Market-to-Market Relay 2017

This year the Market-To-Market Relay will be held on Saturday September 30.   The organizers know what a great job we do of looking after the runners and are looking forward to working with the area hams again.    The M2M Relay Starts in Omaha at Blue Cross Blue Shield in AkSarBen and finishes in Lincoln at the Haymarket District 78 miles later.   Teams of 7 members run 3 stages per person. Each stage is 3 to 5 miles long. The course follows trails, paved streets and gravel back roads of Nebraska.

Our job is to keep track of when the runners arrive at each stage and when the last runner has departed and relay that information to Net Control.   If minor medical assistance is needed we can summon the medical personnel who be available at every other exchange point. Omaha area hams cover the first half and the Lincoln area hams pick up when the race crosses the river at exchange point 9.   Both Net Controls will be in contact with the event organizers to relay how well the race is going and of any issues that have been relayed via the hams.     Mobiles and handhelds are usuable, depending on your location.

The exchange points get a bit busy with waves of runners coming and going, so it is best if there are at least two hams at each exchange point especially the later exchanges when the runners have spread out. WE also need to arrive before the runners and all the vans and usually we are there before the site setup crew and the exchange volunteers.   Also, two hams allow for a backup if there is equipment failure or if a last minute personal issue means you can't attend.   That means  18 (or more) volunteers. So we need you.

Below is the schedule of the times that hams will be needed. There is no need to arrive before your schedule arrival time.  This time is actually about 15 minutes prior to the arrival of the exchange setup crew and volunteers.  There is no need to be 15 minutes early, as your arrival time is 15 minutes early.  The setup crew and exchange volunteers are scheduled to be there about 15 minutes prior to the runners arriving.   Your departure time is also about 15 to 30 minutes after the last runner should depart your area.   This will let you “beat the traffic” of the tem vans, and be on site if the runners are running a bit ahead of schedule.  Exact times are subject to change.

Please complete the following form if you would like to volunteer! 

Market to Market Relay 2017

If you have questions email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NE150Hams - A Sesquicentennial Celebration

To help celebrate Nebraska's Sequicentennial there will be a year long QSO Party!  The premier event will be the Sesquicentennial QSO Party,  from 13:00 UTC Saturday February 25  to 11:00 pm Sunday March 5th.  Nebraska's Statehood day is March 1st.  

Hams throughout Nebraska are encouraged to participate as NE150Hams using their own callsign with "/NE150" as a suffix. The exchange for Nebraska is : call sign, signal report and county.  Additionally participating Nebraska stations are encouraged to operate from historical sites in Nebraska (this is optional) then the station will add the name of that site,  "Homestead National Monument" or "Chimney Rock".  The response from the station outside Nebraska is call, name, signa report and state or province.  If the station is outside of the US, then just their country.

Lots of details are still in the works, so check at http://ne150hams.org/ to get the latest information.

Read more: NE150Hams - A Sesquicentennial Celebration

Welcome to the World of Amateur Radio

The Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club welcomes newly licensed amateur radio operators to the great hobby amateur radio.

We know it can be a bit intimidating figuring out what to do now that you have that new call sign. Joining a club and being active in events is a great way to find those people who are willing and able to help.  

To make is easy for a newly licensed ham, the Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club offers:

• A free year's membership in the club so you can put your dues money towards your radio purchases.
• Loaner radios  - we have two Icom 144MHz handitalkies - so you can get on the air while you decide which new radio to buy. Any member may borrow one of these radios for a month at a time

The Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club has an active group who like to take ham radio out of the "shack" and into the field. They have plans to operate from:

• Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice,NE for the 2017 Total Eclipse in August.  
• USS Hazard National Historic Landmark at Freedom Park in Omaha for ham radio event called Museum Ships Weekend in June
• There are tenative plans for operating from other locations so watch the website and Facebook for details

The club also is active in community service, providing communication support to numerous events such as

• Nebraska State High School Track Meet
• Market-to-Market Relay
• The Corporate Cup
• Crop Walk

You can find an application form at this link.  Fill it out and bring it with you to a club meeting!  We meet the 2nd Friday of the Month at the Red Cross near 84th and Spring.   We are looking forward to meeting you!  

Keep in Touch

Don't miss an activity or event!  Ask your fellow hams for help.   Join our Groups.io email group: 

Renew Your AARC Membership Online

You can now renew your dues online via PayPal.

This option is ONLY available to renew your membership if you are currently a member in the Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club.
This method cannot be used for new applicants, or anyone who was not a paid member since 2015.   

If your membership has lapsed (per the bylaws to remain current dues must be paid by March 1st of each year) after a year of inactivity your name is removed from the primary roster.  In that case please resubmit a membership application with your dues to the club's address or bring it to a club meeting.

Also, per the bylaws, new members must submit a membership application and be voted upon by the club membership before we deposit your payment.  At this time it was decided not to accept payment for new members via the online method.  

Please consider adding $1 to offset the costs of processing through PayPal.  You can select this from the drop down menu and add it to your cart.  

If you have any questions please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

AkSarBen ARC
PO Box 24551
Omaha, NE 68124

RENEWALS ONLY!!!! 

Membership Type

Regular Member $20.00 USDDonation to offset PayPal Fees $1.00 USDSpouse Member $4.00 USDMinor Dependent $4.00 USDFull TIme Student $8.00 USD

Member Name and Call Sign