__________________________________________The History of McDowell Amateur Radio Association

HISTORY: The McDowell Amateur Radio Association began in the early 1980’s. Dr. Robert M. Boggs, President of McDowell Tech, Joe Mcilwain K3CJG, the first Club president, and Calvin Philbeck WD4PVE organized a group of 20 local Ham operators to form the Club- McDowell Amateur Radio Association or M.A.R.A. Early in its beginning, Frank Goldsmith N4UWO, joined M.A.R.A. with Leonard Hensley N4YYY, James Holtzclaw KC4TNT, and Russell England KA4NMX. The first Club meetings were held in the electronics classroom at McDowell Tech. Then President Joe Mcilwain was an instructor at McDowell Tech. The Club meetings moved to the Steakhouse for a year and then to Refuge Baptist Church on Clear Creek Baptist Church. John Cook, KK4IX, then made the arrangements to move to our current location at 29 North Garden Street where the “REACT” group had been meeting before it dissolved. Rowe Mauney W4HOG, was a qualified Boy Scouts examiner.  After his passing, and as a tribute to Mr. Mauney, the Club requested to adopt his call sign, W4HOG, from the FCC to become the club’s permanent callsign.

This club has been a bastion for fellowship and the continuance of the hobby through community service.  The passing on of technical knowledge that is used in the field of Amateur Radio remains the core interest of the club.

The WD4PVE repeater has been the center of 2-meter communication for McDowell Amateur Radio Association.  Calvin Philbeck, WD4PVE, purchased the repeater from Bud Adams of Old Fort and then moved the repeater to the McDowell area and put his call sign on it. It was first installed on Mt. Ida in Marion, then at his house in East Marion. In the Late 1990s, the opportunity to move the repeater to the County owned tower on Grant’s Mt. became available and has now become its permanent location.

FOX HUNT: The first foxhunt was in March 2019, when we received a request to assist MCSO in identifying an intentional interference source.  Due to initial erroneous info, and the caginess of the pirate station, a usable bearing was not obtained until June 28.  Additional bearings continued, but the signal source was too short for conclusions.  The various periods of interference were tabulated, and a pattern identified.  All club members were waiting in Marion on the evening of July 9, 2019, and when the signal began at 7:02 pm, everyone headed out to predetermined monitoring locations.  The signal source was positively identified by 7:45 pm.  Based on the information developed, the sheriff’s department obtained a search warrant, and days later was able to enter the house and seize the equipment while it was in operation during active interference.

As far as current Friday afternoon practice hunts, we started doing them in September of 2023.  Jim Elkins, KG4IKQ, has developed 44 hunts with various types of scenarios; some just bearing hunts, some to find the transmitter itself.  To date, the hunters are successful 53% of the time within the 2-hour time limit.  If it wasn’t for the 2-hour limit, they would probably always find the transmitter in 3-6 hours.

The Amateur’s Delight

 In a world of static whispers, ham radio comes alive,  
Where waves of connection, across vast distances, strive.

 
Operators with call signs, in the ether they roam,  
Seeking distant signals, like sailors seeking home.

   

With QSOs and CQ calls, they embark on their quest, An amateur’s delight, this radio bequest.  
They tune their rigs with skill, like musicians tuning strings,  
To catch the elusive DX, on the airwaves it sings.

  

Through the ether’s dance, Morse code comes to life,  
Dits and dahs like fireflies, cutting through the strife.  
With keyers and paddles, they tap a rhythmic code,  
A symphony of dots and dashes, across the airwaves stowed.

  

Their antennas stretch like arms, reaching for the skies,  
To touch the far-off lands, where distant voices rise.  
In ragchews and nets, they share stories of delight,  
Building bridges of friendship, as day turns into night. 

 

They pass along QSL cards, like postcards through the air, Confirming contacts made, a treasure to declare.  
In contesting’s fierce domain, they strive for highest score,  
A battle of the airwaves, where skills are put to the fore.

  

When storms rage and signals fade, they stand firm and true,  
Emergency traffic handlers, brave and noble crew.

 
With ARES and RACES, they serve their fellow men, Amidst the chaos, they bring order, time and time again. 

 

With IARU and ARRL, their community they bind,  
A brotherhood of hams, a unity of mind.

 
Amid the crackling static, friendships they amass,  
For in this radio realm, the distance cannot surpass.

  

So here’s to ham radio operators, with their passion deep,  
Chasing frequencies and dreams, while the world’s asleep.

 
Through ether and ionosphere, their signals they deploy,  
With hearts that hum in harmony, and radiate pure joy.