Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
News
November 1, 2025
Switchyard Fest on for November
MARS plans to have a booth again at this year’s Festival at the Switchyard in downtown Carrollton. As in years past this is our best opportunity to showcase Amateur Radio.
Back again will be the popular “Kid Code Key.” Youngsters (and oldsters) will try their fists with a straight key (no, it’s not on the air).
We invite and encourage hams from all over to stop by for an eyeball QSO. If you are in another club, bring some of your brochures to hand out.
It’s not yet confirmed, but our usual spot is at the corner of Broadway and 2nd Avenue in downtown Carrollton. https://goo.gl/maps/WDVDf8LWEywyaDe87
We can use your help making this another great event. We need volunteers to set up, work the rigs, greet guests, and encourage potential hams. The Festival is Saturday, November 8. Two-hour shifts are available from 8 AM to 10 PM Saturday. We usually wrap before 10 PM. Go now to sign up for this important event.
Christmas Party News
Our annual Christmas Party is coming together. On December 11 MARS hams will convene at the American Legion Post 597 in downtown Carrollton for dinner, prizes, fun and fellowship. Doors open at 6:30 PM and dinner starts at 7:00.
New on the dinner menu will be your choice of salmon as well as chicken or steak. The price remains the same as before, $25 per plate. A cash bar will be ready to serve you as well.
Reservations are required so go now to https://www.kb5a.org/2025-christmas-dinner to place your order.
Our raffle prize for 2025 is a very nice Kenwood TH-D75A tri-band (144-220-430 MHz) HT. Sporting a TFT color display, the rig features D-STAR, APRS, a KISS TNC, and built in GPS. MARS is including a copy of RT Systems programming software and Kenwood’s TH-75A Operating Tips book as well. Tickets are just $5 each or 5 for $20—a bargain! Check out our RAFFLE page to buy yours.
JOTA/JOTI
Sunday, October 19, 2025—
MARS joined Carrollton’s Cub Scout Pack 121 for Scouting’s Jamboree On The Air/Jamboree On The Internet. Scouts turned out in force to learn about Amateur Radio and try out their radio skills.
The HF bands were a little quiet, but we had several HTs on hand for the future hams to make some local VHF contacts. Our popular “Kid Code Key” allowed the Scouts to try their “fists” with CW and was a big hit.
MARS thanks Scout Committee Chair Kristina Enslow and the rest of Pack 121 for the invitation and opportunity to show off ham radio. Thanks go as well to Ron Reeves, NN5R, Andy Smolenski, KI5YLX, George Williams, KG5GXU, Liz Brown, K5EMB, Gregory Maddra, KG5CKX, Mike Brown, W5MDB, Fred Merritt, W5MGM, and his wife Joell for all their help. The Hams from MARS are looking forward to next year’s event.
Fall Back!
Daylight Saving Time Ends
2:00 AM Sunday, November 2, 2025
Test your smoke detectors;
replace the batteries
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, November 13, 2025, 7:00 PM
You’ll find more details on the EVENTS page.
License Testing
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, will have an in-person test session on the third
Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Check the EVENTS page for details. Allan continues to offer remote testing sessions as well. Please visit https://wb5qng.org/ to learn how to sign up.
Carrollton
Farmers Branch
Addison
ARES/RACES
Next scheduled nets
ARES® Training
November 9, 2025, 8:00 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
November 16, 2025, 7:45 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
Beyond Windows 10
Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. At the October 10 meeting, David Gilpin, K5GIL, gave an excellent talk about what you can do to upgrade to Windows 11 even if your machine doesn’t meet specs. He offered advice about buying a new machine if you want to do that. You’ll find his presentation video and links on MARS’ YouTube channel.
Donate to MARS
Support MARS When You Shop
A percentage of your purchases can be donated when you visit Tom Thumb, or Kroger at no extra cost to you. Please go to the SUPPORT page to learn how.
“ARES®” and “Amateur Radio Emergency Service®” are registered service marks of the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and are used by permission.