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The Massillon Amateur Radio Club W8NP
PO Box 73
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Our club repeater is always available for all operators. Use PL 110.9 Hz. Try out your Yeasu Digital Voice radio's on our Fusion equipped UHF Repeater on 442.85 Mhz.
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Search Our Site What is the MARC ? Since 1927, the Massillon Amateur Radio Club has been a diverse radio hobbyist club that is currently over 80 members strong. Active within our community as well as an ARRL Special Service Club, we are actively involved in many facets of Amateur Radio, including Public Service, Membership, Field Day, Repeaters, Amateur Television (ATV), Skywarn plus many other interests. Learn More.... This Is Amateur Radio
Field Day - A Time to Adapt  Many individuals and groups organizing events for Field Day 2020 have been contacting ARRL for guidance on how to adapt their planned activities in this unprecedented time of social distancing and uncertainty.
“Due to the unique situation presented this year, this can be an opportunity for you, your club, and/or group to try something new,” ARRL Contest Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, said. “Field Day isn’t about doing things the same way year after year. Use this year to develop and employ a new approach that is in line with the current circumstances.” Social distancing and state and local requirements very likely will impact just how — and even whether — you are able to participate in Field Day this year. ARRL continues monitoring the coronavirus situation, paying close attention to information and guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If social distancing means that Class A with a 30-member team set up in a city park won’t work this year, then it’s time for a Plan B. Part of the Field Day concept has always been adapting your operation to the situation at hand. At its heart, Field Day is an emergency communication demonstration. Field Day rules are flexible enough to allow individuals and groups to adjust their participation and strategies in a way that still addresses their needs while being fun.
One big impact this year will be a decline in public visibility and any interaction with the visitors. Prudence may dictate dispensing with the ham radio PR table to attract passersby, should you set up in a more public location. It’s okay not to score all the bonus points you may have attempted in the past. Local and served agency officials may be unwilling to visit, which is understandable under the circumstances. Do be sure to reach out to them as part of your preparations and remind them that you look forward to continuing your working relationship with them in the future. The impact will differ from place to place, so ARRL recommends that all amateur radio clubs participating in Field Day stay in regular contact with local or state public health officials for their advice and guidance on hosting Field Day activities. Demonstrating an understanding of the health crisis we all face and your willingness to adapt will show that you and your club or group are good working partners with local or served agencies. “With any emergency preparedness exercise, it’s not about adapting the situation to your operation, it’s about adapting your operation to the situation that presents itself,” Bourque said. “Try something different. Learn something new about how you prepare. It may be a challenge, and you may have to ask yourself if you’re up to the challenge. We hope to hear you on the air over the June 27 – 28 weekend.” — Thanks to Paul Bourque, N1SFE, and Dan Henderson, N1ND
License Classes
The classes will use the ARRL Technician Study guide. Additional details will be announced in January. The Technician Class instructor will be Terry Russ, N8ATZ. Contact Terry at (330) 837-3091 or by email to truss@sssnet.com if you are interested in taking the class. A General Class may also be conducted if an instructor is available. Annual Holiday Parade
Our volunteers assisted with parade staging, cable TV interface, logistical support, parade safety and general communications for the 70 plus units that generally make up this annual Massillon Holiday tradition.
Terry Roan, Massillon Holiday Parade Parade Chairman provided a special thank you to the club in a letter to the editor noting “Massillon’s Amateur Radio Club, with Perry Ballinger (W8AU) as it’s leader provided 22 parade marshals who organized the line-up. To have a successful Holiday Parade we needed the complete support of the citizens of Massillon and surrounding areas—which we definitely had !
Thank you to everyone who made our Holiday Parade 2019 a huge success .”
Also a special Thank You to all of our club members who helped our with this years parade, we couldn’t have done it without you !
A Final Farewell to Russ, N8PII (SK)
(Sept 13, 2019) - - It has taken awhile to get all the legal work out of the way plus the attempt to find out Russ' history so an adequate service could be provided.
