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The HOTLINE |
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Searching For A Program |
by Terry Williams KD5KJU |
Well guys, at this time I don’t know who is going to speak to you Thursday night. I had Officer Steve Dieterich. with the Waco Crimestoppers Program all lined up. But due to some unexpected assignments, he had to cancel. He has agreed to come talk to us at a later date.
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Next I made contact with Aaron Thompson of the American Red Cross. He can make a presentation on the Shuttle Recovery and Katrina response, but has to be in Oklahoma this Thursday (our meeting night). He also agreed to come talk to us at a later date.
We heard a very interesting meteorological presentation from some Army meteorologists at this year’s Skywarn. I have contacted them, but cannot get confirmation on whether or not they can come until Tuesday, so we’ll have to wait and see about that one.
So, as you can see, lining up programs for our monthly meetings is a bit of a “moving target.” At the January meeting, I asked for some suggestions for programs. I appreciate all the suggestions I received, and will make use of them. I would appreciate continued help in identifying speakers and subjects that you would like see at our meetings. You may know of a speaker that would be good, or maybe you have a subject you think would be interesting and we can find someone to speak on that subject. Or, you may have something you want talk about or show all of us at a meeting. All of the past presentations done by our own members have been excellent. So, if you fall into any of these categories, please contact me with your thoughts! You can e-mail at pumpman_man@yahoo.com or call me at 715-0661. Thanks in advance for your help!
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President’s Corner |
by Rodney Baden, K5YKC |
In 1954 there was a young boy who lived in North Louisiana. His dad had passed away in the summer and so he, his mother, and his brother moved in with his grandmother. The boys started school in the fall and soon met lots of new friends. That young boy was me!
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Rodney, K5YKC |
One of my new friends and classmates was Johnny Carter. Johnny lived with his parents on an oil tank farm in the country. Johnny caught the school bus everyday to come to school. Soon Johnny was inviting me to come home with him on a weekend. His mom and dad stopped by one afternoon to meet my mother and a great friendship was established. Going to Johnny’s house was something I eagerly anticipated almost every weekend. Johnny and I would ride home on the bus and play until dark. We built figure-four animal traps, herded the cattle, hunted squirrels and caught fish until we were exhausted.
Johnny’s father, Mr. Carter, saw that we loved the woods and outdoors very much. He asked us if we would help him start a Boy Scout troop. So, we did!
Johnny and I started talking to all the boys in our room about it, and Mr. Carter would talk to their parents about our troop. Soon we had a big troop and were meeting every week. In the spring, Mr. Carter asked the troop if they would like to go to Camp Yatazy in the summer. He would take off a whole week and go with us. My mother didn’t have a lot of money, but my grandmother helped with the cost, and so I got to go to Scout Camp!
When we first checked into camp, I met a young Air Force Colonel. He was in the back of the room pressing his fingers on some kind of a lever. I walked over and watched a minute and heard a beep-beep-beep. I asked him, “What’s that box?” He said, “Ham radio,” and that he was sending Morse code. He told me he was sending “CQ, CQ, CQ” and then his call letters. Well, I was hooked.
As John AC5CV was sharing by email last week about the HF station we set up at the Boy Scout Camporee, it sure brought back deep and fond memories. To the Club members that supported that scouting effort, all I can say is A GREAT BIG THANKS! and I wish I could have been there! We never know where those weekend hours invested with a few Boy Scouts might lead!
73
Rodney A. Baden, K5YKC
HOTARC President
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For the Record... |
HOTARC Meeting of Members
January 26, 2006
The January meeting was called to order by Vice-President Terry Williams KD5KJU at 7:02 PM. Present were seventeen full members, and one visitor: “Sparks” D. Boone W5EP of Hubbard, TX.
