About Our Club

The Manhattan, Kansas Amateur Radio Society (MAARS) was formed on July 7, 1976. The purpose of the club is to advance amateur radio in the Manhattan area. Since the beginning, the club has been active in different aspects of amateur radio, packet radio, satellites, community activities, ARRL Field Day, and amateur radio classes. Also, many club members have been very involved through the years with emergency communications and storm spotting. The club operates under the authority and guidelines of our Constitution.

Committees

Christmas Party

Field Day

Picnic/Auction

Program

Publicity

Repeater

RFI

To learn more about a committee or to volunteer, please contact the president.

MAARS Facebook Page

MAARS Google Group

Manhattan Area Amateur Radio Society
   PO BOX 613
   Manhattan, KS  66505-0613

Current Topics

Lincoln Hamfest: May 11, 2024
from Farren Constable, KBØAZJ, January 16, 2024

The date for the Lincoln Hamfest has just been announced. www.lincolnhamfest.org

ARISS 40^th Anniversary Event Starting Dec. 16, 2023
from Dave Mills, KDØAZG

You may have seen that Ryan ADØTZ sent out a notice about the ISS sending SSTV images this weekend. If you need a SAT tracker, this is the one I use... hope it helps. This is a link to a YouTube video of the tracker I use, and how to use it (basic use). Good luck.

ARISS 40^th Anniversary Event Starting Dec. 16, 2023
from Ryan Benteman, ADØTZ

The ISS is doing Slow Scan Images again. These can be received on regular HTs, base stations, mobiles, and especially on beams like the tape measure antennas. Decoding can be done just by holding your cell phone (with a SSTV app) up to the speaker.

ARISS is celebrating 40 years of human-tended operations from space. STS-9 was the first time amateur radio was operated by a person while in orbit, back in late 1983. To commemorate that beginning, an SSTV activity has been scheduled to start on December 16, about 10:15 UTC, and run until December 19, around 18:00 UTC. Operations will be on the standard 145.800 MHz downlink, using SSTV mode PD120. (announcement link)

New Meeting Location: Manhattan/Riley County Senior Center
from David Mills, KDØAZG, December 6, 2023

I have been working to secure a location in Manhattan to have our meetings for the last 30 days, since becoming the President of MAARS. I believe I have found a location in town that meets our needs for time frame 6 PM to 9 PM, on the second Friday of the month, and doesn't cost MAARS anything to use. This location also has free WIFI internet access and a camera to broadcast our meetings, if we can figure out how to make that happen via YouTube or Facebook. or Skype, etc. The location is handicap accessible, with ramps and parking paved, on one level.

The location is the Manhattan / Riley County Senior Center, at 4th and Leavenworth St. I have set up the first meeting for Jan. to meet at this location. Please note your calendars.

I am NOT canceling the hall at this time at Keats. We'll see how this goes, but it looks very promising to me to meet our needs.

So what is the catch...

Really, there isn't any. The manager of the Senior Center has offered to have us join the association, at $25.00 a year. This would give us presence in the newsletter and publication they do, that we meet there, and also note our FB web page and our normal web page in those publications. Individual members can also join, if you would like. I will be presenting all this information with more detail at the January meeting.

The Manager of the Senior Center also advised if there were individuals and or as a group would like to join in or present programs, that would be well received. As I noted, we can review and discuss at the January meeting in more detail.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Christmas party at Pizza Ranch Friday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 PM.

73,
Dave Mills, KDØAZG

Jason Johnson, KBØEOD Receives the Glen Rubash Award 2023

In the spring of this year, MAARS lost a valued and appreciated member, Glen Rubash, KCØGPV. It was decided, shortly after his passing, to establish a Member of the Year Award in Glen's honor. Jason Johnson, KBØEOD, whose name is seen often on this web page, has been selected to receive the latest award. Congratulations to him!

HSHL
from Jason Johnson, KBØEOD, October 19, 2023

There are a few of us that have HSHL in and around the area. For those that are unfamiliar, they are VOIP phones that are/were purchased from eBay used, and are factory reset and flashed for use with HSHL. Anyone with a valid amateur radio license can request a number, plugging it into your existing internet connection. Just another mode. You can also take it on the road with you, and plug it into your hotel or mom and dad's switch, and call direct PtoP, or enter into a room similar to a Fusion/wiresX room like Kansas City Wide or Americas Link.

