Category: Community

2023 White Mountain Tango Endurance Ride

The 2nd Annual White Mountain Tango Endurance Ride was held September 15th and 16th in the beautiful Vernon-McNary area. A 25 and 50 mile ride took place each day. There were 25 riders. We once again provided radio communications at 5 check points along the trails each day. The weather was gorgeous and everyone enjoyed being out in the great outdoors!

A huge “Thank you” to the following individuals for taking the time to make this a successful event. Bill Turley – KJ7GYH, Wade Millet – KK7KIG, Mike Abernathy – NM3S, Bret Woodward – KG7PIA, Jody Rammell – KK7IHM and daughter, Lynnlee, Mike Boger –W7IJ, Mark Binnie – W3NYC, Randy Beecroft – W7RJB, George Meyer – W7AGM, Manny – W7AZE and Lynn Rodrigue, Jim Hagan – KE5PZ, Jim Mortensen – W7AZY and Marie Mortensen – N7SKS.

Navajo Code Talker Day

August 14th is designated as the annual Navajo Code Talker Day. In recognition, special event station N7C will be active from August 13-19. Check out the details of this special event here:

N7C at QRZ.com

Update:

On Sept. 12, 2023 Herb Goodluck, N7HG attended the KARC meeting and gave a very interesting and informative presentation on the history and legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers.  Herb’s dad, John, was a code talker.   Herb answered questions throughout the evening. Everyone left with a better understanding of how important the role of the Navajo Code Talkers was in WW II.

Navajo Code Talkers

Since our club provides communications services and technology in northeastern Arizona, we take a moment to recognize our region’s rich history with radio communications contributions to the service of a grateful nation.  When the need arose, the US government went to the Navajo Nation and Navajo County to find expertise that was not available anywhere else.  The history and contribution of the Navajo Code Talkers during World War II is an interesting chapter in the region’s history and should be remembered and recognized by all. More information is available here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_talker

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/american-indian-code-talkers

https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2020/12/01/navajo-code-talkers/

In 2008, the Najavo Nation erected this memorial to the code talkers in their capitol of Window Rock, Arizona, home to the Navajo Nation Museum. 

Tour of the White Mountains

The 26th Tour of the White Mountains Bike Race was Saturday, October 1, 2022, in Pinetop -Lakeside.   There were 1046 participants and each one rode their pre-registered course.  (50, 35, 30 or 9 miles)   It was another successful race enjoyed by many in our beautiful mountains!

We want to thank Kachina ARC members along with other ham operators who provided radio communications for the event.    Mike Elders – AD7W, Don -AG7OS & Darlene – KJ7JMC Roberts, June Apedaile – KF7KVV, Steve Lane – KY7K, Randy Beecroft -W7RJB, George Meyer – W7AGM, Greg Peters -W9GRG & Marie Mortensen -N7SKS.

Here are a few pictures of the event:

White Mountain Tango Endurance Ride

Members of the Kachina Club provided radio communications at several checkpoints for the White Mountain Tango Endurance Ride held September 16-17, 2022 in Vernon.   This was a timed 50 mile ride each day.  A veterinarian was there to check the horses at the several mandatory times.    The weather was perfect and the people were friendly and thanked us over and over for our help.

A big “Thank you” to:   Jim Hagan – KE5PZ, Bill Turley – KJ7GYH, Mike Lackey – KB7VMG, June Apedaile – KF7KVV, Mike Abernathy – NM3S, Manny – W7AZE & Lynn Rodrigue, Randy Beecroft – W7RJB, Jim Mortensen – W7AZY and Marie Mortensen – N7SKS.

Here are a few pictures of the event: