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.

Midwinter Madness 2026

Midwinter Madness is upon us. It is happening Saturday March 21st. This is a big event for the club and the ham radio community. Please help us out by signing up. Here is the link;

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CA9A92EAAFDC43-56253881-midwinter/77115573#/

President's Message

The message from headquarters is clear: Be Radio Active. This year is our invitation to connect, innovate, and share our passion for amateur radio.

Connect with Elmers/Mentors

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

Monthly Meeting

TALARC The American Legion Amateur Radio Club

Club Calendar of Events

Club Member Spotlight

Ham radio allows us to have a wide range of varying interests. I just wanted to provide a spot light to the amazing people we have in this club. This months interview is with Matt Anderson KBØBVK "Big Vibrating Keyboard"

Question 1: How did I get started in amateur radio?

Radio's been my whole lifetime. Interests shift from wire-telephony, to
making music, to mechanical engineering, to cars, to aviation, to
boilers & air compressors, to industrial motor control, to power
distribution, to broadcast. (this is turning into an autobiography)

Question 2: What is your most favorite part of amateur radio?

Fun to learn. Meeting people.

Question 3: What is your most proud accomplishment in amateur radio?

It's ALL good!

Question 4: Do you have any recommendations, words of wisdom, or ideas for newly licensed hams?

Enjoy enjoy!

Interesting Media and Links

My friend Kylee, KEØWPA has started a relatively new channel called, Youth in Ham Radio. A fun fact is that she recently became the Minnesota Section Youth Coordinator. Mentored by her father Randy, NDØC she is a great operator.

ARRL NEWS

Winter 2026 Section Manager Election Results

Two ARRL Section Manager elections that were conducted this winter came to conclusion on Tuesday, February 24, when ballots from North Carolina and Virgina were counted at ARRL Headquarters.

In Virginia, Mike Aimone, WA8AHZ, has been elected by the ARRL members as he received 725 votes. Terry Buzzard, KA8TNF, of Virginia Beach, received 377 votes.

Aimone, of Fairfax, has been the Virginia Section’s Affiliated Club Coordinator since 2022 and is the current Board Chair for the Vienna Wireless Association. His term of office begins April 1, and it runs through June 30, 2028.

Jack Smith, KE4LWT, the current Virginia Section Manager, will be concluding his term of office on March 31, 2026. Smith, of Ruckersville, has led the Virginia Field Organization since April of 2022.

The following incumbent ARRL Section Managers did not face opposition and were declared elected for their upcoming new terms of office beginning April 1, 2026, that extend through June 30, 2028: John Fritze, K2QY (Eastern New York), Houston Polson, N5YS (Louisiana), Bruce Kripton, AG6X (San Diego), Christian Stallkamp, KIØD (South Dakota).

Nominations for Section Managers in Eastern Pennsylvania and Pacific Sections will be re-solicited in the April 2026, issue of QST since no nominating petitions were received by the receipt deadline in early December of 2025.

Bob Wilson, W3BIG, who served as ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager since 2023, decided not to run for a new term of office. In the ARRL Pacific Section, Alan Maenchen, AD6E, has decided not to run for a new term of office as Section Manager after serving since 2023.

Newly Appointed Section Managers

ARRL has appointed Heather Flewelling, AH7RF, of Honolulu, to be the ARRL Pacific Section Manager starting April 1, 2026. She has been the Assistant Section Manager since 2023. Wess Tester, K2AHU, was appointed in early January to be the ARRL Section Manager of the Virgin Islands. Tester, of Christiansted, who has been an Assistant Section Manager since 2018, succeeds Fred Kleber, K9VV, who is moving out of the section. Kleber served as the Section Manager for thirteen and half years.

Darrell Davis, KT4WX, has been appointed as ARRL West Central Florida Section Manager as of February 1, 2026, to fulfill the current term of office after Jimmy Russ, AB4KA, needed to step aside as Section Manager, a position that he held since July 2025. Davis, of Fort Meade, previously served as Section Manager from 2015 through 2020.

Icom America Named Official Sponsor of the ARRL Year of the Club

ARRL has announced that Icom America is the Official Sponsor of the ARRL Year of the Club, supporting the initiatives that spotlight and strengthen ARRL Affiliated Clubs throughout 2026.

The ARRL Board of Directors designated 2026 as the ARRL Year of the Club, recognizing the essential role that local amateur radio clubs play in building community, mentoring new operators, and delivering public service at the grassroots level. This nationwide focus celebrates clubs as engines of civic engagement and increases public awareness of the Amateur Radio Service through local connections across the United States.

“Amateur radio clubs are the backbone of the hobby,” said Ray Novak, N9JA, Senior Sales Manager at Icom America. “Icom works closely with them to support education, growth, and engagement. Strong clubs create strong communities, and Icom is proud to support them.”

