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The HOTLINE |
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The Physics of Baseball |
by Bill Feltenberger, KD5UEW |
Good day. I hope Valentine’s Day was pleasant for you. This month is
getting closer to Spring. We are going to start having warmer days and not-so-cold
nights. In view of that, I am looking forward to baseball season! And with baseball
in view, we have invited Greg Benesh from the Baylor Physics Department to our
February meeting. He is going to present the Physics of Baseball.
I don’t know if he is going to teach us to throw a baseball, hit a home run, or
simply stay cool in the stands, but the recommendation I have says this will be
an interesting presentation.
Our meeting last month was well attended. And our Technician class is being well attended. I hope when I write the entry for next month that I can say that the February meeting was well attended, too. The only way that will happen is if you make an effort to come and bring a friend. Amateur Radio is a fun hobby, but it does require some involvement. I would like for you to come and find out how you can be involved.
And if there is something you would like to see presented, or to present yourself—here is your chance! Let me hear from you!
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President’s Corner |
by Wayne Branscum, KD5SMC |
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Wayne, KD5SMC |
At SKYWARN Ed Hynan KC5KNI told us how Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) works, and that we need more trained members. At the recent tornados in Florida, we read about ARES in the news:
“A team of ARES/RACES volunteers from Seminole and Lake counties installed a backup repeater and 100-foot tower in Paisley to restore radio communication for Lake County Fire and Rescue. ‘The devastation in the area is unbelievable,’ Seminole County EC Dick Fess, K4FUY, said in a report to Bushel. Volusia County EC Fred Magliacane, KF4VRS, reports the adjacent KE8MR 145.23 MHz repeater was abruptly taken off the air after the storm toppled the 1500-foot commercial radio tower that had supported the repeater’s antenna. The tower landed on the building housing the repeater, which typically serves the East Central District ARES during disasters.”
We can not always rely on repeaters so we must be ready to go simplex—if and when the time comes. Not long ago we conducted a net with simplex and we learned from it.
As we train and educate the new Hams in the Classes coming up, hopefully we will reap several new hams and also some new HOTARC members. These new folks will be looking up to you! I hope to see you at the February meeting.
Wayne
Branscum, KD5SMC
HOTARC President
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It's time to renew your HOTARC membership! |
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For the Record... |
HOTARC Meeting of Members
January 25, 2007
HOTARC’s January Meeting was called to order by President Wayne Branscum KD5SMC at 7:03 PM at the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco campus. Present were seventeen full members, one associate member, and six visitors. Visitors were: Doug Loughmiller W5BL, Al McDaniel KE5ISO of Waco, Kelsey Keeney of Lorena, Paul Holroyd of Hewitt, David Branch of Waco, and Amanda Trask of Houston.
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The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 4,768.12 Income Dues $ 435.00 Study guide 16.16 Interest 1.03 TOTAL Income $ 452.19 Expenses Study guides $ 400.00 Lunch door prizes 50.00 TOTAL Expenses $ 450.00 Ending Account Balance $ 4,770.31 Outstanding (as of 2-12-2007) Submitted by |
Rodney Baden K5YKC opened the meeting with a prayer.
KD5SMC introduced Doug Loughmiller W5BL, who is running for the position of ARRL NTX Section Manager. Doug spoke to us briefly, and invited us to visit his web site (http://w5bl.com) for more information.
The Minutes for the Annual meeting were approved as published in the HOTLINE, on a motion by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, second by K5YKC, and unanimous vote by the members. The November/December Treasurer’s Report was also accepted as published in the HOTLINE following a motion by Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, second by Horace Bushnell W5TAH, and unanimous vote by the members.
Announcements
· Baylor Radio Club: Visitor All McDaniel KE5ISO reported that W5BU is soon to cease to exist, due to lack of Baylor students interested in maintaining a ham radio club.
· Service Manuals: Bill Cox W5JRM reported finding a “gold mine” of operating and service manuals for many ham rigs available at http://aa4df.com, where the owner encourages free download and distribution. Webmaster AC5CV agreed to upload the contents of Bill’s CD to our web site and link to the AA4DF site (see the Links section).
· Certificate of Appreciation: Terry Williams KD5KJU presented to the Club a Certificate of Appreciation from the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association for HOTARC’s contribution to their 2006 National Night Out activity. Webmaster AC5CV agreed to scan the certificate and upload it to our web site.
