About Mercury Mount St. Helens

Purpose

Mercury Mount St. Helens is an Amateur Radio association with a focus on education (both scientific/technical and operational training) and emergency preparedness. As stated in the net's preamble, some of our goals are to:

• Provide and foster fellowship opportunities.

• Train members to be skilled radio communicators.

• Offer services to agencies involved in humanitarian relief efforts.

While we welcome all licensed amateur radio operators from anywhere who share our goals and desire to participate in our activities, the primary geographical area of focus for our group's service is within the boundaries of the Longview, WA Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; corresponding roughly to the area of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties in WA.

History

Mercury Mount St. Helens officially launched on August 1, 2007 as a 2-meter FM ERC training net and a supporting "Yahoo! Group", through the efforts of Terry Reams, KB7IFR.  By mid-2010, its list of active participants (those who participate in the net at least once a month) had grown to between 40 and 50 amateurs.  Terry turned the reins over to Charles, AD7UF, on May 1, 2010. Terry remains an active participant in our group.

On March 4, 2013, Mercury Mount St. Helens was officially organized as an association.  On April 10th of that year, we received our club call sign, W7MSH, from the FCC.

Document: Organization and Bylaws

Affiliations

Mercury Mount St. Helens is registered as a chapter of Mercury Northwest, which primarily covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, Western Alberta, and Alaska.

Historical note: Mercury Northwest was itself originally organized as MARA NW, a chapter of the Mercury Amateur Radio Association. That worldwide association and its regional chapters and affiliate organizations has waxed and waned over the years, and historical information may be found scattered across the Internet. One article about the group appeared in the February 1985 Ensign.

Other MNW-affiliated groups include CARS, which serves the greater Portland, OR area; and LDS Radio Canada.

Our net operates primarily on LCARA's 2m repeater.  Some LCARA (Lower Columbia Amateur Radio Association) members also participate in CCACS (Cowlitz County Auxiliary Communications Service). Several participants are also members of the Clark County Amateur Radio Club (CCARC) or the Wahkiakum County Amateur Radio Club (N7WAH ARC).

The Brush Prairie Repeater Association strives to provide communications resources and training in Clark County, just south of us.

How to participate

Join us on one of our nets!  Also feel free to contact the current president, Charles, AD7UF.  You can email him at:   a  d  7  u  f  @  w  7  m  s  h  .  o  r  g