Meeting Minutes 61315

Prior to the beginning of the meeting videos from previous Field Day events were shown.  Members enjoyed looking at past events.

James Atkins, KB0NHX brought the meeting to order at 19:09

Fourteeb members and all four officers were present.

James asked Jeff Morrissey to provide the Treasurer's report.  Report is attached at the end of the minutes.

James asked if the Hamfest committee had updates and Larry (WA0JZK) gave a report.  Among the items that Larry reported was the need to get rental tables nailed down, a report on the speakers who have committed, and a report on the vendors who have committed.

James asked Rob to provide an update on VE testing, Four individuals tested and four passed the tech license.

James gave a technical report on recent projects.  He spoke about the changes made at Cox South  and how antennas were reinstalled at the site.  He indicated that the 6 meter amplifier had died. The will be be additional communication on sites next month.  

James gave an update on the communications trailer and it's status as well as plans for the build out.  

James then introduced Kent Doucey (N0IRM) who spoke with the membership about our Field Day preparations and needs. 

After the presentation  James outlined the expected expenses for Field Day such as gas for the command bus.  

The meeting was adjourned at 19:57

NARC Main Account

Beginning Balance:    $8526.42 with $30 in petty cash

Debits:

$300 Liability Insurance

$.58 PayPal Fees

Debit Total $300.58

Credits:

Dues - $12.65

Credit Total $12.65

Ending Balance:  $8238.49 with $30 in petty cash

Hamfest

Beginning Balance $2061.79

Debits

$50.00 Catering Deposit

Debit Total $50.00

Credits

Credit Total $0

Ending balance $2,011.79

NARC Meeting Minutes 5/9/15

Randy Jordan (KC0UKB) club secretary brought the meeting to order at 18:02. 13 people were in attendance.

Rob gave a report about the VE Session.  4 people tested and 3 passed.  One test taker was present for the general meeting.

Randy gave the Treasurers and Technical report as the other officers had prior commitments were unable to attend the meeting. Randy also answered questions about those reports.   Both reports are attached at the bottom of the minutes.

Randy asked if the hamfest committee had updates and Larry (WA0JZK) gave a report.  

Randy also gave a report from James about plans for Field Day this year and it is attached below.

Since there was no formal program for the meeting in May, and Field Day planning would be continued in June, Randy asked the members present to discuss various radio related projects they were involved in, or any recent ARRL contests they had participated in.  There was also a wonderful discussion about an dipole antenna installation and the best way to accomplish the project.  The meeting formally adjourned at 19:02, but the discussions continued for a time afterwards.

Technical updates: James (KB0NHX)

They are completing remodeling of the Cox South Hospital. The 224.280 repeater is currently shut off, and the 442.425 will be shut off when they get to that repeater antenna. We are getting to replace our 3 dB gain fiberglass antenna with a DB224JJ antenna. It has a MUCH better return loss, and has 6 dBd of gain instead of 3. The return loss is ridiculously good on the DB224JJ antenna (32 on TX, >35 on RX), whereas the current antenna is 9 dB on transmit and 14 dB on receive. The duplexers will also be returned and the 220 repeater should be greatly improved. Another plus is we are moving the interference source, the 72.xxx MHz time clock to the OTHER end of the penthouse, about 80' away vs the 10' away it is now. I (James) HOPE this will allow us to remove the 4 cavity filter from receive line as well. We may also be able to replace the DB408 6 dBd gain antenna on the 442.425 with a 9 dBd gain DB420. We are working out details on that, too.

We are also preparing to stage the antennas for the Branson 146.655 at the site. Verizon submitted final plans to the City of Branson this week, and they are waiting to hear back from the water tower manufacturer to see if they give final approval to move forward. Jeremy's predicting an August or September installation.

