The Roundtable
The Quarterly Voice of the Minnesota Amateur Radio Consortium
SEPTEMBER 2026 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1
The purpose of MN-ARC is to provide a mechanism for all Minnesota organizations of amateur-radio interest to communicate and cooperate with each other, to sponsor state and regional meetings, and to encourage and train the next generation of amateur radio hobbyists.
This newsletter is a new way for us to stay connected. Each quarter, The Roundtable will highlight member clubs, activities, and ideas to improve, grow and revitalize member amateur radio clubs across our region.
A Note from the Chair
Dear Members of MN-ARC,
Thank you for being a member of MN-ARC and for being part of an organization that believes in the future of amateur radio. Each of you is an important thread in the fabric of MN-ARC. Together, we create something that is stronger than any one club or organization–a community working to help amateur radio clubs connect, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing world of amateur telecommunications.
For generations, amateur radio clubs were largely regional organizations. Wejoined with our neighbors, learned from one another, built friendships, and shared our enthusiasm for radio and electronics. Many of us remember the Elmers who took the time to teach us, the club meetings where we learned something new, and the excitement of building, experimenting, and operating together.
Today, the amateur radio community is changing. Our clubs face many of the same challenges: experienced hams become Silent Keys, longtime mentors are lost, participation can be difficult to maintain, and membership numbers can decline. At the same time, the technology we use continues to evolve.
Modern radios are remarkably capable, but often leave little opportunity for the kind of hands-on repair and experimentation that once brought people together. Even finding fresh and engaging topics for club meetings can be a challenge.
But challenges also create opportunities.
That is why MN-ARC exists.
MN-ARC was created to bring Minnesota’s amateur radio organizations together, share resources and ideas, strengthen our individual clubs, and help ensure that amateur radio remains an active, vibrant, and welcoming part of our communities.
Our goal isn’t to replace local clubs–it is to help them succeed.
By working together, we can do things that may be difficult for an individual club to accomplish on its own. We can share speakers and educational programs, introduce new people to amateur radio, encourage youth involvement, promote fellowship between clubs, and create opportunities for amateurs across Minnesota to learn, participate, and have fun.
You joined MN-ARC because you believe in that mission, and we are grateful for your support.
One of our greatest successes so far has been the North Star Radio Convention. What began as an ambitious goal has become a reality–and this year the North Star Radio Convention is proud to serve as the ARRL Dakota Division Convention.
Our original goal was to accomplish this within five years.
We did it in four.
That achievement belongs to everyone who helped make the convention possible–our member organizations, sponsoring clubs, volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, attendees, and especially those of you who believed that working together could make something bigger happen.
And we’re just getting started.
Our next steps are focused on building on that success. We want to grow MN-ARC’s membership, expand our involvement in youth education, and provide tangible benefits to the clubs who are part of our organization.
The future of amateur radio will not look exactly like its past—and that’s okay.
What matters is that we continue to learn, teach, experiment, communicate, and build relationships. The technology may change, but the spirit of amateur radio remains the same.
MN-ARC is about making sure that spirit has a strong future.
Thank you for being part of MN-ARC, for supporting our mission, and for helping us build something that can benefit amateur radio throughout Minnesota for years to come.
We look forward to building that future with you.
73,
Mike Miller / NØNY
MN-ARC Chair
This quarter, MN-ARC leadership is focusing on:
2026 North Star Radio Convention – October 10, 2026
Mark your calendar and join amateur radio operators from across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest for the North Star Radio Convention (NSRC), Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
This year’s NSRC is especially exciting as we host the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, bringing together hams from across the region for a full day of learning, connecting, and exploring amateur radio.
The convention will feature a packed lineup of educational sessions covering a wide range of amateur radio topics, along with vendor and swap tables, hands-on activities, and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow operators and exchange ideas. Whether you’re an experienced ham, recently licensed, or simply interested in discovering what amateur radio has to offer, there will be something for you.
New activities this year include a precision radio/amplifier testing station and a four-hour Yaesu System Fusion class for those interested in an in-depth exposure to System Fusion.
We’re also continuing our commitment to bringing the next generation into amateur radio. Registration is free for youth age 21 and under and special youth-focused activities will be available throughout the convention.
Learn more and register at northstarradio.org.
Other MN-ARC Programs
Speakers Bureau
Development of a Speakers Bureau is currently underway. Our vision is to make it easier for clubs to find knowledgeable and engaging speakers for their meetings while giving experienced amateurs an opportunity to share what they know with others. Speakers may come to your club meeting or be available by Zoom. Recorded programs from the North Star Radio Convention and other sources will also be available.
These resources will be available through a dedicated members’ portal at the MN-ARC website.
If you are available to share your knowledge, experience, inspiration, and ideas related to the Ham Radio hobby with member clubs, please contact Don Kelly, secretary@mn-arc.org.
Events Calendar
The calendar will be a single place where you can find details of club meetings, tailgaters, hamfests, breakfasts, and other events of ham radio interest around Minnesota.
Local Net Listings
We are also creating a list of recurring nets across Minnesota. Not just with Date, Time, Frequency, and Offsets, but with a description of the nature of the net.