The funeral home tasked with handling the remains and the Coroner's office both refused to allow viewing of his "DD-214" service record, as if it was Top Secret! (which tis not). However with the help of a few friends we have enough info to do a short goodbye to our old friend.
The service will be held on Friday, September 20th at 2:30 PM at Western Reserve National Cemetery located at 10175 Rawiga Road, Seville, Ohio 44273. All club members and friends are welcome to attend this short service that will be presented by club President Perry Ballinger, W8AU. Please plan to arrive about 15 minutes before the ceremony.
Stark County Safety Expo
(Oct 6, 2019) - - The MARC participated in the 2019 Stark County Association of Realtors Safety and Preparedness Expo on Saturday, September 28th from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
The club EComm Trailer was on display as we provided information to the public on how we provide community service in the event of a local or wide based emergency that could impact our community.
We will be setup at the Champion Event Center located at 340 Mississippi Street NE, N. Canton, OH 44720.
Thanks to the following club members who assisted with this event. Terry - N8ATZ, Jim - WA8GXM, Bud - WA8KWD, Don - W8DEA and Vern - KE8VS.
Field Day Summary
Mother Nature blessed us with near perfect weather and decent operating conditions making for a solid Field Day event. Our stations performed well and thanks to multiple club members who participated we also enjoyed a great summer Field Day Feast ! Everyone enjoyed operating the club's new Yaesu FT-991A HF Rig now a permanent addition to the EComm Trailer. While Six Meter conditions were poor, our phone and CW stations produced super results. Stay tuned for some pictures from this years event !
Time for setup !
Raise the Mast !
Our Public Information Table
Let's Begin !
Igor - K8INN (L) Starts Us Off at 2:00 PM
Evan - KD8IDH at The Phone Station
The Six Meter Station With Dave - KB8AKD (C)
Our HF Beams & Long Wires
The Club Trailer On Display ! Ohio Section Manager Visit
(Apr 28, 2019) - - The club program for our May meeting is our annual ARRL Night featuring our Ohio Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY. Scott will update us with the current happenings at the ARRL including the new ARES Connect System and the League programs expected at Dayton Hamvention. Bring your questions for Scott to the meeting. As a courtesy to Scott, his program will be first on the agenda after member roll call with our normal business meeting after the program. Scott always has a great program for us as we always look forward to his annual visit to the MARC. Please join us this Friday, May 3rd at 7:30 PM ! New DMR Weekly Net Announcement
(Mar 6, 2019) - - A new DMR Net sponsored by the Massillon Amateur Radio Club is held every Monday night at 7:30 PM on the KG8DQ Repeater System. If you are using the KG8DQ code plug set your radio for the Massillon Zone, Channel 1. To access the Canton System go to the Canton Zone, Channel 1. Both systems are tied together and have nearly countywide range and can be used using either a handheld or mobile. Net Control is currently Jim Farriss, WA8GXM who accepts all check-ins. Some local news items are covered as well as comments. Club Banquet Results
We also had a great dinner prepared by the K of C Hall. A few pictures are shown below of several major award recipients. Click the link below to see all the pictures thanks to new Vice-President Don Rankl, N8IVJ. Click Here to see the pictures....
Attendance was great at this years dinner.
Evan, KE8IDH (R) receives an award from Club President Perry, W8AU. Annual Holiday Parade !
