Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
News
September 15, 2024
Hams Needed for Balloon Fest
MARS Director Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, is looking for hams to work the radio shack at the upcoming Plano Balloon Festival. Primary duties would include monitoring radio traffic and checking radios in and out. Training is on Wednesday, September 18, 7 to 8 PM, followed by shifts Thursday through Sunday. Please consider volunteering for this fun public event. Send Allan an email arb@rtsi.com to let him know you’re interested. For more information about the festival visit https://www.planoballoonfest.org/.
MARS to Raffle Agile HT
An Anytone AT-D878UVII Plus dual band portable is the prize for this year’s raffle to be drawn on December 12 at our annual Christmas Party. The rig is a good 5-watt analog VHF/UHF HT and adds DMR. It features a color TFT display and includes GPS with APRS analog/digital RX/TX, programming cable for free downloadable software, a Bluetooth® PTT switch, desk charger and 3100 mAh lithium-ion battery.
But wait! There’s more! We will program local analog repeaters including MARS owned and affiliated machines. There’s room for 4,000 memories. MARS’ DMR experts will get with the winning ham to help program the radio with the latest code plug for our affiliated DMR repeater on 440.450 MHz. The radio can store 500,000 digital contacts. You’ll be ready to get on the air quickly with this rig.
As in the past, tickets are 5 bucks each or 5 tickets for 20 dollars. Please note this raffle is open only to Texas residents. Go now to our RAFFLE page to buy your own.
50/50
Nature has scheduled the autumnal equinox for 12:44 UTC, September 22, 2024.
On the Net
August 28, 2024—
MARS Board Member and master-of-all-things-licensing, Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, appeared on HamNation and chatted with Gordon West, WB6NOA, with the latest news from W5YI Licensing Services.
W5YI Contact Volunteer Examiner (CVE) Stephen Hutchings, WM7X, was on the podcast as well with an update on remote license testing. You can watch the whole thing here: https://www.youtube.com/live/pnm5hxJR5q8
HamNation is featured every other Wednesday on the Ham Radio Crash Course YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@HamRadioCrashCourse.
Members Have a Blast
David Shaefer, KF5TZF, is a commercial and private pilot as well as a flight instructor. He also enjoys radio controlled airplanes and model rocketry. At the August 8, 2024, meeting, he shared some of his exploits in the sky and how radio plays a part in his hobby. Please enjoy the video of his presentation. Links featured in the video:
Falcons of Lake Dallas RC Club • https://www.falconsrcclub.com/
Academy of Model Aeronautic • https://www.modelaircraft.org/
Tripoli North Texas • https://www.tripolinorthtexas.org/
Tripoli Rocketry Association • https://www.tripoli.org/
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, October 10, 2024 • 7:00 PM
Eric Silverthorn, NM5M, will talk to us about CW Contesting.
More details on the EVENTS page.
License Testing
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, will have an in-person test session on the third Saturday September 21 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
October 13, 2024, 8:00 PM CDT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
October 20, 2024, 7:45 PM CDT
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.
Born on September 27, this woman earned her radio call sign 6SO when she was just 15. She designed all her own spark gap gear.
“I think wireless telegraphy is a most fascinating study, and one which could very easily be taken up by girls....”
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“ARES®” and “Amateur Radio Emergency Service®” are registered service marks of the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and are used by permission.