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.

Thank You Antique Car Run Volunteers

Sending a special thank you to all the Antique Car Run volunteers who helped make the event a success.

President's Message

As the Minnesota humidity finally gives way to crisp autumn air across the Twin Cities, our amateur radio calendar shifts into high gear. September is a fantastic time for the Maple Grove Radio Club. Summer vacations and the busiest outdoor public service seasons are winding down, and it is time to pivot back to our regular meetings, active on-the-air projects, and heavy radio operating.

Extra License Preparation Class

Call for Volunteers

Osseo Lions Roar Parade is Saturday September 12th 2026 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. We typically have a float and do all the radio communications. We have a very friendly relationship with the Osseo Lions. They graciously do concessions at Midwinter Madness and this event is our way of saying thank you.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CA9A92EAAFDC43-64269503-osseo

Twin Cities Marathon is Sunday October 3rd 2026. Net Control 1 is from the start of the race to mile marker 19. We will be using UHF repeater and you only need a HT. Please sign up by going to the below link.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CA9A92EAAFDC43-59508420-twin#/

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

American Legion Blood Drive

Club Calendar of Events

Club Member Spotlights

Amateur Radio is wonderful because it has so many facets to participate in. In order to show the varying interests of our club members. I started this interview series. This months interview is: Gordan Hanson NØZRD

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

Like getting into most hobbies I got into Ham radio through many small steps.

• I had an uncle who had been in the hobby since the late 1930's.

• I had a landlord in LaCrosse that had a Collins's setup in the basement and a beam antenna above the building.

• I had a good friend, Rodger NØBRG, that I met through another hobby who was an active ham.

• As a kid I received a set of code oscillators as a Christmas gift and used them to learn code through scouts.

• Add a strong interest in science and technology.

You would think that with that solid foundation the moving actively into the ham radio hobby was a slam dunk but there were some obstacles that we all experience, jobs, family and finances. I moved from public education to the corporate world and found some "me" time. A good deal of that time was in an airplane seat and hotel room and I set a goal to make something of the time. That got me my Tech license. I then relearned code for the 5 wpm test required for a General license I took the code test at "The Big One" hamfest in St Paul and passed with an interesting score. I got seven of the ten fill in the blank questions wrong but had a minute and a half of perfect copy. You needed either a minute of perfect copy or 70% on the fill in the blank questions. The reason I did not do well on the questions was our friend QRM. Just as the exam proctor started the code tape someone outside the testing room rolled a cart full of chairs by on the concrete floor creating a great deal of noise and it was almost impossible the hear the tape. Just like working HF on a stormy night.

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

• As an educator I have always enjoyed sharing the hobby with new folks regardless of age.
• As an operator I have enjoyed some of digital modes: APRS, PSK31, fast scan TV, and packet.

• As a communicator I have enjoyed public service communications with ARES and building interoperability with Public Safety and the MN Emergency Communications Network.

• As a technologist helping to improve products with hardware/software testing and documentation for vendors: Timewave Technology; Ham Radio Deluxe; and Radio City.

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

When Covid-19 hit the streets Benton K0BHJ and I were in the middle of teaching a Tech class and we had to transition to finishing the class on Zoom.

That was a big change but the bigger change was how we were going to do the testing at the end of the class. I started doodling around with creating a test environment based on Acrobat forms technology. I had a prototype working but came across a developing product from the folks behind HAMstudy that showed even better potential than what I was doing. I did the deep dive examination and observed a couple of test sessions. We then got up to speed enough to test the candidates in that first class and that made us the first VE team in Minnesota to do online testing. We were soon in great demand and have since tested about 500 candidates with about eight that were DX testing. Quiz question: which is a longer DX test location - Afghanistan or Okinawa? Turns out they are very close the same but in opposite directions.

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

Get on the air! Buy that cheap $25 Chinese dual-band hand held radio and get on the air now! That may not be the radio of your dreams but it allows you the ability to discover what you really want or need in a radio. Then you can purchase the radio of your dreams. You can then keep the old cheap radio as your tackle box radio or pass it on to a new ham. Don't ask me how many radios I have. The other important thing to do is to get active in a radio club. This is a learn by doing hobby and your new license is only a license to learn!

