News on Iowa Radio Operators | K0IRO

Come See Us at the DMRAA Ham Fest

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Prize Winners Take 2

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Parkmas Winners Part 2

This weekend I finally had the chance to catch up with Claus – AE0S, and it was great to hand over some well‑deserved recognition.

Claus didn’t just participate in the 12 Days of Parkmas — he owned it. His consistency, his drive, and the sheer number of activations he pulled off made him the clear 1st place winner of this year’s event. Parkmas is no small lift, and Claus delivered from start to finish.

All Star Hardware Options

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Opening the Door to AllStar: A Simple Way to Modernize Your Repeater

For many repeater owners, AllStar can feel like something “other groups” use — big linked systems, complex controllers, or statewide networks. But the truth is much simpler: any repeater in Iowa can join the AllStar ecosystem with a small, stand‑alone node and a single radio. No major rebuilds, no controller replacement, and no need to run a full‑time computer.

All Star Hub1 is Live!

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A Quick Look Ahead: Introducing ASL Hub1

K0IRO is excited to announce that ASL Hub1 is now live and available for use across Iowa. This is the first statewide AllStar hub built specifically to support communication, collaboration, and emergency readiness for repeater owners and operators throughout the state.

Hub1 is designed to be a shared meeting point — a place where local repeaters can link in, where operators can gather for statewide conversation, and where emergency services can rely on a stable, well‑managed resource when coordination matters most.

Prize Winners Take 1

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Parkmas and Repeater Challenge Winners Part 1

Sometimes the hardest part of being spread out across the state is actually getting prizes into the hands of the operators who earned them. But last weekend I finally had the chance to catch up with Jim – W6GRE and Scott – KE0ZBB, and it was great to hand out some well‑deserved recognition.

A huge congratulations again to Jim, our overall champion of the Repeater Challenge. His consistency and drive put him solidly at the top. And right alongside him, Scott – KE0ZBB deserves a big shout‑out for taking 2nd place in the 12 Days of Parkmas. Scott put in the time, and the effort — and it showed. Parkmas isn’t a small lift, and he delivered.

Adventures in QRP

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Quiet Power of QRP: Why Low‑Power Operating Is Having a Moment

If you’ve been around the hobby lately, you’ve probably noticed a trend: more and more operators are picking up QRP rigs. Some are brand‑new to low‑power operating, others are rediscovering the fun after years on the higher‑wattage side of the dial. Either way, the spark is catching — and there’s no better example than the weekly QRP livestream hosted by Iowa’s own Kevin, K0KLB, and Steve, K04GSM.

Iowa Winlink Weekend

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

📡📨 Iowa Winlink Weekend

Iowa Winlink Weekend is coordinated by Muscatine Amateur Radio Club and is a great opportunity for amateur radio operators across the state to practice sending and receiving digital messages using Winlink in a realistic, public-service–focused setting.

https://iowawinlink.net/Saturday.php

Winlink is widely used for emergency and disaster communications, especially when internet or cellular service is unavailable. Events like this help operators: • Build confidence with digital modes • Test equipment and station setups • Practice message handling and accuracy • Stay ready to support served agencies when needed

Is Your Repeater an All Star?

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Are You an AllStar? Or Is Your Repeater?

The ARRL Iowa Section and K0IRO – Iowa Radio Operators are looking to connect with repeater groups, system trustees, hotspot owners, and individual operators across Iowa.

Are you currently using or supporting an AllStar node—whether it’s tied to a repeater, running on a hotspot, or operating as a standalone node?

Or maybe you’ve been considering adding one and want to learn how straightforward it can be.

DMRAA Cabin Fever Reliever

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

DMRAA Cabin Fever Reliever

After weeks of winter hibernation, it’s time to shake off the cabin fever and reconnect with the people who make amateur radio in Iowa so special. Whether you’re a seasoned operator, a curious newcomer, or just someone who loves good coffee and better conversation, this is your chance to jumpstart the year with energy, gear, and camaraderie.

Join us for the Cabin Fever Reliever Amateur Radio Social & Swap Meet

2025 Repeater Challenge Winners

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to the Winners

I want to personally thank everyone who participated in the Iowa Radio Operators – 2025 Repeater Challenge. Over the six‑month challenge, we recorded an impressive 795 logged entries, which is a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of this community.

Our first‑ and second‑place finishers truly went the extra mile, utilizing both Amateur Radio and GMRS to reach their goals—excellent examples of skill, creativity, and persistence. Well done!

ARRL Section Looking for Photos

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

ARRL Seeking Readio Photos

Kevin (K0KDS), as part of our Iowa ARRL Section put out a post looking for POTA pictures and activities with Radio! Kevin is always active on our discrod and I thought it would be worth of sharing with us and see what we are all able to share as a group

From Kevin:

The ARRL Iowa Section is looking for photos from amateur radio activities across the state, and we’d love to feature yours.

