Minden Amateur Radio Association

Minden Amateur Radio Association was begun in 1991 with about 20 members and has grown to about 65-70 members from all over north Louisiana and the surrounding areas. We have a very active club, holding monthly meetings and a weekly net, as well as other activities. The club is ARRL affiliated and holds Special Service Club status. We sponsor the repeater that is the hub of the North LA Link System. As inscribed on our logo, a club dedicated to Public Service through Communications.

North LA Link System

147.300 (hub) - N5RD, Bryceland
145.430 - KB5PKW, Shreveport
147.135, Pl 127.3 - W5KGT,
West Monroe
147.350, Pl 127.3 - W5KGT,
Holly Ridge

MARA Officers

President
Dusty Collins, N5COL

Vice President
Virginia Watson, KA5KBP

Secretary
Fran Sullivan, KD5LKB

Treasurer
Bonnie Brown, W5TEB

Email us.

North Louisiana Link System - We sponsor the hub repeater, N5RD, located in Bryceland for the link system. Our own member, Bill Sullivan, trustee for both N5RD-147.300 and KB5PKW-145.430, maintains the repeaters. The link opens the I-20 corridor for communications from stateline to stateline. Skywarn and other emergency communications that may arise may use the link as need dictates.

Meetings - Our monthly meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month at the Exacta Inn, located in Minden just north of I-20 at the Minden/Sibley exit. The meeting time 12:15pm, but we usually gather to have lunch earlier (11:15 - 11:30pm). We welcome all - members, guests, amateurs, and those who are merely interested in the hobby. Please come join us.

Weekly Net - Every Tuesday evening at 8:00pm we hold an informal net over the linked repeaters. Anyone with a valid amateur license is welcomed and encouraged to check-in.

Public Service - MARA is designated as a Special Service Club. We participate in many events during the year. These have included Mardi Gras parades, walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, the Caney Lake Triathlon as well as Skywarn when the need arises. We are also availble for any communication needs of north Louisiana.

Skywarn (K5SHV) - Operation out of Shreveport uses 146.670 as the primary repeater. If weather to the east dictates warnings being issued, the North Louisiana Link System is used to alert users as far to the east as the Mississippi state line.

ARRL Louisiana Section Events and Info
more info...

July 18 - Hamfest - Slidell, LA
more info...

Aug 8 - Hamfest - Leesville, LA
more info...

Sep 11-12 - Mena Hamfest - Mena, AR
more info...

Oct 3 - New Orleans Hamfest - Kenner, AR
more info...

VE Test Schedule 2009
9:00 A.M.
Christus Schumpert Hospital
1 St. Mary's Place
Shreveport, LA
Classroom # 1

June 20, 2009
August 15, 2009
October 17, 2009