Club trailer update: James (KB0NHX)

James Adkins, Jim Adkins, Bill Kastler, Jim Nicoll and Larry Grinstead worked at Andrew's house for the antenna installation grant. We got the flagpole antenna base dug and the concrete poured and the base plumbed. Next trip we will be putting the antenna together, running the ground radio field, and routing coax and ground rod cable to the antenna and setting some ground rods. We hope to be able to do this in a couple of weeks. Andrew upped our grant to $3,000 for the trailer, and we will be putting an Ashley Furniture Superstore decal, and other sponsors, probably on the back doors. Kent Doucey, Garry Williams, Jim Adkins & James Adkins met with Bill at Sutter Trailer and ordered the club trailer. We made several "changes" to the basic trailer package we added 6" to the height of the trailer, for a total height of 7 feet, that cost $250. We also added a nonpowered roof vent in addition to the AC unit so we have a way to get air flow in case it's not hot enough for the AC or if the AC quits, that added $50 to the cost. We also moved the driver door 6" toward the back of the trailer, a cost of $45.00. We added a 30" X 30" sliding window to the door, with a screen, so we can have walk up traffic at bike rides without them entering the shelter that cost $175.00. Lastly, we added an outside outlet, which is a GFI, which added $20.00 Total additions are $540, with total cost of the trailer, delivered, at $6910.00.

We will be adding a divider wall between the storage area and the front, insulating the walls, adding carpet to the walls for acoustics, running all the electrical, installing the countertops and running all the coax cable and DC wiring. There is still a LOT to do. We are hoping to have the necessary funds to do all we'd like to. By cutting out the insulation alone, we are saving cost to $1,000 by doing that ourselves! We had hoped to be able to just buy the trailer with all the aforementioned stuff done, but the budget wouldn't allow and we didn't feel that the overwhelming cost that we were being good stewards of the money donated toward the project. The trailer should be delivered to us in 6-8 weeks, and we plan on using it for the Tour de Bass bike ride this year.

Field Day: James (KB0NHX) 

Field Day will be at High Pointe Elementary, and we will be utilizing the MSHP's White Spartan mobile command center with the 70' pneumatic mast. We are working out details on portable toilet facilities and lifts for the antennas. Kent Doucey, N0IRM, will be laying out the plans and we will need folks to help setup, tear down and operate for the event LOTS of people. WE would like to see everyone involved in some way, shape or form after all, it is fun!!!!!!!!!!! There will be NO tent this year, just the Spartan with 3 operating positions. Setup will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 27th and tear down at noon June 28th. We are planning on having 3 HF stations going and have CW, Voice & digital modes available along with a 6meter station. Invite everyone to come out and enjoy Field Day this year, we are going to have a blast practicing our emergency communications setup skills and tallying the most points we can while operating.

Treasurer's Report: Jeff (KB0WVT)

NARC Main Account

Debits:

$1000 Trailer Deposit

$75.00 Square One Communications - SMLRS Logo

$2.00 PayPal Fees

Debit Total $1077.00

Credits:

Dues - $50.22

Bass Pro $1,500 (Trailer)

Mercy $1,500 (Trailer)

Credit Total $3050.22

Ending Balance:  $8526.42 with $30 in petty cash

Hamfest

Beginning Balance $2161.26

Debits

$100.00 Nixa Event Center Deposit

Debit Total $100.00

Credits

Credit Total $0

Ending balance $2,061.79

NARC Meeting Minutes 4/11/15

James (KB0NHX) brought the meeting to order at 18:09. 20 people were in attendance.

Jeff Morrissey (KB0WVT)

James gave the technical report.  James also gave a report about the funding for the communications trailer.  The technical report, and information on the communications trailer is also attached below.

A vote was taken for the purchase of a communications trailer by a show of hands.  The vote was unanimous for the purchase. 

Additional questions were taken about the trailer after the vote.

James checked with Jim (KC0IYI) Hamfest committee to see if there was anything to report this month.    Larry Grinstead (WA0JZK) was not present at the meeting and there was nothing additional to report.

James introduced John Copelin (KC0QNM) who gave a presentation on the proper use of multimeters.  John began his presentation at 18:17 and concluded at 19:19.  

After the presentation, James asked the membership present about some of the proposals for Field Day locations.  While considering locations at Clever, and Crane, the consensus of the membership was to hold Field Day at the High Pointe Elementary School near Nixa.  James entertained additional questions about Field Day and mentioned we would be doing additional planning for Field Day at the next scheduled meeting. 

The meeting was adjourned by James at 19:25

Technical Report:

Problem has cropped up again at the 145.270 repeater site – interference noted on weak signals

Jeremy, KC0UJZ, not aware of anything new going on there.

