The Ferndale Library has suspended meetings of 10 or more attendees as of March 11, 2020.  This impacts both MBARC and the MBARC Digital Group meetings.

This month we will hear a presentation from Jim Blatner, KC7JB. Jim will be talking to us about Software Defined Radios.

Come join us on Tuesday night, November 12th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

This month we will hear a presentation from Corky Searls, AF4PM. Corky lives nearby on Lopez Island but comes from the other side of the country where he was active in Amateur Radio and participated several times with the Hams who provide communications for the famous Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. Corky will tell us how over 120 Hams come together each year to handle both voice and digital data communications to serve this monumental event. They set up radio stations throughout the course and even install portable repeaters to cover the area.

Hosted in the nation's capital with the start and finish in Arlington, VA, the Marine Corps Marathon offers an unparalleled journey through the most recognizable landmarks in our country. The MCM is said to be the largest marathon in the world.

We will also have our usual reports, coffee and cookies, and time to chat. There will be a table where you can bring in one or two Ham Radio items that you would like to sell. The meeting is at 7. If you are bringing in equipment, the doors open at 6:30.

Come join us on Tuesday night, October 8th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.   This month we will hear a presentation from Andy Sayler, KF7VOL, who been working hard on a country wide digital communications project. Andy and his team have been setting up remotely accessible stations capable of providing RMS Gateways that can be easily switched to other digital modes and purposes whenever the need arises.

The Summer hiatus is ending with a return to monthly MBARC meetings at the Ferndale Library (7 PM).  The topic for the September 10th meeting will be amateur radio "go kits".  If you would like to display and describe your "radio station in a box", the meeting room will be open at 6:30 PM for set-up.

This will be the last meeting before the two month Summer break.  Officer elections for the next year and Field Day are on the agenda.  Don't miss it!

  This month Bryan Hoyer, K7UDR, returns to share with us what happened when San Juan County lost  their underwater cable connection to the mainland. They had no 911 and severely limited Telephone and Internet. This is the very type of event Island Hams train for twice each month. They tell us that when Cascadia rises, we will all be living islands. Most of us will be able to drive no further than the nearest bridge in any direction as the expectation is that they and most of the overpasses will come down. We will find out how our Amateur Radio neighbors in San Juan County practice and prepare to meet the needs of people who live on islands. 

Bryan is also the creator of the popular DRAWS digital controller board. He will tells us what is happening with Northwest Digital Radio and what exciting things are coming from them as well.

Come join us on Tuesday night, April 9th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

Many of you know Jim Turri, W7NSI, a long time member of MBARC and a very regular participant in the local morning net. Jim will be our presenter at this Tuesday's meeting. He will tell us about his experiences as a blind amateur radio operator. Join us to find out what brought Jim and his wife, Holly, N7GDB, to ham radio. What are the hurdles that they overcome to be able to enjoy this hobby we all share.   We will also hear about plans for this year's Field Day. We will find out about The Mount Baker Ultra Marathon that's looking for help from local hams. And as always we will have cookies, coffee and a door prize to make your evening enjoyable. We hope to see you there at 7 pm in the Ferndale Library.

Come join us on Tuesday night, March 12th, 2019 at 7:00pm at The Ferndale Library.

This month we will hear a presentation from our own Keith Williamson, KF7DRV, who will talk about:   WILDERNETS Imagine setting up wireless telephone networks in third world villages where there is no infrastructure. That's what a company called Village Telco has done using their own wireless routers and Keith's help with the firmware. Now Keith has extended that firmware to provide a canopy of communication services for EmComm response teams and other organizations in areas where there is no Internet access. This is Wildernets. The Wildernets mesh network can now be deployed by EmComm response teams whereever disasters call us. Keith will tell us all about it and give a live demonstration of what Wildernets provides.

---

Have you got some interesting QSL cards that you have collected over time? Please bring them along to share. And what about your microphones. We are looking for vintage microphones and the stories that go along with them. Show us your mics and share with us some of the great DX they have brought you.

We will also have a table set up if you have one or two pieces of radio gear that you want to sell.

Door Prizes? Yes we have door prizes. Everyone is welcome.

As always, we will also have cookies and coffee and time to talk with others about Ham Radio. Bring a Friend! We hope to see you there.