ARMS Video Group Gathering April 2024

From Left to right are

Jim Thurston (XQ3PC), Santiago, Chile

Tom Marion (AE7AW), Everson, WA

Roland Corkum (VA7RA), Vancouver, BC

Stuart Uggen (K7ALM), Bremerton, WA

ARMS Video group gathering near the Canadian/US border at a breakfast place in Bellingham, WA.  Many stories were shared (after the hugs), ranging from life on a boat, to life on both sides of the border, to supernatural healing, to Jim Thurston's XYL's (Sally) new book, "Surviving the Personal Earthquakes of Life", subtitled "Trusting God in Hard Times". This is about half the group that shows up for our internet video on Monday afternoons (2300 UTC). Jim and Roland are perhaps the two most active OTA hams, with Roland appearing as a regular NCS on the ARMS 20m Transcon Net, and Pastor Jim as a contest enthusiast in Santiago, Chile. Stu is a common fixture as host of the Monday afternoon sessions of the ARMS Internet Video Group. Connection information for the video group may be found on the ARMS website.

Group Beginning

This group grew out of Gerry Brunk’s old CQ100 Internet group. The new medium turns out to be less expensive (free) and adds the dimension of being able to see one another. The “eyeball” meeting in Bellingham, WA Came about because we realized there would be four of us in fairly close proximity while Jim Thurston (XQ3PC) is on a ministry furlough from Chile. So, Jim from Ferndale, WA, Tom from nearby Everson, WA, Roland from Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Stu from Bremerton, WA. I had about a hundred mile trip, and the other three guys were much closer to Bellingham, WA (all close to the U.S./Canada border). We had a long brunch repast at a Denny’s Restaurant, and I believe a good time was had by all. We’re talking about an annual reunion, although that might be easier said than done for brother Jim. We’ll pray that The Lord will make a way where the way may not be easy to see!

4 April 2024