Saturday, November 19, 2016

November 2016 Meeting

Emporia Amateur Radio Society
Science Hall 156, ESU
19 November 2016
FINAL

1.    Call to Order – Tim, KØEMP called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM with 11 members in attendance.  A short YouTube video was shown on “HAMMING” Vintage.
2.     Meeting Minutes – Tim, KØEMP - The 15 October 2016 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved with no changes.
3.     Treasurer’s Report – Tim, KØEMP, reviewed the treasurer’s report which was approved with no changes.
4.      Component Corner – Jim, WXØU, discussed line loss through coax and the differences in SWR at different frequencies and how that can become significant.  Tim, KØEMP, discussed the best way to measure how we are actually getting out is through the use of an RF field meter.
5.      Announcements and Reports Tim, KØEMP
·         Executive Committee Meeting Update – None - No EC meeting in November
·         Builder’s Corner (Show & Tell) – George, KDØRII, showed a voice equalizer that he uses to help equalize strong and soft voices on UHF/VHF speech.
·   Calling the Thursday Night Net Sign-up sheet was passed with the results as follows (UPDATE: additional volunteers solicited during the VE Testing Session on Dec 3) - Thank you to KS1ERS, Dean, for picking up the unassigned net on Dec 1st.  
DATE
CALL SIGN
NAME
24-Nov-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
01-Dec-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
08-Dec-16
KCØUVH
Linda Wolcott
15-Dec-16
ADØSF
David Claridge
22-Dec-16
KØEMP
Tim East
29-Dec-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
05-Jan-17


12-Jan-17


19-Jan-17



·         Next VE Exam Session – Tim, KØEMP Saturday, 3 Dec 2016 @ 6:00 PM
o   UPDATE: VEs volunteers assisting with this testing session were:
§  ADØSF – David Claridge
§  ADØTV – William Wolcott
§  KØEMP – Tim East
§  KCØUVH – Linda Wolcott
§  WØNXS – Lonnie Worthington
o   Additional assistance from KS1ERS – Dean Binns
6.         Continuing discussion and activity items
·         Trailer Committee Update – Tim, KØEMP Review of current trailer build status
·         E.A.R.S. Club Logo License Plates – Tim, KØEMP – Several plates were picked up at the eyeball meeting with only 2 outstanding plates remaining which will be available for pick up during the Christmas party on Dec. 16th.
·         KØV Veteran’s Day Special Event (KØV) Dwight, KDØOIX - Review
·         Veteran’s Day Parade – Dwight, KDØOIX – Float entry cancelled
·         AUXComm Training – Tim, KØEMP 10 – 11 December
o   Originally scheduled for Hays, KS – has been moved to Olathe, KS (Johnson County Administration Building Room 200)
·       Immediate Past Presidents Position – Tim, KØEMP – discussion was had a vote to amend the by-laws to include the Immediate Past Presidents Position on the Executive Committee pass unanimously.  Amendments to the constitution and bylaws have been submitted to the Executive Committee to include the Immediate Past Presidents Position.
·        Repeater Committee Update – Tim, KØEMP – No update to report at this time
o   Current committee members – additional committee members requested
§  ADØTV – William Wolcott
§  KCØUVH – Linda Wolcott
§  WØNXS – Lonnie Worthington

·      Social Media Committee Update – A brief meeting was held with KS1ERS, Dean, suggested as chair but will be finalized once ADØSF is able to attend a Social Media Committee meeting.
o   Current committee members
§  ADØSF – David Claridge
§  KDØOIX – Dwight Moore
§  KS1ERS – Dean Binns (in charge of EARS Facebook page)
§  KDØRII – George Phoenix (in charge of EARS website)
7.      Additional Discussions / New Business
·         Club Christmas Party – Tim, KØEMP – Discussion was had regarding the upcoming Christmas Party.
Location: Pizza Ranch (3000 W 18th Ave.)
Date:   Friday, December 16th
Time:  6:00 – 6:30 Social Time
            6:30 – 6:40 Presentation
            6:40 – 8:30 Dinner
Cost:   $ 9.98 per person (+tax)*
*Club will pick up the gratuity


