MCARA 2024 Board of Directors
&
Appointed Positions
| Title | Name | Call Sign | Phone Number | E-Mail Address |
| President | Ben McMath | W5SOF | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Vice-President | Jeff Wimmer | W5JGW | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Secretary | Rick Hayward | AC5RH | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Treasurer | Carl Lawrence | AG5ZH | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Activity Chairman | Jesse Brunet | KI5HVD | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Past-President | Bobby Allen | KF5BA | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Repeater Trustee | Stu Cole | N5LBZ | 228-234-1443 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Club Webmaster | Jimmy Simmons | K5OP | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Facebook Admin | Noel Dastugue | N5FTY | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Net Manager | Bill Orehowsky | N5GQ | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Callsign Trustee | Norm Gholson | WB4YBY | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Club Newsletter | Bill Downs | N5OCT | N/A | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
History of the Mississippi Coast Amateur Radio Association
On September 15, 1971 the Mississippi Coast Amateur Radio Association held its first organizational meeting. This meeting was the product of the hard work of John W5PDG, Vic WA5SUE (now N5YY), Elaine WB5BVP, Tom WA5KYB to name just a few. At this first meeting Jerry Murphy K8YUW/5 made a motion to form an amateur radio club. This motion was seconded by Bill Appleby WN5DCY. This motion was passed unanimously. the steering committee appointed to prepare a proposed constitution was made up of, Jerry Murphy K8YUW/5, Don Plowman WA5FDP, Lee Turner WA5EZO, Clyde Crowder WB5BWN, Mike Larson W5QDN, Lee Kowrack W5RWV, Tom Best WB5AFX and John Grafton WB5AHL.
The steering committee’s first report was in October OF 1971, and the second report was made in November. At that time Mike Larson W5QDN, made a motion for ratification of the constitution. The motion was seconded by Charles Littlepage WB5GOI and passed unanimously. The first permanent officers were elected at this meeting and were installed at the January 1972 meeting. The first permanent officers were:
President John Grafton WB5AHL
Vice President Don Plowman WA5FDP
Secretary Charles Littlepage WB5GOI
Treasurer Bill Appleby WN5DCY
Activities Managers Jerry Murphy K8YUW/5 & Fred Taylor K5QBU
Past President John Belham W5PDG
The club’s first permanent meeting place was the auditorium of the Entex Corporation building in Gulfport, Mississippi. In March 1972 the club hosted a picnic for the Mississippi Sideband Net at the Navy Base in Gulfport, Mississippi with members of the net, their families and guest from throughout the state in attendance.
The first Field Day held by the club was on June 24-25 1972 at the old POW Camp in DeSoto National Forest. Chairman for the event was Fred Taylor K5QBU. Four stations were manned by 28 participants who made 1173 contact for a total score of 2696 points.
A swap fest and picnic was held in October at the Big Biloxi Recreation Area then a Christmas party was held to celebrate the club’s first year.
On September 21,1974 brought the licensing of the club 146.730 repeater, WR5AFE with Fred Taylor K5QBU as trustee. The licensing was the work of Bruce WB5EHI, John W5PDG, Tom WB5AXF, Jim WB5LCW, Fred K5QBU, Joe W5VLE and Don WA5FDP to name a few. The station became operational in December.
In 1975 Field day under the chairmanship of Fred Taylor K5QBU the club for the first time was the leader in Mississippi in total points for it’s class.
On October 23, 1977 the MCARA held it’s first Ham Fest at the International Plaza in Biloxi, MS with Irvin Kelly K5YIN as chairman. The event was a very big success. The Ham Fests were to continue for another 20 years with the last ham fest being held in 1997.
MCARA has been involved in many activities and events through out it’s history. The club is known for it’s emergency communication capabilities which played a crucial role during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 by providing the only reliable communications to the outside world from the Gulf Coast area.
Other areas of involvement for the club have included training and testing of new and already licensed operators. MCARA also participated in many Special Events and contests throughout the years.
This history is made up from “A Brief History of The Mississippi Coast Amateur Radio Association” supplied by Ernie Orman W5OXA and edited by Joe Littlepage WE5Y. Also from available club minutes of the club from 1972 to 2011. Harry Samuelson, KB9ZR, PIO, MCARA
