Mid-State Amateur Radio Club

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2010-04-29T04:03:00.001-04:00

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2010-04-29T03:15:00.002-04:00

NOTICE

Google has decided to migrate it's blogging software away from FTP. So, updates to this main page will be sparse for a little while. But don't worry! The rest of the site will be updated regularly, as it always has.

I'm in the planning stages for migrating the midstatehams.org website to a new Content Management System (CMS). I'm hoping we can keep the same look and feel, and bring new features to the site. But to do that, we need to plan out the migration, which will take some time. During this planning period, I'd like to hear from YOU. What are your suggestions for the website? What would you like to see? What ideas have you been kicking around? Email me!

This main page has been a great vehicle to allow EVERYONE interested to shape the website, and my intention is that this will NOT change. The main page will ALWAYS be a collaborative effort. As we look toward our 27th year, let's get our plan together on how our group will represent itself to the world at large. Officers, members, and interested parties, I'm awaiting your suggestions.

2010-04-17T16:02:00.003-04:00

MARC FIELD DAY SITE SELECTED

FD 2010, scheduled for June 26 & 27 will be held in the pole barn at the home of Steve Brown-N9LC. Steve and Steve Carmean-K9DY checked out the facilities which boasts room for radios, antennas and camping.
The FD site is located on Muxferry Road at CR 350 south.

-photo w8ish

2010-03-21T09:53:00.004-04:00

SUPER BOWL, SUPER PRESENTATION

Coordinating all the radio frequencies used at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Super Bowl is no easy task. Members of the Lucas Oil Stadium NFL Game Day Coordinating group showed pictures and diagrams of their behind the scenes insight to managing this enormous task during each Colts home game. Roger Bishop-KB9MEH and Al Grossinklaus-WD8BUG gave MARC members an inside look at the radios behind the game. Bishop worked Super Bowl 44 in Miami last month.

2010-02-20T17:56:00.002-05:00

8-YEAR OLD PASSES TECH TEST

Eight year old Nicholas Walter from Columbus, IN passed his Tech test during the February 20th VE session in Franklin. He is the second youngest candidate to ever test at the Franklin site. VE Examiner Jack- W8ISH was assigned to read the questions to the young up and coming Amateur Radio Operator.
.

photo by K9DY

2010-02-06T08:25:00.002-05:00

WISH-TV's RANDY OLLIS
TALKS TORNADOES

Join us Saturday February 20th at the MARC meeting as Randy lays out the history and forecast of severe weather in Johnson County. Meeting starts at 8AM in the Johnson County Emergency Operations Center.

2010-01-22T16:38:00.002-05:00

READY RADIO ROOM

Johnson County RACES members called the January state RACES test a success. Dave-KB9LOT, Brenda-KC9EBL and Bob-N9SIU used all the new radio equipment to contact State RACES net operators. They operated on VHF, UHF and HF during the half hour test. Johnson County responded successfully on all the major modes.

photo K9DY

2009-11-27T16:30:00.004-05:00

WEEKLY CODE COURSE STARTS DECEMBER 6, 2009

Join us every Sunday evening at 6:30 PM for our Introduction to Code net. Brian Murrey-KB9BVN will host this learning
session each week starting one half hour before the regular MARC Sunday Night Net.
(no code experience necessary)

-photo w8ish

2009-11-01T03:25:00.003-05:00

BLOCK PARTY!

A hearty crew of MARC hams spent Halloween morning lifting heavy concrete blocks and three antenna base mounts up on the roof of the Johnson County Law Enforcement Building. All this for one 80 meter dipole antenna that stretches across the entire roof top. Thanks to everyone who helped in this Block Party.

2009-10-21T18:28:00.003-04:00

From Club Secretary Bob Jones KC9NJM

The FCC released a bulletin yesterday on Amateur Service Communications during disaster drills and the requirement for hams to request advanced permission to participate, if it involves a place where they have a pecuniary interest.

Since there has been a lot of discussion of late regarding this issue, the relevent documentation has been posted.

Amateur%20Service%20Communications%20During%20Government%20Disaster%20Drills.pdf

2009-10-18T16:58:00.001-04:00

2009-09-01T04:51:00.003-04:00

KB9HSE/SK

When they call them "the greatest generation", they probably had JR in mind. He had done it all, from service two of our nation's armed forces (US Army, then the fledgling US Air Force) to raising a family, to inspiring generations of hams, JR wore many hats. A powerful force in the club, he fought the tough fight, serving three times as president, and over a decade as county RACES coordinator. Although those that fought against him found an insurmountable foe, those of us lucky enough to work with him found a friend, mentor, and leader.

JR always had a kind word to say about the club, amateur radio, and life in general. His stories painted a picture of a life shaped by both war and peacetime service, and his sense of humor was contagious. I used to enjoy our little chats at his breakfast nook, over biscuits and gravy, as he told stories of life during the great depression, his young adulthood (including his stint in ROTC that would begin a lifetime of service to his country) and stories of his ham radio experiences on three continents.

Others remember JR as the founder (and leader) of the "DJ Group", which found a niche in the airwaves "near" the 11 meter band. Although I wasn't around then, his stories (and those of others) tell the tale of an extended radio family, complete with support network and a very popular net, with recipes perhaps better read than cooked (unless you like possum)....

What I remember most is JR's never-ending patience with newcomers to the hobby. After my failed attempt to make a shortwave antenna, he called me to his home one day and presented me with one he built himself. And when my little 10 meter radio shack transceiver broke, JR presented me with a 757 multiband radio, which to this day is the cornerstone to my shack.

