MARA's annual picnic will be held at the Lake Lucille Rec Area on the 15th of July at 1000, it will be in Pavilion A. We will be having our usual Barbee, we need a grill and chief cook. We ask folks to bring a side dish, MARA will supply the Dogs, Cow, Buns, Condiments and Water. We will have door prizes. There is a very large field and play ground, good for flying drones if you are interested. There is a great dog park that the dogs will enjoy running and playing. Those that have ordered coffee cups in the past please stop by and pay for them and pick the up. If you are interested in a VE Session, contact Ken/KL2HF, other wise it will be the following Saturday. Bring a chair and if bad weather a picnic cover. We will have picnic tables in the Pavilion.
Author: KL7JFT
2023 Motely Picnic
ALASKA AMATEUR RADIO PICNIC – 2023
Sponsored by The Alaska Motley Group
June 25th to June 28th - Tolsona Wilderness Campground
ALASKA MOTLEY GROUP PICNIC – 2023
Mile173 Glenn Hwy, tolsonacampground.com/ - Phone 822-3900
This will be the 41st annual Motley Group picnic. There are typically 60 to 80 attendees, most of whom are members of the Motley Group, Snipers Net or Alaska-Pacific Emergency Preparedness Net, but all amateur radio operators and their families are welcome to attend.
Fish, hike, chat with other Hams, and participate in as many of the following scheduled activities as you choose.
THURSDAY, 1700 hours - EARLY BIRD GET-TOGETHER - Bring snacks to share and beverage of your choice. Dee Bowns, the Motley Group historian, will provide an opportunity for you to page through photo albums and recall people and events from previous years. Your photos are welcome.
FRIDAY, 1130 hours - LADIES LUNCHEON - Campground pavilion - Potluck.
FRIDAY, 1700 hours - BAKED POTATO BAR & CHINESE AUCTION
The Motley Group will provide potatoes, and participants provide toppings to share.
Topping ideas: butter, sour cream, bacon, chili, cheese, diced veggies (raw or cooked), etc.
Bring food and item(s) for Chinese auction - “gag gifts" always welcome.
SATURDAY, 1100 hours - SNIPERS NET MEETING - Net Control & Sweep Operators.
SATURDAY, 1300 - 1500 hours – AMATEUR RADIO WORKSHOP - An open-forum discussion of antennas and other Ham radio related items. Show & tell one of your radio projects.
SATURDAY, 1300 - 1500 hours – LADIES BOARD GAMES AND CARD GAMES
SATURDAY, 1700 hours - THE MOTLEY PARTY - Potluck dinner, awards presentation, door prize drawings, and outcry auction. For outcry auction bring equipment you would like sold at auction. Motley Group will keep 25% of the sale price, or you can donate the item and the Motley Group will keep 100%. You can specify a reserve price if you choose.
SUNDAY, 0900 hours - FAREWELL BREAKFAST - Pancakes, syrup and butter provided. You are welcome to contribute precooked meat, scrambled eggs, fruit, pastries, etc.
DOOR PRIZES AND AUCTION ITEMS - There will be over 1200 dollars worth of new radio equipment and accessories available as door prizes and auction items.
Camping fee is $35 per night for RV sites, which includes water and electricity. Showers and laundry available in campground. This is a discounted rate for Motley Group picnic attendees.
If you have not reserved a site, do so NOW. "Tell them you are with the Motley Group."
Larry, AL7LW - Manager, Alaska Motley Group
http://www.tolsonacampground.com
ARMED FORCES DAY CROSS/BAND EXERCISE (Completed)
Here is a good chance to work some cross band with the military on the 13th of May
The US Department of Defense (DoD) will host this year's Armed Forces Day (AFD) Crossband Test on May 13, 2023. This annual event is open to all licensed amateur radio operators and will not impact any public or private communications. For more than 50 years, military and amateur stations have taken part in this event.
The AFD Crossband Test is a unique opportunity to test two-way communications between military communicators and radio stations in the Amateur Radio Service (ARS), as authorized in 47 CFR 97.111. These tests provide opportunities and challenges for radio operators to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly controlled exercise scenario.
Military stations will transmit on selected frequencies and will announce the specific ARS frequencies monitored. All of the times are Zulu (Z), and all frequencies are Upper Side Band (USB) unless otherwise noted. The frequencies used for the test will not stray outside the confines of the exercise.
A complete list of frequencies, time periods, QSL cards, and other information can be found at DoD MARS - Armed Forces Day.