Best Practices
We are in the process of compiling and then publishing “Best Practices” for your clubs—we need your help for this. Topics may include maintaining or increasing membership, attracting the younger ham, establishing special-interest groups, being ready for public service, and establishing/running your club—articles, bylaws, procedures, etc.
Minnesota State Fair
We would like to establish an amateur radio presence at the Minnesota State Fair, perhaps in the public service area. This would include an information booth with an active station. It requires the participation of a few dozen hams to man the booth during the twelve days of the fair.
Board Meetings
The MN-ARC board generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Central Time. You are invited to listen in. Email chair@mn-arc.org to confirm the time and get the Zoom meeting link.
Keeping Your Club Vital
While recruiting new, younger members is vital to the health and longevity of our member clubs, keeping current members is equally important. Hams are naturally builders, tinkerers and lifelong learners. Maybe it’s a new antenna, building an electronics kit, learning Morse Code, etc. Why not make these a club project. Bulk buying of materials will help keep the costs down. Getting together for a shared activity will build connections and camaraderie within the club.
A Great Club Project
Recently a new QRP radio kit has entered the market. It is called the Pebble. At $50 for the complete kit, it is a perfect first electronics project. All of the SMT (Surface Mount Technology) components have been installed. The KIT has only 15 through-hole components that still need to be soldered onto the board. It is easy to build and success is almost guaranteed! There are well-written instructions and videos to help the first time builder. It takes about 2 hours to build. Plus, there is a user/builders group where you can ask questions. This is a 20 meter only, all mode, QRP radio that works quite well and is well suited for POTA activations.
Check it out here – https://pebblehf.com/
Member Spotlight
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
The Best Amateur Radio Club in Minnesota Since 1992
This month, The Roundtable visits the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association (SARA).
Founded in 1992 and ARRL-affiliated in 1997, SARA has become a familiar part of the local amateur radio community. Over 200 members from throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and elsewhere participate in a monthly breakfast, weekly eyeball QSOs, a variety of nets, Tech Topic Nights, public service, Field Day, POTA, special events, licensing classes & testing, group build projects, and, of course, operating of every variety as well as the traditional monthly meeting.
According to president Joe Heitzinger, KCØOIO, “SARA’s success is grounded in being friendly and welcoming; keeping members engaged with the variety of activities; and providing strong member support through mutual assistance, exploration of the hobbies within the hobby, access to remote stations, and regular communication.”
Everything else you need to know is at radioham.org
New Members!
We would like to welcome the Hiawatha Valley Amateur Radio Club (HVARC) as a MN-ARC member.
HVARC is located in Red Wing, Minnesota. Monthly meetings are held on the first Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the Environmental Learning Center, 442 Guernsey Lane, Red Wing (off Hwy58).
Meetings are open to the public and you don’t need a radio license to attend.
Established in 1969, they have three repeaters operating from a commercial radio station tower on 2 meters, 70 cm with Fusion, and DMR.
Check into the Sunday Night Net at 8:00 PM on the 147.300 repeater (see the website Repeater Page for details). You don’t need to be a club member to check in.
Things To Watch For
The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act is a critical piece of bipartisan federal legislation designed to strip Homeowners Associations (HOAs) of their power to completely ban ham radio antennas.
The bill treats amateur radio as critical safety infrastructure, giving licensed operators similar property protections to those already granted to owners of satellite dishes and TV antennas.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Prohibits Blanket Bans: HOAs would no longer be allowed to completely outlaw or restrict amateur radio antennas.
Mandatory Accommodation: Private land-use rules cannot “prohibit, restrict, or impair” an operator’s ability to maintain a station. Rules are deemed illegal if they cause unreasonable delays, hike up installation costs, or degrade the transmission signal.
Clear Approval Processes: HOAs would be forced to outline a reasonable approval process with strict timelines rather than tying up applications indefinitely.
Exemptions for Small Antennas: Certain small wire, vertical, and flagpole antennas would be entirely exempt from needing prior HOA approval.
Federal Right of Action: If an HOA unlawfully blocks an operator, the law grants hams a private right of action to sue the association in federal court.
Let Your Voice Be Heard: Click on the link below to be redirected to the ARRL page to send the appropriate letter to the appropriate people. It’s fast and super easy. Just fill in your call sign and click a button!!
How can you be involved?
The Roundtable is your newsletter. We want your input and contributions. Do you have club news or a success story you want to share? Ideas for how we can work together to benefit ham radio? Please contact us at newsletter@mn-arc.org
Volunteer! A club or consortium relies on its members. We have a number of projects and events in mind that will require warm bodies. Most commitments would only require 4-8 hours of your time. Please contact us if you are willing to donate your time to one of these projects at volunteer@mn-arc.org
Speakers–Do you have something to share? The Speakers Bureau needs you! If you have a presentation or would like to create a presentation to share with other clubs, please let us know at secretary@mn-arc.org
Seen Elsewhere
The Future of Amateur Radio Is with Our Youth!!!
n0ssc.com/posts/tag/millennials
Contact Us
newsletter@mn-arc.org Kevin Welna, W5LNA, would like to hear your thoughts about The Roundtable. He is looking for corrections, comments, suggested topics, and articles you would like to contribute. The newsletter can be downloaded as a PDF – here.
secretary@mn-arc.org Don Kelly, WA6ZMT, is the person to contact about member issues—new members, delegate changes, contact information, etc.