When JR passed away, he may have left this world, but he left quite a bit of himself here. Along with some impossibly big shoes to fill.

We'll miss you, my friend!!!

2009-08-20T14:52:00.002-04:00

SOFTWARE DESIGNED RADIOS
THE FUTURE OF AMATEUR RADIO ?

Hank Wolfla-K9LZJ explained the origin of Software Designed Radios and where the technology is going during the MARC August 2009 meeting.
-w8ish

2009-08-02T18:48:00.003-04:00

EOC ANTENNAS REACH NEW LEVELS

Upgrading the EOC Amateur Radio antennas reached for the sky. Three new antennas purchased through a FEMA grant were mounted on the short tower behind the Johnson County jail August 1, 2009. The duel band antenna takes top spot at 120-feet. The 220 Mhz antenna is just below at 100-feet while the 2-meter antenna replaces a club antenna at 70-feet.

2009-06-14T18:02:00.002-04:00

MARC HAMS DEMO HAM RADIO
DURING TOWNSHIP STRAWBERRY FEST

2009-05-10T06:37:00.002-04:00

THANKS FOR ALL THE CONTACTS ON W9M SPECIAL EVENT STATION

photos Jack W8ISH

2009-04-30T16:56:00.002-04:00

HAM SWAT TEAM TAKES ON EAST SIDE COPS

(Swift Working Amateur Testers) from four counties held a special test session for Indianapolis Metro Police Officers April 23rd. Over sixty officers signed up to test for their Tech License. 21-showed up. Sixty percent passed.

-photos Jack W8ISH

2009-03-23T17:37:00.002-04:00

SPOTTERS ACTIVATED

Over 80 people attended the March 16th Skywarn Class to learn more about severe storm structure. Reporting hail one inch or larger is the new criteria being issued by the National Weather Service. Meteorologist In Charge of the Indianapolis office is Dan McCarthy-KC9ODV. McCarthy brought the message home to Johnson County during the two hour class for Amateur Radio Operators, boy scouts and emergency responders.

photo w8ish

2009-02-22T10:49:00.002-05:00

MARC CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
WITH BREAKFAST FOR OLD TIMERS AND NEW HAMS

Over 50 current and former members of the Mid-State ARC gathered for a special breakfast celebration in Franklin. Proclamations from Johnson County commissioners and the Governor's office set the tone for the historic occasion.

photos by Neil Cooper KC9ODU

2009-02-10T13:58:00.002-05:00

SPRING TECH CLASS CANCELED

Due to poor advance registrations the MARC early spring Tech Class has been canceled. Interested parties may contact Linda KC9GCH for future class dates. Her contact number is 887-2558.

Club instructors are gearing now up for a General License Class. Call Linda if interested.

2008-09-28T10:19:00.003-04:00

What a great night for a High School Invitational Band Contest. Lots of music, free parking and fall temps.

Our thanks to all those club members who helped with parking and traffic direction. Bob-N9SIU coordinated the volunteers.

Everyone wore "Communications" safety vests and used safety flashlites to direct hundreds of parents, buses and semi's attending the day long event. Pictured are Bob-WB9AYB resetting his HT for simplex operation. Bob-KC9NJM and Myron-KC9ODW glowed in the back parking field. (top) Dave-KB9LOT and Bob-N9SIU kept the band semi's rolling.
photos Jack w8ish

2008-09-21T06:40:00.002-04:00

Large turnout for Sept 20th club picnic

2008-09-21T05:37:00.002-04:00

Club members worked the "Anthill station" during the IRC Hilltop contest. Indiana as well as east coast and European stations were contacted during the 4-hour event.

photos by Jack W8ISH

2008-08-31T08:49:00.004-04:00

CLUB BUILDS ANTHILL FOR CONTEST

Steve Carmean K9DY is looking for help as MARC members compete in the annual Indianapolis Radio Club Hilltop contest September 20th. The contest runs from 8AM-12PM and covers most vhf/uhf and HF frequencies. Our Ant Hill is the club's picnic site located at the Union Christian Church at 1267 East County Road 300 South, southwest of Franklin.

Directions: County Road 300 South can be reached by taking US 31 to Nineveh Road in Franklin, and taking Nineveh Road to 300 South. The church can also be reached by taking State Road 135 south to 300 South, and turning Left. For our friends down south, you can reach County Road 300 South by taking Nineveh Road north from State Road 252. The church is on the south side of road. Talk in on 146.835 repeater. Call Steve @ 889-1977 if you can participate.

Art work by Steve Carmean k9dy

2008-08-20T13:58:00.003-04:00

NEW TECH CLASS GETS HAM CALLS

Congratulations to our nine class members and recent graduates on their newly issued Amateur Radio Call signs. Neil Cooper- KC9ODU,Myron Coy- KC9ODW, Mike Jarvis -KC9ODQ, Daniel McCarthy -KC9ODV, Jeremy Neely- KC9ODT, John Stockwell- KC9ODP, James Yeater- KC9ODS, Brad Teter- KC9ODXand Fritz Moser- KC9ODR. Those passing their test the following Saturday are Jamie Richardson KC9OFA, C.D. London KC9OFB and Matt Rhinehart KC9OFC.

Pictured are four of the seven MARC Instructors (L to R) Jack W8ISH, Bob N9SIU, Linda KC9CGH and Steve K9DY.