Posts of News

Summer Zoom Club Meeting August 10 at 7PM

2021-08-06T20:40:00.127Z

From AE7QD president@mbarc.org (contact if you need the Zoom link):

We have the usual reports. But, they should be short. Summer time off.

   I think our main topic will be training and testing. I think Mike McMullen K7MHM is getting close to getting things organized.

   We have a new Equipment Manager. Some repeater work that's been done, and some repeater work to do.

   We are still looking for a wild and over the top idea for a Mt. Constitution repeater controller.

   Field Day - I believe there was some equipment maintenance to do.

   And we may have some new web site stuff to show.

   Then maybe we can answer some questions about classes, testing, and radio operation. I hope to try to answer more help questions from new hams, and anyone else.

   We will up-date you on other ACS groups in the county also.

   The usual "For Sale" virtual table. Get anything you have, ready to show. I usually start this early in the meeting so there's time to think.

   Again, I think most of the meeting will be a chance to see everybody again.

   Here is the invitation to the meeting, I hope to see you there. It will be recorded, and I'll send a link for downloading it later.

   You will be on mute when you first join the meeting. In the bottom left corner of the Zoom window is the on/off buttons for the microphone and video. Click the video on, and the mic. when you are ready to say something.

Zoom MBARC Meeting Tuesday June 8th 7PM

2021-06-07T17:37:09.035Z

Hi all,

It's the second week of the month. This is inviting you to the MBARC June Zoom meeting. We'll have a general meeting for MBARC this Tuesday evening over Zoom. (see below) We hope to make this another good general get together type of meeting.

Elections - This month we elect club officers. Please consider joining or running for a position. We will need a new Equipment Manager for sure.

Jim Thurston XQ3PC, our regular Ferndale member from Santiago Chile will give us presentation on fox hunting. He has experience with American and European versions of how to do it. And how it can be done by the entire family, radio license or not.

We have the usual reports. Then we can update you on our repeater sites. And say goodby to the existing repeater group.

Field Day - Continue organizing. We have a flier/poster with all the information and links so far for Field Day at this site; https://wecg.org/downloads/FieldDayWhatcom2021.pdf - And here is a link to the three (3) section, on-line sign up sheet; https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Cc32t-PAqJgIDym0yucsE_feUqUrdw0rHHDszXb9oBk/edit?usp=sharing - With a plan to have the radio operator sign up, live at the site also, on a white board.

If you need the Zoom meeting link, please send a request to president@mbarc.org

MBARC Zoom Meeting Tuesday April 13 at 7pm

2021-04-12T17:42:39.381Z

Hi all, It's the second week of the month. This is inviting you to the MBARC April Zoom meeting. We'll have a general meeting for MBARC this Tuesday evening over Zoom. (see below) We hope to make this another good general get together type of meeting. Hopefully, I won't have any problems with my CenturyLink internet service.

We have a guest speaker Mr. Craig Lamparter, KM6LYW, with a presentation about some Pi projects. It should interest the group here and the digital group. (I like him already. He lives in a Linux world.)

We have the usual reports. Then, we have some serious business concerning changes to the repeater group, which may need some more voting on. For a final end. Then we can update you on our King Mt. repeater site.

Field Day - We can start organizing.

Then maybe we can answer some questions about classes, testing, and radio operation.

We will up-date you on other ACS groups in the county also.

The usual "For Sale" virtual table. Get anything you have ready to show.

Again, I think most of the meeting will be a chance to see everybody again.

If you have not received a Zoom invite for the meeting, please request one from president@mbarc.org Visitors are welcome!

MArch 9 2021 Zoom Meeting

2021-03-08T19:48:44.931Z

Hi all, It's the second week of the month. This is inviting you to the MBARC March Zoom meeting. We'll have a general meeting for MBARC this Tuesday evening over Zoom. Send an email to president@mbarc.org if you need a Zoom invite. Visitors are welcome. We hope to make this another good general get together type of meeting.

We have a guest speaker Mr. Orv Beach, W6BI, with a presentation about AREDN. (Installed at our King Mt. site.)

We have some serious business concerning changes to the repeater group, which will need some voting on.

Then maybe we can answer some questions about classes, testing, and radio operation.

We will up-date you on other ACS groups in the county also.

Some, may have stuff for sale, for the usual "For Sale" virtual table. Get anything you have ready to show.

Again, I think most of the meeting will be a chance to see everybody again.

Here is the invitation to the meeting, I hope to see you there. It will be recorded, and I'll send a link for downloading it later.

AE7QD

February 9 Meeting

2021-02-08T19:39:54.098Z

Hi all,

Super Bowl Sunday. Done.

