Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
News
June 15, 2021
New Faces on the Board
June 10, 2021
The election at our Annual Meeting brought some new folks to the Board of Directors. Gary Rodgers, KI5X, will take the Vice President’s chair from Tom Yenny, K5LOL. Darrell Crimmins, KG5E, will succeed Director Steve Darrah, KD5YPB, whose term expired due to term limits.
Returning for another term are David Gilpin, K5GIL, President; Dave Lane, N5GDL, Secretary; J. J. Henry, N5IMS, Treasurer; along with Directors Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, and David Lewis, AC5DL. Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, continues to serve as Immediate Past President.
The new Board Members will take office on July 1. Congratulations go to all the new officers with thanks to the other candidates and to the outgoing Officers who stepped up to serve on the MARS Board.
President’s QRM — Random noise from the President’s Shack
June 2021
About an hour after the end of our last meeting on Thursday May 13 I received an email from Bill Byrom, N5BB, Vice President of the Irving Amateur Radio Club (IARC) saying our Micro-Grant request for the “Carrollton EOC Ham Radio Refresh” project from MARS was approved! We received a check from IARC for $847.00 and we will be ordering:
• Yaesu FTM-300-DR Dual Band Mobile
• MFJ-4230MVP 30A Power Supply w/meters and Powerpole connectors
• RT Systems YPS-M300-USB Programming Software and USB Cable
• Diamond X50NA Dual Band Base Antenna
• Masters Communications DRA-50 Digital Radio Adapter assembled w/case
• Masters Communications DRAC-12 Interface Cable
IARC is well aware of the supply chain issues that our ham radio retailers are currently facing. We will be ordering most of the equipment from Main Trading Company to help support Richard and the gang.
Carrollton Emergency Management Coordinator Elliot Reep, says the Carrollton EOC might be relocated soon so the installation of this gear is “on hold” pending on that decision. The City of Carrollton will provide the feedline and antenna installation, regardless of its final location.
On Saturday May 15, MARS VP Tom Yenny, K5LOL, represented the Club on a WebEx conference that included all grant award winners. Tom shared with the attendees our justifications for this project and its impact on the community:
• The old existing Kenwood is not computer-programmable. The new Yaesu will allow us to more easily program the radio to work with other EOCs in the area. Flexibility, stability, and performance improvements are key aspects.
• The grant also improves our relationship with the City of Carrollton, demonstrating our commitment to being adaptable to their needs. The new gear can deliver some of the most modern modes of operation.
• The equipment helps us better serve the public in times of crisis; ARES and RACES organizations can coordinate activities easier with the new gear.
Bill told me that the Irving Micro-Grant team members were impressed with the simplicity and efficiency of this Project. It provides significant value to the served agency and the greater public.
Thanks to all who contributed time and knowledge to the MARS Grant Team for putting this together, and a special thanks to Andy Parcel, KE5KOF, for providing the idea for this project!
That’s it for now. 73 David, K5GIL
FCC Updates
Beginning May 20, 2021, all amateur examination applicants will be required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) before taking an amateur exam.
Amateur candidates who already have an FCC license, whether for amateur radio or another service, and already have an FRN may use the same number. For an instructional video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain an FRN through the FCC’s COmmission REgistration System (CORES), please go here: https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn.
After June 29, all applications will be required to contain an email address for FCC correspondence. Please visit https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/updateRegistrationPre.do to update your license information.
Visit the FCC ULS link by clicking the icon, or go to https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system.
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, July 8, 2021 • Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, will talk about “Amateur Testing.” Even if you are an Amateur Extra, new FCC rules may require you to update your information.
We may meet in person or by teleconference using your computer, tablet or phone. Watch your email in-box for updates and instructions about how to join the meeting.
Remote License Exams Continue
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, is still offering online exams through W5YI. Please visit https://wb5qng.org/ for detailed information.
Health & Welfare Net
Moves to Thursday
Every Thursday at 7:00 PM CT, on the 145.210 repeater. See more info on the EVENTS page.
Play Day on Hold
Play Day is postponed indefinitely until we can get together.
Carrollton
Farmers Branch
Addison
ARES/RACES
Next scheduled nets
ARES® Training
11 July 2021, 8:00 PM CDT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
20 June 2021, 7:45 PM CDT
145.210 Tone 110.9
Extra License Study Group
Moves to Thursday
The group will meet by Zoom each Thursday at 8:00 PM CT.
If you wish to join, send your name, call sign, and your club name (if applicable), to ke5kof450@gmail.com. Beat the FCC license fee—get your Extra soon! Good luck to the new candidates!
This gadget got a patent.
One’s invention is another’s tool.
—Samuel F. B. Morse
Support the Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
Amazon Smile
Shop AmazonSmile at no extra cost to you. A portion of your eligible purchases will be donated to the Club.
On your phone simply follow the instructions below to select “Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society Inc” as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app.
1. Download the Amazon app to your phone
2. Open the app, select the main menu (=) and tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features
3. Select “Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society Inc” as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
Tom Thumb’s Good Neighbor Program
Use your Tom Thumb Reward Card to benefit MARS. Here’s how:
1. Download and print the registration form here: https://www.tomthumb.com/content/dam/store/good-neighbor/GOOD_NEIGHBOR_CHARITY_TT.pdf
2. Fill out the form with your Reward Card number, the MARS charity number 14223, your name and phone number.
3. Sign, date and take the form to your store’s courtesy booth.
Kroger Community Rewards Program
MARS is registered with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. To set up your card, log in to your Kroger account,
http://www.kroger.com. Search for Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society, Inc. – or – RD792 and click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a Rewards card.
“ARES®” and “Amateur Radio Emergency Service®” are registered service marks of the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and are used by permission.