Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
Archives
July 1, 2025
MARS Hams Have a Field Day during Field Day
—Ron Reeves, NN5R with Mike Brown, W5MDB
Bright and early Friday morning, July 27, the MARS antenna crew Eric Silverthorn, NM5M, Jordan Lichtenwalter, KE5BRT, George Williams, KG5GXU, Bill Clements, K5PEC, and Ron Reeves, NN5R, converged on Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch to festoon the roof with some sparkling (not sparking) antennas. Saturday morning we installed our rigs to be ready for our start at 1:00. The setup created quite a network of transmission lines into the building but it was all under control.
2025 Field Day Box Score
(But it’s not a contest.)
• Preliminary Score 2412
• 28 Participants
• 1000 Bonus Points
• QSOs: 218 CW, 124 Digital, 22 Phone including 6 GOTA QSOs.
• Our most effective bands and modes:
20 CW, 40 CW, and 20 Digital.
Working as class 3A MARS operators overcame some poor propagation to make 358 QSOs during the two-day event, June 28 through 29. The preliminary score was 700 but does not include any bonus points (it’s not a contest).
CW operators Eric Silverthorn, NM5M, and Darrell Crimmins, KG5E, racked up 218 contacts. This was Darrell’s first Field Day contact on CW! David Gilpin, K5GIL, Jordan Lichtenwalter, KE5BRT, and Andy Smolenski, KI5YLX, made 124 digital contacts with FT8 being the favored mode. Andy and James Jernigan, KG5WVL, were able to make only 16 phone contacts due to conditions (but it’s not a contest).
New ham Roman Soriano KJ5KEU, made six phone QSOs at the “Get On The Air” (GOTA) station with excellent coaching from Kevin Grantham, N5KRG. Andy Smolenski tried to work a satellite but had no luck. All told we were able to work 7 bands over 19 hours.
But it’s not a contest.
Farmers Branch Emergency Coordinator Luke Parten, KI5WJM, dropped by with his family for a visit. Janette Begert, KI5SSR, and Mike Bergert, K5MY, came by and were so impressed they joined the Club! Welcome Janette and Mike!
Everyone involved had a great time. Thanks go to Field Day Marshal Ron Reeves, NN5R, for his leadership and to the First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch for the excellent venue. Thanks go as well to Liz Brown, K5EMB, Ellen Markey, KG5IKG, Gregory Maddra, KG5CKX, Collin Swain, KG5ELO, Kim Walter, K1MME, for being part of the team to make our event successful. Special thanks go to Kim Gilpin who prepared lunch and an awesome Saturday night spaghetti dinner and to Bill Clements, K5PEC, for Sunday’s biscuit, bacon and eggs breakfast.
Without everyone’s help, Field Day just isn’t Field Day and we’re looking forward to 2026. Have some ideas or comments? Let us know, fieldday@kb5a.org. Remember, it’s not a contest—it’s a propagation report.
Carrollton Recognizes Amateur Radio
(L-R) MARS Immediate Past President David Gilpin, K5GIL; Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick; MARS President Andy Smolenski, KI5YLX; Carrollton Emergency Management Specialist Ryan Owusu-Ansah
At the June 17, 2025, Carrollton City Council Meeting, Mayor Steve Babick declared the week of June 22-29, 2025, to be “Amateur Radio Week.” Leading up to ARRL Field Day, the proclamation recognizes amateur radio operators and their public service in times of emergencies and community events.
MARS President Andy Smolenski, KI5YLX, and Immediate Past President David Gilpin, K5GIL, were on hand to accept the certificate on behalf of the Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society. Carrollton Emergency Management Specialist Ryan Owusu-Ansah participated in the ceremony.
Earlier this month, the City of Farmers Branch issued its own “Amateur Radio Week” proclamation.
MARS will work Field Day June 28 through 29 from the First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch. More details are on our EVENTS page.
Members Elect New/Old Board
(L-R) Andy Smolenski KI5YLX, President; Dave Lane N5GDL, Director; Liz Brown K5EMB, Treasurer; Allan Batteiger WB5QNG, Director; Mike Brown W5MDB, Secretary; George Williams KG5GXU, Vice-President; Darrell Crimmins KG5E; Director; David Gilpin K5GIL, Immediate Past President
At the June12 meeting the Membership elected by acclamation the 2025-26 Board of Directors. All candidates were unopposed. Many thanks go to the Elections Committee Ron Reeves, NN5R, Daryl DeVault, KE5SAB, and J.J. Henry, N5IMS, and to all the Board members who volunteer to serve the Club.
In the PAARK with LAARK
On Saturday May 31, MARS hams got together with folks from the Lake Area Amateur Radio Klub (LAARK) to play radio at the Lions Club Park in The Colony. There was a chili cookoff and Andy
Smolenski, KI5YLX, took the grand prize whatever that was.
Perry Schrag, N0PAS, brought his terrific mobile tower to put up a multi-band Moseley beam furnished by Tom Yenny, K5LOL.
Also on hand were Bob Norris, N0IIL, George Williams, KG5GXU, Jordan Goodyear, W1JMG, Dale Hiatt, K5MAY, Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, Kim Walter, KI5ZOT, Liz Brown, K5EMB, David Strickland, KR8X, and Mike Brown, W5MDB. The food was great, the conversation fine, and a few QSOs were made as well. Thanks go to all who came out to have a good time.