·      Ham Cram in 2017Tim, KØEMP – Discussion was had regarding holding a HAM Cram in 2017 with no strong opinion either way but the club members present were generally for holding one.
8.      Presentation – No presentation
9.      Adjournment

* As a reminder there will not be the usual monthly 3rd Saturday eyeball meeting in December. *


Saturday, October 15, 2016

October 2016 Meeting

Emporia Amateur Radio Society
Science Hall 156, ESU
15 October 2016
DRAFT – For Review

1.  Call to Order – Lonnie, WØNXS, called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and there were 13 members present.
2.  Meeting Minutes – Lonnie, WØNXS asked if there were any corrections, revisions, or additions to the 17 September meeting minutes that had been emailed to the members prior to the meeting.  No corrections or additions were presented by the membership.  Larry, NØYNN, made a motion to approve the minutes as previously distributed.  Jack, WØFRU, and Belinda, KEØCJU, both seconded the motion.  Minutes were approved unanimously.
 
3.  Treasurer’s Report – Lonnie, WØNXS, presented the Treasurer’s report. 
4.  Component Corner – No Component Corner for the October meeting.
5.  Announcements and Reports
·   Executive Committee Meeting Update - Lonnie, WØNXS, provided an overview of the discussion topics from the 13 October Executive Committee.
·        Builder’s Corner (Show & Tell) – No “show & tell” items were presented.
·        Calling the Thursday Night Net - Sign-up sheet was passed with the results as follows:  
DATE
CALL SIGN
NAME
20-Oct-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
27-Oct-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
03-Nov-16
KCØUVH
Linda Wolcott
10-Nov-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
17-Nov-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
24-Nov-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
·         Next VE Exam Session – Lonnie, WØNXS Saturday, 3 Dec 2016 @ 6:00 PM
o   VEs volunteers that have offered to assist with this testing session are as follows:
§  ADØSF – David Claridge
§  ADØTV – William Wolcott
§  KØEMP – Tim East
§  KCØUVH – Linda Wolcott
§  KDØRII – George Phoenix
§  WØFRU – Jack Sensintaffar
§  WØNXS – Lonnie Worthington
6.         Continuing discussion and activity items
·     Race the Chase – Lonnie, WØNXS, provided a review of 24 September event
o   Participating operators/volunteers:
§  Mobile Gator #1: April Haraughty – KEØJFX
§  Mobile Gator #2: Larry Jeck – NØYNN
§  Mobile Gator #3: David Claridge – ADØSF
§  Medical Aid Station: William Wolcott – ADØTV & Linda Wolcott – KCØUVH
§  Net Control:  Lonnie Worthington – WØNXS
·     Wade’s Ride – Lonnie, WØNXS, provided a review of 8 October event
o   Participating operators/volunteers:
§  Motorcycle Route Stop #1 (Reading): Mike Pate – KCØNFG
§  Motorcycle Route Stop #2 (Hartford): Larry Jeck – NØYNN & April Haraughty – KEØJFX
§  Motorcycle Route Stop #3 (Madison): Pat McClelland, Tiffany, & Ava (via cell)
§  Motorcycle Route Stop #4 (Olpe): William Wolcott – ADØTV & Linda Wolcott – KCØUVH
§  Net Control / Bicycle Stop #1 (Rd 180 & Rd A):  Lonnie Worthington - WØNXS
§  Bicycle Route Stop #2 (Rd 290 & Rd Z):  Dean Binns – KS1ERS
§  Bicycle Route Stop #3 (Rd 200 & Rd C):  Marla Worthington (via cell)