Committee Reports
· ARES: KC5KNI again encouraged all to join ARES and complete the NIMS training (see our web site for links). SKYWARN will be February 10, 9:00 AM at the Waco Convention Center; it was agreed that we will not bring the Club trailer this year. A motion was heard from KD5UEW, and second by Bill Cox W5JRM to authorize up to $50 to be spent on refreshments for SKYWARN. The motion was unanimously approved by the members present. KC5KNI also donated a Heathkit digital weather computer to HOTARC; J.W. Roach W5AYX led us all in a round of applause.
· Trailer: Mike Ross N5MVL reported that the trailer was in good condition. K5YKC suggested that perhaps the floor needs some attention.
· Repeater: KB5SLI reported that the 88 repeater is in the cabinet and ready to go into the DPS building; the antenna and cabling were installed as planned. The 98 repeater will remain in Hewitt. K5YKC reported that Frank Patterson is currently seeking a location for a new Homeland Security tower, and that HOTARC is invited to install up to two antennas on this tower—coax will be provided!
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV reported that the web server and email list continue to work well.
· ATV: David Bush KC5UOZ reported the ATV repeater is working well. Skycam is off the air due to a malfunctioning controller (i.e., needing repairs).
· Education: KC5NT reported that we are on track for holding a two-weekend Technician licensing class at the HOTCOG offices on February 17 and 24, concluding with a VE session. We will use the Gordon West materials and charge participants $30 to cover the cost of materials and meals. Because of the upcoming change in the code requirements, we are discussing a similar General licensing class—perhaps around May 2007.
· Public Relations: Scott Shafer KD5MLY announced plans to work on a PSA for Field Day, the Technician licensing class, and the change in the Morse code requirement.
· Special Events: The Race for the Cure is scheduled for March 31. Grant Gillam KE5ERW agreed to coordinate our contribution of communications to this event.
Old Business
· None
New Business
· Expenditures: A motion was heard from Mike Ross N5MVL, second by W5AYX, to reimburse AC5CV $400 for Technician Class books and K5YKC $62 for PolyPhaser (lightning protection for repeater). The motion was unanimously approved by the members present.
· Audit Committee: W5JRM and KD5KJU agreed to serve as an Audit Committee for the 2006 books.
A motion to adjourn was heard from KD5UEW at approximately 8:11 pm.
Ed Middlebrook KC5NT presented an interesting program on radio propagation.
Submitted by:
John Chamberlain AC5CV
HOTARC Secretary
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Weekend Technician Classes |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
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Full details are available on our web site (until the classes are complete). As announced previously, we are using the Gordon West Technician Class book and instructor’s guide. Using two eight-hour sessions (February 17 and 24), we are providing lively demonstrations, hands-on activities, and discussions of the test questions to prepare students to pass the Element 2 exam. Following the second session, the HOTARC/BARC VE team will administer the Element 2 exam. We hope YOU will be prepared, too!—to welcome these new amateur license holders to the airwaves in a couple weeks! |
Can you identify all the ham radio
words?
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The Education Committee
is happy to report that we are enjoying assisting a lively group of 22 students
from all over central Texas (some from as far away as Austin!) to prepare to
pass the Element 2 Technician exam.
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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2007 Board of Directors |
HOTARC 2007 Board of Directors
President: Wayne Branscum KD5SMC, 857-3964, wbscum@grandecom.net
Vice Pres: Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, 756-1397, bfeltenb@swbell.net
Secretary: John Chamberlain AC5CV, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, K5YKC@arrl.net
Director (2007): Terry Williams KD5KJU, 662-2438, pumpman_rpss@yahoo.com
Director (2008): Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, 826-4053, KC5NT@arrl.net
Director (2009): Mike Ross N5MVL, 836-1083, N5MVL@juno.com
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.88 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
Next session is Saturday February 24, 4:00 PM. Location: HOTCOG office at 1514 S. New Road in Waco. Bring: 1) testing fee of $14 (cash only); 2) a photo ID (two for first-time licensees); and for licensed amateurs: 3) current license and photocopy of it; 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 22, 2007 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! |
No more Morse code
requirement!
Tell someone about it!