It was a cool shiny object that had been untapped in the distance. We did it, and like everything Ham, moved on to other things, although Everyone's phones are still operational.

Simplex Exercise (MAARS)
from Jon Klimek, KØMHK, Saturday, October 21, 2023

For those planning on the simplex exercise, if you did not receive the link to the video conference tonight, please send me an email, and I will send the invite again.

Tonight (Thursday, 10/19) we will go over procedure one more time on video chat. The Zoom link and passcode are in the invite. Anyone who wants to casually observe is welcome to join us at one of the sites. Please contact me, and I can put you in touch with the site control.

Expect about an hour of actual exercise or less. Site control, please print off a few ICS-213 blank forms to fill out. There is a great how-to on the shared drive on filling out the form. If you can't download it due to your browser security, let me know and I will email you a copy direct.

Exercise start Saturday, October 21 at 2 p.m. / Simplex on 146.480, with fallback to the repeater

Boy Scouts Jamboree on the Air: Questions to Ask
from K2BSA, Oct. 2023

The annual Jamboree on the Air will have thousands of Boy Scouts on amateur radio, Oct. 20 - 22, 2023. Here's a well-done web site that has numerous suggestions for questions to ask.

A Duct Tape 2m Antenna!
from Farren Constable, KBØAZJ, October 13, 2023

Here's the story by Ben Eadie, VE6SFX, which links to a YouTube video. Thanks to Farren Constable, who recommended this to us.

More on J-Pole Antennas
from Myron Calhoun, WØPBV, October 13, 2023

Myron contributed to the duct tape antenna topic above, with comments and links.

"It was at least ten years ago, and I don't remember where I read it (QST, maybe?), but I do remember reading an article which demonstrated that the behavior of J-Pole antennas can be greatly affected by all sorts of things: conductor diameter and spacing and -- especially -- proximity to other "stuff" such as walls or glass, so if you build a J-pole based on someone's design, to get the best performance, be sure to test and adjust it when it is mounted/hanging where you expect to use it, because hanging it in "free space" vs. adjacent to a window may cause major differences in its behavior (SWR, for example).

Here is a link to a large collection of antenna-related articles by L. B. Cebik, W4RNL (SK): If you are particularly interested in J-Poles, be sure to read his series on "Some J-Poles That I Have Known."

Part 1: Why I Finally Got Interested in J-Poles, and Some Cautions in Modeling Them

Part 2: The Varieties of Twinlead J-Poles, and Some Performance Standards

Part 3: Effects of Element Diameter and Match-Section Leg Spacing on J-Poles

Part 4: Some Things We Can and Cannot Do with a J-Pole

Here are more Cebik-related articles:

MAARS Mini Field Day / POTA K-7397
from Matthew Hale, KFØISO, September 23, 2023

The Mini Field Day at Pottawatomie State Lake #2 was successful. Matt Hale reports: "It was a beautiful morning to be out at the lake... 70° with a southern breeze. Thanks Jason, KBØEOD, and Jeff, KDØKKD for coming out. We activated the park, and made 52 contacts on 20 M."

Field Day 2023 Report
from Dave Mills, KDØAZG, June 25, 2023

Here's a Facebook photo gallery from ARRL Field Day 2023.

The Ionosphere
from Wally Mack, May 31, 2023

Here's a nice chart of planet earth's ionosphere and its layers. In short, the ionosphere varies, depending on the sun's radiation. Amateur radio operators depend on the F layer (primarily) to reflect HF signals from one station to another. Signals zigzag from earth to the F layer to other land areas or oceans, along their way to other continents. Meanwhile, at times during the day, the D layer absorbs lower frequency signals (such as AM broadcast band signals) during the daytime hours. There are lots of variables and solar phenomena at work, such that entire books have been written about propagation. Finally, VHF and UHF signals are more inclined to go right through the ionosphere, making communication with satellites, the International Space Station, etc. possible.

Radio Antenna Fundamentals
from Myron Calhoun, WØPBV, May 24, 2023

Myron recommended Part 1 of this video, posted in 1947. YouTube video

Glen Rubash MAARS Ham of the Year Award
from Suzanne Asbury, WØMMA, May 17, 2023

Related to this award, created in honor of the late Glen Rubash. KCØGPV, is a document (PDF) that outlines the considerations and procedures for nomination for the award established by MAARS. The document includes a brief form, and calls for inclusion of an open-ended statement in support of the nominee.