AFD is a time of honor. It will be celebrated on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The first AFD was celebrated with parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. Today, many events and activities take place and may include multi-service military displays in areas open to the public, various educational activities that teach children about the armed forces, and large parades with local celebrations.
MARA HamWAN Presentation
OK coming up on Saturday, April 29th at 1800 will be a presentation on HamWAN at WASI Class Room. The club is looking into possibly setting up a network around the valley to start with, to give us an internal internet. This is a modern, multi-megabit, IP-based, digital network for amateur radio use. It can be tied into the regular internet if available but continue to work if it is lost. There are several additional features it could provide to work with outside agencies or activities
Currently Puget Sound has quite a network established. The MARA working group will have equipment on hand and discuss the pros and cons of the system. Contact Chris/KL5BF for any additional info on the presentation.
MARA 2023 HAMFEST
Our date is set for 09 Sept. Setup time is 0900 open from 1000-1600. The location will be the Big Lake Lions Club, at 2942 Lions Cir Big Lake. Tabitha/KL4FZ will complete our door prize request letter to give to the vendors and businesses to request door prizes soon.
We will be inviting the ARRL Northwest Director or Assist. Director, depending on their schedule He will be bringing a lot of new ARRL and Ham radio info with him and wants to get our opinions on various items. Lets hope he can make it. We are currently looking for presentations to put on the schedule. Coordinate with Chris/KL5BF to get on the schedule.
Entry is $5.00 at the gate and 1 door prize tickets, additional door prize tickets will be a $1.00 max of 10, Tables are $10.00 reserve them thru John/KL1XM. The Barbee will be $5.00 ea.
We need volunteers to help on various tasks for the hamfest. Please contact Chris/KL5BF to assist. We will need VEs to conduct testing at 1300, will need folks at the gate and the MARA Country Store, setup and tear down crews. Folks can bring side dishes and deserts if they desire. Please turn door prizes into Prior to the Hamfest to John/KL1XM.
Personal Websites
We now have a page where we will list members personal websites. If you would like to have your page listed send an email to dbush@gci.net and I will add it to the Members Websites page for you.
THINGS TO PONDER
Things to ponder and prepare for emergency situations. Keep your fuel tanks to at least 3/4s of a tank. Have your go boxes, put together and ready to go. Emergency rations, water, medications, warm clothing and things for your pets. If you have a fire place is it working, do you have wood, when was the chimney last cleaned? Do you have an emergency generator with spare fuel? Have spare batteries for flashlights and small items on hand. Have a bag with your radios ready to go. Please give some thought to getting operational on Winlink and both VHF and HF as your license permits. You will want to have spare water filters on hand, also air filters for your vehicles, in case we have volcanic activity. Join our ARES Net on Thursday nights at 2000 on either 147.33 or 147.30. This will allow you to test out your equipment and antennas. We have various themes each week to evaluate your capabilities. HT and Cross banding, Mobile operations, checking radio paths from Red Cross and Salvation Army locations, radio go boxes. Pet emergency plans, backup power. Let’s help each other and be ready for the next possible event. If you need assistance, check out the club web page, were we list our Elmers.
We are starting to get our meeting programs together and ready for this next year. Please send your suggestion for programs or if you have a programs you would like to share, to our VP Craig/KL7H the program coordinator. Our January program will be on upcoming programs.
With the first of the year here our Club Dues are due. Please check with the Treasure John/KL1XM to make sure you are up to date on your contact info. You can get a copy of the club application on the www.kl7jfu.com website and email to him and you also can pay your dues thru the website. You can join ARRL thru the club as well, remember ARRL supports ham radio throughout the US with programs like LOTW, training material, reference books, contesting, building projects, new equipment evaluations, lobbying for frequencies and tower ordinances, equipment insurance and supporting club activities. Please let the treasure know if you have renewed your ARRL dues else ware so we can keep the roster up to date. Thank you for your support.
Folks interested in joining MATSU ARES, contact me at dbush@gci.net. Our ARES website is located at www.kl7jft.org that has all our Emergency Operating Plans, SOP and other useful emergency information and the ARES application. If you have completed any of the ICS courses, 100, 200, 700, 800, and 144 please send me a copy of your certificates. Also if you are interested in the Skywarn program, you can contact me for information and requirements. Anyone interested in joining CERTS and getting training, contact Tabitha/KL4FZ.
This may be interesting you: 14 Essential Knots for Every Survival Situation You May Encounter! This is the link: http://www.survivaldispatch.com/14-essential-survival-knots/ — You never know when you will need to use a rope and if you do need it these knots become mighty important.
