Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
News
June 8, 2025
Carrollton and Farmers Branch Recognize Amateur Radio Week
In the runup to ARRL Field Day, June 28–29, the cities of Carrollton and Farmers Branch have each declared the week of June 22 through 29 to be “Amateur Radio Week.” In separate proclamations the cities recognized the contributions of amateur radio operators in times of emergency and providing communications for charitable public events.
Farmers Branch Mayor Terry Lynne issued his designation on May 30. Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick will present the Carrollton certificate to MARS President Andy Smolenski, KI5YLX, during the City Council meeting on June 17 at 7:00 PM at City Hall.
Many thanks go to Immediate Past President David Gilpin, K5GIL, Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, Carrollton Emergency Management Coordinator Elliott Reep, K5EJR, Assistant to the City Manager Grace Currie, Farmers Branch Emergency Management Coordinator Luke Parten, KI5WJM, Farmers Branch Deputy City Secretary Erin Flores, and to Mayor Babick and Mayor Lynne for their support.
Have you signed up for Field Day?
This year we’ll be at the First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch
in the air-conditioned comfort of Fellowship Hall.
We need to know if you plan to come! Go now to the EVENTS page to sign up.
In the PAARK with LAARK
On Saturday May 31, MARS hams got together with folks from the Lake Area Amateur Radio Klub (LAARK) to play radio at the Lions Club Park in The Colony. There was a chili cookoff and Andy
Smolenski, KI5YLX, took the grand prize whatever that was.
Perry Schrag, N0PAS, brought his terrific mobile tower to put up a multi-band Moseley beam furnished by Tom Yenny, K5LOL.
Also on hand were Bob Norris, N0IIL, George Williams, KG5GXU, Jordan Goodyear, W1JMG, Dale Hiatt, K5MAY, Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, Kim Walter, KI5ZOT, Liz Brown, K5EMB, David Strickland, KR8X, and Mike Brown, W5MDB. The food was great, the conversation fine, and a few QSOs were made as well. Thanks go to all who came out to have a good time.
Build-A-Thon Set for July
Warm up your Weller! MARS is planning a kit build for Play Day July 19 at the Josey Ranch Lake Library. The project is a uSDX 5-Band multimode QRP transceiver available from Amazon for only $83. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YH2V2ZP
Order your kit now so you can get a head start with your build.
All the surface mount components are preinstalled! Everything else is through-hole. The trickiest part of the build is winding some toroids and transformers.
Chief Kit Builders George Williams, KG5GXU, and David Gilpin, K5GIL, have compiled a complete reference with all you need to know about the project. Go now to the Build-A-Thon page for more information.
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, June 12, 2025, 7:00 PM
“Show & Tell” by MARS Members.
More details on the EVENTS page.
License Testing
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, will have an in-person test session on the third Saturday, June 21, 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
July 13, 2025, 8:00 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
June 15, 2025, 7:45 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
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.
Donate to MARS
“ARES®” and “Amateur Radio Emergency Service®” are registered service marks of the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and are used by permission.