Glen Rubash, KCØGPV, Silent Key
by Mike Asbury, W9MPA, February 21, 2023

I am sure that by now everyone knows that Glen suffered a massive heart attack last Monday, and passed away Thursday night. After talking to the family, I didn't want to post anything until the obituary had been published.

There will be a memorial service for Glen on Saturday the 4th of March, 9:30 - 11:30, at the Geary County Senior Citizens Center, 1025 S. Spring Valley Road in Junction City.

There will be a small family burial the next day, on the hill above Glen's house.

Here is the link to his obituary. Finally, here is a PDF of the thank you card sent to MAARS by Glen's family.

Taste of IWR - Beta Testing
by Kurt Zoglmann, ADØWE, November 2022

Some of you might be interested in beta testing the Taste of IWR (Instant Word Recognition) Course that I created! Feel free to download it and provide critical feedback. You can download the course here. The file is 863 MB. There are 106 lessons in total.

This course focuses on teaching students how to recognize 25 words at 40 words per minute (aka Instant Word Recognition). Don't let the speed intimidate you! Even if you haven't mastered Morse Code or ICR (Instant Character Recognition), you can master the sound pattern of words. It is easier to learn the sound pattern of code, characters or words, when they are within a second or less. Learning handfuls of words will accelerate your learning of Morse code as a language.

For each word introduced, there are four practice sets of increasing difficulty:
  •  Introduce New Word
  •  Single Word Repeated 3x
  •  Single Word
  •  Two Words

You only need to listen long enough to get a gist of the new word in the Introduce New Word audio file. Feel free to return to it, if you need a refresher on that word. The Single Word Repeated 3x will play each word randomly three times before speaking the answer. The single word will play each word once before speaking the answer. The Two Words audio file will give you two random words in a row with a second of space between them. (The new word is randomly selected 40% of the time to help you focus and learn it.)

Once you have made it through the 100 lessons and learned the sound pattern of the 25 words, it is time to put your IWR skills together to copy sentences! Lessons 101 through 106 will walk you from copying at 8x Word Spacing to a standard 40 wpm! At 8x spacing, we start with a spacing slightly larger than what you were working with in the Two Words practice set. Then we step down to 6x, 4x, 3x, 2x, and finally to standard word spacing.

Advice: If your audio player does not resume where you left off, jump to a random spot in that audio file. You will want to avoid inadvertently memorizing the sequence in that file.

Make the practice active and speak your answer out loud. Also, try and make a guess on the word, even if you aren't sure. The attempt and instant feedback will increase your learning efficiency.

You may find a strong tendency to want to focus on the characters. Just relax and try and let go. (I know it can be easier said than done.) This tendency may be especially strong in those with a firm grasp of ICR (Instant Character Recognition). It may be helpful to engage in a lightly distracting activity, such as petting your dog or cat or perhaps watching an easy-going YouTube video with the sound off. This problem is analogous to the challenge of learning ICR after first learning to count dits and dahs. It may also take several attempts over a few days to get some initial success. Longer practice sessions are not necessarily better.

The basis for the course:

Below are 25 common words that can be learned at 40 wpm. Why 40wpm? This is fast enough for beginners not to recognize characters and fast enough that even the longest word can be learned as a sound pattern. (ABOUT takes 1.17 seconds to send at 40wpm, while WOULD takes 1.08 seconds to send.) 40wpm is also a middle-of-the-road speed. IWR is easiest between 35 to 50wpm for most people. Beyond 50wpm and the sound pattern tends to sound muddled because Morse code loses its signature tone and takes on more of a pulsating sound.

This course is designed so that students learn to distinguish between two initial words based on their sound patterns. Once you reach 75% correct, move to the next lesson, which adds a new word. Each new lesson adds an additional word, and that new word has a 40% probability of being randomly selected. By moving from lesson to lesson, you expand your vocabulary of word sound patterns.

