News
May 22, 2020
What I Did on My Virus Vacation
Randy Johnson, W5WZY, is not letting a pandemic stifle his amateur radio pursuits. Read how he turned some extra radio gear into a DX “powerhouse.”
Media Hits
On the May 20 podcast of Twit TV’s Ham Nation, show co-host Gordon West, WB6NOA, mentioned an email from Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, about his success with remote testing. Over 185 new and upgrading hams have tested with Allan’s VEs over the past four weeks. Gordon congratulated the W5YI VEC team and efforts to field more remote VE sessions.
On the same podcast (about 22:30), John Hill, KF5VO, explained how Winlink Wednesday gives hams the opportunity to keep their WL messaging skills sharp. MARS’ own KB5A‑10 gateway was shown on-screen as an example of the check-in template.
Go to https://twit.tv/shows/ham-nation/episodes/454 to view or download the episode.
Board Nominations Announced
The slate of candidates for the upcoming June election was announced at the May meeting. Running for seats on the board are:
President—
Kevin Grantham, N5KRG
David Gilpin, K5GIL
Vice President—
Tom Yenny, K5LOL
Secretary—
Dave Lane, N5GDL
Mike Brown, W5MDB
Treasurer—
J J Henry, N5IMS
Director—
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG
Darrell Crimmins, KG5E
Daryl DeVault, KE5SAB
Ballots will be in the mail soon. Be sure to return them as soon as possible before the June meeting.
FCC Confirms Remote License Testing
In a public notice issued on April 30, the FCC confirmed that remote amateur testing is permitted. In their release, the Commission said, “We make clear here that nothing in the FCC’s rules prohibits remote testing, and prior FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests.”
To download and read the FCC notice, please go to: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-467A1.pdf
WB5QNG to Offer Remote License Exams
April 24, 2020
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, has received permission from the W5YI VEC to conduct completely online, video-supervised testing with strict rules and protocols for maintaining the integrity of the testing environment.
You may sign up to be on the waiting list, but you may not sign up for an exam without going through the queue and being invited to do so. AE candidates who need the test before the June 30th change in the question pool will have priority over other examinees.
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, vpresident@kb5a.org
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, June 11, 2020
We will meet by teleconference using your computer, tablet or phone. Watch your email in-box for instructions about how to join the meeting.
Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, will explain all about working satellites.
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
14 June 2020, 8:00 PM CDT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
21 June 2020, 7:45 PM CDT
145.210 Tone 110.9
We cannot banish dangers, but we can banish fears. We must not demean life by standing in awe of death. —David Sarnoff
AREDN™ Mapping
Do you have an AREDN™ node up and running in the Metrocrest? If so, you can add your pin to the AREDN node map. Just send an email to webmaster@KB5A.org with the name of your node, its IP address, and location.
Field Day 2020 Still a Go
As of May 11th, MARS plans to operate a Club Field Day site and we will do so safely complying with recommended social distancing practices. We are continuing to adjust our plans in response to the changing situation. We’ll have a clearer picture of our Field Day plans after another 4 weeks. If you don’t wish to participate in the Club event, you may wish to participate as a single-operator Field Day station.
FD Marshall Ron Reeves, NN5R, says we still need volunteers: Electrical Coordinator, Antenna Farm Coordinator, Antenna Setup Leads, Operations Coordinator, Station Leads, Reporting Coordinator, Meal Coordinator, and two Chefs. Ron has broken down the tasks so they will be easy to do.
Want to operate? Sign up to bring your favorite rig/antenna and operate your favorite mode. If you plan to eat, you’ll need to sign up in advance and bring cash for each meal.
Reserve the date and let us know you’re coming—even if you’ve already talked to Ron. Go now to the EVENTS page and click the link.
Questions? Shoot Ron an email, NN5R@arrl.net.