·       Heartland 100 – Lonnie, WØNXS, reviewed the 8 - 9 October 2016 ultra-marathon through the Flint Hills and encouraged others to participate in future Heartland 100 events as they could have used a few more amateur radio operators scheduled for the event.
·        Trailer Committee Update – Lonnie, WØNXS, reviewed the current trailer build status and the potential postponement of the trailer design review and next work day until next spring.
·      E.A.R.S. Club Logo License Plates – Lonnie, WØNXS, reminded the members to place their orders for the club logo decorative license plates by the end of the meeting as they will be ordered next week; however payment is not required until they are delivered.
·     KØV Veteran’s Day Special Event (KØV) – A sign-up sheet that Dwight, KDØOIX, provided was passed for operators to denote which days they would like to operate for the KØV, Veteran’s Day Special Event on 5 – 11 November.  Additional operators are needed to fill several time periods so please let Dwight, KDØOIX, know which days/time periods you would like to operate in addition to which band(s) and mode(s).  KØV can be operated from your QTH so you do not have to use the ESU “coop” if you would prefer to operate from your QTH.
·     Veteran’s Day Parade – Belinda, KEØCJU, and Bud, NØII, said that they met with Dwight, KDØOIX, last week and have arranged for the EARS club to have a float in the Veteran’s Day Parade to be held on Friday, 11 November. 
o   The plan is to use Dwight’s pickup and trailer with a similar display to a previous float with a small beam antenna/tower erected on the trailer with individuals acting like they are operating from the trailer with actual on-air operating occurring mobile from the pickup.  Linda and William offered to ride on the float during the parade on 11 Nov.
o   Volunteers are needed to assist with the assembly of the trailer float which is scheduled for 8 Nov at 10:00 AM with the location yet to be determined.  Please contact, Dwight, Belinda or Bud if you are interested in assisting with the float assembly/build process.
o   If anyone has a location and/or suggestion for a place to park the float trailer from 8 Nov until the parade on 11 Nov, please contact Dwight, Belinda or Bud.
·      AUXComm Training – Lonnie, WØNXS, discussed the upcoming AUXComm training in Hays, KS 10 – 11 December.  Anyone interested in participating can contact Lonnie for additional details or can find out more on the KS Train website by searching for “AUXCOMM” or “amateur radio”.
·      Immediate Past Presidents Position – Lonnie, WØNXS, led the discussion regarding having an additional position on the executive committee for the immediate past president of the club.  This potential change must be presented at two consecutive club meetings prior to vote for changing the by-laws for inclusion of the proposed position.
·    Repeater Committee Update – Lonnie, WØNXS, discussed that the repeater committee is currently comprised of William, ADØTV; Linda, KCØUVH and Lonnie, WØNXS, however additional committee members are requested so if you are interested please contact one of the executive committee members.
·      Social Media Committee Update – The social media committee is currently David, ADØSF; Dwight KDØOIX; George, KDØRII and Dean, KS1ERS.  The committee will most likely hold their first meeting and select a committee chair after Thanksgiving.
·   Public Information Officer – Lonnie, WØNXS, discussed the determination of the Exec Committee during the last EC meeting to have Tim East, KØEMP, be the club’s official PIO through the end of the current office terms.

7.      Additional Discussions / New Business
·      Club Christmas Party – Discussion was had regarding the club Christmas Party which will be held on a yet to be determined date in December.  Additional suggestions/recommendations for catering were requested.  Two suggestions, in addition to Bobby D’s BBQ, were Coaches and Casa Ramos with Jason, KØSSZ, stating that they had a function held at the Trophy Room (upstairs of Casa Romas) and the Fiesta Platters worked out very well.

·       Ham Cram in 2017 – Lonnie, WØNXS, requested input from the club members in attendance on the interest in having a Ham Cram in 2017 for Tech and General licensing.  Larry, NØYNN, stated that he thought there were 5-6 that participated last time.  Subject was tabled for follow-up and additional discussion during the November eyeball meeting.

8.      Presentation – No presentation during the October meeting.

9.      Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 10:00 AM.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

September 2016 Meeting

Emporia Amateur Radio Society
Science Hall 156, ESU
17 September 2016
FINAL

1.     Call to Order – Tim, KØEMP, called the meeting to order at 9:01 am and there were 14 members present.  A brief parody entitled “Larry King Obama Satire CB Radio Vs Ham Amateur Radio” was played via a YouTube link to start the meeting.
2.     Meeting Minutes – Lonnie, WØNXS, inquired if there were any corrections, revisions, or additions to the 20 August meeting minutes that had been emailed to the members prior to the meeting.  No corrections or additions were presented by the membership so minutes were considered approved unchanged. 

