The class will teach the fundamentals of amateur radio and students will learn the requirements to gain the entry-level “technician” amateur radio license. Learn how you can use radio equipment for enjoyment, experimentation, and public service. Testing will be held at the end of the course.

To enroll: Visit the Waukee Community Education website, click “online registration,” and then click on “special interest.” You can register for the class by clicking the link on the right-hand side. The name of the course is “Ham Radio Basics” and the course number is W1240.

Textbook: The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual (2nd Edition). Books will be available for purchase at the first class session for $25. The DMRAA does not profit off the sale of these books.

WCSD enrollment fee: $10

Location: South Middle School, 2350 SE La Grant Parkway, Waukee.

Schedule:
Thursday evenings, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

• Feb. 2
• Feb. 9
• Feb. 16
• Mar. 1
• Mar. 8
• Mar. 15
• Mar. 29
• Apr. 5
• Apr. 12 (last class and testing)

Questions? E-mail the DMRAA at info@dmraa.com or Ron Hobbs N0XWI at rwhobbs@aol.com.

He was selected by the nomination committee for his activity in Polk County ARES, his role as a board member of the DMRAA, contributed hours for VE testing, and other activities. Most recently, he served as a co-chair for the Polk County ARES activation for the Polk County Marathon. As a DMRAA board member, he is a chair for the DMRAA Hamfest and W0AK Field Day committees.

The award was presented by Wynell Mager-Kisner, the daughter of the late Rev. Winthrop Mager, for whom the award was named after, at the annual DMRAA Christmas Party on December 6 in Des Moines. The purpose of the Winthrop Mager Award is to perpetuate the memory of the Rev. Winthrop Mager W0MJH, and to stimulate the activity in all fields of amateur radio in the central Iowa area. Any radio operator with any class license who is a member of the Des Moines Radio Amateurs’ Association is eligible. Nominations are due by the end of the November meeting each year. Nominees are those amateur operators that have shown outstanding support for amateur radio, promotion of the amateur radio service and have done so with the utmost respect for the community and fellow operators.

Look for more information on the award and the DMRAA holiday events in the upcoming issue of the Static Sheet.

While it’s not a formal contest, stations should try to contact as many other NWS offices and other non-NWS stations as possible. The Des Moines NWS office, using the station call sign K0DMX, will be operating on the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands as well as on the linked MISA repeater system on VHF and UHF, including D-STAR. Around 100 NWS stations are expected to participate this year.

Even if you’re not able to make it to the Des Moines NWS office to participate in the event, all amateur radio operators within the range of a repeater on the MISA linked system is encouraged to make a contact on the linked system. If you can make a contact on both a VHF repeater and UHF repeater, please do! That would count as two contacts since it was made on two different bands.

Skywarn Recognition Day was created in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to recognize the importance that amateur radio provides during severe weather. Many NWS offices acquire real-time weather information from amateur radio operators in the field. These operators, for example, may report the position of a tornado, the height of flood waters, or damaging wind speeds during hurricanes. All of this information is critical to the mission of the NWS which is to preserve life and property. The special event celebrates this special contribution by amateur radio operators.

The 2011 Skywarn Recognition Day in Des Moines is organized jointly by the Des Moines National Weather Service staff and the Mid-Iowa Skywarn Association. Contact information, as well as details and updates will be available on the Mid-Iowa Skywarn Association website at http://www.midiowaskywarn.com.

Please bring a hot dish and a cold dish plus your own tableware. The club will provide a smoked ham; coffee, tea, and hot cider will also be furnished. Serving will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Following the dinner, the Winthrop Mager Award will be announced. The purpose of the Winthrop Mager Award is to perpetuate the memory of the Rev. Winthrop M. Mager W0MJH, and to stimulate the activity in all fields of amateur radio in the central Iowa area. It is awarded by the Des Moines Radio Amateurs’ Association. Any radio operator with any class license who is a member of the Des Moines Radio Amateurs’ Association is eligible. Nominees are those amateur operators that have shown outstanding support for amateur radio, promotion of the amateur radio service and have done so with the utmost respect for the community and fellow operators.

For those not familiar with Plymouth, there is a parking garage on the east side of the church in case of bad weather. Signage in the church will direct you to Waveland Hall, which is on the 2nd floor. Come and enjoy the food and fellowship!

• Chili Feed & Auction: Tuesday, November 22, at the St. Paul Presbyterian Church at 6426 Merle Hay Road in Johnston (map). Dinner starts at 6:00pm and the auction begins at 7:00pm. The cost is $5.00 per person for admission. The general public/non-members are welcome.
• Christmas Party: Tuesday, December 6, at the Plymouth Congregational Church at 42nd and Ingersoll (map) at 7 p.m. in the Waveland Hall. Bring a main dish, side dish, and your own dinnerware.

More details will be posted on the DMRAA homepage as the events draw closer. We look forward to seeing you there!

Nominations for the Winthrop Mager Award need to be sent to the DMRAA president no later than the conclusion of the November meeting, which is the annual chili feed and auction. They must be in writing. The president will give the nominations to the committee for processing at that time. Nominees are those amateur operators that have shown outstanding support for amateur radio, promotion of the amateur radio service and have done so with the utmost respect for the community and fellow operators.

Please submit your nominations soon!

Past recipients of the Winthrop Mager Award