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.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Auxiliary Communications Course (AUXCOMM)


ATTENTION E.A.R.S. MEMBERS

Start:              10 December 2016 0800 (8:00 AM CT)
End:                11 December 2016 1900 (7:00 PM CT)
Location:        Hays, KS - Ellis County Training Room



Course ID:


1063700
 Format: On-Site - Classroom course or workshop (Live Event)
 Clinical / Non-Clinical: Non Clinical
 Course Number: AUXCOMM
 Cost (US$): 0.00
 Credit Type(s): none
Course Description:
Auxiliary Communications Course (AUXCOMM)
The Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) Course trains amateur radio operators to serve as auxiliary communicators during all-hazards emergency operations or planned events. Since 2011, the Department of Homeland security Office of Emergency Communications (DHS OEC) has conducted AUXCOMM courses across the nation and trained more than 1,300 students in this course.
This class is designed for those auxiliary emergency communicators and groups who volunteer to provide backup emergency radio communications support to public safety agencies. Typically, this includes amateur radio and Radio Emergency Associated Communications Team (REACT) communicators, but may include other volunteer emergency communicators.
Volunteer emergency communications operators/groups, using amateur radio, have been providing backup communications to public safety for nearly 100 years. Event planners, public safety officials, and emergency managers at all levels of government utilize their services. Often, amateur radio services have been used when other forms of communications have failed or have been disrupted. Today, nearly all the states/territories have incorporated some level of participation by amateur radio auxiliary communications operators into their Tactical Interoperable Communications Plans (TICPs) and Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans (SCIPs).
This course focuses on auxiliary communications interoperability, the relationship between the COML and volunteer, emergency operations center (EOC) etiquette, on-the-air etiquette, FCC rules and regulations, auxiliary communications training and planning, and emergency communications deployment. It is intended to supplement and standardize an operator’s experience and knowledge of emergency amateur radio communications in a public safety context.
This course is two days long (10 hours each day) and is limited to 30 students.
Prerequisites
To attend this course, applicants must have the following prerequisites:

  • An active FCC amateur radio license
  • Past experience in auxiliary emergency communications
  • A desire to work with COMLs in a NIMS/ICS environment
  • Completion of the following FEMA Independent Study courses:
    • IS-100 – Introduction to ICS
    • IS-200 – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Incidents
    • IS-700 – National Incident Management System, An Introduction
    • IS-800 – National response Framework, An Introduction
    • IS-315 - CERT Supplemental Training: The Incident Command System
All Independent Study (IS) courses are available online (free of charge) at the FEMA Independent Study website: http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp
Additional Registration Requirements
Applicants should submit a copy of their current FCC amateur license with scanned copies of all prerequisite certificates of completions for IS prerequisite courses to Erin McGinnis at erin.m.mcginnis2.nfg@mail.mil or fax (785) 274-1914.
Copies of prerequisite documentations which verify applicants have met the prerequisites and are eligible to participate in the course must be submitted at time of registration as space in the course is so limited.
Registration is not complete until all documentation has been received and verified by Erin McGinnis. Admittance is limited to the first 30 qualified applicants. Erin will notify applicants they are registered as soon as their prerequisites are verified.
Certificates will be issued by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Emergency Communications.
For most sessions, KDEM will set up lodging arrangements to be direct billed to us. Please look under the Registration Tab and then click on the Details Button for your session to be sure that lodging is available for the session you need to attend.

These rooms will be available for Kansas residents traveling 50 miles or more to attend this training. Arrangements for lodging cannot be provided if participant is using Federal preparedness grant funds for this training. Residents outside of Kansas and private contractors are not eligible for direct-bill lodging provided by KDEM.

Reimbursements for a stay at a different hotel will not be honored without previous authorization from KDEM Training Office Staff. Lodging arrangements are only provided through this office.

