Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
News
May 21, 2023
DFW Ham Expo
The DFW Ham Expo is Saturday, June 3, at the Vista Mall (formerly known as Vista Ridge), 2401 S. Stemmons Fwy in Lewisville. MARS is hosting 3 tables to sell some club-owned items. You are welcome to bring stuff for the Club to sell on consignment. We will be at the event from 9:00 AM Saturday until closing around 3:00 PM. Please go to the EVENTS page for essential sales information.
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, June 8, 2023 • 6:30 PM
Club Officers will be elected.
Go to the EVENTS page for details.
Officer Candidates Nominated
The Nominating Committee announced the slate of candidates for Club officers for 2023–24 at the regular meeting on May 11. They are:
President—David Gilpin, K5GIL;
Vice-President—Steve Darrah, KD5YPB;
Secretary—Mike Brown, W5MDB;
Treasurer—Liz Brown, K5EMB;
Director—Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG.
As there were no others nominated during the meeting, these candidates will be elected by acclamation during the June 8 meeting. Directors Darrell Crimmins, KG5E, and Tom Yenny, K5LOL, and Immediate Past President Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, will continue to serve their unexpired terms.
Thanks go to J. J. Henry, N5IMS, George Williams, KG5GXU, and Liz Brown, K5EMB, for serving on the Nominating Committee.
Play Day
Play Days are usually on the third Saturday of each month. The next Play Day is June 17, 2023.
Go now to the EVENTS page for more details.
Texas State Parks a Success
With fluffy white clouds and mild temperatures, MARS hams ventured to the Johnson Branch Unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park on April 15 for an excellent activation. Tom Yenny, K5LOL, led the expedition into the woods for a day of amateur radio excitement. Five stations worked 160(!) through 10 meters on HF, and SSB on 2 and 6 meters.
A 50-foot tower provided by Perry Schrag, N0PAS, was the focal point of our setup and supported an 80-meter dipole, a 6-meter Moxon and a 2-meter beam, as well as a multiband loop. Our antenna farm included a 2-meter stick for our talk-in frequency. Thanks go to the Denton County Amateur Radio Association for the use of their repeater.
In the culinary arts department, David Gilpin, K5GIL, brought all the fixins’ and George Williams, KG5GXU, slaved over a hot grill to serve up hot dogs and burgers. There’s something about outdoor grilling in the woods that enhances the flavor.
Andrew Smolenski, KI5YLX, scored first DX with a strong station in Hawaii. Other operators found the bands generally open. Austin Litman, N4AKL, Ken Wendel, W5RPS, Ron Reeves, NN5R, Caleb Foley, NB5D, Ralph Foley, K8XZ, Caden Foley, W9EP, and Mike Brown, W5MDB, all had their turns on the air. Gregory Maddra, KG5CKX, and Liz Brown, K5EMB, were on hand to offer their support as well.
MARS welcomed Boy Scout Troop 229 from Princeton, Texas, and Tom Yenny explained the role of amateur radio in today’s world. We may expect some future hams from their ranks.
Many thanks go to Tom for spearheading the project, to Steve Darrah, KD5YPB, for securing the park pavilion and thanks go especially to the staff of the Johnson Branch Unit for providing such excellent accommodations.
The final stats have not yet been compiled from the logs; updates will follow. Meanwhile, check out the photo gallery for all the activities.
CERT-ifiable
MARS ham Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, recently completed training with the Dallas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). He learned that amateur radio can play an important role with the organization.
CERT training is based on the concept that informed and trained individuals, neighborhoods and communities are more resilient during a disaster. They also consume far less of what will be scarce response and recovery resources, such as paramedics, ambulance and hospital services, rescue and other items needed to sustain and protect life and property.
Kevin became involved because CERT members Melissa Tanner, KI5GRH, and Robinson Tryon, KG5UVN, were attending Kevin’s monthly ECOM 101 net, every second Monday at 7:00 PM on the 146.88 Dallas ARC repeater. Melissa and Robinson subsequently created their own CERT City Simulated Disaster Net. CERT City is a simulated city where disasters never seem to end.
Melissa and Robinson asked Kevin to design some exercises and training to bring to their net. After attending some CERT meetings, he decided to take the training. Kevin notes, “I wish I had taken this training sooner.”
If you are interested in CERT, please visit the Dallas Office of Emergency Management for more information. And don’t forget to check out CERT City net meeting every Friday evening at 8:00 PM on 146.88, tone 110.9.
License Testing
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, will have an in-person test session on June 17 at the Library. 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
June 11, 2023, 8:00 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
June 18, 2023, 7:45 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
“Let’s call it ‘electricity’.”
This physicist, shown here disguised as a sunflower, was born on May 24.
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.