Merry Christmas from K0IRO

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from K0IRO

As we wrap up the year, thank you to everyone who makes this community such a great place to talk, learn, and share all things radio. From amateur radio, gmrs and cb to meshtastic, emcom, and everything in between, your questions, projects, and conversations keep the airwaves alive.

We hope you have a safe and relaxing Christmas with time to enjoy family, friends, and maybe even a little time on the radio. Best wishes for a happy holiday season and clear signals in the year ahead.

K0IRO UHF Analog / DMR Repeater

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

K0IRO DMR Repeater & Digital Last Heard Dashboard

Well here we are getting closer and closer to the end of 2025. I think we’ve had a momentus year with the work put out into the community. Lots of work and effort went into this summer by many party’s and I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for it. I wish we would have gotten the picture this year, but I think we come back for a picture in the spring and continue the work a head!

12 Days of Parkmas

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

KOIRO 12 Days of Park-mas - Contest Rules

Introduction

Activating in the parks is what keeps POTA alive — it gets radios into the outdoors, shows the hobby to the public, and builds skills. But none of it works without hunters at home; every QSO from the shack makes activations possible. This contest celebrates both sides: the activators braving the parks and the hunters who keep them connected.

K0IRO-10 & K0IRO-15 Online

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introducing K0IRO-10 and K0IRO-15

As the dust of summer and fall finally settles, we have some exciting news about the work we’ve been putting in over the course of the past months. More to come—and eventually we’ll get a page just to document this stuff.

Let’s start out with the easier stuff to share!

K0IRO-10

The feedback I heard over and over was that APRS coverage was hit and miss on the eastern side of the state, and to some degree on the west. While working on the tower this summer, we had an opportunity to free up an antenna as we added others, so we wanted to take the opportunity to add some capabilities and coverage. That’s where K0IRO-10 spun up. It is currently hooked to a set of folded dipoles at 275 feet, giving good 360-degree coverage.

Local Nets Around the Area

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sorry it’s been a while since our last post. Life for the leaders of the club has just gotten busy. Not excuses, just unfortunate where we find time. It got me thinking… One of the joys still out there at is the ability to join nets and check-in, some of them are rag chew style nets and good to just share what’s going on. I tried to the best of my searching luck to put together a list of local nets!

AREDN Introduction - What is it, Why Does It Matter

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

AREDN - Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network

Hold up … let’s pause right there. That little “E” in AREDN has always stood for Emergency—but honestly, I think it deserves a promotion. In my mind, that E should stand for Everything. Because that’s exactly what AREDN can be: not just a tool for emergencies, but a part of our everyday amateur radio lives.

Sure, AREDN was originally envisioned as a network solution to shine in high-stakes, high-adrenaline emergency situations. And it does that brilliantly. But here’s the thing: if we only dust it off during a crisis, we’re missing out on its true potential. By weaving AREDN into our daily amateur radio practice, we not only stay sharp and familiar with the gear—we also unlock a world of creative uses that keep us prepared long before disaster ever strikes.

Repeater Challenge Flyer is Out

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The month of August is already off to a great start for the K0IRO Repeater Challenge! Jason as put together a flyer that can be cut up and shared with others! Lets keep this up!

July 2025 Repeater Challenge Contest Winner!

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to Jim - W6GRE / WSFL398 is the clear winner this month. Lets spread the word and get more folks involved. I’ll have some flyers on my table on Saturday.

W6GRE 140 Total Contacts

KF0TAW 39 Total Contacts

K0GR 25 Total Contacts

KE0VPA 16 Total Contacts

WB0FFE 15 Total Contacts

KD0CGN 14 Total Contacts

N0BT 13 Total Contacts

We've Gone Social

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We’re taking the airwaves to the next level—K0IRO has officially launched on Facebook and YouTube! That’s right, our Iowa Radio Operators club isn’t just connecting communities over RF anymore… we’re building bridges across timelines and newsfeeds too.

🔗 Follow us on Facebook for club updates, behind-the-scenes looks at our rigs and repeaters, and maybe even a few memes for good measure.

🎬 Subscribe on YouTube channel to catch timelapses, field day highlights, and tips from our talented operators

K0IRO Survey Results and Updates

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

K0IRO Leadership Update:

The Iowa Radio Operators (K0IRO) leadership team has been actively working to establish a new amateur radio club that will serve radio enthusiasts across the entire state of Iowa. While we’re preparing for our first member meeting, we wanted to share a progress update on our foundational efforts, key decisions, and upcoming initiatives. This post outlines what we’ve accomplished so far—and how you can help shape the club’s future.

2025 Cedar Valley Ham Fest

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Get Ready for the 2025 CVARC Hamfest!

Calling all radio enthusiasts! The Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club is hosting the CVARC Hamfest on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City, IA. This premier event brings together amateur radio operators, electronics hobbyists, and communication enthusiasts for a day of networking, learning, and fun.