If you have a disability and need special accommodations in order to fully participate in any training activity, please contact the State Training Officer, Erin McGinnis, at (785) 274-1413 or erin.m.mcginnis2.nfg@mail.mil, to discuss your specific needs.
Subject Area(s):
Other
Terrorism / Emergency Readiness
Emergency Management
Volunteering
Audience(s):
Other
Emergency Management
Public Safety Communications
Background/Role(s):
Administrative Support Staff
General / Field / Frontline Staff
Volunteer
Course Language(s):
English
Course Level: Intermediate
Registration Required Outside of TRAIN: no
Registration Restrictions:
Sponsor: Kansas Division of Emergency Management - 2016 - DHS/OEC
Accreditations: none
Special Notes: 2016

August 2016 Meeting

Emporia Amateur Radio Society
Science Hall 156, ESU
20 August 2016
FINAL

Meeting Minutes:

1.     Call to Order – Tim, KØEMP, called the meeting to order at 9:02 am. Introductions were made and there were 18 members present.
       
2.     Meeting Minutes - The 16 July meeting minutes had been emailed to the members prior to the meeting and 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 and presented past donation levels made in 2015: $30 to QSL.Net (website host) and $120 to KØHAM (repeater group).
        David, ADØSF, made a motion to donate the same amounts for 2016.
        Mike, KCØNFG, seconded the motion and motion was approved unanimously.

4.     Kansas QSO Party – Dwight, KDØOIX, presented the final planning for the KS QSO Party on August 27-28.
o   We will be operating as KØE for the “E” in “Sunflower”.
o   We will be using N1MM logging software & a “cheat sheet” was available for those interested.
o   Dwight also noted that it appears the RF interference that was experienced at ESU during Field Day has gone away at least for now.
o   Dwight also stated that LOTW and eQSL are active for the club’s call.

5.      Announcements and Reports
·         Executive Committee Meeting – Tim, KØEMP, presented a summary of the recent Executive Meetings held 02 August 2016.

o   ARRL QST Magazine - Dwight, KDØOIX, noted that previous QST magazines are available outside of SH144 for anyone interested in reviewing them.
§  The suggestion was also made that anyone wishing to dispose of old QST magazines could “drop them off” at a doctor’s office or donate them to the library.

o   Trailer Update – Lonnie, WØNXS, gave a brief overview of the status of the work remaining to be performed on the trailer.
§  Tim, KØEMP, also wanted to make sure that everyone understands that anything that has been donated to the trailer could be sold or disposed of so if anyone has donated something and would like it back or would like to clarify that the item is only “on loan” please get with one of the Exec. Committee members.
§  Lonnie, WØNXS, suggested developing a Loaned / Donated listing in the future.

o   Manuals for Sale – Erika, KEØGXW,  reported that several of the instruction manuals she was given to sale are already available online via PDF but the printed manuals could be considered “vintage” with only a $2-$4 value each so she will be bundling them (ex. all Kenwood manuals, etc.) in order to maximize the profits from each sale.

·         Builder’s Corner
o   Tim, KØEMP, showed a small Four State QRP Group receiver that he built from a kit (Model: ZZRX-40) for $45 plus shipping.  Tim also displayed his portable Buddipole kit.

o   Tim, KØEMP, also passed around a small oscilloscope that was recently in QST magazine (JYE Tech Model 138).

o   William, ADØTV, said that he recently purchased a couple of the super flexible whip antennas like David, ADØSF, showed last month and they work very well.

·         Calling the Thursday Night Net – Sign-up sheet was passed with the results as follows:

DATE
CALL SIGN
NAME
25-Aug-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
01-Sep-16
KCØUVH
Linda Wolcott
08-Sep-16
KEØITE
Audrey Moran
15-Sep-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
22-Sep-16
ADØTV
William Wolcott
29-Sep-16
KS1ERS
Dean Binns
06-Oct-16
ADØSF
David Claridge
13-Oct-16




·         Next VE Exam Session – Options were discussed regarding the next VE session and it was determined that it would be held on Saturday, 3 December 2016 at 6PM and there will not be a Ham Cram session preceding it.

