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Maple Grove Radio Club
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If you are having trouble reading this newsletter in your email client try turning off "Dark Mode." Also, you can always read it online from the newsletter archives.
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MGRC Mission Statement
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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.
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Consider watching Elio with your children or grandchildren. Why? Well because it is a movie with ham radio in it. Spoiler alert ham radio saves the day. Who knows maybe they will want to play some radio after watching it. Or alternatively they may think you talk with aliens.
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I love finding movies with ham radio in them. If you find any please send it my way.
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President's Message
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Hello MGRC Members
We are entering June, and that means it’s time for Field Day!
Our festivities will take place on June 27th and 28th. The event will be hosted in Corcoran, MN, thanks to the generosity of club member Ray Ehrlich, KØRAE.
More specific details regarding schedule, setup, and directions will be shared throughout the month, but please mark your calendars now so you don't forget.
Field Day is a team effort, and volunteers are needed for all aspects of our activities—from station setup and operations to tear down and hospitality. Please keep an eye on your inbox for an upcoming Signup Genius link to reserve your time slot and role.
To keep things manageable and relaxing for everyone, we are splitting up the coordination responsibilities this year. Please consider taking on a leadership role or a specific task. If we all work together, we make amazing things happen for our club!
Operating a radio station always makes everyone hungry. We will be having a potluck this year to keep everyone fed and energized. Please bring your favorite dish, salad, dessert, or a cooler of drinks to share with the group.
2026 Is the Year of the Club! Let’s highlight the importance of supporting our local community. I encourage every member to invite new and prospective hams, neighbors, and friends to visit our stations. Field Day is our best opportunity to show our skills, mentor the next generation, and prove to the public that Amateur Radio is a true National Resource!
73
Scott Henley, KFØFFE
President Maple Grove Radio Club
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Field Day Volunteer Signup
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The 2026 field day volunteer signup link is below. Thanks for taking the time to assist.
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Antique Car Run Volunteer Signup
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Antique Car Run on August 08, 2026. Participants will be driving automobiles manufactured before 1912, and occasionally, they may experience breakdowns requiring assistance. Typically, two tow or repair vehicles are available on the road to provide help. Here is the sign up link:
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Connect with Elmers/Mentors
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All club members are invited to join our groups.io forum. Please go to https://groups.io/g/MGRC/join to join. It should take less than a day for a moderator to approve. This form is a great way to get any technical questions answered.
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Similarly, all club members are welcome to join our Slack chat:
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Held at the Chester Bird American Legion Post 523 located at
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8900 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN 55427
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Club meeting starts at 1900 hours (7:00pm CDT). Please come early for social time/ dinner before the meeting.
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Next Board Meeting
Members are welcome to attend MGRC Board Meetings (only board members can vote), which are typically the 3rd Thursday of each month.
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Board meetings are always by zoom. Please contact president@k0ltc.org or any board member or officer if you would like the Zoom meeting link to attend.
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MGRC Weekly Net
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Our weekly Net is on Wednesdays at 20:00 UTC (8pm), on 147.000, positive offset, tone 114.8. We use directed Net protocol and will have a new question for discussion every week. Please call in if you can reach the K0LTC repeater. We need additional NET Operators! If you'd like to receive Net operator training please contact net@k0ltc.org.
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TALARC The American Legion Amateur Radio Club
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President: Aaron Lewis WØADL.
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Shack is closed down for now.
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Contact the Membership Chairmain Scott Henley, KFØFFE at scottehenley@gmail.com if you are interested in shack access and/or an honorary membership.
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Just need to be an MGRC member in good standing to be eligible for honorary membership.
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Zoom meetings 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30pm.
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Club Calendar of Events
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Club Member Spotlight
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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 Trygve Svard KDØPNQ
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Question 1: How did I get started in amateur radio?
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I have always been interested in technical things so when citizen radio came to Sweden, where I was born, I was the 16th person getting my license. So that is how my radio interest started many years ago. Then here in the US I was working for a big company and had a lot of trips worldwide including to China. With my interest for radios I decided to visit 4 major manufacturers on one trip and I was prepared with a presentation. At that time all you could purchase was a hand-held radio for either 170 MHz or 440 MHz. DMR technology had just started so my presentation was to combine the 2 frequencies into 1 radio capable of both Analog and DMR technology.
I visited the companies and was very well received. TWT was first out with the combined radio and I received a copy to test. At that time I had no amateurs' license so I was contemplating what I could do. After the second trip to visit my 4 suppliers I decided to go to a test station in Maple Grove to try to get my license - luckily I did not have to prove that I knew Morse code, because I do not. I passed the technician grade without having any formal training so the tester asked if I wanted to try for the next level as well, and he gave me the test form to do it before I had a chance to think about it. I passed even that and received my license KDØPNQ. So now I could test the radio I had received.