This is inviting you to the MBARC February Zoom meeting. We are going to have a general meeting for MBARC this Tuesday evening over Zoom. (see below) We hope to make this another good general get together type of meeting.

We have a guest speaker Mr. John Van Dalen, N7AME, from Snohomish County Hams Club with a demonstration and discussion of getting familiar with WSJT weak-signal. And maybe some updates of what's happening down south.

We also have some serious business concerning changes to the repeater group.

Then maybe we can answer some questions about classes, testing, and radio operation.

We will up-date you on other ACS groups in the county also.

Some, may have stuff for sale, for the usual "For Sale" virtual table. But, this time we are also going to have a list of stuff that needs to be adopted.

Again, I think most of the meeting will be a chance to see everybody again.

Here is the invitation to the meeting, I hope to see you there. It will be recorded, and I'll send a link for downloading it later.

Zoom Meeting Jan 12 2021

2021-01-11T16:15:32.477Z

Hi all,

Happy new year.

This is inviting you to the MBARC January Zoom meeting. We are going to have a general meeting for MBARC this Tuesday evening over Zoom. (see below) We hope to make this another good general get together type of meeting.

The main subject for this meeting will be about using IRLP, which is part of the project that we started for the King Mt. repeater site. We'll have a demonstration with Chris KC9AD in Arizona over the King Mt. repeater while on Zoom at the meeting. We plan to have several IRLP nodes connected and show off how IRLP can be used to make very long distance contacts on VHF.

This should help people get comfortable using it. And show proper etiquette for using it, along with how easy it is.

Then maybe we can answer some questions about classes, testing, and radio operation. And some, may have stuff for sale.

We will up-date you on other ACS groups in the county also.

Still looking for a logo selection for the club. Those that have a logo to show off and want to enter to get selected, should send it to a Drop Box location I have set up. https://www.dropbox.com/request/FcWd4xfnLfDCbHAMz4cU .

Again, I think most of the meeting will be a chance to see everybody again.

Contact President@mbarc.org for a Zoom invite.

King IRLP Node is UP AND RUNNING

2020-12-16T04:23:22.695Z

The King Mountain VHF IRLP node has been resurrected. The link below will show the IRLP status page.

http://status.irlp.net/index.php?PSTART=11&nodeid=3276

MBARC Special Christmas Zoom Meeting December 8 2020

2020-12-06T19:52:05.179Z

Hi all,

I'm back from my hunting trip.

This is inviting you to the MBARC December Christmas Zoom meeting. We are going to have a general meeting for MBARC this Tuesday evening over Zoom. (see below) We hope to make this a general get together type of meeting, like the usual Christmas dinner. But, without the dinner.

PLEASE! take pictures of your ham shack/room before Tuesday, and we'll have a show and tell. You could also turn your Zoom meeting camera around during the meeting.

Maybe we can answer some questions about classes, testing, and radio operation. And some, may have stuff for sale.

We will up-date you on the project that we started for the King Mt. repeater site. And other ACS groups in the county.

Still looking for a logo selection for the club. Those that have a logo to show off and want to enter to get selected, should send it to a Drop Box location I have set up. Contact President@mbarc.org for dropbox link.

Again, I think most of the meeting will be a chance to see everybody again. There are a couple of prizes that will be given out, as per the usual Christmas get together.

Here is the invitation to the meeting, I hope to see you there. It will be recorded, and I'll send a link for downloading it later.

You will be on mute when you first join the meeting. In the bottom left corner of the Zoom window is the on/off buttons for the microphone and video. Click the video on, and the mic. when you are ready to say something. The Zoom link was sent to members on our mailing list. If you would like a ZOOM invite but have not received it, please send a request to President@mbarc.org

-Ed AE7QD MBARC President

MBARC GENERAL MEETING 7 PM Tuesday NOV 10, 2020

2020-11-10T00:03:21.942Z

MBARC GENERAL MEETING 7 PM Tuesday NOV 10, 2020

We will do our usual Zoom meeting, See the "invite" below. The meeting starts at 1900 hours, but some folks like to start gathering around 1830.

After the usual reports we will hear an update on local Amateur Radio License Exams. Then we will wind things up with a brief presentation on SOTA: Summits on the Air.

October 13 2020 Zoom Meeting

2020-10-13T17:38:26.848Z

MBARC October 2020 MEETING on Tuesday at 7 PM

We'll have a bit of a continuation of the Pico Balloons, which are small balloons that have transmitters flying with the jet stream. Trevor Macduff should have an excellent presentation.

We have pending questions about classes, testing, and radio operation. And some, have stuff for sale.