Question 5: Future plans in Amateur radio?

I have stepped back from some of my leadership roles with events like MS Bike Tours and Beargrease Sled Dog Race to focus on education and prepare the next generation of leadership. It has been a good ride for over thirty years but it is time to let others plan and lead.

Receive-Only Radio - Ray KØRAE

This is the third article in a series on Receive-Only radio. The two previous articles were about AM DXing and how to radio without a radio. This time we will discuss WWV – the Atomic Clock.

Atom Clocks are extremely accurate timekeeping devices and are often owned and maintained by government agencies. The US has two locations that radio broadcast their time: Callsigns WWV & WWVB in Fort Collins, Colorado and WWVH in Hawaii. WWV and WWVH transmit on the following HF frequencies: 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz and sometime 25 MHz. You can listen with most HF ham radios or a good shortwave radio.

Here are some of the things you can listen to:

Time – WWV sends a tone every second – It sounds like thunk, thunk, thunk. Every minute, it verbally announces the UTC time and sends a slightly different tone. If you are ever in a situation where you need fairly precise time, such as with FT8 or WSPR modes, this is a manual way you can set your computer’s clock reasonable accurately. I do this often with POTA activations when there is no Wi-Fi/5G or when other internet type communication isn’t available. You could always use your phone or GPS, but what’s the fun in that?

Announcements- Each hour WWV sends announcements for Space Weather GeoAlerts, GPS satellite health reports, and a couple of other topics.

Propagation - You can get a feel for the current band condition when listening to WWV. The signal might be strong, or fades in and out, or you cannot hear anything at all. WWV broadcasts outside of the ham bands but they are close enough that you can get an idea of which ham bands are open or closed. The frequencies mentioned above fall in between the 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 12m, and 10m ham bands. I find this as a good way of testing different antennas or radios - I switch between them and listen to the differences. I also switch between WWV frequencies when mobile or doing a POTA to ensure I’m working a good propagating band. Also, this is a fun way to listen to the effects that solar flares, auroras, and eclipses have on HF radio.

Tune your radios to the frequencies mentioned above. The best thing about WWV is that it is always broadcasting and it is always on the same set of frequencies. Search the internet if want more info on WWV or its sister stations. It’s interesting to read the details on their antennas and output power. Also, other counties have the own clocks that broadcast on HF radio.

Junkbox Chronicles - Clay

WØLED

Snooping the interwebs (again) I came across this September, 1947 magazine cover. Radio-Craft was an American electronics magazine that was published under various titles from 1929 to 2003. Radio-Craft magazine started in July 1929. The title was changed to Radio-Electronics in October 1948 and again to Electronics Now in July 1992. In January 2000 it was merged with Popular Electronics to become Poptronics.

Note the name in the upper right corner of the magazine cover: Hugo Gernsback. Gernsback, sometimes called ‘The Father of Science Fiction’, was a magazine editor and publisher whose publications included the first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories. Sci-Fi readers will recognize the annual awards for science fiction writing, presented at the World Science Fiction Convention, are named ‘Hugos’ in his honor.

This 1947 magazine cover highlights the electronic egg grader, a post-WWII bit of agricultural automation. (I wonder how successful it proved to be.) There are articles on building a 2-meter transmitter and troubleshooting analog electronics using signal injection.This 1947 magazine cover highlights the electronic egg grader, a post-WWII bit of agricultural automation. (I wonder how successful it proved to be.) There are articles on building a 2-meter transmitter and troubleshooting analog electronics using signal injection.

73 de WØLED Clay 73 de WØLED Clay

Interesting Media and Links

My friend Aaron WØADL was mentioning "thematrons" on our journey towards Hamvention. So the idea was on my radar when I had a Hollow State Designs video recommending to me by the YouTube algorithm shortly after we returned home. I really like Grayson's KJ7UM videos and found this explanation video helpful.

Helge LA6NCA shares with us his homebrew two tube transceiver. This transceiver was designed by himself and fits in an Altoids tin. He shares and explains the schematic after showing a QSO with a friend.