We have Emergency Coordinators for various areas around the borough. Feel free to contact them to let them know you are available to assist during emergencies. They can give YOU additional guidance for your area. We due need a replacement for our Palmer EC, please contact Don/KL7JFT
MATSU Borough District Emergency Coordinator Don Bush/KL7JFT
Trapper Creek & Petersville Area Hal Morgan/KL0WX
Caswell Lake, Talkeentna & Willow Mark Allan/KL2EC & Paul Williams KL7ES
Wasilla and Houston Area Ray Hollenbeck/KL1IL
Palmer & Butte Area VACANT
Sutton/Chickaloon Lou Friend/KL4NK
Alaska River Watch and Fire Status
**SKYWARN TEAM ALERT**
Current PIREP Areas of Interest: Link
National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for monitoring ice breakup conditions throughout Alaska to assess flood threats and navigational hazards. Ground observations, aerial reconnaissance, and remote sensing are sources used to assess ice conditions. Although ice jam flooding is most common during the ice breakup season, ice condition reports are welcome during freezeup and mid-winter as well.
We have relied for many years on observations of Alaska village residents describing the river ice condition in front of the village. Supplemental aerial observations from aircraft flying at low to mid-level altitudes have significantly enhanced the information on ice conditions. Since ice conditions can vary significantly along a river and can change rapidly during the breakup process, numerous observations are needed statewide to assess the status of breakup. It must be stressed that we are looking for reliable and objective reports.
The River Watch Program is a voluntary program that is...
- Asking pilots and village residents to provide reports of river ice conditions
- Requesting pilot observations that can be obtained without deviation from the normal route or flight level
- Stressing that river ice observations only be taken when it can be done safely
- Serving the purpose to assist the NWS in providing accurate forecasts, warnings, and navigation information
River and lake ice observations can be provided to the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center (APRFC) via:
- radio from aircraft to AFSS with observations for inclusion in a PIREP
- phone at 1-800-847-1739
- email report and/or photos to nws.ar.aprfc@noaa.gov
Additional information about the program and tools to download are available at the following links:
Program background:
Current River Watch Flood Map
Discussions have begun with the Alaska Weather Forecasting offices. There are some disturbing facts that may affect Alaska severally as breakup begins and spring continues. It is noted the ground is still frozen, the temperatures are rising and now the storms coming in are mainly rain and could become heavy. So as happens every year, the ice breaks up and begins to flow down river, blocking areas and causing flooding. Since the ground is still frozen and snow is melting in the mountains and low lands, there is no place to go except into the rivers, rising the levels.
As I had put out earlier we have been asked to assist the Fairbanks and Anchorage Weather Forecast offices by submitting reports of what we have observed. As hams scattered around Alaska and near a lot of river and streams we would be the first to observe the water rising. So as discussion continue with the various forecasting offices, we need to prepare for 2 things. One lets take notice of the level of the water in are area, either driving around, at home or while flying. First of all be very careful, we don't need to travel a lot yet until we get control of this crazy virus. 2nd, if your area has flooded in the past, its going to flood this year like the worst flood we have had in the past. Get your important items packed in waterproof containers. Some times zip log bags, Tupperware and storage containers can save our pictures, important papers, books and electronics.
I have been putting out info and links as to where you can go to get weather spotter training and begin training for our new ALASKA SKYWARN program we are developing. Harry/AL6F works for the Fairbanks weather office (KL7FWX) and they have a complete ham station, with Winlink established. for emergencies. Harry is heading up our SKYWARN program. Carol and I have taken the weather spotter training several times and just completed it on line again, but if you haven't, go to the links I provided on the MARA ARES website www.kl7jft.org and take the course. There is a great reference book and a small test at the end. That is step one. Next will be the SKYWARN courses that goes further into what it's about.
SKYWARN is very critical in the lower 48 where they have hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding. Well all we have is earthquakes, flooding and snow and wind storms. So with our unique capabilities and scattered like we are we can pass this valuable info onto the weather forecast offices to help them do their job better and could help save your neighbor and friends. Now you may not want to be an official spotter, that's fine, but at least you have a little knowledge that would help you to help us.
To start, safely go to your near river and streams where you've seen flooding in the past and will probably see again and put in a marker, or put a surveying tape on a tree at the edge, something for a starting reference and log in the time and date, location, (lat and long if you have it), and check it about the same time each day. Driving back and forth to the store or work once we get back to it, check it and keep track of what you find. Maybe you have an old broken measure tape fasten it to the marker or tree so you can use binoculars from a safe distance to see how the levels have changed. Is there ice flowing are trees or ice blocking the river or stream. Do we have erosion picking up that may affect a house, neighborhood, or road? It doesn't take you long and it is very important.
