The HOTLINE
Official Newsletter for the
Heart O' Texas Amateur Radio Club
Waco, Texas

 

Volume XXX, Number 5                                               May 2005

 

Field Day 2005

By Ed Middlebrook, KC5NT

It’s May and that means that Field Day is just around the corner! As the 2005 Field Day Chairman, I want to encourage every member to take part in some way during this year’s event by:

§         Helping in the preparations before the event.

§         Taking part in setup on Saturday morning.

§         Joining in and operating during the event.

§         Helping everyone cleanup and take down the stations.

Everyone is needed and every job is important to the success of the event! So—just drop me an email and tell me what YOU can do to make this another banner year for HOTARC on June 25-26!

 A special note to our new hams… Your “life” as a ham radio operator will be marked by your participation in Field Day. I can think of no other event that takes place during the calendar year that will impact you as much. It is simply because you will learn, laugh, and sometimes even cry due to what takes place during the 24+ hours for Field Day. Mark your calendar now and begin a lifetime of great memories that you will fondly recall!

 

President’s Corner

by Rodney Baden, K5YKC

Portrait of a Friend

A couple of weeks ago I met a young man and lady that I think will do well in this world. The young man is Grant, and the young lady is Alex. They are both seniors at Midway High School. They attended the last HOTARC meeting and shared their enthusiasm for their new found hobby of amateur radio.

Grant KE5ERW and Alex

Grant, KE5ERW, after graduation from high school in a few weeks, will be attending MCC to get his basic classes over for his degree plan. Then he will attend Baylor University and major in the field of Information Technology. Alex is not a ham yet, but I am sure she will have no trouble getting started. She also is graduating this year and is 9th in the 2005 class of Midway High School. Alex will attend Texas Christian University and major in language arts.

Some of you might wonder why I am writing about a young man like Grant. Well, it so happens that when I was about 15 years old, I had a ham by the name of Arden Clinger, W5CCD, take me under his wing and help me get my license. I went to Arden’s house almost every afternoon after school, and he always encouraged me to excel. Arden and my dad were very good friends. After my dad passed away in 1954 my mom took me to visit Arden frequently.

I have often wondered when I was going to be able to pay Arden and my mom back for all they did for me. Well I think I have found the opportunity and payback has already begun.

Also, here is just another word about close connections. My wife Cherie, WD5GRU, is a graduate of Baylor and got her masters degree at TCU. How about that for close encounters?

I hope to see all of you at the club meeting Thursday. By the way, I have a surprise I will be bringing in a couple of boxes.

73
Rodney A. Baden, K5YKC
HOTARC President

 

For the Record...

 

HOTARC Meeting of Members
April 28, 2005

Call to order by President Rodney Baden (K5YKC) at 7:05 PM. Eleven members were present with three visitors. Visitors included: Alex Nix, Grant Gilliam (KE5ERW), and Dan Ward (KD5DWY).

Minutes from the March meeting were reviewed as published in the HOTLINE. Rodney noted that the phrase “representing emergency management” should be stricken. The motion to accept the minutes as amended was made by Bill Feltenberger (KD5UEW) with second by Norris Martin (KB5SLI). Motion passed.

The Treasurer Reports...

 

Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club
Treasurer’s Report, April 2005

Beginning Account Balance                                         $ 4,122.73

Income

       Interest                                  $   0.82

       Dues                                        60.00

       TOTAL Income                     $ 60.82

Expenses

       P.O. Box rental                                        $   38.00

       Liability insurance premium                        325.00

       TOTAL Expenses                                    $ 363.00

Ending Account Balance                                               $ 3,820.55

Outstanding (as of 4-14-05)
  Credits: WWWC donation, $500.00
  Debits: None
  Actual cash on hand: $4,320.55

Submitted by
Norris Martin, KB5SLI
HOTARC Treasurer

Norris Martin gave the Treasurer’s Report and it was noted that HOTARC has a current balance of $3,819.73. Norris also stated that we are expecting a deposit of $500 because of a donation offered by the Wild West Century Bike Ride. Bill Feltenberger moved that we accept the report with a second by Terry Williams (KD5SMC). Motion passed.

Norris presented an annual Treasurer’s Report for 2004. He noted that the current level of dues is covering our base expenses and he asked everyone to be sure to donate time during the upcoming Wild West Century Bike Ride this fall.

Rodney read a thank you note for the plant given by HOTARC to Otto Hackfeld (KI5QT) during his recovery from a hospital stay.

Committee Reports

·         Emergency Communication – Rodney will email a list of important dates coming up concerning EmCom activities.

