It’s time to release the fox! The Story County Amateur Radio Club is hosting a socially distant Fox Hunt, or hidden transmitter hunt, on Sunday, April 25th in Ames, Iowa. We request all interested hunters assemble (at least 6’ apart!) in the parking lot west of Hy-Vee Gas, Grand Avenue and Lincoln Way to register […]

The DMRAA board has  decided that in place of the Hamfest on Saturday, April 24th, it will be hosting a tailgate-type event at the Fort Des Moines facility. Details are still being worked out, and more information will be forthcoming

FCC yet to announce  their plans to proceed  with raising the fees for new and existing hams as well as Vanity Calls. To get a better handle on the upcoming fee changes to amateur radio, I contacted the ARRL and W5YI today.I was informed that there is no further update from the FCC on the […]

Iowa amateur radio operators may now obtain Blackout plates with call letters correctly displayed.  The change was effective on February 3, 2021 and allows the zero to be shown as a zero with a diagonal line through it.  Finally, it is possible for a zero region call-sign to be properly displayed on a Blackout plate.   Iowa […]

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warned against using radio services to “facilitate criminal acts,” ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s upcoming inauguration this Wednesday. The warning, issued from FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, followed reports that some people were using radio services as an alternative to social media sites in order to communicate and coordinate activities. “The Bureau recognizes […]

Mike Waldron to present and discuss testing equipment in November 24th’s virtual meeting.  This talk could lead to some great stocking stuffer ideas! Please contact Tom Weaver, WØFN –> Tom.WØFN@gmail.com to get a Zoom Meeting Link/invite for our monthly meetings (4th Tuesday of the month @ 7PM).  NOTE: The meeting link will remain the same as […]

A nice crowd was attracted to a DMRAA Swap Meet Saturday the 5th of October.  A little light rain couldn’t dampen the gathering.  Approximately 25 amateur radio operators attended. Several folks had items to sell and a good time was had by all.  Hopefully the success of this small event will encourage the DMRAA board […]

As you may know, to date there have been 1021 contacts made and 41 Iowa State Parks activated. I want to thank all of you who have made this possible. It is been a tremendous effort. And it is an outstanding accomplishment for the amateur radio community of Iowa.   Someone asked which Parks still […]

John Forbes has agreed to present his solar energy project at the September meeting. John Forbes is a pharmacist who operates a Medicap Pharmacy in Urbandale. When he planned the new building he now occupies, he specifically planned to install rooftop solar panels to supply all of the electricity. He has kept daily records of […]

We have just received word that the Living History Farms Road O Cross Race has been cancelled due COVID-19 concerns.  This means that Polk County had not been able to assist in any public service events in 2020.  While disappointed we look forward to a more normal year in 2021.  Thanks to all of you […]