3.      Treasurer’s Report – Lonnie, WØNXS, presented the Treasurer’s report.
4.      Component Corner – Tim, KØEMP, presented a box that was donated by Jim Belford, WXØU, for use as an auction item in lieu of a component corner is his absence with the proceeds to be donated to the club.  The high bid of $35 was made by Lonnie, WØNXS.
5.      Announcements and Reports KØEMP, Tim
·         Executive Committee Meeting Update Tim, KØEMP, presented a summary of the Executive Meeting held 7 Sept. 2016.
·         Builder’s Corner (Show & Tell) – No “show & tell” items were presented.

·          
·         Calling the Thursday Night Net - Sign-up sheet was passed with the results as follows:  
DATE
CALL SIGN
NAME
22-Sep-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
29-Sep-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
06-Oct-16
ADØSF
David Claridge
13-Oct-16
KCØUVH
Linda Wolcott
20-Oct-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
27-Oct-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
03-Nov-16


10-Nov-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
17-Nov-16


24-Nov-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott

·         Next VE Exam Session – KØEMP, Tim – Saturday, 3 Dec 2016 @ 6:00 PM
o   VEs volunteers for this testing session:
§  ADØSF – David Claridge
§  ADØTV – William Wolcott
§  KØEMP – Tim East
§  KCØUVH – Linda Wolcott
§  KDØRII – George Phoenix
§  WØNXS – Lonnie Worthington
6.         Continuing discussion and activity items
·         Kansas QSO Party (KØE) Dwight, KDØOIX – Reviewed the results of the KS QSO Party
o   Results as of 17 September 2016:
§  LOTW:    processed 604 QSOs and 217 QSLs
§  EQSL:     processed 607 QSOs and 136 QSLs  - 1 of our QSOs was rejected
§  N1MM:    showed 604 QSOs 1184/2 592 QSOs plus 12 worth zero pts (dupes &?)
§  3820 Score Summary has us second with 59,700 points (the leader has 107,808 points) in the multi-op low power category.

·         Race the Chase – KØEMP, Tim – 24 September – Discussion was had regarding the upcoming Race the Chase event.
o   Current list of volunteers:
§  David Claridge - ADØSF
§  William Wolcott – ADØTV
§  Tim East – KØEMP
§  Linda Wolcott – KCØUVH
§  Dean Binns – KS1ERS
§  Larry Jeck – NØYNN
§  Lonnie Worthington – WØNXS

·          
·         Wade’s Ride – WØNXS, Lonnie – 8 October – Discussion was had regarding the upcoming Wade’s Ride to benefit Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Emporia and surrounding areas.
o   Current list of volunteers:
§  William Wolcott – ADØTV
§  Mike Pate - KCØNFG
§  Linda Wolcott – KCØUVH
§  Erika Martin - KEØGXW
§  Colton Wellnitz – KEØGXX
§  Dean Binns – KS1ERS
§  Larry Jeck – NØYNN
§  Lonnie Worthington - WØNXS
·         Trailer Committee Update – WØNXS, Lonnie – discussed the current status of the trailer
o   Trailer Design Review – Post-eyeball meeting trailer design postponed due to scheduling conflict and new date has not been scheduled to date.
·         KØV Veteran’s Day Special Event (KØV) 5 – 11 November – KDØOIX led the discussion regarding the Veteran’s day special event KØV.  Individuals can operate from their QTH or mobile and do not have to operate from the ESU radio “coop” as long as no two operators are on the same band and same mode at the same time.
o   Veteran’s Day Parade – Belinda, KEØCJU, raised a question about E.A.R.S. participating in the Veteran’s Day parade.  Discussion was had describing the float that had been put together in the past with a small beam on a “windmill” frame to look like a radio tower on a trailer with Julie, KDØLYS, appearing to operate from the trailer while Dwight, KDØOIX and Tim, KØEMP actually operated from inside the truck.  Several individuals appeared to be in favor of participating in the parade however no volunteers were identified as willing to commit at this point.  Anyone interested in participating should contact Dwight, KDØOIX, and let him know you will help.

