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 […]

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 […]

Thanks to the hard work of several DMRAA Board members and others there was an ARRL Field Day in Des Moines.  The Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center was the location.  The statistics are not in yet but a good time was enjoyed by all.  Certainly the overall numbers (attendees and contacts) were down […]

Good news, the 2020 edition of Field Day is  ready to go.  The DMRAA board has decided to proceed with this highly anticipated event.  The dates are June 27th 1:00PM until 1:00PM June 28th.  Set up will be Saturday at 9:00AM.  If you have never seen Field Day, here is your opportunity to get involved. […]

The VE team believes strongly in personal freedom, but freedom must be tempered with responsibility. We must think of the risks to our volunteers and guests and measure whether the risk of infection can be reasonably managed. There are some positive signs that progress with testing and treatments are being made. Taking all things into […]

In 2019, Dennis KAØDOS, Bob WØSMS and Tom WØFN created a HF, VHF and UHF station at the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center. Our goal this year is to make significant improvements and make the station available to all DMRAA members.   The Museum is in Des Moines at 75 East Army Post […]

HF2078 is an Iowa House bill that would amend the 2013 law that prohibits texting while driving.  The addition proposed is to ban the use of any electronic device while driving.  Hands free operation of a cell phone would be allowed if that system is built into the vehicle. While the bill does not specifically […]

I ask this question with regards to service within the boundaries of Amateur Radio.  A quick Google search showed: doer, “a person who acts rather than merely talking or thinking”.  I’d like to think that it is the Doers that exemplify Amateur Radio Emergency Service.  These are the folks that give up their time, usually […]

Bob Johnson, WØSMS is the 2019 recipient of DMRAA radio operator of the year, the Winthrop Mager Award. Bob was in the DMRAA for many years before deciding to come back and be more active.  Since becoming more active he has taken on many responsibilities.  He has been very active with the DMRAA Education Committee […]