6.      Continuing discussion and activity items
o   Lunar Kanza – David, ADØSF, gave a review of the Lunar Kanza event that was held 16 July. 
§  Several additional Jeep club members have expressed interest in getting licensed.
§  We will be working through some of the APRS communication issues before future events.
§  Overall DK Promotions was very pleased with the EARS club involvement.

o   Weather Ready Nation – Lonnie, WØNXS, made a motion for the club to become WRN Ambassadors, Dean, KS1ERS, seconded the motion.  The motion passed with 1 opposed with no additional discussion.  David, ADØSF, will coordinate with Dwight, KDØOIX, in getting the club registered.

o   Great American Market – Discussion was had regarding potentially participating in the Great American Market on Sept 10th.
§  David, ADØSF, stated that after talking with the event organizers the club would have to pay for booth space ($35 / booth + $10 elec.), however it was unknown if we would have to pay for two 15 foot booths given the size of our trailer.  It was noted that it was not known and disclosed at the time of the participation survey that there would be a club cost associated so some of the “votes” may be different now.
§  George, KDØRII, suggested that we park the trailer near the event but not in the actual event to avoid having to pay.  Discussion was had regarding the proposal but it was decided that we would most likely not have much traffic or interest from the public by not being in the event area.
§  Tim, KØEMP, made a motion to not do it this year which was seconded by William, ADØTV.  After discussion was had regarding whether a motion and/or vote was needed “for something that we were already not doing”, the motion was modified to table the discussion of participation in the G.A.M. until next year.  Motion passed without further discussion.

o   Race the Chase – 24 September 2016
§  Tim, KØEMP, sketched a diagram of the general route area of Strong City, Cottonwood Falls and the Z-Bar Ranch.  It was noted that this year the route will not be crossing the railroad tracks and therefore, Start/Finish (i.e. Net Control) will be located at the old train depot in Strong City.
§  Setup will start @ 0630 (6:30 AM) - Event should be completed by 1430 (2:30 PM)
§  Requesting 5 – 6 operators minimum
·         Net Control (1 – 2 operators)
·         3 Mobile Gators (1 operator each)
·         1 EMT Med station (1 operator)
·         Potentially utilizing APRS
§  Current list of volunteers:
·         William Wolcott – ADØTV
·         Linda Wolcott – KCØUVH
·         Colton Wellnitz – KEØGXX
·         Dean Binns – KS1ERS
·         Larry Jeck – NØYNN
·         Lonnie Worthington – WØNXS
·         Tim East – KØEMP – Tentative - potentially out of town on business trip
§  Note - Volunteer details e-mail will be sent the week of 19 September.


o   Wade’s Ride – 08 October 2016
§  Lonnie, WØNXS, reported that he has been in contact with the event organizers and they are extremely excited to have EARS assist them with the event which is a benefit event to raise awareness in the fight against SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
§  Requesting 7 - 8 operators minimum
·         Net Control (1 – 2 operators)
·         6 Stops (4 motorcycle stops and 2 bicycle stops - 1 operator each minimum)
§  Current list of volunteers:
·         David Claridge – ADØSF
·         William Wolcott – ADØTV
·         Mike Pate - KCØNFG
·         Linda Wolcott – KCØUVH
·         Erika Martin - KEØGXW
·         Colton Wellnitz – KEØGXX
·         Tim East – KØEMP
·         Dean Binns – KS1ERS
·         Larry Jeck – NØYNN
·         Lonnie Worthington – WØNXS

o   New Business / Additional Discussions – No new business or additional discussion

7. Presentation – FEMA AUXCOMM Training Class – Lonnie, WØNXS
o   Lonnie, WØNXS, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation relating to the FEMA AUXCOMM training course that he attended on 13-14 August at the Kansas National Guard Facility in Topeka, KS which was sponsored by KDEM (Kansas Department of Emergency Management).
o   Update:  Due to the overwhelming response and attendance at the August 2016 training session in Topeka.  KDEM has arranged for an additional training class to be held in Hays, KS on 10-11 December (additional course information will be e-mailed to club members).


8. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 AM.