The meeting was opened with a prayer by Ed Middlebrook KC5NT. The Minutes for the Annual Meeting were approved as published in the HOTLINE, on a motion by Ed Hynan KC5KNI, second by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, and unanimous vote by the members present. The November/December Treasurer’s Report was also accepted as published in the HOTLINE following a motion by Bill Cox W5JRM, second by Rusty Keyes AD5JY, and unanimous vote by the members present.
Announcements
· Dues: Don’t forget that Club dues are due January 1 each year. See the web page for the renewal from and other information.
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The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 4,274.95 Income Dues $ 390.00 Interest 0.93 TOTAL Income $ 390.93 Expenses TOTAL Expenses $ 0.00 Ending Account Balance $ 4,665.88 Outstanding (as of 2-18-06) Submitted by |
· Skywarn changed location: Note that Skywarn has been moved to Hewitt. See hotatrc.org for details.
Committee Reports
· ARES: KC5KNI reminded everyone that the location for Skywarn had been changed from the Waco Convention Center to the Hewitt Community Center. Mike Ross N5MVL suggested that we NOT bring the HOTARC trailer (due to limited parking space), and we agreed to instead set up a display table with a battery-operated 2-m rig, business cards, banner, etc. Wayne Branscum KD5SMC had certificates of appreciation from the Salvation Amy for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita volunteer efforts for: W5ZDN, KC5KNI, KC5NT, K5YKC, KD5UEW, KE5ERW, N5MVL, and K5ZZM. Wayne also announced that the Salvation Army will be hosting a 4-day disaster conference in Waxahachie, March 13-16.
· Trailer: N5MVL had nothing to report.
· Repeater: Norris Martin KB5SLI reported that he was investigating the availability of the Waco water tower near N 19th for the 440 repeater.
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV reported that all is well with the web site.
· ATV: David Bush KC5UOZ reported that all is well with the ATV repeater and weekly operations.
· Education: KC5NT reported that HOTCOG was interested in a radio class.
· Public Relations/Special Events: Grant Gilliam KE5ERW reported that the “Special Event for Special People” was scheduled for Saturday January 28.
Old Business
· None.
New Business
· Annual Audit: KB5SLI reported that last year’s bank statements were ready for audit. Bill Cox W5JRM and AC5CV agreed to serve as the Audit Committee.
· Skywarn refreshments: Motion by KD5UEW to spend up to $50 for donuts, etc was seconded by KD5ERW and approved by the members.
· Flowers: Motion by AC5CV to spend up to $30 for flowers for Marshall Mabry was seconded by KC5KNI, and approved by the members.
· New member application: Associate member application from D Boone W5EP was presented to the members. Motion to accept W5EP by KD5UEW, was seconded by KB5SLI, and unanimously approved by the members.
Motion to adjourn heard from KD5UEW at approximately 7:40 PM.
The program this evening was presented by Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, discussing VoIP (i.e., voice over internet) technology and its use in EchoLink.
Submitted
by:
John Chamberlain AC5CV
HOTARC Secretary
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Area Boy Scouts held a district camporee at Wings For Christ airport, Feb 10-12, 2006.
It was cold weather, but we got a warm feeling seeing scouts talk on our HF station!
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What To Report As A Stormspotter |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI, |
BAKERS DOZEN WEATHER NET (BDWN)
Storm season is here and the National Weather Service (NWS) and the community will again look to the BDWN to provide timely information concerning severe storms. Remember, the BDWN is normally activated on a direct request from the NWS Office in Fort Worth. The amateur radio operators of Central Texas have always been there to support this request. The Net will be activated on the HOTARC 145.150 repeater—tone 123.0—and the HOTARC club call sign, W5ZDN, will be used by Net Control. Net Control is normally located in the Waco-McLennan County Emergency Operations Center in the basement of the Waco City Hall.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Be aware of the pending weather conditions—through Weather Radio and or local TV and Radio broadcasts. Check in to the Net when it is activated, indicating:
1) your call sign
2) your name
3) your location, and
4) whether you are fixed or mobile
Remember your safety during net operations is the most important consideration. Whether fixed or mobile, always have a plan to get to a safe location—an escape route—and don’t hesitate to use it. Should you move because of safety concerns or have to go off the air, please notify net control as soon as it is safe to do so.
