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.

Sorry from Chris AE0IM

Call for Volunteers

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:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CA9A92EAAFDC43-64269490-antique

Osseo Lions Roar Parade is 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

Northstar Radio Conference Last Call For Speakers

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 Spotlights

Ham radio allows us to have a wide range of varying interests. Since many people haven't been getting the newsletter I wanted to include all the past interviews. Because they are all unique and personal. Shows we can have a wide variety of interests.

June: Trygve Svard KDØPNQ

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

May: Norm Eid WBØLRJ

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

I have always been interested in the whys and how’s of radio communications. I enjoyed cw quite a bit, as well as, rag chewing. I did some serious contesting in high school and actually placed second in a national competition. I was not even close to the winner’s totals. It was fun, but it really was not for me. My favorite aspects are low power communications, “hot” radio receivers, and various antenna schemes. I built both an Elecraft K2 and a QRP Labs QMX+ radios over the years; both the builds were fun and educational.

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

I began my interest in amateur radio during scouting days. There was a radio merit badge that I completed and subsequently tested for my novice license. That was in 1973 and I received my first call sign WNØLRJ. My dad also tested and received his novice license, WNØLRK. From there we both tested for the conditional license and were rebranded WBØLRJ and WBØLRK. When I began my studies at the University of Minnesota, I trekked to the FCC’s testing site at St. Paul’s federal building and sat for both the general and advanced licensees. I passed both and remained an advanced class until 2024 when I tested and passed my extra class license. I had a few periods of inactivity during my Navy active duty days and again in 2004 when I was recalled to active duty. I was a Navy Captain and the recall reignited my interests in amateur radio.

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

Before the advent of cellular communication and when it was easy to run up long distance telephone bills, I used my HeathKit HW-101 to chat with my parents on a weekly basis when I was a student at the U of M. That was fun. We also use to run phone patches between personnel stationed at various south pole stations and there homes in the U.S.

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

I would recommend that one be flexible. Life does get in the way of things, even for extended periods of time. Try different modes of communication and do not be afraid of trying something new and failing. That is how we all grow. Make do with what you got. Even a poor receiver/transmitter/antenna is better than none at all.

Question 5: Any final thoughts?

Join a club and get involved. Everyone brings something to the table.

April: 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.

March: 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!

February: Barb Hanson KDØHUV

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

Years ago, my husband, Gordy Hanson, N0ZRD, was part of a group that set up an amateur radio support team for the MS events. I started attending these events. My volunteer position was to answer the phone for rider support. This was 24/7 phone support for the entire event, so I took this phone to bed with me!

I met many wonderful individuals including Robbinsdale club members. Pam Hammock invited me many times to join the Robbinsdale Club. They met on Wednesday nights, which did not work for my schedule. I ended up starting to go to Hamvention in Ohio with the Hammock’s, Gordy and others from the Twin Cities and really enjoyed being with the folks from around the country and the world.

In May, 2009, I tested at Hamvention and received my Technician license. The Robbinsdale Club became the Maple Grove Radio Club. Their meetings moved to another evening so I was able to participate in meetings and events. Over the years I have participated in many events and enjoyed being part of safety and welfare for participants in the events.

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

Safety and support for events has been my favorite part of amateur radio. I enjoy operating net control. I equally enjoy being out at events, i.e. road crossings, rest stops, sag communicator, etc.

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

This is a tough question. I’m very proud to have tested out and been awarded my general and extra license. I took classes through the Maple Grove Radio club. Tim Arimond, Gordy Hanson, Jim Hammock and Roy Wood taught the classes.

We had a core group of women, by then, so we were able to look “glazed over” as our wonderful instructors taught us. We bonded over study group sessions and still remain connected today.

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

Become involved in events and use your radio. As with anything, “practice makes perfect”. I am still practicing and really enjoy doing so.

Question 5: What has been a highlight of working with amateur radio?

Many radio operators in the outlying parts of the event have some training in wilderness survival and can recognize hypothermia with the mushers. We have had mushers hospitalized due to this, so it is a very real occurrence. To me, this is truly what amateur radio support is about.

January: Stephen Cullen KFØAED "Always Eating Donuts"

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

I got started with amateur radio mainly for storm spotting. But as we all know, once you get your license, the floodgates open up to a world of possibilities with amateur radio.

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

First, I would say doing Nets for events (Metro Skywarn, Twin Cities Marathon, Osseo Lion's Parade, and so much more). Second, I would have to say I enjoy contesting on HF, getting all types of awards from QRZ & POTA

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

For me, it's a personal accomplishment to have my callsign with the recognition to reflect my character within the amateur radio community

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

Join a local club to get insights and find an Elmer. I would first suggest you go headfirst into the topic in amateur radio that brought you into amateur radio so you don't feel overwhelmed by all the different areas of amateur.

