Do you use a smartphone, tablet, or computer for texting?  If the answer is “yes,” what if the phone system or internet is unavailable, and you want or need to text message, send a file, or share a picture with someone?

As a licensed amateur radio operator you have a fun, easy-to-use, and versatile solution: the Fast Simple QSO (FSQ) digital modem provided by the FLDIGI software program.  FSQ can be used for long-distance rag-chewing on 80m, 40m, and 30m USB, as well as for local area chatting, public service, and EMCOM communications on VHF/UHF FM. 

Come join us at our January 8 club meeting to receive a presentation on FSQ by Paul Newman, KA5TYW, and fellow participants in the North Texas FSQ ‘mesh’.  Portable FSQ stations will be available for ‘hands-on’ learning after the presentation.  As a plus, if you would like a ‘jump-start’ for operating with FSQ, please bring your laptop or Raspberry Pi to get the latest version of FLDIGI and recommended configuration.

The McKinney Amateur Radio Club holds its monthly business meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Spring Creek Barbecue, 1993 N Central Expy, McKinney, TX 75070.