·         Trailer Committee – no committee member present.

·         Repeater Committee – Norris reported that we need to place the 146.88 repeater on the air within the next 30 days so that we do not lose coordination. Scott Shafer (KD5MLY) stated that he has not heard any news concerning the availability of a tower crew for the 145.15 repeater repair. Terry Williams stated that he is working with the Waco Foundation to write up a grant to help pay for additional hardline cable for the 145.15 repeater. Norris will investigate the cost associated with 1,300 feet of hardline and a tower crew to perform the installation.

·         ATV Committee – David Bush (KC5UOZ) said that they are waiting to change out the receive antenna on the Hilton. He also stated that the repeater is receiving great use during local nets and that some Internet links are taking place.

·         Education Committee – Rodney Baden and Ed Middlebrook (KC5NT) have volunteered to co-chair this committee.

·         Public Relations Committee – Scott Shafer had nothing to report.

·         Special Events Committee – Rodney reported two upcoming events:

Old Business

·         Rodney noted that Public Service Communications for the Forestry Service is on 154.280 MHz with a tone of 127.3.

·         Ed Middlebrook accepted volunteers for the 2005 Field Day event. Those offering their service include:

      Thank you to all who volunteered.

New Business

·         Rodney reported that the Directors desired to confer a “Lifetime Honorary Membership” to Otto Hackfeld (KI5QT). Motion was made by Bill Feltenberger and seconded by Wayne Branscum. Motion passed and Ed Middlebrook will create a certificate and contact Otto. Presentation will be made at Field Day.

·         JW Roach asked the membership for information about the NetZero ISP service.

·         New members approved include:

Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.

Submitted by:
Ed Middlebrook, KC5NT
Acting Secretary

 

Bakers Dozen Weather Net

by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI,McLennan County Emergency Coordinator

Severe weather season is upon us. The Bakers Dozen Weather Net (BDWN) has been serving the residents of McLennan and surrounding counties for at least the eleven years I have been working as a Net Control. I’m sure that it served the local area many years prior to my involvement. HOTARC amateur radio operators manned the National Weather Service Office at what once was Madison-Cooper Regional Airport, now Waco Regional Airport, and provided the same outstanding service that is still provided today. The residents of McLennan and the surrounding counties count on the volunteer efforts of the Bakers Dozen amateurs to spot and report severe weather activity.

During the last two activations there has been a decrease in the number of amateurs that have participated over what we have had in the past. In past years when the weather got bad and the net was activated, I could count on check-ins from 15+ amateurs, no matter what the time. The two activations this year have each had less than 10 check-ins. One was an evening net and the other an early Sunday morning net. Maybe they were times when many of the regulars were gone or otherwise unavailable. I hope this is the case, as it is hard to tell National Weather Service that we have no spotters available for an area of interest. McLennan County ARES has 42 amateurs that indicated that they are available for weather nets (24/7 = 21; nights and weekends = 21). We should have enough people to cover just about any situation with folks to spare. Please keep an eye on the weather and be available for spotting and reporting when the net is activated. With weather radio and all the media methods for getting the word out concerning potential severe situations, we should all be on top of each potential event. Remember, our friends and neighbors are counting on us!!

Net activation procedures remain the same. The National Weather Service will request spotter activation when observed or potential severe weather threatens the area. The net is automatically activated any time a severe thunderstorm or a tornado warning is issued for McLennan County. As the storm season nears, please be aware of conditions that could lead to net activation. Monitor local television, radio, and the National Weather Service Weather Radio for potential severe events. The net will be activated from the Waco-McLennan County EOC or by one of the ARES Net Control Stations until the EOC can be opened.

Things can happen fast when spotting. Since activation is a result of a “warning,” reports should relate directly to the type of warning issued. For severe thunderstorm warnings: report winds of more than 50 mph and any size hail (using coins for size)—with exact locations and times of occurrence. For tornado warnings: report wall clouds, wall clouds with rotation, funnel clouds, and tornados on the ground—again, with exact locations and times of occurrence. In the case of an actual tornado on the ground, direction and speed of movement are needed. Report any visible damage and/or injuries associated with either type of storm. All other weather related reports should be held until requested by net control.

Additionally, I have monitored a number of McLennan County amateurs checking-in to the Bell County Net on the 147.14 wide area repeater. While there is nothing really wrong with this, we have our own net to support. The Bell County operation prefers amateurs to check-in to their local county nets first. If no local net is in operation, they will relay any severe reports. We monitor their frequency from the EOC and utilize their repeater for immediate communication with National Weather Service. Pass the word to all local amateurs that the Bakers Dozen will be up on the 145.15 repeater whenever the weather warrants.