(Nov 2, 2018) - - The MARC just finished assisting with the 64th Annual Massillon Holiday Parade sponsored by Massillon Main Street and the Downtown Massillon Association. This continues to remain the oldest public service event that is handled by the club and our responsibilities have grown over recent years to include many aspects of parade operation. The parade was rebroadcast over Massillon Cable TV and I hope some of you had a chance to view it. The club trailer looked great on the route with our new decorations and special thanks to Jim Farriss - WA8GXM for pulling the trailer in the parade. In the early years of the parade, we provided only communications support to the Massillon JC’s organization who handled the staging of all the parade units. When they disbanded, the city struggled to find volunteers willing to take on this task. Since the MARC handled communications support, somehow we got nominated to take on this responsibility as well. A few years later, Massillon Cable began filming the parade in conjunction with the Massillon High School Communications Department and again the club was called upon to assist with this part of the parade also. Last minute omissions or changes to the parade line up are passed on to the production crew so that the announcers can follow along with the parade units. We had experience with this as well as amateurs routinely handle staging activities including TV production control relay duties at the Hall of Fame Festival Community Parade. The Holiday Parade has depended on this ever since. Over the past several years the parade has been sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association with President Donald Harwig serving as Parade Chairman. During this time and before the club has always been there to make sure the parade is properly staged and starts on time down the parade route. We have become an integral part of the parade and I wonder if they could pull it off without us. I’m glad to report another successful public service event with very few problems thanks to our communications and parade skills. Over 50 years and counting Santa has arrived in the city in no small part thanks to the MARC. Parade Organizers and Communications Coordinator Perry Ballinger, W8AU express their appreciation to the MARC for their continued support of this annual holiday parade. The following club members assisted with this years event. Perry Ballinger - W8AU, Steve Hall - KD8ACF, Igor Nikishin - K8INN, Dan Anastis - N8DZM, Jim Farriss - WA8GXM, Evan Rankl - KE8IDH, Tom Gill - KC8QOD, Terry Russ - N8ATZ, Bob Ballinger - N8KXO, Robin - N8EBS, Vern Sproat - KE8VS, Fred Reed - KD8SMO, Mike Daughenbaugh - KE8EHG, Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU, Russ McMahen - N8PII, Don Rankl - N8IVJ and Anne Ballinger - N8GAF. This event provided over 60 hours of community service. MARC Visits Touch-A-Truck
The club had our EComm Trailer on site with our mast extended and equipment on display and operating to demonstrate our hobby to the public. Perry, W8AU also brought his military jeep to show. Lots of children toured our trailer and the Jeep many having their picture taken operating our main station. Eleven club members assisted with this event. It was a great time and we received many comments about our equipment and how we serve as a backup communications service to public safety forces and our community. Many thanks to the several club members who helped out or stopped by to have a look including Terry - N8ATZ, Perry - W8AU, Wade - WD8MIU, Jim - WA8GXM, Wade - W8DEA, Chris - KD8TNF, Ted - K8TWA, Mike - KB8OTK, Mike - KE8EHG, Don - W8DEF, Tony - KD8UXK and Ralph - K8HSQ. Also thanks to Jim for some great aerial drone shots.
Jim acts a tour guide for our many visitors !
Our Drone shot, that's our mast on the right !
We even had a shady spot to handle the very hot day ! MARC Participates in Memorial Day Parade
(May 28, 2017) - - The MARC will participate in this years Memorial Day Parade in Massillon on Monday, May 29th. The club EComm Trailer will be decorated in full colors with flags denoting all branches of our armed services and will be part of the parade starting at 9:30 AM Monday morning. Club members are encouraged to attend the ceremonies to recognize our members who have served in the military and to reflect on the true meaning of this important holiday.
W8AU ready to join the parade units !
EComm One Shows Off the Colors ! Perry Twp PD Honors WB8HHP
Officer France obtained his bachelors degree from Kent State University in 1979 and continued his education by completing the Lawrence Township Police Academy in 1980. He began his career as an Auxiliary Officer for Lawrence Township and Jackson Township. Officer France started as a full-time police officer with the Perry Township Police Department on June 2, 1981 and was one of the original nine full-time police officers when the department first began operations. During Officer France's career he was a Road Patrol Officer, Detective, Union Representative and Evidence Officer. Officer France has had many highlights in his career and has helped tremendously with multiple large projects within the police department. Officer France was one of several employees to assist in the creation and implementation of the “Special Response Unit,” as well as the radio/communication system and the organization of the evidence room by applying advanced professional standards. Officer France not only has great attendance for his regular shifts but in times of significant and critical investigations he responds to calls for service at all times of the day or night with no questions asked. The Board of Trustees will be honoring Officer France at the Board meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 7:00pm at the Perry Township Administration Office- 3111 Hilton St. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646. As always the public is welcome to attend. It has been a privilege to work with Officer France. His kindness and sense of humor will be greatly missed! We wish you the best of luck, Timmy!
