Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
News
MARS Works the Switchyard
November 2, 2019
This year’s Festival at the Switchyard saw a good number of interested fans visit our booth to learn about amateur radio.
Liz Brown, K5EMB, Dave Lichtenwalter, N2DL, Ron Reeves, NN5R, and Tom Yenny, K5LOL, joined event organizer Steve Darrah, KD5YPB, in the early AM to set up the booth. Mike Brown, W5MDB, produced a slide show highlighting key activities of the ham hobby.
As in years past, the “Kid Code Key” was a hit with youngsters. A rough count revealed over 150 potential hams tried their “fists.” Liz mentioned that some were repeats from last year who made a point to visit us again. Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, David Lewis, AC5DL, James Jernigan, KG5WVL, and Ken Wendel, W5RPS, all took a turn explaining the intricacies of Morse code. A special thanks goes to James for returning later in the evening to help wrap the booth.
This year we enjoyed a special visit by our North Texas Section Youth Coordinator, Katherine Forson, KT5KMF. Katherine worked the Kid Code Key table, encouraging our visitors to check out amateur radio. Thanks go to “Drivers” Pat and Bob Forson, K5WFR, for Katherine’s transportation.
Andy Parcel, KE5KOF, as a member of Carrollton’s Citizen Patrol, provided support from the off-premises HQ.
Steve thanked all who volunteered to work the event. This is our best opportunity to show off amateur radio to the public. Planning for next year’s booth starts now. Contact Steve for your best ideas about how to promote ham radio. Meanwhile, check out the gallery below.
 MARS Booth Banner |  Setup crew Tom Yenny K5LOL, Dave Lichtenwalter N2DL, Ron Reeves NN5R, Liz Brown K5EMB, and Steve Darrah KD5YPB |  Dave Lichtenwalter N2DL and Ron Reeves NN5R hanging posters |
|---|---|---|
 Booth on Broadway ready for visitors |  Kevin Grantham N5KRG and James Jernigan KG5WVL |  Ron Reeves NN5R and Liz Brown K5EMB at the Kid Code Key table |
 Kevin Grantham N5KRG coaching a potential brass pounder |  Tom Yenny K5LOL explaining bandwidth to a captivated audience |  Tom Yenny K5LOL acts as control operator while a future ham makes his first QSO |
 ARRL North Texas Section Youth Coordinator Katherine Forson KT5KMF with “drivers” Pat and Bob Forson K5WFR |  ARRL North Texas Section Youth Coordinator Katherine Forson KT5KMF |  Katherine Forson KT5KMF promoting amateur radio |
 Katherine’s driver Pat takes a turn at the key |  Pat and Katherine share a high five |  Kid Code Keyer |
 Transcribing names into Morse |  Another future ham |  MARS ran a slide show about amateur radio (Steve KD5YPB in the scene) |
 J-pole seeking signals. |  73 from MARS at the Switchyard |