UNSEEN SIGNALS EXHIBIT

The life and contributions of radio pioneer Edward Armstrong

• The Regenerative Circuit (1912)
• The Superheterodyne Receiver (1918)
• Superregenerative Circuit (1920)
• Frequency Modulation or FM Radio (1933)

Dayton Hamvention Field Report

Receive Only Radio by Ray KØRAE

This article introduces a series on Receive-Only radio. Not everyone can transmit or wants to transmit. You maybe new to the Ham Radio with little to no gear or you are uncomfortable talking. The focus here will not be limited to Ham Radio as there are lots of fun things to listen to outside of the hobby.

Here are several suggestion that don't require a radio, just a computing device with internet access and a browser. All of this is free and you don't have to have an Amateur Radio License.

• Amateur Radio Newsline has what could be considered a weekly Podcast. They do transmit this over the radio but if you go to this URL, you will find an audio button to listen to it using your computer, phone, tablet, etc. https://www.arnewsline.org

• The University of Twente in The Netherlands has a WebSDR (SDR = Software Defined Radio). From this site you tune the radio, change HF bands, and select modes. http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901

• Beyond ham radio, you can listen to air traffic over the internet: https://www.liveatc.net . You can hear airport Tower, Ground, and Approach radio traffic. Enter the desired Airport/ARTCC Code, such as MSP, and then select one of the many channels to listen to. When used in conjunction with FlightTrader24, https://www.flightradar24.com, you can watch the air traffic that you are listening to.

• Hoseline allows you listen to DMR (Digital Moble Radio): https://hose.brandmeister.network From the Show section in the top left hand corner >> Pull Down Arrow on the right >> Select United States of America >> Click one of the Tiles (called Talk-Groups) and then listen. Or In the top right corner >> click on PLAYER >> click on the People icon and type 3127 >> select one of the Minnesota Talk-Groups to listen to. 31272 seems to be a favorite. You can add multiple Talk-Groups and listen to them simultaneously.

If you know of other interesting radio-listening websites, send an email to K0RAE@mail.com. Send any comments, suggestions, or concerns to the same email address.

International Aspirations by Jeff KFØRMY

Several Pota activators talk a lot about DX – wanting to make that international QSO. I wondered if I could be that sought after contact? Sensing there would be a lot of activity on Saturday during the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial I asked Aaron -WØADL to join me on a multi park rove. We made it to the border and operated in Canada. It didn’t take very long to get our quota and then some. We were official international activators! We were careful to observe the needed requirement to modify our callsigns showing the province we were in with each transmission. Making sure we were doing it right on our first call was none other than one of my YouTube heroes, Stuart – VE9CF. I didn’t think my modest Pota setup would go that far.

Recently my wife and I traveled to Kenya on a church mission trip to help in a school. I wanted to bring my radio and I was worried about having the right size battery for such a trip. Several knowledgeable hams gave me sage advice. Topic 1 -was to get the right license. Canada was very easy to operate in because of a long standing treaty dating to 1952. By contrast, Kenya and other neighboring countries on the African continent present paperwork requirements dating back to their colonial rule. You need to provide proof of American FCC license as well as your travel documents and of course certain fees. It turns out that having the right sized amp/hour battery on the plane was the least of my problems. Topic 2 – getting thru customs is a challenge because your bags and possessions are thoroughly examined. If something looks out of place, it is usually confiscated or you’re asked to pay a duty. This was another reason for having proof of the local license in hand. Topic 3 came from a very seasoned Pota activator and he said, ”Be aware of who you are representing.” Was I a proper amateur radio representative? Because I couldn’t get the travel visa to time properly with the Kenyan license I left my radio at home. Maybe another time.

I had forgotten about Echolink on my phone. I was 8500 miles from home but getting a local wifi signal let me make a contact with the NØBVE repeater 145.450 to hear some familiar voices. A few of them were stunned to hear me part way around the world basking in warm sunshine while they were looking at snow. Amateur radio is wonderful!

Jeffrey Thimell – KFØRMY - 73

Interesting Media and Links

Do you have a Technicians License and want to get into packet radio? Watch this playlist to get the scoop of how to connect your computer and your radio to APRS. Have digital fun with very low cost equipment!

I've heard that the ISS is the loudest bird in orbit but this video was both shocking and humorous all at the same time. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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.

I've been trying to learn more about fixing old radios. I just happened to find this great channel called Radio Hound Tube Radio Restorations. His filming is pretty raw and rough but I really find the content useful.

Tony, KC6QHP has been playing on the microwave ham bands for over 30 years. He shares his experience, various equipment options, and how to be successful. Come learn how to operate this interesting band. I found this PDF of a Simple and Cheap Transverted for 10GHZ. If you are handy with a soldering iron could be a great way to get started.

I must admit I am a bit infatuated with two bands synchronized interleaved QSO's. The world premiere contesters use it break world records. This presentation explains the mechanics of the process. Come learn from the inventor Jose Nunes, CT1BOH.

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