September 27: Wilmot Gateway Park
Our last Rain or Shine for the 2025 season will take place on September 27 (Saturday): 9-12:30 at Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville.
Address: 17301 131st Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072. Find us under the covered walkway with the picnic tables, next to the small parking lot. Note that a very large parking lot is accessible across the street, connecting to the park with a well-marked pedestrian crossing.
Talk-in Frequencies: LWHC Rose Hill Repeaters, K7LWH. (See repeater tab above for all frequencies, offsets and tones). The 11AM Health and Wellness Net will be run live from the park on these linked repeaters.
Accessibility Notes : We will be gathering under the overhangs at this park, where there are some park tables and benches available for sitting. There are no stairs to contend with and we will be on a paved surface accessible to all wheeled mobility aids and bicycles. There is handicapped parking just next to the spot we will be at, off 131st Ave NE. If those spaces are full, a larger parking lot is available across the street at the Woodinville Sports Fields Parking Lot, with additional handicapped parking, and a very large crosswalk with timed traffic lights will connect you to our spot. There are nice bathrooms in a built permanent structure on site.
Feel free to bring your chairs or any comfort items you may need. For folks who have audio/sensory needs, this location is in an open, outdoor park space (aside from the overhang) so it is not as loud as the other locations we meet at. Calm spaces are available along the bike/river trail, with grass and benches along the way. All are welcome and we are an inclusive, friendly bunch.
Tips for HF stations: We want to ensure that everyone who wants to play at the same time on HF can do so with a minimum of interference. Operating a multi-rig HF station takes a bit of extra equipment and skill to ensure that receiver's front ends aren't overloaded. It is recommended that any operator bringing their HF rig be prepared with the following:
- Be able to operate on at least 2 bands that are not harmonics of one another.
- Bring a suitable band-pass filter for any band you might wish to operate on. Cheap coax stub filters should work fine, but you'll need to make them up in advance.
Radios Not Required! Folks are not required to bring any radio gear in order to have a fun and engaging time at our Rain or Shine events. In fact, you'll find lots of friendly folks who come just for the social aspect, and who enjoy catching up with other hams. Please read below to discover more about our Rain or Shine events.
What are Rain or Shine Events?
Rain or Shines are a great opportunity for local hams to get together in person and make "eyeball QSOs," sometimes for the very first time! Come out to the park with your radio(s), a project you've been working on, or just yourself. The key is to enjoy our hobby together in the beautiful outdoors, and to strengthen our ham community, one interaction at a time. Lots of helpful mentors attend these events, and for many new hams, this is their first opportunity to get hands-on experience with radio equipment. It's also a great way to introduce our hobby to the public, as passersby will often take a look at our antennas and setups and ask what we are up to!
We have a very friendly and welcoming community here, and there's usually an abundance of donuts and coffee - so don't be a stranger, come on by and say hello!
For any questions about these events, feel free to contact our President (Mark, N7YD), or the club leadership at k7lwh@lakewashingtonhamclub.org.