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 was a Success!

President's Message

Hello Everyone

Welcome to April!

As the spring foliage returns and the airwaves buzz with new energy, we find ourselves in the heart of the "Year of the Club". It is a fantastic time to be involved in amateur radio, and this month, we have several opportunities to demonstrate why our hobby remains more relevant than ever.

April Focus: Antennas & Outreach
Now that the ground is softening, it’s prime antenna-tweaking season. If you have been waiting to put up that new dipole or fix the coax on your beam, now is the time.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities:

• April 1-7th: World Autism Acceptance Week special event

  • An international group of ham radio operators (station W2A) will be active April 1-7 to raise awareness

• April 7th: Club Meeting

  • We will be having a presentation by Gordon P. and Gordy H. The main focus this month will be “The Operation of The Rigexpert Antenna Analyzer”.

• April 10-15th: Titanic Memorial Special Event

  • Station:EG1912T (Vigo, Spain).

  • Modes/Bands: All bands, heavy emphasis on CW.

• April 18th: World Amateur Radio Day

  • This year’s theme is "Celebrating Amateur Radio's Contribution to Global Connectivity." Let’s make some noise! I encourage everyone to get on the air whether it’s to check into the repeater or to try to work a new country or state.

• Legion Grand Opening:

  • This event is still being planned for later in April. TALARC hopes to have a special event station if so, this could be a great opportunity to show them what amateur radio is all about. Stay tuned as more details come out

• Field Day:

  • It’s never too early to start coordinating equipment and volunteers. So, let’s start discussing our Field Day planning.

A Note on Club Growth:
We’ve had great interest from new hams recently. I ask that all our veteran members continue to be welcoming. Remember, we were all beginners once. If you see new faces or hear a new callsign on the radio, make it a habit to reach out and say hello!

Looking Back at March:
I want to thank everyone who participated in Midwinter Madness. A special shoutout to Stephen Cullen, KFØAED and the Midwinter Madness Committee for helping organize. Stay tuned for next month, we will have a rundown of this event.

Final Thoughts:
Get outside, fix those antennas. Thank you all for your continued support of the MGRC.

73

Scott Henley KFØFFE
President, MGRC

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 Paul Brandt KØPJB

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

I originally started back around 1970 with a novice license. I let that lapse due to career, family, and social commitments. I retired around five years ago and decided to get back into ham radio. It is challenging, keeps my mind active and is good social and service related activities.

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

I really like the service aspects. Stormwatch, Nets (repeater and simplex. The MS Walkathon and Bikeathon, the Rice Lake, Osseo Parade, Antique Car Rally, and others. I hope to do the TC Marathon and Beargrease at some point

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

Not electrocuting myself (just kidding) I would say getting my extra and the service events.

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

Get involved in a club and service events. It is the comradery of people that will keep you involved.

Question 5: What is your biggest challenge?

Mine is antennas, I'm on a small lot (better than a condo) and my dipole needs constant attention and my vertical seems to eat counterpoise elements.

Interesting Media and Links

ARRL NEWS

Solar Eclipses: What the Bands Revealed…

What effect does a solar eclipse have on HF propagation? That was the basic question posed by researchers enlisting ham radio operators’ help during three Solar Eclipse QSO Parties in the last 10 years. The results of that research were presented at the 2026 HamSCI Workshop, held earlier this month in Connecticut and hosted by ARRL. Data was collected based on spots on the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), WSPRNet, and PSKReporter during total solar eclipses in 2017 and 2024, as well as an annular (partial) eclipse in 2023. In the 2024 eclipse, there was a drop in the number of contacts on 21 MHz as the eclipse neared totality, while there was an increase in the number of QSOs recorded on 14 MHz. The 30-meter band opened earlier than usual; and 40 meters opened earlier than usual for transatlantic contacts, faded out, and then opened up again. Researcher Kuldeep Pandey of the New Jersey Institute of Technology concluded that effects of the eclipse crossed over with the sunset terminator, accounting for the second opening on 40. Effects on 80 and 160 meters were unclear, as only a few stations were active on those bands during the eclipse. It was also noted that there were differences in results between 2017 and 2024, attributed to different phases of Solar Cycle 25 (2017 was relatively early in the cycle; 2024 was at its peak).

A Unique Learning Experience for Amateur Radio

Many current amateur radio operators were attracted to the hobby by the “aromas” emanating from their Elmer’s ham shack, from the slight smell of dust burning on red-hot final tubes, to the more pleasant smell of a hot soldering iron.

For the past five years, the Andrew Johnson Amateur Radio Club’s Wednesday Nights Technology program, at the Greene County Makerspace in Greeneville, Tennessee, has been helping students explore a unique introduction to amateur radio....with a little solder smoke!

Recently, the students completed a two-month build project for the SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receivers Challenge. It’s one of the many projects made possible by an ARRL grant. The students, some whom are not yet licensed, took on a challenge to individually construct, solder, test, and then troubleshoot their receivers, all the while learning about the basics of a radio receiver and the related test questions associated with gaining an amateur radio license.

ARRL member Steven Bible, N7HPR, has been the lead trainer and wrote the narrative for the project.

“The ARRL grant allowed us to purchase equipment and projects so we could create a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum,” said Bible. “Over the past three years, upwards of two dozen students have participated in the program and 50% have received their amateur licenses.”

Bible added there was often a “WOW” moment when the students realized what they could accomplish on their own time at their own pace.

Using the narrative that Bible wrote, he now wants to expand and begin teaching the trainers how to administer the program to create more opportunities for youngsters and older adults as well. “This spider-like approach will allow for more opportunities to understand the technology.”

Bible also said there are more opportunities at the nearby Walters State Community College and their HAMtastic Radio Technology Camps set for June 2026.

Andrew Johnson Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club. During this ARRL Year of the Club, send us stories and photos about the innovative and creative activities of your radio club. Email news@arrl.org.

Upcoming Contests

• March 27 - 28 -- Sasquatch Stomp (CW)

• March 28 - 29 -- CQ WW WPX Contest SSB (phone)

• March 28 - 29 -- Africa All Mode International DX Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• April 2 - 3 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

• April 4 - 5 -- YBDXPI SSB Contest (phone)

• April 4 - 5 -- EA RTTY Contest (digital)

• April 4 - 5 -- Louisiana QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

• April 4 - 5 -- Mississippi QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

• April 4 - 5 -- SP DX Contest (CW, phone)

Upcoming State, Section, and Division Conventions

• 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, Georgetown, Delaware

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

• May 9 | ARRL Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska

Board Members

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Minneapolis MN 55422
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