Contacted John, W0PM, he is going to check with Christian County 911 to see if they have turned their microwave back on (was causing the same interference last time)

Club Communications Trailer information:

Club Communications Trailer0I visited Bill Sutter of Sutter Trailer in January and obtained a quote from him of $6,370.00 to purchase a 7’ X 16’ enclosed trailer

Larry, WA0JZK, submitted a grant to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and received $3,000 towardthe trailer

Larry, WA0JZK, and James, KB0NHX, met with representatives from Mercy and the Outdoor Fitness Festival

Mercy has donated $3,000 toward the trailer

Outdoor Fitness is donating $1,500 toward the trailer

Will be contacting folks in the near future to help with the Antenna Assistance Grant of $2,000.  We are leaning for a date of Saturday, May 2.  If you would like to help, please contact James after the meeting or by e-mail

With the $6,370 received – would like to get approval from membership to go ahead with the purchase of the trailer.  There is a 6-8 week lead time.

The $2,000 Antenna Assistance grant and remaining monies will be used to build the operating stations and finish the interior of the trailer.

Treasurer's report:

NARC Main Account

Beginning Balance:  $2060.69 with $30 in petty cash

Debits:$210.85 Repeater parts – Lost Creek Technical Svcs

Debit Total $210.85

Credits:Dues - $192.00

Dividend - $0.36

Donation - $11.00

Donation - $3,000 – Community Foundation of the Ozarks (for trailer/Recommended by an anonymous donor)

Donation - $1,500 – Mercy Seniors (for trailer)

Credit Total $4,703.36

Ending Balance: $6,553.20 with $30 in petty cash

Hamfest Account:

Beginning Balance $2161.260

Debits $0.00

Debit Total $0.00

Credits 

$0.53 - Dividend

Credit Total $0.53

Ending balance $2,161.79

NARC Meeting Minutes 3.15.15

James brought the meeting to order at 18:02. 33 people were in attendance. 

Jeff Morrissey gave the Treasurer's report which is attached at the bottom of the minutes. 

6 people tested during the VE session with one person passing all 3 tests,  those who tested who stayed for the meeting were recognized and congratulated. 

James gave the technical report and had information on the proposed communications trailer 

Larry Grinstead gave a report  from the NARCfest committee meeting.

 

Technical Report from James Adkins KB0NHX: 

 

Jumper cable replaced on tower at 147.015 repeater in Springfield by Second Sight Systems. 

No problems have been observed since the cable was changed out 

IP to Serial server installed at 147.015 site so we can now program and remotely control that repeater and others on SMLRS 

Total High Speed has agreed to provide Internet at the following SMLRS sites to facilitate remote programming and control of the repeaters: 

146.655 Branson /442.150 Crane / 145.390 Granby 

 

We are working with another company to provide Internet at: 145.450 Nevada 

- 

Update from Jeremy, KC0UJZ, on Branson 146.655: 

Verizon and the City of Branson have come to terms on the general scope of the re-design at the site. 

Jeremy predicts that the 146.655 antenna installs, which will be done by Verizon contractors at no cost to us, will occur ~ September 2015. 

Jeremy, Steffen & I (James) completed the ground work on site in January, 2015.  All that remains is to have antennas installed at the site. 

 

Hamfest Report from Larry Grinstead WA0JZK: 

Larry gave a verbal report from the NARCfest committee meeting some highlights from the minutes include 

Hamfest date 11/14 at Nixa Event Center / 3 speakers / Baldknobbers Special Event station,  Larry also spoke about testing and using another rented speaker towards the front of the venue for better sound and having results of the drawings near the front as well. 

 

Presentation: 

 The presentation from Steve Runnels KD4OPZ, and Quay Kendrick from the National Weather Service about NWS radio began at 18:13.  In addition to the valuable information that was provided, they were available to answer questions from the audience. 

 

After the presentation the meeting was adjourned at 19:05.  Members visited with each other and visitors. 