A Learning Approach to Achieve QRQ
by Kurt Zoglmann, ADØWE, March 2022

Kurt says, "I am pleased to introduce our white paper titled A Learning Approach to Achieve QRQ. We have developed a learning approach to achieve QRQ using a structured high-speed curriculum! In the paper, we propose a method to increase your CW receiving skills from 30 to 45 wpm. It is self-paced, and should take about a year to complete. To our knowledge, this is the first-ever such course. You can read it in the attached PDF, or on the Morse Code Ninja website – A Learning Approach to Achieve QRQ

In Morse code, speed is arbitrary, and a mutual agreement between operators. Sending fast or slow is a choice. Some radio enthusiasts enjoy communicating using CW at high speeds, often defined as QRQ for shorthand. (Formally, QRQ is a Q-signal defined as 'Send Faster.' When sent following a question mark, it means 'shall I send faster?')

High-Speed CW is relative. What is fast to one operator may be slow to another. One benchmark is the CW Operators Club, which requires its members to send and receive CW at no less than 25 wpm.

There is a form of Radio Sport known as HST (High-Speed Telegraphy). And every two years a bi-annual international HST competition is sponsored by the IARU. This competition is most popular in Eastern Europe. The competitors are divided into age and gender groups, and they compete in both receiving and sending CW."   PDF link: A Learning Approach to Achieve QRQ

Demystifying Morse Code
featuring Kurt Zoglmann, ADØWE, February 2022

You'll see from several posts below that Kurt Zoglmann has put great energy into teaching and promoting Morse Code, via his Morse Code Ninja site, etc. He has gotten a shout out in the ARRL's On the Air Magazine for Jan./Feb. 2022! Actually, the League set aside the entire issue for CW topics. Here's a link. You'll need to click to page 20 (at top center). Look for a bright red box.

How to Use EasyTerm and Sound Modem to Connect to Another Station
from Dave Mills, KDØAZG, November 5, 2021

This YouTube video is an introduction to packet radio. It was posted to the MAARS e-mail group.

Mike Asbury, W9MPA, commented, "Thanks Dave, that was very useful. I tried connecting direct to you but no joy. I can connect through the KØTNT digipeater, and can get an abbreviated Help menu and read the mail, but can't get them to download to my mailbox in EasyTerm.

Dave replied, "Hi, Mike. Thanks. If I'm not mistaken, you won't be able to download the email from the terminal to your system. You will only be able to read, delete and forward to another station on that same terminal, so if you have a message waiting for you on my TNC, you can forward it to another station on my TNC, so that they can read it on my TNC. If I'm not mistaken, you won't be able to download the message to your TNC directly. I could be wrong, but I believe that's correct. One thing that EasyTerm does have that I didn't talk about is the ability to send a text file from my station to your station. It would not be mail, but it would simply be a text file, and you can set your EasyTerm up to auto receive these files."

Reviving Packet and Other Modes
from Bill Dickinson, WSØI, May 2021

Myself and others across the states are trying to revive packet HF/VHF and some ofÊother older analog modes, AMTOR, Pactor 1*, and GTOR**.

All the TOR modes that use ARQ modes, must be hardware TNCs, or require a HDLC card in your computer system. However, all the TOR also support a 1 to many broadcast mode called FEC, and these are supported by soundcard/software.

So for those with soundcard/radio interfaces Signal Link, Navigator, Microham devices, the best Packet software modem is the UZ7HO. It is very robust, and utilizes the Kantronics tone pair 1600/1800 center frequency 1700, and you will need a terminal program for TX. RMS Simple Term works very well.

The UH7HO software modem puts the AGW Packet engine to shame both the free and Pro versions. The UZ7HO software can be found here.

Also, there are other folks starting off the grid, no internet linking Packet networks, which utilize kit form KISS TNCs, that can be used on Windows, Macs, Linux, and even Raspberry Pi's running the G8BPQ Port Linbpq software.

The TNC board they offer will not work on HF Packet, however. If you are interested in this area of operation, the TARPN Network can be found here.

I am running a dedicated 24/7 40 Meter HF Packet Network Node, running BPQ32 software with a Dual Port TNC in KISS mode HF Port 1/VHF APRS Port 2. I am running a BBS/Mail Server and also a Chat Room Server, as well as APRS Igate/Digi/WX.

The Chat room is interesting, as stations that connect to the Room can all talk to each other, or create sub-rooms.

The LinBPQ port that runs on a raspberry PI also supports all these features.

