Fairview Tower Project
To help our licensed operators better serve the community, the McKinney Amateur Radio Club (MARC) has city approval from Fairview, Texas, to install communications equipment on …
What you’re funding
To help our licensed operators better serve the community, the McKinney Amateur Radio Club (MARC) has city approval from Fairview, Texas, to install communications equipment on one of their water towers.
Equipment will include VHF radio repeaters, APRS service and a microwave link, requested by the National Weather Service in Ft. Worth TX, to assist with reporting. This coverage will provide backup communications support for local law enforcement and emergency services when called upon.
A Conex at the base of the water tower will hold all equipment to operate the antennas on the tower.
Expenses include securing a Conex, installing electrical, A/C, repeaters and running cable out and up the tower. Which includes 300' of heliax coax, connectors and fasteners. Hiring a certified climber.
MARC volunteer members will maintain the equipment.
Projected costs $19,000.00. We have secured $10,000.00 from an anonymous donor.
Your contribution to this project is appreciated.
Got a question — or an idea — for the team?
Send a note and we’ll pass it along to Mckinney Amateur Radio Club Inc.
About Mckinney Amateur Radio Club Inc
At McKinney Amateur Radio Club, the entry point can be a Saturday breakfast discussion, a license exam, or a hands-on workshop with antennas, soldering, or digital modes. That mix matters because it gives beginners, licensed operators, students, and youth a real place to learn by doing, not just by reading about it. The club also keeps amateur radio useful beyond the hobby, through weekly nets, repeaters, and public service communications in McKinney and North Texas.
What sets this club apart is how practical it is. Members can test for licenses, build skills in workshops, practice on weekly nets, and work with repeaters, fox hunting, and Field Day. It also gives special attention to youth participation and emergency preparedness in the region.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To foster a vibrant community of amateur radio enthusiasts by promoting continuous learning, encouraging technical innovation, and providing opportunities for members to engage in public service, enhance their communication skills, and connect with fellow radio operators locally and globally.
Who they serve
People interested in amateur radio, including beginners, licensed operators, students, and youth in McKinney and North Texas.
Their impact
- 80+ Field Day points
How your donation helps
- Maintaining and expanding support efforts and educational efforts
- Maintaining, insuring, and improving repeater infrastructure
- Funding the Youth Fund that gifts a radio to members under 18 who pass their FCC license exam
- Supporting the scholarship for a Dallas Regional Science and Engineering Fair student with radio communications-related research
Programs
License training and testing
Offers license training sessions, mentoring, and FCC amateur radio license exams for Technician, General, and Amateur Extra classes.
Public service communications
Provides volunteer communications support for community events and emergency services when needed in North Texas.
Technical training and hands-on workshops
Hosts lectures, presentations, antenna building, antenna tuning, electronics, soldering, digital modes, and software-defined radio learning opportunities.
Weekly nets and operating practice
Runs scheduled radio nets to practice procedures, test equipment, and build communication skills.
Repeater system operation
Owns and operates FM repeaters, APRS digipeaters, and backup repeaters that support local amateur radio communication.
Fox hunting and direction finding
Organizes amateur radio direction finding activities that teach signal tracking and practical radio skills.
Field Day operations
Participates in ARRL Field Day as an emergency preparedness drill and community outreach activity.
Member mentoring and technical support
Provides guidance, group events, newsletter updates, and technical support for newer and experienced operators.
Need help?
People interested in amateur radio can attend the Saturday breakfast discussions, monthly meetings, and training activities, or contact the club through the contact page. Those seeking a license can reserve a spot for the monthly FCC exams by contacting Dave Hampton.
Events
Weekly Breakfast Discussions
weeklyOpen breakfast discussion every Saturday at 7:30 AM at IHOP in McKinney, with questions and answers for members and visitors.
General Business Meeting
monthlyGeneral business meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at Spring Creek Barbecue in McKinney, with Zoom simulcast.
FCC Amateur Radio License Exams
monthlyMonthly license exams for Technician, General, and Amateur Extra classes are held on the third Sunday at 2:00 PM at the Heard Museum Science Resource Center.
Weekly Nets
weekly and monthlyScheduled radio nets include a Sunday general information net and a Monday simplex net, with ARES training nets also held monthly.
ARRL Field Day
annualAnnual Field Day event with radios, antennas, food, community outreach, and emergency power operation.
Fox Hunting
weeklyRadio direction-finding hunts around McKinney that practice locating hidden transmitters and building practical operating skills.
Ways to help
Current needs
- Funding to maintain and expand support efforts and educational efforts
- Support for repeater infrastructure maintenance and expansion
Volunteer opportunities
- Serve as a fox operator
- Support public service communications at community events
- Help with Field Day operations
- Fill open supporting roles such as Public Information, QSL Manager, Activities Coordinator, and ARRL Awards Manager
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- ARRL-affiliated Special Service Club
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Full Mckinney Amateur Radio Club Inc profile → · IRS filing (ProPublica)