Start monitoring the VHF and HF nets and pass info along to the Net Control or get a message to me, Don/KL7JFT or Harry/AL6F. Hear are some links that you can use to find out about flood warnings:
Now to report weather or flooding go to these sites and please email KL7JFT and AL6F or if you have any questions.
Weather, Flooding, and Storm Damage Reporting
***FCC APPLICATION FEE COMES ON LINE 19 APRIL***
FCC $35 Amateur Application Fee Effective Date Announced
UPDATE:
ARRL News | New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply To Amateur Radio License Upgrades
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade an Amateur Radio Licensee’s operator class and changes to club station trustees. The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect on April 19, 2022.
“We are pleased that the FCC will not charge licensees the FCC application fee for license upgrade applications,” said ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. “While applicants for a new license will need to pay the $35 FCC application fee, there will be no FCC charge for future upgrades and administrative updates such as a change of mailing or email address. Most current licensees therefore will not be charged the new FCC application fee until they renew their license or apply for a new vanity call sign.”
ARRL previously reported that the new $35 application fee for Amateur Radio licenses will become effective on April 19, 2022. Further information and instructions about the FCC Application Fee are available from the ARRL VEC.
The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission's authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.
The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. The fee will be per application.
Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, will be exempt from fees.
VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not have to collect the $35 fee at exam sessions. Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new and upgrade applicants will pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE team as usual, and pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system (CORES - Login).
When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate who then will have
10 calendar days from the date of the email to pay. After the fee is paid and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license. The link will be good for 30 days.
Additionally, the FCC stated that applications processed and dismissed will not be entitled to a refund. This includes vanity requests where the applicant does not receive the requested call sign.
Further news and instructions will follow as the FCC releases them.
___________________________________
FCC Instructions (not applicable until fees take effect on April 19):
If paying fees for an application filed via the Universal Licensing System, please use the CORES FRN Registration system (CORES - Login).
FEE SCHEDULE (not applicable until fees take effect on April 19):
INDIVIDUALS
$35 FEE: New, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.
NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, or license cancellation.
AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS
$35 FEE: New, renewal, trustee change, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.
NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, or license cancellatio
DMR Radios
OK what is DMR Radio.
Digital mobile radio (DMR) is a limited open digital mobile radio standard defined in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Standard TS 102 361 parts 1–4[1] and used in commercial products around the world. DMR, along with P25 phase II and NXDN are the main competitor technologies in achieving 6.25 kHz equivalent bandwidth using the proprietary AMBE+2 vocoder. DMR and P25 II both use two-slot TDMA in a 12.5 kHz channel, while NXDN uses discrete 6.25 kHz channels using frequency division and TETRA uses a four-slot TDMA in a 25 kHz channel.
DMR was designed with three tiers. DMR tiers I and II (conventional) were first published in 2005, and DMR III (Trunked version) was published in 2012, with manufacturers producing products within a few years of each publication.
The primary goal of the standard is to specify a digital system with low complexity, low cost and interoperability across brands, so radio communications purchasers are not locked into a proprietary solution. In practice, given the current limited scope of the DMR standard, many vendors have introduced proprietary features that make their product offerings non-interoperable with other brands.
The ham versions of the Anytone, TYT,Retevis, BTECH, Ailunce, Yaesu and Alinco and a few other brands are Tier I and II. And both Analog and Digital. The ALMR radios that the state is using and some municipalities are Tier III.
Some of the radio are Type 90 approved and work for ham also. Prices vary 100-300 dollars. There are some mobile version out there as well that go for 300-600 dollars.
My brand is the Anytone from Bridgecom. This training and support they provide is top notch and no question goes unanswered. They have several videos out on U-Tube and they have training courses at Bridgecom to take you thru the radios, programing and use.
Building your first code plug is a little daunting but their videos and support sites get you thru it, plus you can get with a buddy and share.
We currently have 4 Repeaters operational in Alaska, South Anchorage, Homer, Fairbanks and Wasilla. We organize or various groups of contacts into groups called Talkgroups and have one for Alaska, but there are several that include the lower 48 and the world.
These radios can be used on RF or thru internet/WiFi and cell phone hotspot connections. We are experimenting in the Valley using them simplex and repeater coverage areas to see how they compare to standard Analog simplex and repeaters.
This is just the beginning. Folks who are interested and/or are working this mode, lets put out heads together and see if we can getting going.
Don/KL7JFT