August 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

Well it’s hard to believe but August is here. We have had a busy summer and we’re still not done yet! The presentation this month is on Fox Hunts by Matt Kaskavitch.

Just 4 days after our meeting we have the Antique Car Run on August 10th. We are always in need of volunteers to follow the cars along. If you have a mobile radio you can participate. We also have two net control stations so if that is of interest to you please reach out and we can pair you up!

On a cooler note. The shack has air conditioning! Big thanks to Aaron Lewis for getting the air conditioning installed in the shack. There are some operating procedures on the white board in there. Make sure to follow them and shut the unit down when not in the shack.

I would also like to take the time to thanks Chris Silva and Dave Englund for all their hard work on the newsletters Both of you have done an outstanding job and the transition has been extremely smooth. As always get your articles in by emailing newsletter@k0ltc.org. If you can send them by the 15th of the month it would be greatly appreciated.

Now is the time to start thinking about if you want to help with training for the Extra class in the fall. If so, let me know at the next meeting or following weeks. The lessons will be starting end of September to early August.

73

Zach Whitney

K0ZTW

North Star Radio Convention

Minnesota's North Star Radio ARRL Convention, happening October 5th in Brooklyn Park, is recruiting presenters on all things amateur radio for this year's event. They are on the lookout for speakers on a diverse range of topics. Whether you have knowledge to share on antenna design, DXing, emergency communications, or any other aspect of amateur radio, they want to hear from you! They welcome hams of all levels of experience--everyone has something potentially valuable to share! To apply to speak, visit https://northstarradio.org/speaker-registration/. There also is an opportunity to help by volunteering you can apply at https://northstarradio.org/volunteer-registration/

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!

A Taste Of A Lab Class

Lab classes delve deep into the Science and Art of Amateur Radio. The subject matter can go as deep as you would like. This video below explains how a 555 timer IC works. Which was a subject of a previous lab class.

The 555 timer is quite possibly the most produced integrated circuit ever. The above video will give you a taste of a lab class. Unfortunately Lab classes have been postponed but I would highly recommend going when they are offered.

Public Service Events

We will be participating in the Antique Car Run August 10, 2024. The participants drive old cars produced before 1912. This is a fun event and there are several opportunities to participate. It is an all day event, but it is split into two legs, a west end starting in New London and going to the net control site in Buffalo MN. The east end starts in Buffalo and ends at Long Lake in New Brighton, MN. If you are an interested you may sign up here.

The Osseo Lions Parade is on Saturday September 7th. In addition to providing communication support to the parade, we will be directing parade participants to their assigned starting location, monitoring parade progress from fixed locations and bicycles, running our own float in the parade, and helping with cleanup after the parade. With all of the tasks that we will have (including staffing our own float) I am hoping to get at least 18 people to work this event. Please contact Jim Claseman
KD0RHF

Club Calendar of Events

Interesting Media

Antennas are still black magic to me. Luckily I found this video series by the self proclaimed antenna whisper Rudi K7RAW. The playlist has video presentations and then is followed with a Q & A session. I'm still working my way through the series but I've found it very interesting and informative.

I really like Micheal KB9VBR videos in general. This videos shows how using elevated radials can one up a magic carpet. A magic carpet is using a simple window screen as a ground radial.

I was introduced to this podcast by Dave K0DJD. This podcast focuses on the making/tinkering/DIY/electronics aspect of the ham radio hobby and service. I really enjoy it and hope you will too.

ARRL NEWS

ARRL Board Completes 2024 Second Meeting, Approves Report to Advance a 3-Year Strategy

Here are highlights of some of the actions taken at the meeting:

Strategy

The Board unanimously accepted a report establishing a 3-year strategy for ARRL, and recognized the efforts of the Strategy Working Group. They authorized CEO David A. Minster, NA2AA, to proceed with further planning.

The report included a revised mission statement: ARRL’s mission is to promote and protect the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of radio amateurs.

The strategy articulates continued commitment and enhancements to our existing advocates:

Promoting Amateur Radio
Protecting Amateur Radio

A new advocacy is being created, committing ARRL to develop the next generation of radio amateurs through the expansion of existing programs and the creation of curriculum-based initiatives targeted at middle and high school STEM education programs:

Inspiring and Educating Youth

The strategy calls for investments in Information Technology to continue along the path of ARRL’s Digital Transformation. This will include evaluating membership models, content delivery methods, and next generation software products along with the infrastructure improvements required to support them:

Serving Members and Driving Growth Through Technology

In committing to dramatically expanding our capabilities and activities in the STEM education space and investing in upgrades and additions to our Information Technology platform, we recognize that revenue from membership dues is insufficient to fund these initiatives. In fact, dues contribute less than half the revenue required to operate ARRL. Efforts are required to develop new sources of revenue and seek support from donors and grants from both public and private organizations:

Expanding Our Means and Financial Capability

John Litz, NZ6Q, accepted an appointment to the ARRL Board as Vice Director of the Pacific Division in April.

The Board requested the President establish the ARRL Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC), acknowledging the importance of providing information technology-based services to ARRL members, and to improve and protect ARRL systems. The ITAC will engage experts in the field of IT to help oversee the development, operations, and evolution of the ARRL IT system infrastructure and applications.

The Board reassigned the Logbook of The World® (LoTW®) Maintenance Committee to the newly established Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC). ITAC will support the Maintenance Committee’s responsibilities with LoTW® development, including technical changes and future upgrades to the system.

During the meeting, Roanoke Division Vice Director Bill Morine, N2COP (left), was recognized by President Rick Roderick, K5UR, for his generous lifetime giving to ARRL, making him a new member of the ARRL Maxim Society.

Advocacy

The Board recommended and authorized the creation of additional publications, including books and online resources, and products, such as antenna kits, to help expand ARRL's commitment to help hams who are faced with limits on station building capabilities due to space limitations and/or limited resources.

Governance

The Board requested that the President appoint a study group to review the current structure of ARRL governance and the Field Organization and suggest changes that would improve the organization and better support the membership.

The Board requested that the President establish an ad hoc committee to review the ARRL Director’s Workbook and establish an annual review process to keep the document up to date with Board practice and procedure.

The Board approved expanding the policy for recording roll call votes to being required for any pending motions pertaining to ARRL governance documents.

Trademarks

Following recent review of ARRL’s trademarks and the completion of related registrations and trademark renewals, the Board requested the CEO to provide a report at its next meeting consisting of efforts and actions taken during 2024 to identify, remedy, and protect the use of its trademarks by other parties.

The complete minutes of the 2024 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors will be available soon on the ARRL website.

The next meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors will be January 17 - 18, 2025.

Upcoming State, Section, and Division Conventions

• August 3 | Kootenai Amateur Radio Society, sponsoring the ARRL Idaho State Convention, Post Falls, Idaho

• August 3 | Elkhart East Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Central Division Convention, Elkhart, Indiana

• August 4 | SVARC Berryville Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Virginia State Convention, Berryville, Virginia

• August 17 - 18 | Huntsville Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Huntsville, Alabama

• August 22 - 25 | Northeast HamXposition, sponsoring the ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts

• August 30 - September 1 | Shelby Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby, North Carolina

• August 31 | Summer Symposium, sponsoring the ARRL Santa Barbara Section Convention, Camarillo, California

• September 8 | ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

• September 21 - 22 | Midwest Superfest, sponsoring the ARRL Illinois Section Convention, Chillicothe, Illinois

• September 28 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, sponsoring the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota

Board Members