Supporting Clubs On the Air and Beyond

ARRL has emphasized the broader impact of the initiative. “The Year of the Club places a spotlight on the vibrant community of radio clubs,” said ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. “By investing in clubs, Icom and ARRL are reinforcing the local foundation of amateur radio—where mentorship begins, technical skills are shared, and public service takes root,” said Minster.

Through its sponsorship, Icom is supporting content that highlights the work of radio clubs in QST, ARRL newsletters and publications, and through resources and activities designed to help clubs thrive.

As part of ARRL’s broader 2026 activities, ARRL has launched the America250 Worked All States (WAS) operating event, a year-long on-air activity encouraging amateur radio operators worldwide to make contact with all 50 US states in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Radio clubs are participating and supporting a special endorsement for operators who contact ARRL Affiliated Clubs in all 50 states during the year. In addition, clubs and hamfests are hosting W1AW/portable activations in all 50 states, creating another endorsement opportunity for participants.

ARRL also announced that the theme of 2026 ARRL Field Day, held June 27–28, will be “Amateur Radio: A National Resource.” Since 1933, Field Day has been the largest on-the-air operating event in North America, showcasing amateur radio’s readiness to provide resilient communications in times of need while engaging the public through hands-on demonstrations and community outreach. This year’s Field Day will emphasize club participation and the use of club call signs.

For more information about the ARRL Year of the Club, the America250 Worked All States operating event, and 2026 ARRL Field Day, visit www.arrl.org.

FCC Recruiting 7 Field Agents – Electronics Engineers

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is looking for qualified applicants for Field Agents in seven Enforcement Bureau (EB) offices across the United States: Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY, and Portland, OR. Incumbents will resolve Radio Frequency (RF) interference, educate users, and enforce regulations. The GS levels for this position have been expanded to GS 7, opening the opportunity for new college graduates. One year of work experience is not required for this position. Closing date is March 13, 2026.

From the FCC posting:

Performs and directs fieldwork in matters of importance to communications involving safety of life and property. Serves as a point of contact for FCC licensees including the US Government in matters of fixed and mobile radio direction-finding and interference resolution. Participates in unique enforcement and engineering projects that have regional or national applications.

Operates and understands all technical equipment typically used in the Field including RF spectrum analyzers, field strength meters, RF Field survey meters, and radio receivers. Maintains contacts with and assists other Federal agencies, foreign counterparts, and local law enforcement organizations concerning interaction and utilization of the radio spectrum for both authorized and unauthorized activities.

Initiates Official Notices of Violation, Warnings, Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, and other orders to radio operators and licensees, to bring unsatisfactory or violative conditions to their attention as a result of monitoring, investigations and inspections. Independently initiates correspondence or other communications with complainants and radio users concerning the enforcement functions of the office and region.

Participates in regional emergency planning meetings, serves as the local expert in emergency communications restoration, participates in FEMA conducted training exercises and is able to serve on ESF-2 task force and deployments as necessary. Participates and assists in planning of Bureau enforcement and compliance workshops for persons associated with the various industries and radio services the Commission regulates.

The Salary is $57,736 to $158,322 per year per year depending on qualifications and experience.

See the official, complete announcement for GS-855-7/9/11/12/13 Electronics Engineer (Field Agent) on USAjobs.gov at www.usajobs.gov/job/857694500.

Upcoming Contests

• March 1 -- NSARA Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• March 1 - 2 -- North Carolina QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

• March 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)

• March 3 -- AGCW YL-CW Party (CW)

• March 4 -- UKEICC 80m Contest (phone)

• March 5 - 6 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

• March 5 -- NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• March 5 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)

• March 7 - 8 -- ARRL International DX Contest, SSB (phone)

• March 7 - 15 -- Novice Rig Roundup (CW)

• March 7 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)

• March 7 -- Russion YL/OM Contest (CW, phone)

• March 8 -- FIRAC HF Contest (CW)

• March 8 - 11-- Classic Exchange (CW)

Upcoming State, Section, and Division Conventions

• March 6 - 7 | BirmingHAMfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama Section Convention, Trussville, Alabama

• March 15 | WINTERFEST 2026 - The National Capital Area Ham Radio Fair, ARRL Virginia State Convention, Vienna, Virginia

• March 21 | St. Patrick's Day Hamfest, hosting the ARRL West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas

• March 28 | Central Dakota Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Dakota State Convention, Bismarck, North Dakota

• April 4 | RARSfest, hosting the ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina

• April 10 - 11 | Green Country Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma

• April 18 | Delmarva Amateur Radio and Electronics Expo, hosting the ARRL Delaware State Convention

• May 3 | Warminster Amateur Radio Club Annual Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Bristol, Pennsylvania

Board Members

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P.O. Box 22613,
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