So, if you're tired of all the FT-xxxx Modes, dust off your old TNCs, or hook that Soundcard interface back up and have a real conversation again.

If you have any questions, drop me a note.

Bill, WSØI

*Pactor 1 was an open source mode created by SCS. All other Pactor Modes 2,3,4 are proprietary to SCS, and require license upgrade fees.
**GTOR is a proprietary mode from Kantronics.

Comm Academy
from Doug Miller, KFØDAT, April 2021

Several of the MAARS group attended an online Emergency Comms-themed event. Thanks, John, for setting up the Zoom meeting. For anyone who did not have the opportunity, the YouTube videos and the slides/presentation materials will be available at the links below.

Comm Academy Archives

YouTube

Morse Code Ninja Sticker
from Kurt Zoglmann, ADØWE, January 2021

If you would like a Morse Code Ninja Sticker, please reply directly to me with your callsign (or your address, if it is different than the one listed on QRZ). I would be happy to send you one. The stickers are four by two inches. They are UV resistant and waterproof, so you can put them on your car window, or even just a laptop/computer.

I have been sending out many stickers to celebrate my Morse Code Ninja website – https://morsecode.ninja, which is a great resource to learn more about Morse code. I have a Morse Code course, 1,000s of hours of practice to help you improve proficiency up to 50 wpm (and select content up to 100 wpm), and a comprehensive list of related resources. (If you are accessing the website on a phone, click the hamburger-looking icon in the upper-right corner to access the other pages.)

I normally ask for an SASE or a $5 donation, but I'm happy to give back to our local amateur radio club. :) I wish you all the best on your Morse code journey!

Amateur Radio Bands
from Myron Calhoun, WØPBV, January 2021

Here is the latest (Jan. 2020) band chart, which is available to anyone from the ARRL. (PDF, 1.2 MB) Other versions of the chart are available here.

Morse Code Speed vs. Proficiency
from Kurt Zoglmann, ADØWE, December 2020

Kurt says, "I wrote this story for my Morse Code Ninja website's Advice page — https://morsecode.ninja/advice/index.html. I thought at least a few in the club would find it of interest, perhaps even inspiring. Have you ever wondered what is involved in copying Morse code at high speed?

The unconscious mind's lightning-fast ability to process information is the key to copying code faster. As a general principle, as the Morse code speed increases, a larger amount of the processing and interpretation must be done by the unconscious mind. And this is directly related to the four levels of Morse code proficiency.

Levels of Morse code proficiency:
1. Conscious decoding of Dits and Dahs
2. Instant Character Recognition
3. Instant Word Recognition
4. Focus on the Meaning"

webmaster's note: Kurt's extensive comments on CW proficiency went out to MAARS members. He has a page on learning to copy two and three words at a time. Finally, Kurt has a YouTube video, Morse Code Speed vs. Proficiency.

Lunch SSB Roundtable
from Bill Dickinson, WSØI, September 2020

We have several folks who get on 3.805 MHz almost every day, from around 11:30 to 12:30 or so. It started when COVID-19 hit in March, and I was working from home. It has continued since then, even after going back to work, as I also run 80 meter mobile in my truck. We talk about anything and everything: radios, weather, news, etc. We have also been getting some of the older hybrid gear on the back on the air. So, if you happen to find yourself wondering what to do around this time every day, jump on and jump in for a bit. Everyone is welcome.

Licensed Amateurs in Riley and Nearby Counties
from Myron Calhoun, WØPBV, July 2020

Myron has compiled text files of area amateurs, as listed in the FCC database. He has lists for Manhattan, and Clay, Geary, Marshall, Morris, Pottawatomie and Riley counties. Click here to access the files. Thanks to Myron for doing this!

