Category: Exercise

Upcoming exercises or reports

ARMED FORCES DAY CROSS/BAND EXERCISE (Completed)

KL7JFT

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.

Winter Field Day (Completed)

KL7JFT

Results of Winter Field Day

As we have all read on other posts, Brandon has done a wonderful job reporting on the event.  It was a great turnout for it.  As he mentioned we had probably about 10 people onsite at our peak, there was possibly even more I think.  Over the course of the day, I think we had between 25 and 50 people there.  Ham's of all levels were there and even non-ham's.  MARA members and nonmembers alike.

Of the stations on the air, Bridgit was onsite running and powering her full digital rig from her Prius using a dipole at the parking lot, Brandon was actually in a tent on the lake with his rig operating full digital as well, and I wound up in the SE corner of the lot with my heated tent and running strictly voice and the primary location of all training going on for hams.

As the stations shutdown and dispersed, I wound up staying a little while longer and trying to make contacts, playing the bands but eventually decided at 1630L to shutdown and go warm up at home.

WE really appreciate ALL that participated in both setup: Kevin Early (WL7BZ), I believe Rob one of our newly minted hams from the last test session, and forgive me I do not remember who all was there.  Last but not least, for George showing up and helping me to finish up the teardown.  Setup and teardown is the hardest part, but assistance with that was GREATLY appreciated!  My thank you to all that I have mentioned and those who were there that I did not mention - I apologize to those whom I may have omitted.

I explained to my wife (non-ham... yet!) about the satellite ham work and that really caught her interest, so she returned with me back to the site and watched and learned as did my neighbor Kevin Early about how to do AMSAT work during the first pass from 2012L to 2027L and we made enough contacts to cover both Bridgit and I operating as a team as well as for Brandon operating independently, so we got our extra 1500 points for each team for the satellite work.

After Craig had left around 2030L after the first pass, and we decided to not attempt any of the other passes at Finger Lake.  The remaining three of us left the site shortly after.  I was on my way home when another non-ham call at 2040L wondering where we were.  I had to explain that satellite contacts are only 15 minute windows.  Apparently a few others were onsite expecting to observe our operation.  We apologize to anyone who was expecting to see the satellite contacts, but based on report from Craig, we had more contacts during the first pass than he achieved at his home during the second pass.  I also apologize for not being there running the MARA equipment after dark, but temperatures we dropping and I really did not feel up to being out onsite as the temps were projected to be nearly -9F that night.

All photos are posted on the MARA Club Facebook page.

Winter Field Day MARA Slide Presentation

MARA 2020 Field Day (COMPLETED)

KL7JFT

Now that MARA Field Day is over, as previously mentioned, it was an individual or family Field Day event.  Folks operated from their home or portable stations, with or without emergency power.  The rules were modified a bit so that class 1D can contact other class 1D station as well as any other station as before..  If you participated in Field Day please include your association with MARA/KL7JFU in your tally sheet to show the club's aggregate score.  Also please send KL7JFT a copy of your sheet.

2020 Field Day Packet(1)

Field Day is Over Now What?

ALASKA 60 METER FREQ TEST ON 5167.5 KHZ

KL7JFT

WL7PM/Dean will be net control. The  5167.5 60 meter frequency is an Alaska only frequency that can be used within 50 nautical miles of the Alaska Coast and anywhere in Alaska.  150 watts is the maximum power allowed. A dipole can be constructed out of wire at 82.5 FEET total. it can be fed with ladder wire or coax, depending on what your tuner will handle.  The Net will start at 1000-1100 on the last Saturday of every month.  Report any results if you make contact or not, so we can determine the usefulness of the frequency, to Dean.