Retiring Officer and Lifetime MARC Club Member Tim France, WB8HHP (R). Congratulations Tim on a fine career of public service to our community ! New Repeater Antenna Installed !
(Oct 12, 2016) - - On Saturday, October 8th members of the MARC Technical Committee completed the final phase of the 147.18 Mhz upgrade project. With the help of Marty Baker, N8XPK and Committee lead Jim - WA8GXM along with helpers Terry - N8ATZ, Mike - KB8OTK, and Vern - KE8VS, the new commercial 4 bay antenna was replaced along with a new section of feedline to the Tower Site. We noted that when the old antenna was lowered to ground level it was clear that the antenna had been damaged by lightning multiple times certainly affecting it's performance. This completes a nearly year long upgrade process that included the installation of the new Yaesu Fusion Repeater, a GE Power Amp, and a newly refurbished duplexer and many other minor upgrades in our effort to eliminate intermittent repeater noise and poor performance to our main two meter repeater. During this time we also upgraded our UHF System on 442.85 Mhz with a new Yaesu Fusion repeater, new feedline and in September a new commercial grade 2 bay antenna. Over the next few months, we will be closely monitoring the main club repeater performance to make sure we have cured several problems and will once again have a great sounding solid repeater system for our membership. Our thanks to Marty and the repeater committee for completing this project before winter weather arrived. A few pictures are posted below from the antenna project...
The Ground Crew prepares the hard line
The feedline is ready to be hoisted up the tower
Marty, N8XPK makes his way to the top of the tower
Marty's assistant working his way to the top
The new antenna ready to hoist up the tower
The new antenna set at approx 200 feet atop the tower
The existing repeater antenna removal
This is tough and dangerous
work nearly 200 feet in
The new antenna as seen
from a drone at the top of the A job well done by everyone and Thanks ! March Program Details UPDATED !
Fear not however, we have a very nice backup program that we will have for you at the March meeting. Several months back an interesting article appeared in either QST or CQ Magazine that covered how well the new series of handhelds performed up against the current big three manufacturer's (Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood). The results were a bit of a surprise as many of the current crop of very low priced HT's did not fair well during compliance testing. How about yours ? Club President Ralph Bugg, K8HSQ will bring along his portable spectrum analyzer to the meeting and will be happy to run a simple test on your HT to see how clean your output signal is. It is simple and quick to test. Just make sure you bring your HT and it's antenna. I know we all have at least one handheld, I have one for every day of the week ! So make sure you bring it along to the meeting and let us put it to the test ! ......THE RESULTS OF THE TESTING...... Our fill-in program on HT Purity testing yielded some very interesting results as we expected it to. The two pictures below show the results of testing on two common manufacturers of current HT's. One was the new infusion of a China made model BAOFENG - UV-5RA and the current Yeasu FT2D Digital HT. Several HT types were tested along with a few commercial models. Have a look and make up your own mind !
This shot is from the Yeasu FT2D. The tall vertical trace on the left shows a nice signal with only a few spurious emissions shown by shorter vertical lines to the right.