Emergency Checklist (If You're Called Out)
from Myron Calhoun, WØPBV, July 2020

1. 3-day supply of food and water ready to go
2. vehicle's gas tank at least half full
3. arrangements for care of your family if called out
4. a supply of operating materials (message blanks, pencils, logs, scratch or memo paper, etc.)
5. a battery-operated transistor broadcast-band radio, with spare batteries
6. a gas-engine generator for emergency power at a moment's notice
7. portable antenna plans and materials available
8. a completely portable rig that can operate independently of your vehicle
9. identification, both on your car and on your person
10. informed on assembly points or frequencies, or other emergency plans in effect locally

List of Emergency Supplies
siphon	candles	clothing	foul-weather gear	can & bottle openers
medicines	fuses	headphones	3 days' food, water	12V, 120V soldering irons
batteries	toilet articles	alarm clock	flashlight & lantern	sleeping bag/blankets
eating utensils	tools (all kinds)	scratch paper	hand & laundry soap	tow & jumper cables
carbon paper	message blanks	toilet paper	towels & washcloths	mirror & shaving gear
gas & oil	test equipment	battery BC radio	pencils & erasers	waterproof matches
water purifier	maps, esp. local	traffic log forms

On All Bands
from Bill Dickinson, WSØI, July 2020

I am not affiliated with DX Engineering in any way, other than being a customer. They have a pretty good Ham Radio Blog and Information web site. It is vendor neutral. Give it a look. (On All Bands)

Noise and Interference Mitigation Techniques
by Bill Dickinson, WSØI, May 2020

Bill says, "I thought I would provide a bit of online Elmering. I believe all of us are using fairly recently designed equipment, and I thought I would share a few tips and tricks for HF and VHF/UHF phone operations."

1. [RX] Use your IF shift and IF Width Filters to move an interfering signal out of your receiver's passband, and utilize your Low Cut/High Cut filters to narrow your IF passband.

2. [RX] If your equipment had DSP Noise Reduction utilize it, and if it is adjustable, play with the levels controls too much and you will start hearing DSP artifacts and distortion, so you have to vary it with conditions.

3. [RX] The Noise Blanker can be a blessing and also your worst enemy. If it is a fixed type, you are stuck with on or off. If it is the adjustable type, less is more, and again setting it too high will cause AGC pumping action, distortion, and well as generate spurs throughout your receiver.

4. [RX] The AGC Control another blessing and your worst enemy. Many are fixed with your options being Fast, Medium, Slow, time constants or Auto. Swap back and forth and see how your receiver acts between Slow and Medium. Do not rely on Auto.

5. [RX] RF Gain: They made this adjustable for a reason, and everybody runs that baby cranked all the way to the right, that's your starting point, but did you know if you back that off, and increase your AF gain level, you would be amazed at the weak signals that pop up out of the noise that were being blocked by the AGC circuit action when it was running full bore.

6. [RX] If you have a newer DSP based transceiver, adjust your receiver bandwidth filters, 1.8K, 2.1K, 2.4K 2.6K, 2.8K, 3K and if it allows for filter shaping, choose hard or soft shoulders as conditions warrant. A 1.8k will not be pleasant to listen to for very long, but it can help. Try different widths. Some allow you to create your own. Most transceivers default to 2.4, 2.6 or 2.8K.

7. [RX] For the older rigs that utilize Crystal filters, if your rig does not have them installed, as many do not as these were options, look on the swap pages. Some can be found for reasonable prices, and 3rd party aftermarket filters which btw are actually better than the manufacturers' filters, are still available for many of the older popular rigs.

8. [TX] The Speech processor, and or Compressor, utilize these as conditions warrant. Again less is more, but what will do is increase your average talk power, as well as boost your transmitted audio.

9. [TX] If your newer DSP rig supports adjustable Transmit bandwidths, adjust these as needed. Many default to 2.4K or 2.6K, with low cutoff usually defaulting to either 200 or 300 Hz, and the High cutoff at 2600 to 2900 Hz.

John T. Frye's Carl and Jerry (from Popular Electronics)
from Myron Calhoun, WØPBV, May 2020

You don't have to be old to enjoy John T. Frye's Carl and Jerry stories, published in Popular Electronics from 1954 thru 1964 (119 stories altogether!), but it might help! -) Visit www.copperwood.com/carlandjerry.htm for "the rest of the story" (kudos to Paul Harvey), and for 10 stories you can download as PDF files.

I am attaching the first one, just to whet the appetite of all you young whippersnappers who haven't heard of Carl and Jerry before.