Do you find Smith Charts to be black magic? This video explains the historical context of when and why it was created. The video further explains why it looks the way it does and then how to use it to solve problems, like making a stub match, for maximum power transfer.

Blast From The Past

ARRL News

by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, ARRL Senior Director of Marketing and Innovation

Alabama’s Huntsville Hamfest proudly promotes itself as “The World’s Friendliest Hamfest!” It’s been only a few days since the convention ended, and that sentiment is still resonating among those of us who attended the 2026 ARRL National Convention hosted by the Huntsville Hamfest, August 21 – 23.

ARRL’s National Convention program on Friday drew attendees from 37 states. The day started early with three full-day workshops, each attracting a different slice of the amateur radio community. In Mini Contest University, organized by Tim Duffy, K3LR, and sponsored by DX Engineering, first-time and veteran contesters settled in together to learn, compare notes, and sharpen their skills. In the room next door, the Emergency Communications Academy brought together amateurs who volunteer when their communities need communications support, sharing experiences and practical lessons from the field.

Then there was the Portable Antenna Workshop, where ARRL author “Salty Walt” Hudson, K4OGO, teamed up with Michael Martens, KB9VBR, of YouTube’s KB9VBR Antennas, and ARRL Digital RF Engineer John McAuliffe, W1DRF. It was the kind of session that captures what amateur radio does so well: take a popular activity, put a group of curious people in a room, and start figuring it out together.

And then there was the setting itself.

Huntsville is a natural place for a gathering centered on radio and technology. The connection was especially apparent at dinner Friday evening, when National Convention attendees gathered for a fundraiser at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center to support the ARRL Education and Technology Program. Surrounded by reminders of America’s history of exploration and technological achievement, amateur radio’s role in advancing technology and inspiring young people felt right at home. ARRL Director of Education and Learning Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, delivered an inspiring message, sharing his lifelong journey as a radio amateur while highlighting ARRL’s commitment to developing educators who can ultimately reach thousands of young people. Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, encouraged additional donations, noting that the cost to sponsor and cover all expenses for an educator attending the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology is $4,000.

The evening also included special recognition of the Huntsville Hamfest Association for hosting the National Convention, with ARRL presenting a plaque to Chairman Mark Brown, N4BCD.

That spirit carried onto the hamfest floor.

Crowds flooded in when the doors opened on Saturday morning to the familiar sounds of a major hamfest – conversations, laughter, the occasional “Hey, good to see you!” and plenty of discussion about radios, antennas, operating, technology, and everything in between.

That energy was also evident throughout the sprawling ARRL EXPO. Attendees had the opportunity to talk with ARRL staff and volunteers, ask questions, learn more about programs and services, and put faces to the people behind the organization. For ARRL, being present at major conventions such as Huntsville is an important part of being a member association. We can communicate through QST, the ARRL Letter, email and social media, but there is something different about sitting across the table from a member and having a conversation. That was especially apparent in the area of the EXPO where ARRL Officers spent time meeting with attendees. President Rick Roderick, K5UR; CEO David Minster, NA2AA; First Vice President Kristen McIntyre, K6WX, and Second Vice President Rick Niswander, K7GM, spoke with hundreds of attendees who stopped by to ask questions, share ideas, or simply say hello.

The ARRL Lab tested over 100 handheld radios for spurious emissions during the weekend while also promoting the ARRL Technical Information Service. “The Lab booth had lots of traffic, and as usual, it was super fun,” said Senior Laboratory Engineer Rick Ciervo, W1CIE. “It was great to meet so many members who recognize and appreciate the work ARRL does for amateur radio.”

At Saturday afternoon’s ARRL Membership Forum, Emergency Communications and Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, presented Year of the Club newsletter and website contest awards to representatives of ARRL Affiliated Clubs.

Three days went by quickly. There was plenty to see, learn, buy, discuss, and experience. But what stood out most was the people. If “The World’s Friendliest Hamfest!” sounds like a bold claim, those of us who spent the weekend in Huntsville might suggest that they have a pretty good case.

You can see even more photos from the 2026 ARRL National Convention on Facebook.

