News
July 2, 2020
President’s Corner
July 2020
Howdy again, friends and neighbors!
This is David Gilpin, K5GIL, and I’m happy to be your humble servant once again.
I’d like to say “thank you” to all the candidates who ran for election. It shows commitment and loyalty to MARS. At the MARS virtual meeting on Thursday July 9 we will have the results of the re-vote for the Director position.
Yes, we live in strange times. COVID-19 is a very unwelcome fiend. It has caused us to change so many of our routines.
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Many of us look forward to Hams & Eggs every Saturday morning (including Denise, the General Manager of our Whataburger) but we haven’t been able to do that since the lockdown started.
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We didn’t have an opportunity to spend lots of money at Ham-Com this year.
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Field Day at home was fun but it didn’t feel like a “real” Field Day.
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And we have been doing web conferences instead of face-to-face meetings.
The leadership of MARS will strive to make MARS as comfortable and familiar as possible – while keeping our members safe. Eventually we’ll be able to have our usual meetings in the usual places.
Mail your Ballots
Because none of the candidates for Director garnered a majority vote (see Article 10.1 in the By-Laws), a new ballot was sent by mail to eligible voting members. Running for director are: Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, and Darrell Crimmins, KG5E. Please return your ballot as soon as possible.
Capturing Metal Moons
At the June meeting via Zoom, Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, explained the ins and outs of amateur satellites. With a video, he showed how he tracked and successfully made a couple of QSOs from the comfort of his front yard.
His “Driveway Portable” setup was run entirely on battery using a Yaesu FT-847 with a dual-band Yagi (Arrow 146/437-14BP) mounted on a camera tripod. Tom notes that anyone with an amateur license, and that includes Technicians, can work satellites.
Please go here to download his presentation on PDF, “Introduction to Satellite Operation” and “AMSAT’s Future on the Microwave Bands.” Be sure to visit the AMSAT® website: https://www.amsat.org/
WB5QNG Offering Remote License Exams
June 8, 2020
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, is still offering online exams through W5YI.
To get on the waiting list, please email Allan, arb@rtsi.com. Meanwhile visit https://wb5qng.org/ for detailed information.
Want be NCS for the Saturday
H & W Net? Let Andy Parcel know you want to try your hand—er—mic,
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, July 9, 2020
We will probably meet by teleconference using your computer, tablet or phone. Watch your email in-box for instructions about how to join the meeting.
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
12 July 2020, 8:00 PM CDT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
19 July 2020, 7:45 PM CDT
145.210 Tone 110.9