Harvard University Study on Morse Code in 1943
from Kurt Zoglmann, ADØWE, May 2020

I had the day off, and spent the afternoon restoring a fascinating research paper on Morse Code from Harvard University, released in the Journal of Psychology in July 1943! (PDF attached)

The outbreak of World Word II created a massive demand for the United States to train men in the use of the International Morse Code, perhaps as many as 10,000 men per month! The problem was that 30 to 60% of men entering radiotelegraphy schools failed to become proficient operators. The author, Donald Taylor, carried out experiments to determine aptitude and ways to shorten the length of time necessary to train men to become proficient with Morse code. The results are fascinating! And some of it goes against commonly held beliefs in the amateur radio community, even today!

I hope some of you will enjoy it!

All About Spectrum Scopes
from Kevin Loughin, KB9RLW, April 2020

KAØJPM here. I happened across an outstanding 27-minute YouTube video... an explanation of spectrum scopes, waterfall displays, etc., such as you'd see on an ICOM IC-7300. KSUARC has this radio, and until watching this, I had very little understanding. I don't know if I've ever seen a better instruction video. (link)

Remotely Administered Amateur Radio Exams
The ARRL Letter, April 2020

Facing a growing demand for amateur radio exam sessions in a time of stay-at-home orders, sponsors of some Volunteer Examiner teams are developing systems to remotely proctor test sessions. "Many of our VEs and VE Teams have been working on remotely proctored exam session ideas, employing both video and in-person components -- following social distancing protocols," ARRL-VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said. Some teams are using a combination of Zoom and fill-and-sign Adobe PDFs. (link)

Midwest Division Newsletter
from Myron Calhoun, WØPBV, April 2020

There is some really-good HAM-related reading in the April 2020 ARRL Midwest Division Newsletter. (previous newsletters: www.arrlmidwest.org)

Newsletter highlights this month are:
My B-29 Flight
Ye Olde Ham Quiz
New Ham Production
After-Action Report: 2020 Missouri State-Wide Tornado Drill
ARRL Membership Statistics Update
Midwest Division ARRL Hamfests & Conventions
State QSO Parties in the Midwest Division
Midwest Division Special Event Stations

Morse Code Ninja
from Kurt Zoglmann, ADØWE, April 2020

"My interview on the DitDit.fm podcast was released recently: Episode #29 – Morse Code Ninja. Feel free to check it out! Bruce (N9WKE) was a lot of fun to talk to! It was a joy talking to him about my love and passion for Morse Code. We also spoke about my Morse Code Ninja web site, and many other tips for learning Morse code."

Echo Link

from Dave Mills, KDØAZG

Our NODE number is 369596 via KD0AZG-L. (LINK) No remote ability to access outgoing DTMF process to make outgoing calls. Inbound access is good, from other stations calling into the MAARS repeater from other locations from around the world.

Meetings

In recent years, meetings were normally in the Manhattan Public Library. Because of Coronavirus, they have been in various locations that allow more distancing. See Upcoming Events below for details on the next meeting. Regardless of location, meetings are normally in the evening of the second Friday of the month.

Nets

Manhattan Weekly Net

Tuesdays at 8 P.M.

KSØMAN repeater, 147.255+ MHz

All amateurs (technician and above) are welcome to check in.

Following the net, we have the swap net. You can buy or sell any items found in the shack.

On-air negotiating is not permitted during the swap net.

Nets Around the Area

Sunday 9:00 Emporia ARES 146.985

Monday 8:00 RACES

Tuesday 8:00 Manhattan 147.255

Tuesday 8:30 Topeka 145.270

Wednesday 7:30 Clay Center 147.165

Wednesday 8:00 Salina 147.030

Wednesday 9:00 KLINK 444.525

Thursday 7:30 Pott/Jackson ARES 146.955 ???

Thursday 8:00 Osage County 147.300

Thursday 9:00 Emporia Club 146.985

Saturday 9:00 NCK ARES 444.525

President Benteman says, "The Wednesday 8 P.M. net is just for playing on different modes that normally aren't on the repeater. It doesn't have to be a 2m SSB voice net. It's for any mode, any band, just to learn new things, and get people involved and excited about different modes. We can use FLDigi, WSJTX, SSTV, voice, 70cm, 2m, HF, FM, AM, SSB, etc. Whoever would like to take the reins as net control on any given week, just speak up!"

MAARS Monthly Fusion Repeater Net

3^rd Monday of the month

8:00 P.M.

442.000 + offset

88.5 Tone

We'll start off on regular analog FM, so anyone can join in.

