MARA Club membership drive continues

MAT-SU — December culminates the membership drive for the Matanuska Amateur Radio Association. People who pay their $24 membership fee now will be entered to win a radio.

Now is the time to consider becoming a member of MARA. Although a hobby and nonprofit organization, members were a united voice when Mat-Su Borough legislation was introduced to potentially limit our hobby. It was defeated.

Membership has no age requirements. Our senior member is 100 years young. Ask Buddy how she enjoys HAM radio when you visit at our club meetings. Children and folks with disabilities can learn and enjoy this craft, too.

MARA is a club, yet also a valuable resource for communications when emergencies arise, such as recent local flooding. Amateur radio operators patrolled to keep an eye on conditions and report details to authorities.

Equipment costs are modest as technology improves. You can purchase, build, assemble or make equipment including antennas. It just depends on your interest.

Talking on a microphone may take you across the street or around the world. You learn skills such as geography, earth science, physics, electronics, social studies, math and so much more. Contests are available to sharpen your competitive skill sets too, although everyone is a winner with amateur radio.

Morse code is no longer a required ingredient to obtain your license, but it is still fun to learn and “chirp” around the world.

Other clubs have launched beacon balloons, kites, rockets and satellites into space. It is a safe hobby as not one amateur radio operator has been injured in this activity. We stress safety with knowledge.

For more information, visit kl7jfu.com/.

Matanuska Amateur Radio Association President Pat Brown is call sign KL3DB. Or, contact him by phone at 775-4638.