Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
Archives
Updated September 9, 2019
President’s Corner
August 2019
It’s hot and it’s getting hotter! Come enjoy the air conditioning at the Library this Thursday and experience an exciting meeting of MARS!
You might think it’s the “dog days of summer” and nothing is going on, but you’d be badly misinformed. At the end of the month there is a fun ARRL “contest” with free logging software available to all hams (ARRL members or not) on nearly all bands from DC to daylight. We have our monthly Radio Play Day and some special sessions coming up. You’ll want to be there to get the inside scoop.
President’s Corner
July 2019
I hope everyone had a chance to participate in Field Day, and in last week’s Thirteen Colonies event! The Thirteen Colonies was very interesting. Propagation was challenging, of course, but many people locally made a clean sweep of all colonies and the bonus stations. Many worked 40m during the day, too. Of course, there were digital modes like JT and PSK, and CW, all of which were easier than phone, but still, I spoke with a couple of operators who not only did a clean sweep but did multiple sweeps on different bands and modes!
Field Day Recap
July 8, 2019
MARS Field Day 2019 was a success! We operated from the Farmers Branch Fire Administration facility near the intersection of Valley View and Hutton in Farmers Branch as a Class 3A—Commercial Power. 30 hams, dignitaries and other guests visited our QTH.
We made a total of 109 contacts—67 digital and 42 phone—on 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meters. Including QSOs, multipliers, and bonus points, we reported a total of 1,202 points.
The box score (but it’s not a contest):
Mike Brown W5MDB..........59
David Gilpin K5GIL........17
Arnold Krusemark K0YVI....12
David Lewis AC5DL.........11
Andy Parcel KE5KOF.........7
Ron Reeves NN5R............3
One “surprise” this Field Day was the popularity of the relatively new FT8 digital mode. David Gilpin, K5GIL, made FT8 contacts on 15, 10, and 6 meters.
The MARS Field Day team fought heat and fatigue, along with a few antenna challenges. But we were well-fed thanks to Andy and Kevin, and a good time was had by all. We will continue to debrief and plan how to make ARRL Field Day 2020 easier and more successful!
73 David Gilpin, K5GIL
Associate for Steve Darrah, KD5YPB
MARS 2019 FD Coordinator
New Faces on the Board [see update*]
June 13, 2019
Tonight’s election at the Annual Meeting brought some new folks to the Board of Directors. J. J. Henry, N5IMS, was unopposed to take over from our current Treasurer, Annie Ackors-Bruce, KG5OVU. David Lewis, AC5DL, will succeed Director Steve Darrah, KD5YPB, whose term expired due to term limits.
Returning for another term are Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, President; Andy Parcel, KE5KOF, Vice President; and Dave Lane, N5GDL, Secretary. Directors Darrell Crimmins, KG5E, and Mike Brown, W5MDB, and Immediate Vice President David Gilpin, K5GIL, continue to serve their unexpired terms.
The new Board will take office on July 1. Congratulations go to all the new officers with thanks to the other candidates who stepped up to run in this year’s election.
Back Row L-R: J. J. Henry, N5IMS; Andy Parcel, KE5KOF; David Gilpin, K5GIL.
Front Row L-R: Mike Brown, W5MDB; Dave Lane, N5GDL; David Lewis, AC5DL.
Not pictured: Kevin Grantham, N5KRG; Darrell Crimmins, KG5E
*UPDATE: March 12, 2020
Due to a miscalculation prior to the 2019 election, the Board erroneously determined that Steve Darrah’s term had expired and that Darrell Crimmins had one year left to serve. In fact, just the opposite was the case. The Board restored Steve as Director to serve the remainder of his term that expires in 2021.