2018 Stuart Hamfest

20 Mar 2018 09:18 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

The 2018 edition of the Stuart Hamfest was held on Saturday, March 17th at the Martin County Fairgrounds. We had an absolutely perfect Florida winter day, filled with good food and many Ham Radio friends. Our very special guest this year, Bob Allison WB1GCM, from the ARRL Lab, led a forum on Software Defined Radios (SDR).

An Icom IC-7300, and many other prizes were given away at the event. Visit www.stuarthamfest.com to see if you are a prize winner. If you missed the hamfest this year, next year's Stuart Hamfest is just around the corner!

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2017 Stuart Air Show

07 Nov 2017 10:14 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

2017 Stuart Air Show

The 2017 Stuart Air Show went into the history books as a remarkable event for many reasons!

First, an antenna tower that relocated itself overnight, and then later refused to go up and ate a bunch of coax and rotor cable for breakfast. Once repaired, however, the pileups on 20 meters just wouldn't quit!

If you have never watched an aviation fuel tanker being pulled out of the mud by a tank, complete with a wary and watchful 50-cal turret gunner, you have missed something!

On Sunday, a typical Florida afternoon thunderstorm transformed our small tent into a refuge for a half a dozen unexpected guests, which were forced to learn Morse code, or be evicted!

None of it would have have happened without your help! Well done, to all those who participated!

Click on any of the pics to view a larger image.

73,
Martin County Amateur Radio Association

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JOTA Jamboree on the Air -K2BSA 20-21 Oct 2017

04 Oct 2017 21:54 | Raymond Jaworski

World Scout Calling Frequencies

HF SSB Voice

80 meters — 3.940 MHz and 3.690 MHz where authorized.
40 meters — 7.190 MHz and 7.090 MHz where authorized.
20 meters — 14.290 MHz
17 meters — 18.140 MHz
15 meters — 21.360 MHz
12 meters — 24.960 MHz
10 meters — 28.390 MHz
6 meters — 50.160 MHz

HF CW Morse Code

80 meters — 3.570 MHz
40 meters — 7.030 MHz
20 meters — 14.060 MHz
17 meters — 18.080 MHz
15 meters — 21.140 MHz
12 meters — 24.910 MHz
10 meters — 28.180 MHz
6 meters — 50.160 MHz

The JOTA is not a contest. The idea is not to contact as many stations as possible during the weekend. It is about Scout to Scout conversations to learn about one another and the country where they reside.

All participating groups are asked to send a report of their activities to their National JOTA-JOTI Coordinator (NJC) after the event.

For those of you using Echolink, there are now two conference nodes designated for Scout contacts. You're familiar with *JOTA-365* (node 480809). We also have *JAMBO* (node 832996). For further Scout frequency information including D-STAR, DMR, and IRLP, go to https://www.k2bsa.net/scout-frequencies/

JOTA Newsletter

JOTA-JOTI 2017 Mark Your Calendar — 20 to 22 October

Sign Up Your JOTA-JOTI Station

The World JOTA-JOTI Team has activated the online sign-up system. Review the start up instructions at https://www.k2bsa.net/jota-station-registration/

USA JOTA 2017 Patch

2017 JOTA Patches are available in Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff. Order number 641467. They also have 2017 JOTI Patches, order number 641466.

World JOTA-JOTI 2017 Badge

The World JOTA-JOTI 2017 badge is available from the World Scout Shops at JOTA-JOTI 2017 Badge. They also have large blanket badges and pins.

JOTA-JOTI Neckerchief Interest

If badges and patches aren't enough for you and your Scouts, you may be interested in a JOTA-JOTI neckerchief. The World Scout Shop has indicated that they would consider producing a neckerchief if sufficient interest exists. If you're interested, please complete the interest form at JOTA-JOTI Neckerchief Interest.

JOTA-JOTI Participant's Guide

The World JOTA-JOTI Team has published a Participant's Guide to help you get on the air and the Internet for the largest Scouting event in the world.

They've also published a brief history of the 60 years of Jamboree on the Air as well as the Top 10 Challenges and Activities in 2016 that might provide ideas for your event this year.

Online Scout Station Scheduling

Many 2016 JOTA station reports suggested they needed an online scheduling tool. It was available but under utilized. You can find it at
http://n8fq.org/sked/index.php?board=jota
Note the URL change from 2016. Thanks go to Dave Edwards, KD2E, and his extra effort to continue this system for 2017. Try it out.

Echolink Conference Nodes

For those of you using Echolink, there are now two conference nodes designated for Scout contacts. You're familiar with *JOTA-365* (node 480809). We also have *JAMBO* (node 832996). For further Scout frequency information including D-STAR, DMR, and IRLP, go to https://www.k2bsa.net/scout-frequencies/

JOTA Station Reports

Icom America has once again this year donated an ID-51A Plus 2 to encourage stations to file their reports after Jamboreee on the Air. Everyone who files a report will have their names entered into the drawing. We'll open up the reporting system on JOTA weekend. For more information on filing your report, see JOTA Station Report Best Practices.

Cub Scout Program Helps — JOTA

The BSA National Radio Scouting Committee has developed an early draft of Cub Scout Program Helps for Jamboree on the Air. See https://www.k2bsa.net/cub-scout-program-helps-jota/ Thanks to Christian Ingerslev, AB2SN for his work on this project.

Boy Scout Troop Meeting Plan — Radio

The National Radio Scouting Committee has also developed a draft Troop Meeting Plan for Radio. You can find it at https://www.k2bsa.net/troop-meeting-plan-radio/ Thanks go once again to Christian Ingerslev, AB2SN.