Normal activations of the Net are made for severe thunderstorms and/or tornados. These activations (associated with a NWS Warning for McLennan County) are usually based on Doppler radar observations and are indicated as such in the warning text. Once a warning is issued, NWS requires verification of the warning criteria. This is where we come in. As trained amateur radio operators, along with police, fire and EMS personnel, we provide this important verification.
WHAT TO REPORT?
The NWS needs the following critical criteria reports ASAP:
· tornados on the ground
· funnel clouds
· wall clouds—with or without rotation
· beaver tails
· strong inflow areas
· winds in excess of 50 mph
· hail (use coin sizes or diameter of the hailstone in inches, ball sizes can be used for large hail)
· water flowing over roadways (4 inches or more)
· any damage, injury or deaths associated with the above criteria
Net Control will relay these reports to NWS. Reports of rainfall not causing flooding, winds less than 50 mph, or other conditions that do not meet the severe criteria, while important, should be saved and passed to net control on request. Don’t feel that because you have checked in that you have to report. Many spotters will check in and then will not be heard from again during the net—as none of the severe criteria occurred at their location. Please advise net control if you are checking out of the net for any reason. Also, net control will not direct specific routes for mobile spotters to follow. Net control may ask for spotters to move towards a specific area and this movement should be via the safest route as determined by the mobile spotter.
Keep up the great support that you have always provided to NWS and above all be safe in your spotting activities.
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It’s time to renew your HOTARC membership! Send in your HOTARC
Dues and Membership
Renewal Form now and |
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HOTARC Membership Renewal FormMembership renewals
and dues payments are Please print and complete this form and send with your dues to: HOTARC · P.O. Box 32 · Waco, TX 76703-0032(or bring to the next HOTARC meeting) |
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Name: |
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Call: |
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Renewing as (circle one): Full Member, $30 Associate, $15 Family*(no charge) |
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Are you an ARRL Member? (Y/N) |
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Is all your info in last year’s Directory correct? (Y/N) |
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If your Directory info is not correct, please provide the corrected information in the space below: |
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Please provide your current email address, so we can contact you more easily. (Optional) |
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May we share your email address with local ham clubs who wish to contact you? (Y/N) |
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*A Family Member must be a member of the immediate family of a Full Member.
The HOTLINE is the monthly newsletter of the Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC), Inc., a nonprofit corporation, chartered by the State of Texas and principally located in Waco. It is permissible to use any of the original material contained herein, provided proper credit is given to the source.
Edited and Published by John Chamberlain AC5CV, AC5CV@arrl.net
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2006 Board of Directors |
HOTARC 2006 Board of Directors
President: Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, K5YKC@arrl.net
Vice Pres: Terry Williams KD5KJU, 662-2438, pumpman_rpss@yahoo.com
Secretary: John Chamberlain AC5CV, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, 826-4053, KC5NT@arrl.net
Director (2006): Scott Shafer KD5MLY, 848-5888, ScottShafer@clearchannel.com
Director (2007): Bill Feltenberger, KD5UEW, 756-1397, bfeltenb@swbell.net
Director (2008): Wayne Branscum, 857-3964, wbscum@grandecom.net
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.88 MHz (input at –600 kHz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
Next session Saturday February 25, 10:00 am. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg (#63), Room 109. Bring: 1) testing fee of $14 (cash only); 2) current license and photocopy of it; 3) a photo ID (two for first-time licensees), and 4) photocopy of any relevant CSCE. Contact: Linda Hynan, AC5QQ at 666-4873 or Linda.Hynan@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Meeting NoticeThe monthly meeting of HOTARC will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday February 23, 2006 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. Meetings generally last about 75 minutes consisting of fellowship, general Club business, and an interesting program. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed! |
Ham Radio AND the Internet…
What
a great partnership!