Emporia Amateur Radio Society
Science Hall 156, ESU
18 June 2016
FINAL / CORRECTED
Meeting Minutes:
1. Call
to Order - Tim, KØEMP, called the meeting to order at
9:00 am. Introductions were made and we had 15 members present including 3 new
members that joined at the conclusion of the meeting.
2. Meeting
Minutes - The 21 May meeting minutes had been emailed
to the members prior to the meeting. Dwight, KDØOIX, made a motion to approve
the minutes as written, William, ADØTV, seconded, passed unanimously.
3. Treasurer’s
Report – Lonnie, WØNXS, presented the Treasurer’s
report. Linda, KCØUVH, motioned to approve, Dean, KDØAZZ, seconded; report was approved
by a majority with one opposed and no additional discussion.
·
Tim, KØEMP, mentioned all of the local
sponsors that assisted with the Community Service Trailer project via resource
and/or in-kind donations. The
alphabetical listing is as follows:
o
American Electric
o
Babbinger Trust
o
Better Living Technology
o
DK Promotions
o
Emporia Amateur Radio Society
o
Flint Hills Technical College
o
Kansa Technology, LLC
o
Seamless Data
4. Component
Corner – Linked
Repeaters and Effect of Long Squelch Tails
·
Tim,
KØEMP, discussed the potential negative impacts of keying up to talk before the
squelch tail ends on linked repeaters.
o Once negative impact discussed
would be the potential for an operator with priority not being able to have an
opportunity to break in.
o Another impact would be in the
case of the DK200 cross-band “repeater” where keying up before the squelch tail
ends would not repeat the transmission.
·
Tim made
a “Presidential Request” that we wait for a full 3 seconds (“count to 3
Mississippi”) after the squelch tell ends before keying up.
·
Jim,
WXØU, provided an in-depth explanation of the cross-band limitation and
overview of the cross-band remote “repeater” that was utilized for the DK200.
o The 146.985 repeater was
utilized as the primary repeater for radio communications during the DK200
race.
o A remote cross-band temporary
repeater was setup in Greenwood County to provide extended coverage into an
area that had a difficult time reaching the 146.985 repeater.
o This cross-band repeater (CBR)
had one channel operating simplex on 446.500 and the other channel configured
for the 146.985 repeater.
o When the CBR received a radio
transmission on 446.500 from one of the support vehicles operating in that area
the CBR would switch to transmit mode and transmit that communication to the
146.985 repeater. Once the radio
transmitting on 446.500 would un-key the CBR would return to receive mode.
o When the cross-band repeater
received a radio transmission from the 146.985 repeater it would go into
transmit mode retransmit that communication on 446.500. Once the 146.985 repeater was no longer
transmitting (including the squelch tail) the CBR would return once again to
the receive mode.
o In a “perfect world” where the
squelch tails are virtually non-existent the CBR would switch between transmit
and receive modes almost instantaneously.
However, if an operator keys up on the 446.500 before the squelch tail
has ended after the transmission from the 146.985 being repeated (i.e. the CBR
is still in transmit mode) the CBR would not be allowed the time to switch from
transmit to receive mode and the 446.500 operator’s communication would not be
re-transmitted to the 146.985 repeater as the CBR can only do one thing at a
time either receive or transmit.
5. Announcements
and Reports
·
Lyon County Emergency
Management –
Discussion was had as a follow-up to Jarrod Fell’s visit during the May eyeball
meeting.
o
Tim,
KØEMP, listed the online FEMA courses that operators should take if they are
interested in potentially being considered for FEMA certification.
§ ICS-100 –
Introduction to Incident Command
§ ICS-200 - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action
Incidents
§ ICS-700 - National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
§ ICS-800 - National Response Framework, An Introduction
o The following are additional courses that must be taken in person –
consult KS Train (ks.train.org) for available training sessions.
§ ICS-300 - Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
§ ICS-400 - Advanced ICS
o George, KDØRII, noted that to be involved with RACES you only need
ICS-100 & ICS-700.
o Dwight, KDØOIX, said that weather spotter training is also available
through the KS Train website.
·
Executive
Committee Meeting – Tim,
KØEMP, presented a summary the recent Executive Meetings held 12 June 2016.
o Extra Class Training Session – Tim, KØEMP, noted that due to
the limited response of individuals definitely interested in receiving the
Extra Class training (2 respondents of 31 solicited) we will not be holding an
Extra Class training session. However,
we will notify the group when it is determined that Topeka will be holding
another training session if they would like to participate in the Topeka
training sessions.
o Trailer Update – Lonnie, WØNXS, gave an overview of the current
status of the work remaining to be performed on the trailer which includes:
§ Installing the deep cell
battery and disconnect
§ Trimming the flooring
§ Fabricating and installing the
external coax hatch / mounting plate
§ Tim, KØEMP, also discussed the
need for additional cooling / venting in the trailer.