This shot is from the China made Baofeng UV-5RA. While the signals are similar you can easily see multiple spurious emissions on the right. A slightly "dirty" radio signal. In all, about 15 handhelds were tested with various results. Not scientific but it would appear that you do indeed get what you pay for ! February Program on NPOTA
(Feb 6, 2016) - - The February club program was given by our Affiliated Club Coordinator John Meyer, KD8MQ who gave us a great introduction to this years major ARRL operating event, National Parks On The Air. John's powerpoint presentation gave us the full details of this nationwide operating event that promises to be very exciting and give plenty of fun operating for everyone. This event will help the NPS celebrate their 100th Anniversary. Hams from across the country will activate NPS units, and promote the National Parks Service and showcase Amateur Radio to the public. The club may even explore the possibility of operating from one of the nearby NPS units.
John had a great presentation at the meeting Steve Hall, KD8ACF Merit Award
(Feb 6, 2016) - - In recognition of his continuing service to the club in many areas throughout 2015 and before, member Steve Hall, KD8ACF was presented a Special Recognition Award at the February meeting. A special thanks to Steve for his dedication to the club year after year !
Steve Hall, KD8ACF (R) receives his Special Recognition Award In Memoriam to our dear friend and member Ed Clinger, WA8DRT
Proceeded in death by his son, Jay Clinger. Survived by his wife, Doris Clinger; two daughters and sons-in—law Jamie Sue and Steve Voican, of Massillon, and Robyn and Roy Adkins of Lake Butler, Fla.: two sons and daughters –in-law Stanton and Lois Clinger of Broomfield, Colo, and Stephen and /Karen Clinger of Boalsburg, Pa; one sister, Lois Armington, of Willoughby, Ohio; and ten grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.As per Ed’s wishes he was cremated. A memorial will be held at a later date at the Otterbein United Methodist Church– Navarre. Service information will appear in the Repository and on the Funeral Home website closer to the Service date. Instead of sending flowers, contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to the Otterbein Methodist Church –Navarre, 6025 Shepler Church Ave SW, Navarre, Ohio 44662 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 , Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. The Finefrock—Gordon Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at: www.gordonfuneralhomes.comOur Most Sincere Condolences to the Family of Ed Clinger. 73’s good friend we wily surely miss you!
Our dear friend and member Ed, WA8DRT (R) April Meeting - ARRL Night
(Apr 4, 2015) - - Our April meeting was our annual ARRL Night as our Special Guest was Ohio Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY. Also attending was our Affiliated Club Coordinator John Myers, KD8MQ. Scott's annual visit included current happenings within the Ohio Section and the renewed importance of public service and active club participation in our community. His visit also included a presentation of our active renewal for our ARRL Special Club Status. This elite ARRL status recognizes a affiliated club that goes above and beyond for their community and for Amateur Radio is what defines a Special Service Club. They are leaders in their Amateur Radio community who provide active training classes, publicity programs, and actively pursue technical projects and operating activities. Thanks to the clubs strong belief in our hobby and our community, we have been a Special Service Club for the last ten years.
Affiliated Club Coordinator John Myers, KD8MQ (L) presents President Ralph, K8HSQ with our renewed Special Service Club Certificate. March Mentoring Class
(UPDATED) (Mar 7, 2015) - - - Continuing on the current theme of kit building and fox hunting, the March Mentoring Class covered the construction of a Tape Measure Beam for Fox Hunting. The class was held at the Massillon Senior Center on Saturday, March 7th. This months Mentor was Dan Anastas, N8DZM our resident Fox Hunter. A kit of parts needed to construct the Tape Measure Beam was provided for $13.00. Dan coached the builders on the construction of the beam antenna providing some theory on its design and operation. This will continue in our April Mentoring Class which will be on learning how to Fox Hunt and will give you a chance to use both your Attenuator and Tape Measure Beam. This class will be held on Saturday, April 11th also at the Massillon Senior Center. Additional details will follow. Our thanks to club member John, N8CD for the great pictures !.