7.      Additional Discussions / New Business
o   Heartland 100 – 8 - 9 October 2016 – Lonnie, WØNXS, noted that additional operators were still needed for the Heartland 100 Ultra-Marathon race through the Flint Hills and anyone interest should contact Russell Groves at the contact information listed in the agenda.
o   AUXComm Training – 10 – 11 December 2016 - Lonnie, WØNXS, brought up that an additional AuxComm training session has been scheduled for 10-11 Dec in Hays, KS like the one that he attended in August in Topeka.  Anyone interested should go to the KS Train website for additional information or contact Lonnie, WØNXS, for the registration / information link.
o   E.A.R.S. Club Logo License Plates – Lonnie, WØNXS – brought up that anyone wishing to purchase a decorative license plate (full or half with their call sign and the EARS club logo on it) can fill out one of the provided order forms.  We will collect orders up to and including the October eyeball meeting and payment is not required until after we receive the plates and the final shipping costs have been determined but the plates should be $10 or less each.
o   Immediate Past Presidents Position – Tim, KØEMP, brought up that the Executive Committee has suggested an additional position on the committee to include the past president.  It was noted that it should probably be defined as the Immediate Past President as that was the intent of the executive committee.  Considerable discussion was had regarding voting on the proposed position immediately, however, Dwight, KDØOIX, pointed out that it would require a change in the by-laws so it needed to be presented to the club membership for two months and then a vote could be taken on the proposed changes to the by-laws (i.e. constitutional revision).
o   Wichita Hamfest – It was noted that the Wichita Area Hamfest will be held 1 Oct 2016.
o   Steren Electronics – It was mentioned that Steren Electronics, which was described as similar to Radio Shack, has opened in Emporia.
o   Great American Marketplace – Tim, KØEMP, stated that Jason, KØSSZ, indicated that their business, Bourbon Cowboy, receives two spaces in the Great American Marketplace due to their membership in Mainstreet Emporia and Jason has offered to allow the EARS club to utilize their spaces next year if we would like to participate in the GAM. 
o   DK Promotions Donation – Tim, KØEMP, stated that based on club member feedback, the Executive Committee has decided that we should use some of the donation funds provided by DK Promotions should be used to purchase a new controller for the 146.985 repeater.
§  Tim, KØEMP, stated that it is the recommendation of the Exec. Committee to form a Repeater Committee to research and provide a proposal to the Exec. Committee on a potential controller that could be purchased for use on the 146.985 repeater.  Volunteers were solicited for the Repeater Committee with the following individuals volunteering, however if you are interested in participating in the Repeater Committee please contact one of the Exec. Committee members:
·         ADØTV – William Wolcott
·         KCØUVH – Linda Wolcott
·         WØNXS – Lonnie Worthington
o   Social Media Committee – Tim, KØEMP, stated that it is the recommendation of the Exec. Committee to form a Social Media Committee to oversee the establishing of rules and procedures for EARS club social media such as the newly established club Facebook page.  Volunteers were solicited for the committee with the following individuals volunteering:
·         ADØSF – David Claridge
·         KDØOIX – Dwight Moore
·         KS1ERS – Dean Binns (in charge of EARS Facebook page)
·         KDØRII – George Phoenix (in charge of EARS website)
o   Public Information Officer – Dwight, KDØOIX, asked who is officially the club’s PIO (Public Information Officer).  It was denoted that during the initial Exec. Committee meeting of the current club officers it was informally decided that Tim, KØEMP, and Lonnie, WØNXS, would split the duties of the PIO.  It was suggested that we determine a single point of contact for the PIO and Tim, KØEMP, stated that we would add it to the list of discussion topics for the next Executive Committee meeting.
o   ESU Block Party – Belinda, KEØCJU, suggested that the club participate in next year’s ESU Block Party for new students during the first week of August by taking the trailer down providing information to possibly attract new members and expose the students to amateur radio.

8.      Presentation – The following video presentations were played:
Intro to Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS)
                                    Extending the range of an HT through the use of a “tiger tail” counterpoise wire   
9.      Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 11:20 AM.