Morgan County Emergency Communications Network

05/20/2026

QST FREE Article of the Month 🗓️
"Effective Communication — The Crux of Field Day"

Success during ARRL Field Day isn't just about the gear; it's about maximizing communication efficiency and leveraging the year-round skills of your club members. From POTA operators managing pileups to applying air-traffic-control precision to eliminate unnecessary verbiage, effective preparation makes all the difference. Check out Buddy Sohl's, KC4WQ, article to learn how to streamline your club’s operations this year!

READ NOW➡️ tinyurl.com/8r58vv3r

05/20/2026

🚨 Don’t Ignore Your SWR! 🚨
If you’re running a GMRS setup, your antenna system can make or break your performance—and SWR is the hidden factor most people overlook.

Here’s the thing 👇
You can have the best radio on the market, but if your SWR is high, you’re literally wasting power every time you key up. That energy doesn’t just disappear—it reflects back into your radio, creating heat and slowly stressing your transmitter.

Over time, that can lead to:
🔥 Reduced range
🔥 Weak or inconsistent audio
🔥 Potential radio damage

The good news? Most SWR issues are fixable. Simple adjustments—like tuning antenna length, improving your ground, or checking your coax—can make a big difference.

💡 Pro Tip:
Check your SWR—it’s one of the easiest ways to instantly improve performance without buying new gear.

👉 Aim for 1.5:1 or better.

Got questions about your setup? Join the myGMRS forums to connect with experienced operators and get real-world advice on your setup.

05/16/2026

05/16/2026

We are grateful for these two ladies who offered their expertise at our foraging class today! Abby Porter Joyce Morningstar

05/08/2026

https://www.wpr.org/culture/wisconsin-native-forage-food-one-year-robin-greenfield

Last fall, Greenfield gave up going to the grocery store. Now, the Wisconsin native is only eating what he can forage from the land for an entire year. He began harvesting and storing foods last summer and kicked off his year-long quest on Oct. 9.

04/01/2026

Thanks to all who came out to our off-grid communication class! We plan on offering it again over the Summer.