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 December 2022
One of Amateur Radio’s mottos is “When all else fails, ham radio works!” It is still the most important function of ham radio. But these days, that is becoming increasingly unlikely, with cell phone systems and public safety radio being increasingly hardened against disaster. That is a good thing overall, but it doesn’t give us much chance to practice and make the connections that are so important when we are needed. Even when communications are working, disaster response organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, need trained volunteers that can observe, communicate, and document the situation. In a way, a new motto for ham radio could be “Field observers who bring radios.” Planned events are another way to keep our skills sharp. The next big one is the Beargrease Sled Dog race in the arrowhead at the end of January. If you’d like to help, contact Gordy Hanson and he’ll find a job for you.

Early planning for Midwinter Madness has started! Be sure you have the morning of March 18th blocked out on your calendar. This is our biggest fundraiser, so we expect everybody to pitch in for setup the day before, staffing on the day, and cleanup afterwards.

Our building committee has met twice to discuss possible shacks at the Chester Bird Post. It looks like they’ve already come up with several feasible options. Once we have a rough plan and an idea of how much it might cost, we can start exploring grant opportunities. If you’d like to participate in this planning, contact Jerry Dorf.

73
Benton Jackson, K0BHJ

• December 9 - 10 | Tampa Bay Hamfest, hosting the ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City, Florida

• January 7 | Ham Radio University, hosting the ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Convention, an Online Event

• January 20 - 21 | Southwest Florida Regional Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers, Florida

• January 27 - 28 | Capital City Hamfest 2023, hosting the ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi

• January 28 | Winterfest, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Collinsville, Illinois

• February 10 - 12 | Orlando HamCation, hosting the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, Florida

• February 25 | HAM-CON, hosting the ARRL Vermont State Convention, Colchester, Vermont

Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database to find events in your area.

[From the ARRL Letter: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2022-12-01]

On December 1, 2022, YOTA begins a month-long, special event to celebrate young amateur radio operators -- YOTA Month 2022. YOTA is Youth or Youngsters on the Air. Amateur radio operators aged 25 and younger will be on all bands using all modes throughout the month to make contacts around the world. In 2021, YOTA participants worldwide made 119,516 contacts, surpassing their goal of 100,000 contacts.

In the United States, the call signs for the event will be K8Y, K8O, K8T, and K8A. Argentina will be active as LR1YOTA, Canada as VC3YOTA and VB7YOTA, El Salvador as YS1YOTA, and Honduras as HQ2YOTA. Amateur radio operators are encouraged to listen for and contact these stations, as well as all call signs ending in the letters "YOTA" across the globe.

In addition to the month-long celebration, on December 30 from 1200 to 2359 UTC, round three of the YOTA Contest will be active.

Various YOTA activities and events are organized throughout the world. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Youth in Amateur Radio web page includes additional information and links at https://www.iaru.org/on-the-air/youth-in-amateur-radio.

[From the ARRL Letter: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2022-12-01]

MGRC Weekly Practice Net: 


Our weekly Net is on Wednesdays at 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 are always looking for new operators to act as net control; we will help train you if you need it. This is a great way to get  experience as a net control operator. If you would like to try your hand as net control operator, email president@k0ltc.org

Maple Grove Radio Club returns to in person meetings!

MGRC has In-Person meetings the first Tuesday each month.

THIS MONTH:Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, will give a talk on Top Secret Techniques to WAS & DXCC via Zoom.

The meeting starts at 1900 hrs (7:00pm CDT)  at the Chester Bird American Legion Post 523 located at 200 Lilac Drive N Golden Valley, MN 55422.  Here is a link for directions.  

You can also attend by zoom if you are unable to meet in person:
https://zoom.us/j/94804290777?pwd=aVJ2ckljUFJ6VE1jaVlPOE0rME45dz09

Meeting ID: 948 0429 0777
Password: 674964
Phone: 1-312-626-6799

One tap mobile: +13126266799,,94804290777#,,1#,674964#

TALARC
The American Legion Amateur Radio Club

TALARC has approved MGRC members in good standing to be honorary TALARC members. If you are interested contact Stephen Cullen, KF0AED at kf0ade9@gmail.com. Please include your Name, Callsign, Email, and when you joined MGRC, if known.

Please send us news, or suggestions for newsletter
content, by the 15th of the month!

Board Members:
• President: Benton Jackson – K0BHJ (2018)
• Vice President: Zack Whitney – K0ZTW (2021)
• Secretary: William Oliver – KF0ADU (2023)
• Treasurer: Clay Bartholow – W0LED (2021)
• Trustee K0LTC: Jerry Dorf – N0FWG
• Board Member: Pat Gearty – W0YES (2017)
• Board Member: Kelly Murphy – KB0LTY (2019)
• Board Member: Tim Georgi – KD0SFH (2018)
• Board Member: David Englund – K0NOC (2022)
• Board Member: Hal Gallus – KD0LJZ (2022)
• Board Member Elect: Gordon Patenaude, WA0WSR (2023)
• Board Member Elect: Stephen Cullen, KF0AED (2023)
• Board Member Elect: Paul Odens, K0AID (2023)