Mentor Dan, N8DZM oversees our beam builders
Wade, WD8MIU put the final touches on his new DF beam
Dan (R) checks the final DF Beam for Thomas, KC8ZEH
Another successful Mentoring Session ! February Mentoring Class Info
John began with the basics of soldering, a skill all radio operators should have. This included proper safety techniques, the theory of how an attenuator works and testing out the kit when completed. Approximately 10 club members took part in this session including builders and mentors. John's program included an excellent powerpoint presentation following step by step help and guidance in building the K0OV kit from Marvin West, KE6HTS. The kit included a great looking case from the famous Altoids Mint Tin. Everyone had a fun time during this mentoring session and learned a lot. We especially want to thank John, N8CD for the time he spent preparing this training session including the individual help he and his mentors provided the members. Everyone's kit went together fine and all worked ! Our March and April Mentoring Sessions will continue this theme as we build the famous Tape-Measure Beam used for DX'ing and some actual field training during April. John has made available the powerpoint presentation for those who missed the training. You can view it by clicking the following link. http://bit.ly/marc-kit Some pictures of the event are posted below...
The members enjoyed a great presentation
The build station with lots of help provided ! Proper Station Grounding Class
(Jan 18, 2015) - - The clubs first Mentoring Program was held on Saturday, Jan 17th with about 20 members and guests in attendance. The class was held at the Massillon Senior Center. This months Mentor was James Andrews, KD8VT and the class covered proper station grounding for your shack. The training included a very informative powerpoint presentation and lecture from James. The attendees learned the basics of station grounding including lightning protection for your equipment and tower installations. James also included some show & tell on various types of coax and hard line usage. The club provided coffee and donuts for the morning. Thanks also to James XYL who brought an assortment of cookie's and cupcakes. The presentation was excellent and well received by everyone. James also will provide a copy of the powerpoint that will be posted to the club's website for those who couldn't attend.
Our first Mentoring Class was well received by the attendee's A Bit of Repeater History !
Click here to read the full story. Since 1927, the Massillon Amateur Radio Club has been a diverse radio hobbyist club that is currently over 80 members strong. Active within our community as well as an ARRL Special Service Club, we are actively involved in many facets of Amateur Radio, including Public Service, Membership, Field Day, Repeaters, Amateur Television (ATV), Skywarn plus many other interests. You are welcome to join us at our monthly club meetings held on the first Friday of each month at 8:00 PM at the Massillon Senior Citizens Center, located at 39 Lincoln Way West, Massillon, Ohio 44647. We usually monitor the club's 147.18 repeater, give us a call and we'll guide you in ! MARC owns and operates repeaters
in the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands. Our annual Hamfest
is held at the Massillon Boy's & Girls Club in Massillon. We have a large indoor
hamfest area, as well as ample outdoor parking. The prizes are
some of the best you'll find at any area hamfest and the bargains
are many.
Reach us at truss@sssnet.com Number of Contacts with this site
Counter Courtesy of digits.net This page was last updated on Site best viewed in 800 x 600 Resolution 2020 MARC
ARES®, Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the ARES logo are registered trademarks of the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and are used by permission. |
Still Interested in looking at our Holiday webpage ? Click Here to have a look !
The MARC is an ARRL Special Service Club
Click Here to download a club membership application
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(Mar 24, 2020) - - The April meeting of
the MARC will be held on Friday, April 3, 2020. Due to the
current health concern we will not have a meeting but will
instead be a virtual net meeting covering basic club news that
will convene at about 8:00 PM on the club 147.18 Repeater.
(July 1,
2019) - -
This years
Field Day
exercise was
another
great time
for the club
as over 40
members and
friends took
part in this
year's
annual
event.
(Feb 21, 2016) - - Our scheduled March program was to
have been presented by club member Don Wade, W8DEA on his recent
FEMA assignment. Due to scheduling difficulties, this program
will have to be postponed until later this year.
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As
a club member, not only will you have access to the autopatches
on our 2m and 70 cm repeaters, but you will also receive a monthly
subscription to our newsletter, 
The
club owns an emergency response 
