MARA Annual & Election Meeting (CHANGE)
MARA will conduct their Annual Meeting and Elections on October 30th at 1900. Due to the large increase of COVID-19 Cases in the valley we will not be having an in person meeting. The meeting invite will be sent out Wed, to include a ballot. If you would like to pay your dues, you can do that on the club website under Donation. We have our slate of officers completed for the new year. Please contact Pam/KL3PAM at pam.whitehead@gmail.com to submit any additional nominations or self-nominations. Please have them emailed to Pam by Wed 28 Oct. We also have sent out ballots for MARA Ham of the Year Award and Elmer Certificates for the members to fill out and send into Pam/KL3PAM at pam.whitehead@gmail.com . There will be door prizes and briefing on possible upcoming programs. Below is the current ballot. Please be advised to be on the board, hold a position or vote you must be a paid up member.
VE Testing Schedule for September thru December
We normally have VE testing at the Wasilla Red Cross off of WestPoint Dr. We do have some YouTube Videos that follow the Gordon West Text if you would like to study ahead. Refer to the below locations and time for the summer schedule. Contact Don/KL7JFT if you would like the link for the YouTube Videos..
Due to summer activity, and Covid-19 the regular testing location has changed. For the August thru December testing sessions, it will be held at a new location. AmVet Post 9 off the Wasilla-Fishhook Rd, 1591 N Creste Fonis St. Contact Ken/KL2HF if you would like to test.
Mat Valley Statistics
Total Cases 1277
Palmer 367
Wasilla 810
Knik-Fairview 1
Willow 30
Houston 17
Meadow Lks 3
Big Lake 27
Talkeetna 15
Sutton-Alpine 7
Hospital Cases 27
Recovered 551
Active Cases 724
Deaths 2
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary July 31
Latest SEOC COVID-19 Briefing & DHSS Press Release
DHSS_PressRelease_DPH-WCFH-FamilySurvey_20200427 ***UPDATED***
DHSS_PressRelease_Fisheries_20200512
As Alaska reopensDHSS_PressRelease_SocialBubble_20200515
U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI partner with AARP to protect Alaskans from COVID-19 fraud
DHSS_PressRelease_Travel_20200612
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DHSS_PressRelease_COVID-Conscious_20200625
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Families can make playground visits safer during the pandemic
Alaska Pioneer Homes resume limited family visitation
DHSS_PressRelease_PSPFatality_20200715
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DHSS_PressRelease_COVID_20200726
Community Message Blood Bank of Alaska needs plasma donations from recovered COVID-19 patients
COVID-19 Alaska Weekly Case Update July 26 - Aug. 1
DHSS_PressRelease_Travel_20200806
DHSS_PressRelease_ANCPioneerHome_20200806
200811_HA2030_Public_Comment_Period_Press_Release_FINAL
DHSS_PressRelease_ANCPioneerHome_20200812
DHSS_PressRelease_Testing_20200818
Community Message COVID-19 Pandemic- EBT for children
now available Text PEBT to 907-891-8913 to check eligibility
COVID-19 Alaska Weekly Case Update Sept. 6 -12
COVID-19 Alaska Weekly Case Update Sept. 13 -19
COVID-19 Alaska Weekly Case Update Sept 20-26
COVID-19 Alaska Weekly Case Update Oct. 4-10
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 18
DHSS_PressRelease_EvergreenReport_20201019
Evergreen-Economics-Preliminary-COVID-Forecast-FY21
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 19
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 20
DHSS_PressRelease_DPH_VaccinationPlan_20201020
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 21
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 22
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 23
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Weekly Case Analysis
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 24
DHSS_PressRelease_API-Cases_20201023
DHSS_PressRelease_HighCases_20201024
DHSS_PressRelease_AKCOVIDNewCases_20201025
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 25
Alaska COVID-19 Case Count Summary Oct. 26
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Weekly Case Analysis October 18-24
Alert Public Health Advisory High Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in Anchorage
COVID-19 HEALTH MANDATES
Health Mandates 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 011, 012, 013, 016 have expired, been superseded, or rescinded and are no longer valid
Updated Procedures for Coronavirus Disease 2019 COVID-19 Testing in Alaska
MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE EMERGENCY HUNKER DOWN ORDER FAQ
Health Alert 010 – Recommendations Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings
SOA April 13 COVID-19 Health Mandate 014 Non-Congregate Sheltering Order
SOA April 15 COVID-19 Health Mandate 015 Services by Health Care Providers
MATSU BOROUGH COVID-19 INFORMATION
Why is Ham Radio Still Important? (Updated)
In an age where communication is often taken for granted, it’s easy to overlook the importance of Ham Radio. In during our present situation it may become more important than folks realize. Across the nation, lines of communications are becoming stretched. Hams around the the world are training, testing, practicing various types and modes of ham radio, to be ready.
I often receive questions like: “Why do I need Ham Radio when I have a cell phone?” or “Didn’t the internet kill Ham Radio?” While these modern forms of communication may have shifted the attention away from Ham Radio, by no means did it make it unnecessary. In fact, during a disaster, it’s very likely that these modern forms of communication will be the first ones to fail.
The number one reason for preparedness minded people to consider Ham Radio is its reliability during times of crisis. Since the early 1900s, this form of communication has reliably made it through every major crisis, disaster, and emergency situation with flying colors. When all other forms of communication fail, Hams are often the ones who are called upon to help communicate in and out of the disaster zone.
When the grid goes down, the Ham Bands will still be alive and very active.
NOTICE:
To all Alaska Hams with a call sign License Plate
The State DMV is sending out yellow cards to those people needing to re-register their plates. The card indicates you can register online. However, for those that have ham radio plates you can't do it online. It has to be done at a DMV office. I have included below what one administer sent me.
I would advise that those re-registering their plates to take what Karina Garces-Pellon sent to me so if there are any questions, you have some backup. She is from the Anchorage DMV
I’ve included our Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812) for the renewal, you will need to
- State on form 812 that you’re requesting Amateur Radio Exemption by checking the box “Other” and writing in the Amateur Radio (AR)
- Make the following statement in the Affidavit section on the application “This vehicle meets the requirements outlined in AS 28.10.421 (d) (8) (A) & (B) and I qualify for free registration under this statute.”
- Copy of current FCC License
- Folks need to understand they need a 5 Band HF radio installed in the vehicle with Antenna and power connection.
Click here for the Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812)
For older vehicles, Claude N7FXX reports, since it’s an older vehicle he bypassed the “free” renewal and changed categories to “old” and “vanity” so now I’m permanent, no renewal. Cost me a little up front but now all seven of my legacy vehicles are “P” designated.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE
MARA members, if you know of a member who needs cheering up because they have lost a loved one, or are laid up with illness or injury, or if someone is in the hospital, please let one of us know. We would love to send a ray of sunshine in their direction.
Help us spread the cheer. Donations are always appreciated and can be made at the general meeting or directly to Tabitha or Pam.
Contact Tabitha at tabithainak@gmail.com (best way), or text or phone 907-414-2281.
Pam at pam.whitehead@gmail.com, or 907-376-9281.