We will up-date you on the project that we started for the King Mt. repeater site. And try to up-date you on other ACS groups in the county. With their projects.

If you did not receive the Zoom meeting invitation email, request a copy from Secretary@mbarc.org

Come join us Tuesday, September 8, 2020 7:00pm via Zoom.

2020-09-04T03:17:30.552Z

Come join us Tuesday, September 8, 2020
7:00pm via Zoom.

We hope you will mark your calendar for our meeting next Tuesday on Zoom. We will be sending you the Zoom invite closer to the date so you won't have to dig deep through days of emails looking for it when it's time to join.

We are looking forward to hearing from Steve Potter, K7HAK, and Trevor Macduff who will be telling us about Pico Balloons.

These party balloons carry tiny solar powered Ham Radio Transmitters that can be tracked with APRS and/or WSPR.

Some of them stay aloft for 14 days or more and can travel around the world.

We know you are going to enjoy this one!

Local exams are back!

2020-08-18T17:45:18.852Z

PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Details at the EXAMS link.

Ferndale Estate Sale August 1 2020

2020-07-20T19:57:09.606Z

Greetings MBARC,

I'm helping a widow in Ferndale liquidate her husband's large collection of electronic test equipment - over a hundred items, stuff that most hams would love to have. It’s all going to be sold in a massive garage / estate sale in Ferndale on August 1. To get the word spread, I’d greatly appreciate any help the club can offer in letting your members know via newsletter, website, net session, etc.

Here's the announcement:

ELECTRONIC TEST EQUIPMENT ESTATE SALE - personal and business collection of N7OFT (SK). Large inventory of voltmeters, signal generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and much more, from manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard, Tektronix, Heath, General Radio, etc. All items reasonably priced, cash only please.

When: Saturday, August 1 – gates open 9:00 AM sharp, close at 5:00 PM

Where: 6229 Aldrich Rd., Ferndale WA (4 miles east of I-5 exit 262)

Photos and details: https://tinyurl.com/N7OFT-SALE

Best 73,

Ken, K0KV

Meeting on Z O O M

2020-05-11T02:16:36.721Z

Beginning Tuesday May 12, on-line meetings will be held on ZOOM. MBARC members will be sent access instructions by email. PLEASE MUTE YOUR MICROPHONES. Non-members may request an invitation by contacting president@mbarc.org

Learn about the meeting application at https://www.zoom.us/

Meetings Suspended

2020-03-11T23:09:24.274Z

The Ferndale Library has suspended meetings of 10 or more attendees as of March 11, 2020. This impacts both MBARC and the MBARC Digital Group meetings.

Come join us on Tuesday night, February 11th, 2020 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

2020-02-10T20:49:47.720Z

This month we will hear a presentation from Jim Blatner, KC7JB. Jim will be talking to us about Software Defined Radios.

As always, we will also have cookies and coffee and time to talk with others about Ham Radio. Bring a Friend! And of course, we will wind up the meeting with a drawing for a nice door prize. We hope to see you there.

Also note that a memorial for Silent Key: Andy Backus, WA2TND, will be held next Saturday, February 15, at 2 pm at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.

Come join us on Tuesday night, November 12th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

2019-11-11T22:51:02.386Z

Come join us on Tuesday night, November 12th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

This month we will hear a presentation from Corky Searls, AF4PM. Corky lives nearby on Lopez Island but comes from the other side of the country where he was active in Amateur Radio and participated several times with the Hams who provide communications for the famous Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. Corky will tell us how over 120 Hams come together each year to handle both voice and digital data communications to serve this monumental event. They set up radio stations throughout the course and even install portable repeaters to cover the area.

Hosted in the nation's capital with the start and finish in Arlington, VA, the Marine Corps Marathon offers an unparalleled journey through the most recognizable landmarks in our country. The MCM is said to be the largest marathon in the world.

We will also have our usual reports, coffee and cookies, and time to chat. There will be a table where you can bring in one or two Ham Radio items that you would like to sell. The meeting is at 7. If you are bringing in equipment, the doors open at 6:30.

Come join us on Tuesday night, October 8th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

2019-10-08T00:39:01.669Z

Come join us on Tuesday night, October 8th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

This month we will hear a presentation from Andy Sayler, KF7VOL, who been working hard on a country wide digital communications project. Andy and his team have been setting up remotely accessible stations capable of providing RMS Gateways that can be easily switched to other digital modes and purposes whenever the need arises.

September Meeting - Go Kits

2019-08-30T12:30:18.379Z

The Summer hiatus is ending with a return to monthly MBARC meetings at the Ferndale Library (7 PM). The topic for the September 10th meeting will be amateur radio "go kits". If you would like to display and describe your "radio station in a box", the meeting room will be open at 6:30 PM for set-up.