In the months to follow I received a bunch of new radios to test and because the AnyTone radio impressed me the most I have continued to support them to develop new radios that were handheld and even for mobile use.
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Question 2: What is your most favorite part of amateur radio?
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As I mentioned above I favor AnyTone because their factory was implementing most of the features required to build military grade electronics like ESD wrist bands, soldering fans where manual work was done etc. It is otherwise a fully automatic build process with rooms full of equipment for this. Even final inspection was done by machines to my surprise. A build company that makes many different brands of equipment but has their own brand AnyTone as well really impressed me the most.
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Question 3: What is your most proud accomplishment in amateur radio?
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Having visited 4 factories and telling them what the world needs when it comes to amateur equipment like handheld or mobile units for the 3 high frequencies and having them do what I was wishing for is my most special help to amateurs. I also know that many amateurs installing a more powerful unit in their car wanted a removable front that was smaller and could be separated from the more bulky radio itself. I gave AnyTone the idea to implement Bluetooth and have a small (really small like a cell phone) remote controller of the radio. Yes they did that and you now can fully control the AT-D578UV mobile radio from up to 20 feet away via a Bluetooth microphone.
One more feature we had to implement was the new law already in Europe but also coming to the USA about handsfree use of a cellphone or radio. The AnyTone radio was then pairable with the vehicles Bluetooth system and a very small PTT button was designed with a short Velcro band so it could be positioned on the steering wheel. All this was my ideas to start with and adopted by AnyTone to give them very good sales.
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Question 4: Do you have any recommendations, words of wisdom, or ideas for newly licensed hams?
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First of all get your license even if it takes a couple of tries. Secondly start with a low cost hand held radio as there are so many on the market. Here in Minnesota there are plenty of Analog and also DMR repeaters so you can with a few watts of power and through the repeater get contacts with the entire world. The Internet carries the signal world wide if you program it correctly. Learn to set up and program the hand held radio and you will have lots of fun.
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Question 5: Any final thoughts?
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I have not focused on the HF band as the home-owner group in my area prevents external antennas to be erected. There may be a law eventually allowing this but for now I stay at the frequencies where you can have an antenna in the attic.
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UNSEEN SIGNALS EXHIBIT
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The life and contributions of radio pioneer Edward Armstrong
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The Pavek Museum in St. Louis Park is the proud host of the IEEE traveling exhibit, Unseen Signals, which details the life of Edwin H. Armstrong, highlighting his technological innovations, patriotism, and the continuing relevance of his achievements. Armstrong was an American electrical engineer who revolutionized radio and telecommunications with his groundbreaking innovations. Every modern radio, television, and radar system relies on one or more of his foundational developments. His monumental inventions include:
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- The Regenerative Circuit (1912)
- The Superheterodyne Receiver (1918)
- Superregenerative Circuit (1920)
- Frequency Modulation or FM Radio (1933)
Unseen Signals reveals the profound cultural and political impact of broadcasting and the influence of WWI and WWII on wireless communication. It recaptures how men, women, and children participated in the radio revolution through photographs, advertisements, and our unique collection of radio-branded cultural items and ephemera. Come and see the prototype (superheterodyne) radio from which modern radios are descended and explore the three touchscreen interactives featuring original radio broadcasts and short documentary films. This special Unseen Signals exhibit is extremely well done and a rare opportunity to see right here in Minnesota. It will be on display until Saturday, August 22, 2026. Free with regular museum admission.
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A big thank you to Pat WØYES for his newsletter contribution.
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Dayton Hamvention Field Report
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Aarron WØADL, Dave KØDJD, and myself AEØIM made the trek down to the Green County Fairgrounds in Xenia, OH and joined with the other 37,924 hams that attended the 2026 Hamvention. As you can see from the photos it rained a bit but was otherwise had great weather. Over the three days there was a grand total of 58 forums/presentations spanning the whole gamut of amateur radio.
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Of course there are all sorts of vendors spread out between four buildings. As you can see Steven WØWSR picked up a custom badge and mouse pad. I found it very fun that the gentleman with the accordion would play Morse Code CQ. I tried to show some restraint but purchased a satellite antenna. Wish me luck in using it.
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We had a fun and unexpected ham radio connection at our Airbnb. Bob Carter WR7Q who runs the CW Academy happened to book the same place. We had nice evening chats with him. One such occasion he showed us his N3ZN CW Paddle and his very minimal and low cost Elecraft KH1. He explained that when he bought it he asked not to have the battery or the antenna tuner. He explained that he 3d-printed a battery holder and purchased a low cost alternative. He further explained that he didn't need the tuner because he only uses resonant antennas. They were all really fun chats about all sorts of ham radio things.
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The capstone of the event is the Saturday night barbecue. Some old friends and some new comers are welcomed alike. Very pleasant conversations about ham radio and life in general occur while we enjoy one another's company.
