THE SPARK GAP

A monthly publication of the Meridian Amateur Radio Club June 2025

 

 

 Bible Verse

Luke 15:20 --- So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (NIV)

 

President's Report

Greetings fellow HAMS,

As most of you know the upcoming 2025 Amateur Radio Field day this year will be June 28-29. At our previous meetings we discussed joining with the Chickasawhay Repeater Group for the upcoming event. It was decided that we are going to have our station at the Archusa water park pavilion which we have already reserved. This coming Saturday June 7th, we will be finalizing preparations. This will be my first year to spearhead this event as Club President, so I will need the expertise from previous leaders from Chickasawhay and MARC.

To refresh memories I presume we will be using W5FQ as our GOTA station call. We need to finalize our Entry Class, Power Source and Multiplier, Participants and Operators. We may have to elicit help from our volunteers in preparing a list of stations worked by band and or mode. Also expert help again, with the required documents for bonus points. We need a good attendance at the upcoming meeting: 9AM, June7th at Queen City Truck Cafe in the side room. I will be bringing a door prize drawing!!

73's

Wayne Myhre. KC5HPU

 

Next MARC Business Meeting

IMPORTANT NOTE: MEETING TIME AND LOCATION

The next business meeting will be held in the side room at the Queen City Truck Stop from 9am until... on Saturday June 7th. Come join us for breakfast, coffee, and fellowship.

 

VE TEST RESULTS

Test result from the test session on May 17, 2025 held at LEMA office in Meridian:

Charles D. Farmer from Taylorsville, MS took the technician class exam and passed!

73’s Eldon Richardson W4IOS

 

ARRL Field Day 2025

MARC and Chickasawhay Repeater Group will setup Field Day at Archusa Creek Park located in Quitman, Mississippi, just off Hwy. 45 and Hwy. 18 East.

Archusa Creek Water Park
540 County Road 110
Quitman, MS 39355

The group plans on meeting up at the park around 9 am to start setting things up and plan on being on the air by 1 pm. See the park map located here: See map below for lodge location.

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From W5XX / Need a 100 points for your FD score? You can send a FD message to W5XX.
WV5Q will be on the MSPN at 6PM on 3862 on Saturday Night to take your message in ARRL format which will be relayed to W5XX. Also, Don will meet the Magnolia Net on at 7AM on 3862 on Sunday Morning to take messages.

Remember your FD Message must leave your FD Site by Amateur Radio RF. GL FD!!

Best 73 de W5XX

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From W5XX / Here are a few more to add to your do list:

@ Designate a club photographer. You need some photos to show at the next club meeting. Also, you can send your best shots to W5XX to possibly be put on the Section Web site.

@ Designate a club reporter who can collect information for your club newsletter like for instance who were the operators, who were the cooks, what bands and modes were on the air from your station, who stayed all night, how many contacts were made, interesting highlights. W5XX may contact your reporter after Field Day to get some info for the next Section Report.

GL FD.

Best 73 de W5XX

PS: If you want to visit one of these sites, the Field Day Station Locator can help you.

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From Harry Bates, K5BHW

I recently spoke with Wayne and we discussed a group communication regarding food plans for field day, as some weren’t sure if there was a ‘plan’ or if we were on our own. The following is what was discussed in our telephone conversation:

— Tracy will bring a grill and meat.

— Wayne will bring hamburger patties and a fixings tray.

— Harry will bring hot dog buns and some drinks and snacks.

— Karey will bring weenies, etc.

— Darrell will bring baked beans and a cake

Reply to Harry… email: hwbates50@gmail.com if you care to share what you are bringing.

 

 

Collinsville Day

May 3rd, 2025 --- Collinsville Day is an annual event on the first Saturday of May, conducted jointly by the Collinsville Fire and Rescue department and the local Community Club as a fundraiser for the local volunteer firefighters. Collinsville is a small community located north of Meridian, MS.

Meridian Amateur Radio Club was invited to have a part in this event. MARC attended and demonstrated amateur radio operations to those attending, as a hobby and as a means of communication in emergencies. In issuing the invitation to be a part of Collinsville Day, Collinsville Fire & Rescue gave recognition to MARC and amateur radio as having an important role in responding and assisting with the response of the numerous agencies faced with dealing with emergencies and disaster situations. They understand in such instances other means of communication are often not available or overwhelmed.

Due to some incoming thunderstorms, the members were set up on the inside of the fire department with tables and banner. MARC members operated and made numerous contacts on VHF and HF bands with radio equipment in public view operating solely on portable power. A member constructed battery power box was demonstrated to be reliable radio power in the absence of commercial power. Also present was a member’s pickup truck equipped with mobile radios. Visitors to the MARC table were given an explanation of amateur radio. 

 

(Pictured left to right Larry K5LDA and Wayne KC5HPU)

 

Prepare Before Hurricane Season

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and continues through November 30th. A hurricane is one of the most dramatic, damaging and life-altering events that can occur in our state. Are you prepared?

Read more here: https://www.msema.org/prepare/types-disasters/hurricanes

 

 

Quote of the Month

"Everyone should believe in something.
I believe I'll go fishing."

-- Henry David Thoreau

 

Have a BLESSED month!