------- 

Treasurer's report: 

NARC Main Account 

Beginning Balance:     

$1705.91 with $30 in petty cash 

 

Debits: 

$2.45 - PayPal transaction fees on dues payments 

$211.54 Connectors and weatherproofing kits 

Debit Total $213.99 

Credits: 

Dues - $68.77 (Odd amount due to PayPal transaction fees) 

Anonymous Donation - $500 

Credit Total $568.77 

 

Ending Balance:  $2060.69 with $30 in petty cash 

 -

 

Hamfest Account Report 

 

Beginning Balance $2161.26 

Debits $0 

Debit Total $0 

Credits $0 

Credit Total $0.00 

 

Ending balance $2,161.26 

February 14, 2015 NARC Monthly Meeting Minutes

2/14/15 NARC Meeting Minutes

Meeting was brought to order at 18:05 by James Adkins.

James congratulated the new hams that tested in the VE session and gave a status report on the session.  There were 11 people testing and James noted there we almost ran out of tables and thanked the VE team.

There were 24 in attendance for the regular meeting

James asked Randy Jordan to deliver the treasurers report on behalf of Jeff Morrissey. Report attached to bottom of minutes.

James introduced some visitors from Willard who were exploring amateur radio. Various members spoke to them during and after the meeting about the many things they could do in amateur radio related to their interests.

James gave a report about the recent trip to the EAST TRS site. James did a full PMI and comparison sweep, and spoke with the tower crew, who replaced a jumper and took photos of the coax and antennas as they were doing a structural analysis.  Randy Jordan explained our plans for remote control of the SCOM controller with the Moxa router and our VPN setup.

Shortly after business was completed James introduced our presenter.  The presentation,  “How GPS Works”, by Bob Rennard, N7WY was well received by the membership and after a short Q&A period, concluded at 19:17.   Bob provided a copy of the presentation on PDF to be archived in the Yahoo groups file section for later reference.

The meeting was adjourned by James at 19:19 and visiting ensued shortly thereafter for a period of time.

NARC Main Account
Beginning Balance:    $563.07 with $30 in petty cash
Debits:
$4.77 - PayPal transaction fees on dues payments
$65.76 - Monoprice for video cabling for meetings
Debit Total $70.53
Credits:
Dues - $197.37 (Odd amount due to PayPal transaction fees)
Misc Donation - $16.00
Donation - $1000 Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Credit Total $1213.37
Ending Balance:  $1705.91 with $30 in petty cash

Hamfest
Beginning Balance $2161.26
Debits $0
Debit Total $0
Credits $0
Credit Total $0
Ending balance $2,161.26

January 10, 2015 NARC Monthly Meeting Minutes

Meeting brought to order  at 18:15 by James Adkins, KB0NHX.

There were 17 people in attendance

Jeff Morrissey gave the treasurers report which is attached below

James  announced that Bill Kastler KF0IQ will be new editor for the club newsletter.  

James reported that he had visited the Branson tower site and had taken photos. Due to A/V equipment problems we were unable to view the photos at the January 2015 meeting.  James also reported that the ground work has been completed at the site. The repeater is installed at ground level and we are just waiting for a tower crew to install the antennas. 

CU is getting close to getting a contract to do work at 015 site and will be replacing a bad jumper at the site.

A representative of the the Nixa Community Foundation presented a check for $1000  for use towards the purchase of a club emergency communications trailer.  Photos of the presentation will be published in the club newsletter.  

James spoke about other funding opportunities to go towards purchase and setup of the trailer.

Bob Rennard N7WY gave us a preview of his talk on GPS and Portable navigation devices.  Since he was unable to deliver the power point part of his presentation due to an A/V issues with the computer, he has graciously agreed to present to us again at the February 2015 meeting.  

We had a number people renew their club membership for 2015 at the December meeting and an anonymous member donation in support of the club.  You can join online at www.nixahams.netand then by clicking the "join" link and filling out the quick form for our records.  Dues can be received in person at a club meeting, online after the online registration is complete via PayPal promptings, or via postal mail to:  Nixa ARC, P.O. Box 467, Nixa, MO  65714-0467.

The meeting was adjourned at 19:05 by James Adkins, KB0NHX

Treasurers report:

NARC Main Account

Beginning Balance:    $438.93 with $30 in petty cash

Debits:

$0

Debit Total $0

Credits:

$24.00 Dues

$100.00 Anonymous donation 

$0.14 Dividend

Credit Total $124.24

Ending Balance:  $563.07 with $30 in petty cash

Hamfest

Beginning Balance $2160.63

Debits

$0.0

Debit Total $0

Credits

$0.63 Dividend

Credit Total $0.63

Ending balance $2,161.26