Route 66 on the Air

Route 66 has been celebrating its centennial, 1926 – 2026, all year. The 100th anniversary still has events scheduled across the country, and there is time left to join the fun...especially if you’re an amateur radio operator!

Route 66 on the Air 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 to Sunday, September 20 ... a nine-day window for amateur radio operators to participate. Twenty-five special event stations under the 1×1 W6 call sign have been set up for this event.

The goal is to commemorate the history of the “Mother Road” connecting the eastern and western United States. Through stories, songs, and TV shows, the highway came to symbolize the spirit of the freedom of the open road, inspiring many to see America.

Established on November 11, 1926, Route 66 was part of the U.S. highway system and stretched approximately 2,448 miles, from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, passing through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Known as the “Main Street of America” and later dubbed the “Mother Road” by John Steinbeck in his 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath, it became an iconic symbol of American mobility and opportunity.

However, the demise of Route 66 began in the 1950s as the U.S. began building the interstate highway system, and the highway was officially decommissioned in 1986. Today, small portions of the U.S. Highway 66 still exist in towns and rural areas in several states.

Much of the original Highway 66 has been rerouted into a fast-moving interstate, bypassing many of the small towns and interests of this nation. Every year, Route 66 on the Air takes place to remember, celebrate, and share the enthusiasm and memories that Highway 66 represented in its time… and even today.

A map of the original highway shows its route from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois.

To find stations participating in Route 66 on the Air, browse the calendar at www.route66centennial.org. The ARRL Special Events Stations database also includes listings. Search for the keyword "66".

The ARRL EME Contest

Mark your calendars now. This year’s second ARRL EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) Contest weekend is September 5 - 6, 2026, 0000 UTC on Saturday through 2359 UTC Sunday, and encompasses the bands 2.3 GHz and up.

The contest objective is to work as many amateur stations as possible via the EME path on the bands associated with the above weekend dates.

“Our goal is scoring – while grid squares are shown in the contest log upload for every QSO reported,” said ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ.

“What is transmitted over the air to complete the QSO may simply be your 4-digit grid square, OR a report in any mutually understood format if station size or propagation prohibit grid squares from being exchanged (e.g., these typical exchanges have included, T/M/O {weak-signal CW}, RST {CW or voice}, or -R## {digital}). Then, when submitting your log to ARRL, you would enter your 4-digit-grid-square and the 4-digit-grid-square of the station you contacted,” added Jahnke.

Beginning this fall, with all ARRL contests after September VHF, and for the future, all EME contest logs must be uploaded to the dedicated EME Electronic Submission page. For those with electronic spreadsheets or paper logs, a utility for converting log files in non-Cabrillo format to Cabrillo is available at www.b4h.net/cabforms.

Rules for the next two EME weekends, 3 and 4 ... 50 to 1296 MHz, October 31 - November 1, and November 28 - 29, are posted at www.arrl.org/eme-contest.

Upcoming Contests

• September 2 -- UKEICC 80m Contest (phone)
• September 3 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
• September 3 - 4 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
• September 5 - 6 -- ARRL EME Contest (CW, phone, digital)
• September 5 - 6 -- All Asian DX Contest (phone)
• September 5 - 6 -- Russian RTTY WW Contest (digital)
• September 5 -- AGCW Straight Key Party (CW)
• September 5 - 6 -- RSGB SSB Field Day (phone)
• September 5 -- CWOps CW Open (CW)
• September 5 - 6 -- PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80m Sprint (digital)
• September 6 - 7 -- Tennessee QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
• September 7 - 8 -- MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint (CW)
• September 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
• September 10 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)

Upcoming State, Section, and Division Conventions

• August 28 – 30 | Wyoming HamCon, hosting the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Casper, Wyoming

September 4 – 5 | Shelby Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby, North Carolina

September 26 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Minnesota State Convention, Moorhead, Minnesota

October 3 | Third Annual Micro Expo, hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara Section Convention, Camarillo, California

October 3 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Kansas Section Convention, Wichita, Kansas

October 9 – 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Sedalia, Missouri

October 10 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

October 11 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut

October 11 | HamFest, hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

October 16 – 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California

Board Members

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