Meeting Tuesday June 11 2019

2019-06-10T23:15:13.324Z

This will be the last meeting before the two month Summer break. Officer elections for the next year and Field Day are on the agenda. Don't miss it!

Come join us on Tuesday night, May 14th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

2019-05-13T21:04:15.335Z

This month Bryan Hoyer, K7UDR, returns to share with us what happened when San Juan County lost their underwater cable connection to the mainland. They had no 911 and severely limited Telephone and Internet. This is the very type of event Island Hams train for twice each month. They tell us that when Cascadia rises, we will all be living islands. Most of us will be able to drive no further than the nearest bridge in any direction as the expectation is that they and most of the overpasses will come down. We will find out how our Amateur Radio neighbors in San Juan County practice and prepare to meet the needs of people who live on islands.

Bryan is also the creator of the popular DRAWS digital controller board. He will tells us what is happening with Northwest Digital Radio and what exciting things are coming from them as well.

We will have our "For Sale" tables set up if you want to bring in one or two items. And of course, we will have a door prize. As always, we will also have cookies and coffee and time to talk with others about Ham Radio. Bring a Friend! We hope to see you there.

Free Tech Class

2019-04-22T17:31:09.360Z

Sudden Valley May 29-June 15

FLYER

Come join us on Tuesday night, April 9th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

2019-04-08T13:57:20.320Z

Come join us on Tuesday night, April 9th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

Many of you know Jim Turri, W7NSI, a long time member of MBARC and a very regular participant in the local morning net. Jim will be our presenter at this Tuesday's meeting. He will tell us about his experiences as a blind amateur radio operator. Join us to find out what brought Jim and his wife, Holly, N7GDB, to ham radio. What are the hurdles that they overcome to be able to enjoy this hobby we all share.

We will also hear about plans for this year's Field Day. We will find out about The Mount Baker Ultra Marathon that's looking for help from local hams. And as always we will have cookies, coffee and a door prize to make your evening enjoyable.

We hope to see you there at 7 pm in the Ferndale Library.

Come join us on Tuesday night, March 12th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

2019-03-10T04:38:24.799Z

Come join us on Tuesday night, March 12th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

This month we will hear a presentation from our own Keith Williamson, KF7DRV, who will talk about:

WILDERNETS

Imagine setting up wireless telephone networks in third world villages where there is no infrastructure. That's what a company called Village Telco has done using their own wireless routers and Keith's help with the firmware. Now Keith has extended that firmware to provide a canopy of communication services for EmComm response teams and other organizations in areas where there is no Internet access. This is Wildernets.

The Wildernets mesh network can now be deployed by EmComm response teams whereever disasters call us.

Keith will tell us all about it and give a live demonstration of what Wildernets provides.

Have you got some interesting QSL cards that you have collected over time? Please bring them along to share. And what about your microphones. We are looking for vintage microphones and the stories that go along with them. Show us your mics and share with us some of the great DX they have brought you.

We will also have a table set up if you have one or two pieces of radio gear that you want to sell.

Door Prizes? Yes we have door prizes. Everyone is welcome.

As always, we will also have cookies and coffee and time to talk with others about Ham Radio. Bring a Friend! We hope to see you there.

Volunteer at the Spark Museum

2019-01-17T05:41:43.331Z

Saturday, January 26 – 10 AM at the museum, 1312 Bay Street in Bellingham

Spark Museum volunteer info meeting
Come see how our volunteers help visitors – especially the non-technical ones - connect with our priceless collection of electrical and wireless artifacts;
Learn about opportunities to become involved in your free time.
Electronics or historical expertise not required – you supply the people skills, we’ll teach you the stories.
Saturday, January 26 – 10 AM at the museum, 1312 Bay Street in Bellingham
For more info, contact the museum (contact info on our web page)

https://www.sparkmuseum.org/

January 8 2019 Meeting

2019-01-09T01:21:28.477Z

Come join us on Tuesday night
January 8th, 2019
7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

This month we will have presentations from three of our own MBARC members:

QRP END FED HALF WAVE ANTENNA TUNER
Wes Lewis, W7WSL

LOW PROFILE 2 METER SLOT ANTENNA
Ed Bishop, AE7QD

BUILDING UP THE µBITX QRP TRANSCEIVER
Robert Sears, KF7VOP

There will be a table if you want to bring one or two items to sell.

Our friends at Northwest Digital Radio have donated a very nice door prize for this meeting's free raffle. You won't want to miss having a chance at this one.

As always, we will also have cookies and coffee and time to talk with others about Ham Radio. Bring a Friend! We hope to see you there.