Tickets & Pricing: *Adults: $10

*Kids (under 18): Free

*Indoor tables: $10/table

2025 State Wide POTA Gathering

Sat, 03 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Story County Amateur Radio Club’s Statewide POTA Gathering

What’s better than a beautiful day outdoors (ok mostly beautiful day… at least it wasn’t rainging) with radios buzzing and contacts rolling in?

This past weekend, amateur radio operators from across the state met up for the Story County Amateur Radio Club’s Parks on the Air (POTA) gathering. The mix of new faces and seasoned operators made for a great time, filled with plenty of chatter—both on and off the air.

Initial Club Survey

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Iowa Radio Operators (K0IRO) Club Survey

Your voice matters! Whether you’re just dipping your toes into amateur radio or you’re a seasoned pro, we want to make sure our club supports everyone in the best way possible.

But here’s the thing—we don’t know what we don’t know without your input! What topics excite you? What resources would be most valuable? What kind of events would keep you engaged? That’s why we’ve put together a survey, and we need your feedback!

Introducing Clint K0GR - Iowa Section Emergency Coordinator

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Big Things Are STILL Happening in Iowa’s Emergency Communications!

The momentum isn’t slowing down & exciting developments continue in the world of amateur radio! Clint Miller, the newly appointed Iowa Section Emergency Coordinator, has shared an important update that’s worth highlighting.

After meeting and talking with Clint, it’s clear—he’s got vision, determination, and the drive to revitalize ARES and shape the future of emergency communications across the state. These topics have been a hot-button issue for a while, and now’s the perfect time to embrace positive change and push forward!

DMRAA 2025 Ham Fest

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

DMRAA Ham Fest 2025

The 2025 Des Moines Radio Amateurs Association Hamfest is now in the books. It was a good time to meet up with people and meet new people! Enjoy the video’s!

Also while there I had the opportunity to interview Jason (KE0IAV), Polk County Emergency Coordinator and a tour of the Polk County Emergency Communications Trailer!

Introducing Barry WØIY - Iowa Section Manager

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introducing Barry WØIY: A New Era for Iowa Amateur Radio

Welcome to a fresh chapter in Iowa’s amateur radio community! We’re thrilled to introduce Barry WØIY, the new Iowa Section Manager, whose passion, vision, and leadership are set to inspire change and bring new energy to the world of ham radio.

In the letter that follows, Barry shares his thoughts on leadership, collaboration, and the challenges ahead. His words remind us all of the importance of teamwork and respect as we work together to enhance the amateur radio experience. Barry’s unique approach emphasizes the value of camaraderie, innovation, and collective action—principles that will undoubtedly resonate with hams across the state.

Welcome

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

News on Iowa Radio Operators | K0IRO

Come See Us at the DMRAA Ham Fest

Prize Winners Take 2

Parkmas Winners Part 2

All Star Hardware Options

Opening the Door to AllStar: A Simple Way to Modernize Your Repeater

All Star Hub1 is Live!

A Quick Look Ahead: Introducing ASL Hub1

Prize Winners Take 1

Parkmas and Repeater Challenge Winners Part 1

Adventures in QRP

The Quiet Power of QRP: Why Low‑Power Operating Is Having a Moment

Iowa Winlink Weekend

Is Your Repeater an All Star?

Are You an AllStar? Or Is Your Repeater?

DMRAA Cabin Fever Reliever

DMRAA Cabin Fever Reliever

2025 Repeater Challenge Winners

Congratulations to the Winners

ARRL Section Looking for Photos

ARRL Seeking Readio Photos

From Kevin:

📸📡 Share Your Amateur Radio Photos!

Merry Christmas from K0IRO

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from K0IRO

K0IRO UHF Analog / DMR Repeater

K0IRO DMR Repeater & Digital Last Heard Dashboard

12 Days of Parkmas

KOIRO 12 Days of Park-mas - Contest Rules

Introduction

K0IRO-10 & K0IRO-15 Online

Introducing K0IRO-10 and K0IRO-15

K0IRO-10

Local Nets Around the Area

AREDN Introduction - What is it, Why Does It Matter

AREDN - Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network

Repeater Challenge Flyer is Out

Download PDF and Share

July 2025 Repeater Challenge Contest Winner!

We've Gone Social

🎉 K0IRO Is Now Social! 📡

K0IRO Survey Results and Updates

K0IRO Leadership Update:

2025 Cedar Valley Ham Fest

Get Ready for the 2025 CVARC Hamfest!

2025 State Wide POTA Gathering

Story County Amateur Radio Club’s Statewide POTA Gathering

Initial Club Survey

Iowa Radio Operators (K0IRO) Club Survey

Introducing Clint K0GR - Iowa Section Emergency Coordinator

Big Things Are STILL Happening in Iowa’s Emergency Communications!

DMRAA 2025 Ham Fest

DMRAA Ham Fest 2025

Introducing Barry WØIY - Iowa Section Manager

Introducing Barry WØIY: A New Era for Iowa Amateur Radio

Welcome