JOTA Facebook Profile Picture Frame

Update your Facebook Profile Picture with the 2017 BSA Jamboree on the Air patch design. Go to https://www.facebook.com/profilepicframes?query=jota and select the JOTA 2017 Boy Scouts of America picture frame. Thanks to Doug Cook, KX5DC.

K2BSA @ Jamboree

K2BSA had a successful 2017 Jamboree. Thanks to everyone who got on the air and provided QSOs for our Scouts. You can read the full report at K2BSA 2017 Jamboree Report. The highlights include nearly 2,500 Scouts introduced to amateur radio with roughly 1,400 contacts. 200 Scouts tried out ARDF-Foxhunting and 305 earned the Radio Merit Badge. BTW — Slide decks used in the training are available at Jamboree Radio Merit Badge.

Radio Scouting Net

Chris Overbey, WA5DM, hosts a Radio Scouting Net on the second Thursday of every month. 9 PM Central on Echolink *JOTA-365* (480809). Check in and compare notes about your JOTA station and all Radio Scouting topics. We're getting a good turn out of experts, newbies, and everybody inbetween, sharing insights into what works and what doesn't work. Don't miss it.

New JOTA-JOTI Introduction Video

As part of our overall communication efforts, we've produced a short video introducing Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet. It can serve as an excellent introduction for all Scouting audiences, from parents, to unit and district leaders, to planning roundtables. Use it as part of your efforts to line up Scouting events, like district and council camporees, with Jamboree on the Air.

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Next Skywarn Class is 20 Jan 2018

04 Oct 2017 21:43 | Raymond Jaworski

This FREE SKYWARN BASIC SPOTTER class will give you all the information needed to become a registered spotter for the National Weather Service.

Saturday January 20, 2018

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Anyone interested in weather, Amateur Radio, Aviation, CERT, Red Cross, 1^st Responders, Police, Fire, Mobile Home residents etc. are invited. Bring a friend!

For more information or to sign up please email Ray Jaworski, KI4RHL, Martin County Florida Skywarn Coordinator at autopilot9999@yahoo.com , or call (772) 485-9677. Reservations are recommended.

You can also sign up for this or other local Spotter classes at:

http://www.weather.gov/media/mlb/skywarnclasses.pdf

Training will be held in Room 225, 2nd floor, at the Martin County Emergency Operations Holt Center, 800 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, Florida, 34994. Doors open at 9:30 am for registration.

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Hurricane Irma

22 Sep 2017 08:49 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

Hurricane Irma

Amateur radio operators from Martin County Amateur Radio Association and Martin County ARES/RACES were activated and deployed to shelters and hospitals throughout the county supporting emergency communications for the duration of Irma's visit here. Deployment began at 0800 on Saturday, September 9th, and continued until Monday afternoon.

A very special thanks goes out to all those who deployed, their families, and all those who supported the deployment of the thousands of volunteers throughout Florida!

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Stuart EchoLink

20 Aug 2017 11:06 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

Thanks to much effort by Eric, W4ELB, EchoLink has returned to Stuart!

Repeater: WX4MC

Location: Adjacent to Martin Hospital South

Frequency: 444.90 MHz

PL Tone: 107.2 Hz
Offset: +5 MHz

Echo Link Station: W4ELB-R

Echo Link Node: 858505

To connect to an EchoLink node thru the WX4MC repeater, use the touch-tone keypad on your radio. While holding down the PTT button, enter the # sign, followed by the desired node number. Then listen for progress messages. To disconnect, enter the # sign twice.

Most smart phones are EchoLink capable with the installation of a simple application.

Issues experienced with EchoLink on the WX4MC repeater should be reported to Eric, W4ELB via email: w4elb@att.net

For more information about EchoLink on the Web, consult www.echolink.org

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Happy Birthday W2DRX!

08 Aug 2017 09:04 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

On Monday, August 7th a group of MCARA and MCARES members joined Bill W2DRX at his QTH to celebrate his 95th birthday! After the singing and the pie and whipped cream, we all checked into the Monday Night Net. We wish you many more Doctor X!!!

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ARRL Field Day 2017

01 Jul 2017 14:22 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

Field Day 2017

MCARA/MCARES members began Field Day preparations on Friday by erecting 8 antennas and two towers, and setting up four radio stations. Then, on Saturday morning, Tom K4TMA fired up the BBQ! And the weekend just kept getting better from there!

The weather was perfect, the radios worked flawlessly, the food was fantastic, and we even made some new friends! We really didn't want to break it all down on Sunday!

Aerial by Mike K4MNJ

Thanks to all who contributed to make possible another great Field Day event!

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Pinewood Maker's Faire

26 May 2017 21:06 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

The second annual Maker's Faire was held on Tuesday afternoon, May 2nd, in the gymnasium at the Pinewood Elementary School in Stuart. MCARA and MCARES members presented several educational activities in an effort to ignite the fires of creativity in those attending, both young and old. Conductive dough was used to teach basic electrical principles, and, when connected to a RaspberryPi-based 12-channel capacitive touch-driven sound synthesizer, to entertain. In addition, a GOTA station served to segue to our favorite hobby, Amateur Radio!

Photos by K4OIL

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Stuart Hamfest 2017

04 May 2017 10:19 | Steve Sprayberry (Administrator)

Thank You MCARA!!

Sincere thanks to all of you that worked to make the 2017 Stuart Hamfest a great success! Not only was the weather perfect, and the food great, the comradery and the deals were outstanding as well!

Congratulations to the following prize winners:

Grand Prize, an Icom IC-7300, was won by Ramon Alicea KJ4UZM
Second Prize, a Kenwood TM-V71A, was won by Erica Simpson KM4WRG
Third Prize, a Yaesu FT-60R, was won by Marc Weiner K4MGW.

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