After a bit, we'll switch to Fusion – for anyone who has that capability.

organized by Ryan Benteman, ADØTZ

Officers – 2023-24

President	Dave Mills, KDØAZG	KD0AZG@hotmail.com
Vice President	Matt Hale, KFØISO	matthew.hale0341@gmail.com
Treasurer	Suzanne Asbury, WØMMA	suzasb@embarqmail.com
Secretary	Jason Johnson, KBØEOD	KB0EOD@gmail.com

Repeater

Located 1.5 miles south of Manhattan, Kansas, the MAARS repeater is at the KSDB site near K-177. The controller is an S-Com 7K. The repeater runs 10 watts output to a commercial antenna at 110 feet. Coverage as far east as Topeka and as far west as Abilene is common. The input frequency is 147.855 MHz, and the output frequency is 147.255 MHz. The repeater callsign is KSØMAN. The repeater is an open repeater, and may be accessed by any properly-licensed amateur.

Users of the KSØMAN repeater should be familiar with the autopatch procedures and other guidelines.

Visit the Kansas Amateur Repeater Council page for a comprehensive list of Kansas repeaters. (Click on RPT Directory.)

As of Jan. 2020, a new feature has been added for the KSØMAN 147.255 repeater. Audio can be monitored via Broadcastify.

Jan. 31, 2020: From Ryan Benteman, ADØTZ: Repeater Upgrade Announcement

As most of you know already, the KSØMAN 147.255 repeater was upgraded this afternoon. The two old repeaters were removed, and 125w Motorola Quantars were placed in their spot, along with a new duplexer set. This is still a full analog-only radio on the same frequency, with a tone of 88.5.

First off, many thanks to everyone who's helped with getting this repeater upgraded, both monetarily and physically. It's been a long process since October, when we started looking into the prospect of upgrading or repairing our Mastr II machine, and I'm pleased that the club now has a matching pair of very high quality repeaters that should last well into the future for us.

It still has battery backup, utilizing 200ah of UPS-grade backup batteries. The transmit power is 100w when it is under normal AC power, and 50w when under battery backup power.

The controller is different than what we had before. The repeater gives a CW ID every 10 minutes, and after transmission is a Nasa Quindar tone, with the same squelch tail length that the prior machine had. There are no voice announcements, no intros, just a CW ID and a beep after transmissions.

So far, initial reports are good, but I look forward to hearing any signal reports or problems you have with it. Our transmit power is the same as before, so I don't expect a coverage change, but it could have slightly better reception on the fringes.

repeaters in the rack, APRS radio on top, backup batteries to the side
(click photo to enlarge)

Upcoming Events

SATURDAY BREAKFAST

• Saturday, January 20, 2024
• 8:00 A.M.
• Hy-Vee Market Grille
• 601 N. 3rd Place, Manhattan

MAARS MONTHLY MEETING

• Friday, January 12, 2024
• 6:30 P.M. start / doors open at 6:00 P.M.
• Manhattan/Riley County Senior Center, 4th and Leavenworth, Manhattan
• Meeting Agenda PDF

Recurring Events

MONTHLY DIGITAL NET

• First Mondays, at 8 P.M.
• by Ryan Benteman, ADØTZ
• Sunflower room, 31207
• SunflowerSystem.blogspot.com
• Allstar 28848
• Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
• Hamshack Hotline 94032
• DMR TGIF 31207
• P25 31207
• DSTAR XLXOKL C
• Yaesu Fusion 31207
• M17-SUN module A
• Lots of people are getting new digital hot spots, and trying to use them. This room allows any mode to connect, and they all talk together. You can use DMR, YSF, P25, etc, and you don't need to buy a new radio to talk into a Yaesu room, or a DMR room if you have a Yaesu.
• Who: Anyone who is interested, feel free to put the word out to anyone interested. I will be net control. If other people are interested in being net control, please email me.

MAKERS AND INVENTORS MEETINGS

• 1st Tuesdays at 7:30 P.M.
• by Andrew Frey
• Tallgrass Taphouse, 320 Poyntz Ave., MHK
• www.tallgrasstaphouse.com
• We have a table reserved in the back room.

LUNCH SSB ROUNDTABLE

• Daily
• 11:30 A to ~ 12:30 P
• 3.805 MHz
• WSØI says, "We talk about anything and everything, radios, weather, news, etc. Everyone is welcome."

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