§ Dean, KDØAZZ, said that box
fan that he provided for use during the DK200 was to be donated to the club
along with the trailer keys that he had made during the setup day prior to the
DK.
o Donation – Tim, KØEMP, said that the club received a $65
donation from an anonymous member to purchase Field Day supplies such as
possibly a Handi-Finder antenna for use during the Fox Hunt. Unfortunately, after checking with the
company that makes the Handi-Finder it was determined that we would not be
guaranteed to receive the antenna prior to Field Day so we would not be
purchasing it at this time.
o Equipment for Sale – Tim, KØEMP, said that the manuals were the only
items remaining to be sold and they were left in Erika’s, KEØGXW, office that
morning as she has volunteered to get them listed and sold via the web.
·
Builder’s Corner
o
David, ADØSF, showed a very flexible
dual band antenna for HTs which is sold by Signal Stuff (www.signalstuff.com)
as a fundraiser for HamStudy.org. The
antennas are comprised of an 18.25” long nitinol (nickel titanium) whip that can be coiled without taking a set
and a 3-D printed cover with your choice of connector (SMA Female, SMA Male and
BNC) for $20.
o
Greg, KAØFZR, brought in a homebrew
Buddi-Dipole which can be tuned from 20m – 2m by changing the coils and is
based on W3FF’s design. It utilizes a
painter’s extension pole to get it approximately 20 feet in the air and can be
built for approximately $80 vs $400 for a mass produced Buddipole.
o
George, KDØRII, showed a 4 x 1 antenna
switcher made by Snaptekk Technologies (www.snaptekktechnologies.com)
that was listed in a recent edition of QST magazine. The switcher is only $40 which includes a
Bluetooth module.
o
NOTE: Connie, KØUER, said that his family is
throwing a 90th birthday for him on July 15th from 4-7 PM
and Bobby D’s will be catering it. All
E.A.R.S. members are invited so please contact Carol at 360.301.4345 to RSVP.
·
Calling the Thursday Night Net – Sign-up sheet
was passed with the results as follows:
CALL
SIGN
|
NAME
|
|
23-Jun-16
|
KCØUVH
|
Linda Wolcott
|
30-Jun-16
|
WØNXS
|
Lonnie Worthington
|
07-Jul-16
|
ADØSF
|
David Claridge
|
14-Jul-16
|
KDØAZZ
|
Dean Binns
|
21-Jul-16
|
KØEMP
|
Tim East
|
28-Jul-16
|
ADØTV
|
Bill Wolcott
|
04-Aug-16
|
ADØSF
|
David Claridge
|
11-Aug-16
|
KDØAZZ
|
Dean Binns
|
18-Aug-16
|
KDØAZZ
|
Dean Binns
|
·
Next VE Exam Session
– held
following the eyeball meeting on Saturday June 18th.
6. Continuing
discussion and activity items
·
Club Call Sign Change
Update – Lonnie,
WØNXS, reported that the club call sign change is now official so we are now
WØEMP.
·
Generous
Donation – Tim, KØEMP, informed the group of the
generous donation made to the Emporia Amateur Radio Society by DK Promotions in
the form of a $1,000 check.
o
Tim, KØEMP, asked that members get in touch
with one of the Executive Committee members (KØEMP, ADØSF or WØNXS) to provide
suggestions as to how the money should be utilized for the club.
o
Dave, KCØURW, suggested that we get input
from DK Promotions as to how they would suggest the funds be spent, however
Jim, WXØU, said that DK Promotions was very explicit that it was up to the club
to use however we wanted.
·
DK 200 Review – Tim, KØEMP, led
the congratulations and thanks for each of the operators that assisted with the
DK200, especially Mike, KCØNFG, who was a tremendous asset in the trailer in
coordinating all of the requests for assistance calls from the “folks in the
purple tents” and he also took over as the “on-air” Net Control starting at
midnight.
§ Net Control: Tim,
KØEMP / Mike, KCØNFG
§ DK100 Check Point: Linda,
KCØUVH / William, ADØTV
§ DK200 CP 1 & CP3: Karen, KBØDHT / Corey, KEØITF
Dwight,
KDØOIX / George, KDØRII
§ DK200 Check Point 2: David, ADØSF / Dean, KDØAZZ
§ Start / Finish Line: Julie, KDØLYS / Noah, KDØLYR
§ Rovers: Jim, WXØU / Lonnie,
WØNXS
o
Dean,
KDØAZZ, said that the girlfriend of the injured rider who was life-flighted was
at Check Point 2 in Eureka when the accident happened and she was very
appreciative that she was able to get information about his condition and where
he was being transported.
o
Tim,
KØEMP, also discussed some of the areas of improvement that can be made in the
future.
