Looking for the 2013 IRA Hamfest Flyer?

Sponsored by the Independant Repeater Assoc.
NEXT Saturday, June 1, 2013
Click Here

How about the 2013 GRAHamfest Flyer?

Sponsored by The Grand Rapids Amateur Radio Assoc.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Click Here

Membership Meeting: 
First Friday of Each Month

Next Meeting is June 7th.

(This is the week AFTER the IRA Hamfest this year.)

The June meeting will be held at a special Location this year.

It's the site of our 2013 ARRL Field Day Exercise.
Come and be part of the planning for this -- our biggest operational event of the year.  We will gather near the large ballfield at Calvin College to finalize our field day plans.  Bring a lawn chair.  Shelter is available in case of rain.

Calvin College, Gainey Athletic Complex
1661 East Paris Ave SE (at East Campus Drive.)
Grand Rapids, Mi

Gathering Time: 6:30 PM        Meeting Time: 7:00 P.M.

Change that Resolution into Reality.... Official ARRL License Testing Sessions Second Friday Each Month, 6:30 PM. At the Red Cross Building. Click Here for More Information

The Michigan QSO Party 2013

The W8DC Radio Room at the Red Cross was open again this year for the Michigan QSO Party.  The following picture are of afternoon operators.

Tom, N8DGD

Mike, W8DER

Corey, KD8SZZ

2013 Michigan QSO Party Pictures are Courtesy of Jim Leys, KD8CAN

See more information about the Michigan QSO Party on the Events Page.

The March 1, 2013 Membership Meeting Presentation was
'Ham Radio Applications with the Arduino Micro-Controller'
by Mike Hill, W8DER

You can still review the presentation slides - click here.

The next membership meeting is Friday,
April 3, 2013
Hope to see you there!

GRARA Club Members "Dazzled" With Drone Demonstration At February Meeting.

Many thanks go out to Al Pineiro, KC8OPU, for the demonstration of his drone aircraft and it's fantastic flight control system. The demonstration was presented at the club's February general membership meeting.

Among the many gadgets on the drone, Al's flight control system includes an Arduino Mega Micro-Controller, GPS navigation and an impressive ground-based laptop computer display of parameters. That's one sharp aircraft!

	Al Pineiro, KC8OPU, answers questions about his drone aircraft.

	The KC8OPU flight control system including an Arduino Mega Micro-Controller

Click here for Al's handout on the Arduino Micro-Controller

Red Cross Radio Room Telephone Number

During Business Hours: (616) 456-8661 ext 5405
After Business Hours: (616) 456-8661 then 6 and 723

Verified: 3/27/2013

Rebuild of the Pettis Transmitter Site Completed

Thanks to Director Bob Robinson (KD8HNF) and his crew, the W8DC repeaters site has been completely rebuilt.  Click on the link below for a list of crew members and pictures.

Click Here

2012-2013 GRARA Officers

President -Tom Hansen n8dgd
Vice President- Mike Bottema k8ex
Secretary – Dave Stycos kd8rpx
Treasure- Rich Douglas kd8nka
On Air Director- Hank Greeb n8xx
Off Air Director- John Streyle w8qz
Red Cross- Jim Leys kd8can
Member at Large- Bob Moe ac8zx
Tech Director- Steve Provost kc8wql

What a great time last year..... ARRL Field Day, Grand Rapids Style! The year of the magnificant towers

Once again this year, field day was held at Calvin College, back behind the Conference Center. The wire antenna installations were fantastic from their 'skyhook' supports provided by the Calvin staff.  The two giant portable towers were the talk of Western Michigan.

UPDATE....

W8M* placed 5th out of 15 entries in Michigan in the 3A category and 14th out of 83 entries in all categories.

Score of 3634 Points from 1167 Contacts.

72/73 de n8xx Hg

* That's W8DC in disguise.

Last Year's GRARA Field Day at Calvin College

Photos provided by Gerry Lerch, K8GGL, Jim Leys, KD8CAN, and Ron Fredricks, K8DMR

Just one of our operating stations on the campas of Calvin College, Grand Rapids

CW Tent on the Hill Pictures
Magnificant Tower HF Station Pictures
Traditional Tent HF Station Pictures
UHF/VHF and Goto Station Pictures