employee of the Maryland State Highway Administration and served in various capacities from Junior Draftsman to Bureau Chief of Materials Control. He was a project engineer on parts of US 301 and US 50. George proudly served his country during the Korean War.

George was previously active as an Amateur Radio Operator (Ham Radio) and his call sign was WA3TOX. In addition, he was a Boy Scout leader and Little League coach in the Glen Burnie, Maryland area for years. He was an active member over the years at Arbutus United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Bradenton, Florida and currently at Hillside United Methodist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. George was a devoted choir member at all three churches. He was also an active member of AARP Chapter in Woodstock, Georgia. Over the years, George was an avid bowler and enjoyed bowling in Senior bowling leagues in both Bradenton, Florida and Woodstock, Georgia and had received several bowling awards.

George was preceded in death by his wife of almost 55 years, Jeanne (Berrett) Fritsch. He is survived by his current wife, Barbara (Westhoff) Fritsch, children Kurt Fritsch (WA3TOY) of Pasadena, Maryland and Linda Walsh of Roswell, Georgia. He was blessed with three grandchildren who called him "Pop", Andrew Walsh, Sarah Walsh, and Jessica Fritsch.

George's ashes will be interred at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia on December 31, 2009 with military decorum. A memorial service will take place at Hillside United Methodist Church in Woodstock, Georgia at 2:00 p.m. on January 2, 2010. Additional memorial services will take place at later dates in Baltimore, Maryland and Bradenton, Florida.

George was loved by all he met and will be greatly missed.

* Submitted by Kurt Fritsch (WA3TOY). Kurt and George were GMRA members in the 70's and 80's.