Good training and continued excellent spotter participation should see us through the severe weather season. Thanks for your help and participation.

 

The Door of Opportunity is Closing…

gleaned from the ARRL Letter Online

Registration for all three levels of the ARRL on-line courses in Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course continues. And, thanks to our grant sponsors—the Corporation for National and Community Service and the United Technologies Corporation—the $45 registration fee paid upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the course. ACT NOW! 2005 will be the final year of the grant-subsidized classes!

Radio amateurs age 55 and older are strongly encouraged to participate. During this registration period, seats are being offered to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Level I course enrollment opens on the first Monday of each month, and closes the following Sunday. Similarly, the Level II course enrollment opens on the second Monday of each month, and closes the following Sunday. And the Level III course enrollment opens on the third Monday of each month, and closes the following Sunday. Check the ARRL web site for any changes to this pattern.

To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page (http://www.arrl.org/cce). Or contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, by email or phone (860-594-0340).

 

Hamfests!

by John Chamberlain, AC5CV

If you couldn’t make it all the way to Dayton, an “almost-as-good” ham fest opportunity is happening just up the road, so mark your calendar:

Ham-Comm 2005
June 3-4-5 in Arlington, TX

If you are a new amateur, hamfests are especially wonderful opportunities to mingle with hundreds or thousands of other licensed amateurs, get your hands on some actual radio gear, ask some questions and get some answers, and maybe even decide to acquire some radio equipment at very reasonable prices. Hamfests are noted for their vendor displays (that is, new radio equipment from manufacturers and dealers), tailgate offerings (that is, used equipment sold by fellow amateurs), and other meetings, test sessions, and numerous opportunities available by virtue of the large gathering of radio interests.

For more information, schedules, directions, and so forth visit the web site of this event by clicking the graphics above.

 

CW Ops Whip Text Messengers on National TV

from ARRL Letter Online

 

NBC dressed CW champs Chip Margelli, K7JA (left), and Ken Miller, K6CTW, as old-time telegraphers.

It might have been “Friday the Thirteenth,” but it was a lucky day for Morse code—and particularly for veteran CW contest ops Chip Margelli, K7JA, and Ken Miller, K6CTW. During a May 13 appearance on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the pair was able to pass a message using good old fashioned Morse code more rapidly than a pair of teenaged expert text messengers equipped with modern cell phones. The victory, which replicated a similar challenge that took place recently in Australia, has provided immense encouragement to Amateur Radio's community of CW operators, who've been ballyhooing the achievement all over the Internet. The text messaging team consisted of world text-messaging champ Ben Cook of Utah and his friend Jason.

To see answers to common questions received by Chip and Ken:|
  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/05/16/3/faq.html

To see a video of the Leno segment:
  http://www.kkn.net/~n6tv/Text_vs_Morse_Leno_2005_05_13.wmv

To read the full story from the ARRL web site: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/05/16/3/?nc=1

 

ARISS QSO Coming to Central Texas?

from ARRL Letter Online

Pat Hynan KK5KN is working with NASA and the Mayborn Museum (at Baylor University) to schedule a amateur radio contact with the International Space Station (ISS) sometime in the next few weeks. Of course, there are several things that have to happen in our favor for the event to actually occur, but it would be a wonderful public relations opportunity for amateur radio in central Texas.

The dates being considered include the week of June 20 (just prior to Field Day!) or the week of July 18, based on favorable passes of the ISS over central Texas. But if the upcoming shuttle launch and rendezvous with the station occurs during either of those windows, any scheduled ARISS contact will have to be canceled.

HOTARC is being invited to participate with our trailer, our expertise, and other possible roles. Stay tuned and stay excited!

 

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

2005 Board of Directors
Back:  KB5SLI,  KC5NT, KD5KJU, AC5CV
Front: KC5KNI, KD5MLY, K5YKC KD5UEW

HOTARC 2005 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 (2005): Ed Hynan KC5KNI, 666-4873, KC5KNI@arrl.net

Director (2006): Scott Shafer KD5MLY, 848-5888, ScottShafer@clearchannel.com

Director (2007): Bill Feltenberger, KD5UEW, 756-1397, bfeltenb@swbell.net

Club Repeaters

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)

VE Testing

Next session Saturday May 28, 10:00 am. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg, 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 Notice

The May meeting of HOTARC will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday May 26, 2005 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. Meetings generally last about 90 minutes consisting of fellowship, general Club business, and an interesting program. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed!

 

We’re making plans for
Field Day 2005!