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I would also recommend checking out DARA's building. I would recommend the tour. I enjoyed looking at their bookshelf and seeing old ARRL handbooks and other interesting oldies.
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Another fun place to visit is the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. It is free and is worth the visit. My favorites were the Apollo 15 capsule and the SR-71. These pictures do no do the exhibits justice.
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Interesting Media and Links
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Thankfully the Dayton Amateur Raido Assocaition YouTube channel posts some of the presentations that happen at Hamvention 2026 (and previous years). They also include long live streams if you can't make it next year but want to see what is going on in real-time.
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Four Days In May brags that they are the biggest and best QRP event in the world. I find the presentations are all very interesting but I'll leave it to you to discover if they live up to it.
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Last but not least is the Contest University live-stream. This will give you an idea of how some of the presentations are like. I would like to go some time in the future.
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ARRL NEWS
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Senator Ted Cruz Praises Amateur Radio Operators for Emergency Preparedness
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Senator Ted Cruz, in a strong pre-Memorial Day message publicly highlighted the critical role that Amateur Radio Service volunteers play during disasters, praising and thanking ham radio operators who provide essential communications when storms and emergencies knock out power and cellular networks and communities are cut off. Sen. Cruz observed that in these emergencies it is ham radio operators who step forward, bringing with them the tools, expertise, and the commitment to reconnect people when it matters most. He noted this dedication was clearly demonstrated in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey’s catastrophic flooding devastated communities across Texas and that it was demonstrated again more recently in the horrific Camp Mystic floods. He emphasized that as the Nation prepares for yet another summer storm season, ham radio’s role remains just as vital as ever.
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Stating that while future emergencies will come, Sen. Cruz pointed out that so would Amateur Radio — ready to respond, ready to serve, and to make a difference. He ended his statements, thanking ham radio for its courage and commitment, noting that Amateur Radio’s work strengthens our communities.
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Senator Cruz is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. His comments align with the ARRL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and protect Amateur Radio’s role in emergency preparedness and public service communications.
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His comments also reflect growing Congressional recognition of the value Amateur Radio Operators bring to communities across the country. ARRL continues to advocate for legislation that protects and strengthens Amateur Radio’s role in emergency preparedness and public service communications.
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ARRL’s nationwide grassroots campaign supporting the bipartisan Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act has generated more than 155,000 letters to members of Congress in support of H.R. 1094 and S. 459. The legislation seeks to ensure that Amateur Radio Operators can install and maintain effective outdoor antennas at residences where private land-use restrictions might otherwise prohibit them, helping communities maintain resilient emergency communications capabilities during disasters.
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ARRL Legislative Committee Chairman and West Gulf Division Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, said the continued outreach effort has required “long hours on the ground and an uncountable number of personal meetings with Senators, Representatives, and their staffs” to raise awareness of the importance of Amateur Radio to our country.
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“The most recent proof that those efforts have, and are, increasing Congressional support for Amateur Radio is evidenced by the decision of Chairman Cruz to publicly share his personal views on the value and importance of Amateur Radio to the Nation,” Stratton said.
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ARRL encourages Amateur Radio Operators to participate in our letter writing campaign, located at www.arrl.org/HOA, in support of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act and to share information about the public service role Amateur Radio plays in communities nationwide.
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Registration is Open for the 2026 ARRL National Convention in Huntsville
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ARRL and the Huntsville Hamfest will host the 2026 ARRL National Convention and Huntsville Hamfest, August 21 - 23, in Huntsville, Alabama.
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The convention will kick off on Friday, August 21, with a series of day-long ARRL Training Tracks and a National Convention Luncheon at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville. Then join ARRL on Friday night for a very special National Convention Dinner under a full-size Saturn V rocket at the nearby U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Access to the museum is included along with dinner and special speakers. Proceeds benefit the ARRL Education & Technology Program, and additional sponsorships are available.
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Registration is now open for Friday’s National Convention program. Registrants can select a Training Track (includes the luncheon) for $90. The National Convention Dinner at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is $100, and includes dinner, museum, and a $25 tax-deductible donation to the Education & Technology Program. The National Convention Training Tracks are workshops providing an in-depth learning experience in one of the three Track topics. Attendees will select a Training Track when completing their online National Convention registration.
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Training Track #1: Mini Contest University. This marks the first time Mini Contest University (CTU) is coming to Huntsville. Registrants will learn from some veteran amateur radio contesters. This Mini CTU will appeal to new and veteran contesters alike who are looking to hone their skills. Presenters cover general contest operations, contesting skills, and many resources and tools to get more out of contesting. The Mini CTU Track Leader is Tim Duffy, K3LR. Presenters TBD. This training is sponsored by DX Engineering.
