Author: KL7JFT

FREE ON-LINE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATING CLASS

KL7JFT

A free, weekly, 3-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class on Zoom will begin on Thursday April 3 and run through June 19 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. The presenters will be various experienced folks in the various subjects.

A detailed syllabus will be published before the classes begin. Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes. To receive registration information, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@comcast.net.

Subjects will include:
All About Operating--A general Introduction
Amateur Radio Organizations—Local to International
Ham Radio Awards
DXing-History and Tips from the Experts
QSLing-How to get that needed card for DXCC or WAS
VHF/UHF Weak Signal Work and “Roving”
Image Operating—Slow Scan and Fast Scan TV
Remote Station control over internet
Learning CW in the no-code era
Digital Modes—From RTTY to FT8 and beyond
Contesting—How to get started, tips for the beginner and intermediated contester
Logging Software—What’s available, how to use
Propagation—A general intro to HF Propagation
Amateur Satellites—How to get started
Portable (backpacking) operation—Tips from an expert
Setting Up a Modern (or not so modern) HF Station
Lightning Protection and Grounding
Traffic Handling
Public Service, Emergency Communications

Thanks,
Rol, K3RA

Winter Field Day 2024 Completed

KL7JFT

2024 Winter Field Day

As we have all read on other posts, Brandon has done a wonderful job in the past getting this event off and running..

This year we are going to be assisting the Palmer Jr. Middle School (PJMS) get their club and station off the ground and open up ham radio to a whole new bunch of youngster.  So how better to accomplish this but to have a great ham get together to show them how much fun this will be for them.

The equipment has been selected and funding as been provided by a school grant.  MARA will be the Elmer to help them get their licenses build their station and train them in the use of ham radio.

So to demonstrate one aspect and introduce them to a new hobby, we will be conducting Winter Field Day on Jan 27th at 1000 in their building and parking lot.  Their counsellor will be William Crumb, KL5LD.  A new technician and and their math and science teacher.   So let Ken/KL2HF know if you like to participate in the operation.  You don't have to have any equipment.  This  is a great opportunity for the new hams to a basic setup and equipment they may be interested in.

We've provided a link to the Winter Field Day site so folks can see what the whole system is like to conduct one..

Winter Field Day

2024 BOY SCOUT JOTA OPERATIONS (COMPLETED)

KL7JFT

We have been asked to support the Boy Scout’s JOTA at the Scout Camp Gorsuch at Mirror Lake 22700 Camp Gorsuch Rd, Chugiak. It will be Oct 19th ,   We’ll set up go kits and portable ops and operate Saturday and tear down Saturday evening around 1600.  We need about a dozen folks or more to support this, excellent training opportunity.  We will operate DMR and HF, 2 meter and Valley Packet Bring your equipment, coordinate with Scott/KL7SLM & Don/KL7JFT, setup and teardown crews, coordinate with TJ/KL3IT folks to interface and training folks We'll testing prior to the operation and assist the Cubs operate. Make sure the kids log books get signed and attendance list get completed.  Possibly coordinate with Kathy/KL7KO to run packet, if it will work from the site. We are registered with the BSA and have the use of their call sign  K2BSA/KL7.  Suggested HF freqs are on their website. Please contact Don/KL7JFT so we can make sure we have enough folks on hand.  Need to be operational by 1000.

MAP

MARA 2024 Field Day & Annual Picnic (COMPLETED)

KL7JFT

Field-Day-Rules

Ham Radio Field Day Saturday June 22ed 

Ok MARA Field Day in going on this year.    https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator .  We are looking for a MARA Ham to volunteer to coordinate it and plan the operation.  Contact Ken/KL2HF or Shelia/KL3SRO This is great time practice portable setup and have fun contacting folks around world and lower 48.  We will be having the MARA Annual Picnic during field day.  Everyone is encouraged to bring their go kits to practice with, checking hookups, power connections and antennas.  We will be having our annual Barbeque, so please bring a side dish and a picnic tarp if we have bad weather.   Setup will start at 0900.  Check over the field day rules and turn in copies of your log book after the exercise to Don/KL7JFT.  Check the KL7JFT web site for, SOPs, and portable setup procedures.

Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and running through 2059 UTC Sunday.

Check Field Day (arrl.org)  for all the rules.

Four Field Day Generators - YouTube

ARRL Field Day Safety - Ham Radio Q&A - YouTube

The location I will be at the Menard Center Pavillon at the SW corner of their main parking lot.

 

Everyone please take care and have fun.

 

Don/KL7JFT

MATSU DEC

MARA Producing Training Videos

KL7JFT

Ken/KL2HF would like to see the club get together and produce some instructional videos. If anyone has a subject that they think they would like to present or participate in, I would like to know about it and we can see if we can  plan and arrange for a video recording on the subject.

We have two pan, scan, zoom video conference cameras, and there are some web cameras that can be used.

Not everybody can be in the same place at the same time so it would be nice to have some videos that Ham operators could go to for demonstrations and learning, plus it would make our club look really good.

The video with George Strother soldering coax cable is an example of what we might be able to do.

Looking for feedback.  Contact Ken KL2HF

2025 Motely Picnic

KL7JFT

ANNUAL MOTLEY PICNIC / WEEKEND CAMPOUT

JULY 31 - AUGUST 3, 2025

It will be held at the TOLSONA WILDERNESS CAMPGROUND. They are
located at Mile 173 Glenn Highway. Their information website is https://

tolsonacampground.com. There is a campground map tab on their web-
site to determine location numbers. Campground Reservations will be

available after March 1, 2025. Their booking website is found at https://
www.campspot.com/book/tolsona-campground. If you have any questions or need help, they can be
reached by email at Camp@tolsonacampground.com or text at 866-739-5628. Let them know you are part of

the Motley Group to get a discounted rate, if you can camp with us. RESERVATIONS MADE AT THE CONCLU-
SION OF LAST YEAR’S PICNIC ARE VALID. THERE ARE 20 SPOTS STILL HELD IN RESERVE FOR OUR GROUP AT

THIS TIME.
You can bring an RV, pickup and camper, tent, or rent a yurt or cabin. The campground has different themes
each weekend and according the website schedule, the theme during our weekend will be pirates/mermaids
so stay alert. Tubing on the river/creek will be available. Generators and ATVs are strictly prohibited to keep
down the noise and dust. Quiet hours are from 10pm to 7am. The campground provides electric and water
hookups at each camping spot.
All Amateur Radio operators / families are welcome to attend and join in the fun. There will be souvenirs,
door prizes, raffles, swap and shop, a mini craft fair, and group meals to name a few. License testing will be
available, if there is interest. There will be two low-power FM Broadcast stations with campground coverage.
Be sure to bring your handy-talkie and listen on 146.520 for announcements or possible changes in program.

WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER. The planning committee is working on the dai-
ly schedule with various activities and locations. Accurate daily schedules will be provided once completed.

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

 

MARA 2024 HAMFEST (COMPLETED)

KL7JFT

Our date is set for 7 Sept. Setup time is 0900 open from 1000-1600. The location will be the Big Lake Lions Club, at 2942 Lions Cir, Big Lake. Scott/KL7SLM is working on our door prize request letter to give to the vendors and businesses to request door prizes and will have it out soon. Remember they are tax free.  Check with the Treasurer for Tax Receipts to give to the vendors.

(click on map)

We invited the ARRL Northwest Director who has accepted. Mark/KB7HDX gave us assistance getting the Hamfest Registered.  ARRL still have some IT problems. He will be bringing a lot of new ARRL and Ham radio info with him and wants to get our opinions on various items. We are currently looking for presentations to put on the schedule. Coordinate with Ken/KL2HF 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 Shelia/KL3SOR.  We will need VEs to conduct testing at 1300-1400, will need folks at the gate, and the MARA Country Store, setup and tear down crews.  Please turn door prizes into prior to the Hamfest and any programs you would like to put on during the the Hamfest to Ken/KL7HF.

MARA is providing the main barbeque, if you could bring a side dishes it would be appreciated.