Welcome to the Frederick Amateur Radio Club!

Please plan on joining us for the January meeting of the Frederick Amateur Radio Club on Monday January 19^th at 7:00pm. In addition to a short business meeting, Tony KC3MBE will show us how to locate those mystery HF noise sources using a Tiny SA.

Couple of other items:

• FredFest is scheduled for Saturday March 21^st. At 6:30 on Monday (before the January club meeting) we’ll have a quick organizing meeting for FredFest. If you’d like to participate in any aspect, and can join us, please do so.

• It’s January and time to pony up the annual $15 club dues. By paying dues, you are a fully active member of the club. This year is particularly important, as we hope to update the club bylaws to better match the reality of 2026. According to our bylaws, changes require a majority of active members. Dues can be paid in cash at any meeting, via check at a meeting or to PO Box 1260 Frederick MD 21702, via Zelle (free and native to many financial institutions) – use email address: treasurer@frederickarc.org.
• Winter Field Day is January 24^th & 25^th and will be held just west of Emmitsburg at our K3MMM family farm. You’ll find all of the details here: https://frederickarc.org/winter-field-day-2026/. Be SURE to check this web site before the event, as weather always plays a role.
• I try and keep all upcoming club activities in this post: https://frederickarc.org/upcoming-club-activities/

As always, we meet in the Social Hall of the Independent Hose (fire) Company, located at 310 Baughmans Lane in Frederick – parking and entrance are in rear of the building. All members of the local community that have even a tiny inkling of radio communications interest are encouraged to join us! While it’s always better in person, sometimes that just isn’t possible. You can also join via Zoom using this link (new for 2026): FARC Zoom 2026

Please let me know if there are questions – my email is my call sign @arrl.net

73!
Mike K3MMM

Please join us for Winter Field Day (WFD) 2026 on January 24th and/or 25th at the K3MMM family farm outside of Emmitsburg.  While we’ll have some ready to go stations, feel free to bring your own gear including radios and antennas – we can fill in whatever blanks you may not have.   The goal of WFD is Emergency Communications (EMCOMM) practice/training.

Couple of things:

• Feel free to bring your own gear to try – we have plenty of space.  Or you can visit and use one of our radios.
• We expect to operate using only batteries and solar power.  Granted, we may have a generator on hand, just in case.  We’ll have some spare batteries available with Anderson PowerPole connections, and can adapt to virtually any radio.
• You do NOT need any particular level of amateur license (or to be licensed at all), as we can act as control operators while you operate.  This is a very friendly opportunity to give HF radio a try, with your only investment being a road-trip to Emmitsburg!
• Winter Field Day runs from 11am Saturday January 24th until 4:59pm Sunday January 25th. We’ll be on site from early-morning Saturday until Sunday afternoon, although there’s a good chance that we’ll pause in the wee hours, as we’re not as young as we once were.
• Official farm address is 17247 Annandale Rd, Emmitsburg. I’ll put the FARC banner at the end of the driveway – but your GPS will get you to the right spot. Our operating spot is: ///soak.disappeared.safety
• Because it’s winter, and the weather is not certain, we’ll either set up in the back field equipment shed, which boasts nearby tall trees and wide open spaces, warmed by a wood stove. Or in the top of the barn, which while unheated, features a roof and walls. If weather is really uncooperative, we can always end up in the farmhouse living room.
• We expect to operate on most amateur bands, using phone, CW & permissible digital modes.
• If you can’t join us, please try and work us!
• Be SURE to check back periodically for updates as the date draws closer.  It’s winter and the weather plays a significant role in some decisions. Please check back here periodically for updates.
• Find official Winter Field Day documentation here:  https://winterfieldday.org/
• We are extremely pet-friendly. Bring your horse, hound, heron, or hare, or anything in between. So long as it coexists with others, it’s fine and welcome.
• Since we’re not super-competitive, I’m thinking that we’ll operate as 4Oscar – up to four simultaneous radios, operating outdoors.  So, our exchange will be K3ERM 4 Oscar Mike Delta Charlie (MDC ARRL section).
• I’m hoping to have a semi-dedicated peer-to-peer Winlink station configured. During the first several hours, it’ll be on 145.09 for local-ish contacts.  After dark, we’ll move it to HF.
• If you have even a hint of mic fright, this type of event is the PERFECT solution, as the exchange is basic and predictable.
• If you have a headset, consider bringing it along, as it can be much easier to hear with background noise.
• There are several new “multiplier” objectives, many of which we should be able to accomplish.
• We expect to use “alternative power” for radios, which means batteries and solar.
• We have ~10 acres in this particular field – you are welcome to bring a tent and camp (or sleep under the stars) if you’d like.  For those coming from a distance, the Sleep Inn & Suites is about two miles away, at 501 Silo Hill Parkway, Emmitsburg.
• We’ll use 146.58 for talk-in.  It may seem that you’re way off course as you go back the driveway – but just turn left as you pass the barn, and follow the obvious tracks.

If you have ANY questions, send me a note using my call sign @arrl.net. We hope to see you there!

Mike K3MMM

Farm site plan for parking and operating locations (the weather will really dictate parking):

Planning is well underway for FredFest ’26 with a few BIG changes!

HUGE change is a new location with LOTS (and lots) of parking.  We’re moving to the Amvets Post #2, “The Farm”, located at 9602 Baltimore Rd, Frederick MD 21704.  This is about a minute off of Interstate 70, just east of Frederick City. Stay tuned to this page for details.

You can get our **12/29/25 UPDATED** flyer (with corrected email address) here:  FredFest 26 – please share with your friends and neighbors!  If you have questions, send me a note using my call sign @arrl.net

73!
Mike K3MMM

Winter Field Day January 24 & 25, 2026. https://frederickarc.org/winter-field-day-2026/

FredFest ’26 – Saturday March 21st. The Original first hamfest of spring!  Details and flyer here: https://frederickarc.org/fredfest26/

Hike Across Maryland: Saturday May 23rd

Tour de Frederick: Saturday June 6th