December 2024 - Maple Grove Radio Club

MGRC Mission Statement

Maple Grove Radio Club provides education to current and future amateur radio operators, with the goal of serving the public. We are a reliable communications resource for events and emergencies in Maple Grove and surrounding communities.

President's Message

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. While a little cold the lack of snow hopefully made it easier for those who traveled. As we move into December our club calendar winds down for events but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great ways to stay involved. Take the time this holiday season to keep the dust brushed off your equipment and keep using it. We have weekly nets and other contests throughout the year.

We will be having a winter POTA coordinated by Ray KF0LKJ. After the success at the one this fall we are going for more! Thanks Ray for coordinating these, let’s not let the cold stop us from operating outside. If it’s really cold we can get some ice houses out like we did for winter field day last year.

Speaking of winter field day, mark your calendars for January 25 and 26th. If we get interest like last year we can set something up again! I will be polling everyone over the next month or so. It’s a lot of fun and plenty warm with the shelters!

If you want to take winter field day a step further get out and volunteer for the Beargrease Sled Dog Race in northern MN. The race starts the same Sunday January 26th as winter field day. Sign up for one day, or multiple days. Inside and outside positions available. Make a trip out of it, work some radio, and see the spectacular that is sled dog racing.

We also are looking for people to help with Midwinter Madness planning. The more the merrier. We are off to a great start and can always use more members! If you’re new and want to see what coordinating our largest fundraiser looks like I encourage you to join one of the planning meetings and just sit in and listen. You won’t be thrown into anything you can’t handle and it’s a great way to see how larger events come together.

I wish you all a fun, happy, and safe holiday season as we welcome 2025!

73,

Zach Whitney

K0ZTW

Connect with Elmers/Mentors

Additionally, please follow the Maple Grove Radio Club Facebook page for frequent updates on club member activities.

Maple Grove Radio Club Monthly Meetings!

TALARC The American Legion Amateur Radio Club

Club Calendar of Events

Interesting Media

I'm going to try something new here where the first video I share will be for newly licensed hams. This is Jim W0LG explains what Q is. This concept will be helpful for the General and Amateur Extra exams.

The Software Defined Radio Academy has posted their 2024 conference. I'd like to point out that there were two presentations that were done in German. I hope you also enjoy these video presentations.

Vance KV4P started a home-brew project to turn your Android phone into a VHF handheld. It is a very interesting home-brew project.

ARRL NEWS

Ed Menasian, N8LPQ, Receives 2024 ARRL Technical Service Award

Ed Menasian, N8LPQ, of Toledo, Ohio, is the recipient of the 2024 ARRL Technical Service Award. He was presented the award plaque and motion certificate by ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Scott Yonally, N8SY, at a ceremony held November 23 at the Toledo Emergency Management Agency.

The ARRL Technical Service Award is given annually to one or more licensed radio amateurs whose service to the amateur community and/or society at large is of the most exemplary nature within the framework of amateur radio technical activities.

The award motion certificate presented to Menasian noted he exemplifies the spirit of the award through creating ways to learn and share technical information, including his weekly breakfast meetings and his licensing classes that train both prospective and current hams.

“It was a great day for me,” said Director Yonally. “A room full of his students each got up and did a short testimonial on how Ed has helped them in not only getting licensed, but also getting on the air, and how he encourages them to upgrade as well. What a day it was.” Yonally added, “ This is what being a member of ARRL is all about.”

Menasian has been licensed since 1981, holds a General Class license and has been an ARRL member for 13 years.

ARRL 2023 Annual Report Now Available

ARRL® has published its 2023 Annual Report, which includes a summary of the year’s program activities, along with the 2023 and 2022 financial statements and an independent auditor’s report

ARRL marked 2023 as the Year of the Volunteers, recognizing the nearly 57,000 volunteers who contribute to supporting the organization and the wider amateur radio community. “The future of amateur radio rests on the shoulders of volunteers, and every one of us can be a volunteer,” said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, in his message in the annual report. The report highlights the involvement of volunteers across program areas, including ARRL Volunteer Examiners and Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) volunteers.

“It seems right for an organization like ours, which is fueled by volunteers, to take a moment to recognize the countless individuals who share their time, talent, and treasure with ARRL to advance the hobby we all love,” said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David A. Minster, NA2AA, in his included report. Minster also noted the celebration of the ARRL Foundation’s 50 years in 2023. Its work has benefited the charitable, educational and scientific efforts of the amateur radio community. Minster recognized the generous contributions from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), which renewed commitments amounting to more than $2.1 million to support club grants, education programs, and scholarships. “This represents the largest single commitment ever for our organizations,” said Minster.

Also included in the annual report is ARRL's Report to America, which references the involvement of amateur radio operators during natural disasters that occurred in 2023, in addition to formal partnership agreements with served agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In May 2023, ARRL entered into an updated Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with FEMA, to enhance cooperation between ARES® and FEMA in providing disaster communications -- When All Else Fails®.

Upcoming State, Section, and Division Conventions

• December 13 - 14 | Tampa Bay Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City, Florida

• January 4 | Ham Radio University, sponsoring the ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Convention, Brookville, New York

• January 10 - 11 | 2025 Southwest Florida Regional Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers, Florida

• January 17 - 18 | Cowtown Hamfest 25, sponsoring the ARRL North Texas Section Convention, Forest Hill, Texas

• January 31 - February 1 | Jackson MS Capital City Hamfest 2025, sponsoring the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Jackson, Mississippi

• February 7 - 9 | Orlando HamCation, sponsoring the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, Florida

• February 8 | Hendricks County Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Indiana Section Convention, Danville, Indiana

Board Members