§
Trailer
Improvements – Cooling, additional 120V outlets, refrigerator, and possibly the
location in that the “purple tents” should be right beside the trailer.
§
Improved
coverage for the Eureka area is needed
§
Tim
also stated that we should have 2 Net Control operators at all times
·
Lunar Kanza Ride – Tim, KØEMP,
said that DK Promotions requests the EARS services again for the 50 mile Lunar
Kanza ride on Saturday, July 16th from approximately 1800 – 2330.
o
The
trailer will be located downtown is probably the same spot as it was for the
DK200.
o
There
will probably only be one checkpoint which will be at the turn-around point.
o
He
is anticipating that we will need 2 – 4 operators and the following individuals
volunteered:
§
Dean,
KDØAZZ
§
David,
ADØSF
§
George,
KDØRII
·
Kansas QSO Party – Dwight,
KDØOIX, brought up that the Kansas QSO party is scheduled for August 27-28 and
we usually operate as KØE for the “E” in “Sunflower”.
·
Wade’s Ride – Lonnie, WØNXS,
brought up about the potential for assisting with Wade’s Ride on October 8th
by working checkpoints and providing radio communication between the
checkpoints. Last year’s ride had 5-6
checkpoints and Lonnie will get more information regarding how many potential
operators would be needed and then see what interest there is within club to
assist with the benefit ride.
·
Field Day Update – Dwight, KDØOIX, went through final preparations for Field Day
which will be next weekend June 25 – 26 June at the north end of the ESU
practice fields.
o
We will begin transmitting at 1300 on
Saturday and end at 1300 on Sunday so we can begin setting up at 0900 Saturday.
o
Lonnie, WØNXS, will transport the trailer
to the practice fields Saturday morning.
o
We will have (3) radios setup being
supplied by KDØOIX, N0II, WØNXS
o
Bud, N0II, will be providing a solar setup
which will garner additional points with at least 5 QSOs being obtaining while
running on solar power. The solar setup is slated to be utilized at the
trailer.
o
We will be obtaining education points by
holding an educational lesson and activity which the fox hunt Saturday evening
will be part of and conducted by Jim, WXØU.
Dwight will be bringing (2) HT Yagi antennas for use during the fox
hunt.
o
Dean, KDØAZZ, contacted KVOE and they will
be doing “on-air” promos for Field Day.
o
o
Larry, N0YNN, posed a question regarding
having a GOTA station setup however it was determined at a previous eyeball
meeting that we would not be utilizing a GOTA station this year due to the
limited use it received in year’s past as compared to the work involved in
setting it up. It was noted that in the
event that we get a visitor that is willing to Get-On-The-Air, we could always
use one of the other available radios to help them make a contact.
o
Tim, KØEMP, indicated that Julie, KDØLYS,
would be contacting Linda, KCØUVH, in order to coordinate a meal for Saturday
evening. It was mentioned that it is
customary in a potluck scenario to bring enough for your family and two other
people.
o
Dwight, KDØOIX, will be making a write-up
to put in the trailer regarding the Babbinger Trust funding and sponsors that
assisted. George, KDØRII, indicated he
would get the logos for each of the companies off of the web.
o
David, ADØSF, is the assigned Field Day
Safety Officer and will make sure that we have the required fire extinguisher
and first aid kit onsite for the event.
o
Dwight, KDØOIX, asked Jim, WXØU, to be in
charge of messaging again this year which could include the ARRL incoming
messages as well as coordinating some additional messaging.
o
As a reminder, everyone should pack plenty
of water as well as mosquito repellent and chairs.
o
Bud, N0II, will be providing his 6500w
generator so we will have plenty of power and Dwight, KDØOIX, will be bringing
his Honda generator as a backup.
o
Bud, N0II, and Belinda, KE0CJU, have graciously
sponsored a Porta-Potty which will be delivered on Friday to the northeast
corner of the gravel parking lot and will be picked back up on Monday.
·
Dwight, KDØOIX, stated that the two club
banners will need to have the call sign changed on them and Tim, KØEMP, thought
that the company that made the banners could probably do that.
·
As a reminder, EARS shirts that were
designed under the direction of Dean, KDØAZZ, can be ordered directly by going
to Uncommon Threads (205 E. 6th Street).
7. Presentation – No presentation
during the June eyeball meeting to allow more time for Field Day planning,
however presentations will begin again in July.
·
Please contact David, ADØSF, with
ideas and/or suggestions for presentation topics that you would like to see or
think would be beneficial to the club.
8. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 11:18 AM.