Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
News
January 20, 2026
*** Winter Field Day Update Update ***
Due to the bad weather, MARS will not participate as a club during Winter Field Day.
The National Weather Service is predicting 60% rain on Friday with wind gusts up to 20 mph. Windchills in the low 40s make it not safe to install outdoor antennas across the street from the church.
But WFD continues. You can make your own contacts all over the world from the warm comfort of your shack. We encourage you to operate Winter Field Day from home as a single operator using your own call sign. You’ll be operating in category 1H. Read the rules, log your contacts and let us know your challenges and successes.
As temperatures drop through the night, high chances of snow, freezing rain and sleet make outdoor activities dangerous.
This is a hard freeze folks. Temps will not get above freezing until Monday. Make your grocery store run early. Protect your pipes, plants, pets and livestock. Plan to stay off the roads but on the air this weekend.
For more weather information, visit https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Carrollton&state=TX&site=FWD&lat=32.9881&lon=-96.8967
Christmas Wrapping
American Legion Post 597 in downtown Carrollton hosted MARS’ annual Christmas Party on December 11. Over 40 hams and guests enjoyed the fun and a fine meal prepared with care by Post volunteers.
Gregory Maddra, KG5CKX, took home the big raffle prize—a Kenwood TH-D75A versatile analog+digital portable. President Andy Smolenski, KI5YLX, handed out many terrific door prizes to lucky winners.
MARS thanks Main Trading Company in Paris, Texas, for their generosity as well as Gary Rodgers, KI5X, Dave Lane, N5GDL, and Tom Yenny, K5LOL, for donating extra prizes. Thanks go also to Liz Brown, K5EMB, George Williams, KG5GXU, David Gilpin, K5GIL, Mike Brown, W5MDB, and Andy S for making it all happen.
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 7:00 PM
Tom Yenny, K5LOL, will explore the world of Go Boxes.
You’ll find more details on the EVENTS page.
License Testing
Allan Batteiger, WB5QNG, will have an in-person test session on the third
Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Check the EVENTS page for details. Allan continues to offer remote testing sessions as well. Please visit https://wb5qng.org/ to learn how to sign up.
Carrollton
Farmers Branch
Addison
ARES/RACES
Next scheduled nets
ARES® Training
February 8, 2026, 8:00 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
RACES Training
January 18, 2026, 7:45 PM CT
145.210 Tone 110.9
Born on January 28, this engineer’s name is attached to this antenna design but he did not invent it.
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