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Training Track #2: Emergency Communications Academy. Emergency Communications presenters will cover topics including Future Proofing ARES® — the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service®, PACE planning, relationship building, digital communications, emerging technologies, and other topics designed to enhance your emergency communications knowledge and preparedness. Participants will learn the skills and roles needed to become more effective volunteers.
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Training Track #3: Salty Walt’s Portable Antenna Workshop. This workshop, led by Walt Hudson, K4OGO, with additional presenters, will feature practical information for portable antenna-building, deployment, and operating.
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The rest of the celebration continues at the Huntsville Hamfest on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 – 23, at the Von Braun Center (South Hall), which is connected by sky bridge to the Embassy Suites. Known as “The World’s Friendliest Hamfest,” this air-conditioned all-indoor event attracts a large list of commercial exhibitors, notable forum presenters, flea market, youth activities, and W1AW America250 Special Event Station. Tickets for the Huntsville Hamfest are sold separately and are available now.
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For further details, visit the 2026 ARRL National Convention web page at www.arrl.org/expo and the Huntsville Hamfest website at hamfest.org.
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RAC Vice-President Brent Taylor, VY2HF, Silent Key
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Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) Vice President Brent Taylor, VY2HF, became a Silent Key on May 21, 2026, at the age of 66.
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RAC President Allan Boyd, VE3AJB/VE3EM, said the sudden loss of Taylor has deeply shocked the organization and the amateur radio community across Canada and beyond.
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Taylor was first licensed in 1984 as VE1APG and received his partial HF privileges six months later after demonstrating successful CW operation. One year later, he passed his Advanced examination and obtained the call sign VE1JH, a call he used for more than 20 years. After moving from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island in 2007, he acquired the call sign VY2HF.
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Taylor was widely respected for his dedication to amateur radio and his strong belief in supporting amateur radio organizations. He helped grow the amateur radio community in Charlottetown, the capital and largest city of the province of Prince Edward Island. In addition to the Radio Amateurs of Canada, Taylor was a member of the Charlottetown Amateur Radio Club, the International Repeater Group (NB), ARRL, the Radio Society of Great Britain, AMSAT, the National Radio Club, and the Canadian International DX Club.
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“He was my rock within the organization,” said RAC President Boyd. “We were a team. I knew Brent always had my back, and he knew I had his. His death has come as a tremendous shock and represents a deep personal and organizational loss – not only of a trusted colleague, but also of a close friend.”
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Continue reading this story on ARRL News.
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Upcoming Contests
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May 30 - 31 -- CQ WW WPX Contest (CW)
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May 31 -- Romanian Diaspora SSB Contest (phone)
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June 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
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June 4 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
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June 4 - 5 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
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June 4 -- NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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June 4 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
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June 5 -- HA3NS Sprint Memorial Contest (CW)
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June 6 -- Tisza Cup CW Contest (CW, phone)
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June 6 -- VK Shires Contest (CW, phone)
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June 6 - 8 -- PODXS 070 Club 3-Day Weekend Contest (digital)
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June 6 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)
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June 6 - 7 -- Kentucky QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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June 6 - 7 -- UKSMG Summer Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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June 6 - 7 -- IARU Region 1 Field Day (CW)
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June 6 - 7 -- RSGB National Field Day (CW)
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June 7 - 8 -- Atlantic Canada QSO Party (CW, phone)
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Upcoming State, Section, and Division Conventions
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June 5 – 7 | SEA-PAC, hosting the ARRL Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon
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June 13 | Knoxville Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
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June 14 | BreezeShooters Hamfest, Computer and Electronics Show, hosting the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, Butler, Pennsylvania
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June 19 – 20 | Flagstaff HamFest, hosting the ARRL Arizona Section Convention, Flagstaff, Arizona
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July 11 | SVARC Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Dakota Section Convention, Minot, North Dakota
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August 13 – 16 | Northeast HamXposition, hosting the ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts
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August 15 | Cincinnati Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Owensville, Ohio
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August 28 – 30 | Wyoming HamCon, hosting the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Casper, Wyoming
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October 9 – 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Sedalia, Missouri
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October 16 – 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
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Board Members
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President: Scott Henley – KFØFFE (2024)
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Vice President: Chris Silva – AEØIM (2025)
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Secretary: Stu Randall – WØWTF (2026)
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Treasurer: Barb Hanson – KDØHUV (2024)
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Trustee K0LTC: Jerry Dorf – NØFWG
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Member: Clay Bartholow – WØLED (2021)
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Member: Zack Whitney – KØZTW (2021)
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Member: Gordon Patenaude – WAØWSR (2023)
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Member: Stephen Cullen – KFØAED (2023)
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Member: Paul Brandt – KØPJB (2025)
- Member: Paul Gilsdorf - KFØGEX (2026)
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Love it, or hate it?
See anything interesting that I missed?
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