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The HOTLINE
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by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
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Although no longer a requirement for amateur licensing, Morse code communications remain a popular mode of communicating. Every new Technician should at least give it a try to see why so many hams enjoy this mode—often the only mode they employ. At this month’s meeting we’ll hear from a real CW enthusiast who will show us how you can indeed enjoy worldwide communications with your basic 100-watt HF transceiver and basic home-made wire antennas.
Roland Richter WA5IEX has been a ham since 1963, operating mostly CW, though he says he enjoyed a lot of AM in the mid-sixties. In the past he was very active in emergency operations and was Emergency Coordinator for Jefferson County in the 70’s, and in VHF DX-ing, achieving 30 states and 5 countries on 2 meters, 32 states and 8 countries on 6 meters. Today he mostly chases HF DX. Roland even has operated DX himself from ET3USA (Ethiopia), and a “DXpedition” to Dhalak Island in the Red Sea as 9F3USA/P1. At his present QTH, he has racked up QSO’s with hams in 290 countries using 100 watts or less with verticals and wires.
In addition to the ham ticket, Roland has held a First Class Radiotelephone License (now known as a General Radiotelephone Operator License or “GROL”) since 1965, and works in broadcasting (local television station KXXV), including the engineering and construction of several transmitter sites, including AM directional sites.
Please join me in welcoming Roland WA5IEX as our guest speaker for this month’s HOTARC meeting.
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President’s Corner |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
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Field Day 2010 was a terrific success! Thanks to everyone who was able to participate, contribute, or even just come out to show your support. Our members were awesome in making the equipment work and the contacts happen. And it was great to see so many old and yet familiar faces, as well as meet several inquisitive folks. I’m eager to hear the report from Ed KC5NT, who so faithfully manages our contest scoring each year.
Looking ahead: Don’t forget our Club’s commitment to support the TMOM event on August 13-14 in Waco. This is a very localized special event needing communications help, but one that will definitely put some stars in your crown for helping less fortunate folks in our own community. Jim KA5QKL is waiting for your call to say, “Sure, I can help out for a few hours!” Call him today, or see him at this month’s meeting.
John AC5CV
HOTARC President
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For the Record... |
HOTARC
Meeting of Members
June 24, 2010
HOTARC’s June Meeting was called to order by John Chamberlain AC5CV on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 7:04 pm at the TSTC-Waco Kultgen Automotive Center. Wayne Branscum KD5SMC opened the meeting with a prayer.
Present were 12 full members and 1 family member.
A motion to approve the Minutes for the May meeting as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, with second by Mike Ross N5MVL. The motion was approved by the members.
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The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart
O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 6,636.85 Income Interest 0.30 TOTAL Income $ 0.30 Expenses Generator gas tanks $ 125.55 ID Badges 35.34 Generator oil & filter 18.92 TOTAL Expenses $ 179.81 Ending Account Balance $ 6,457.34 Uncleared
activity (as of 6/14/2010) Submitted
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A motion to approve the May Treasurer’s Report as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Scott Hamilton K5ZOH, seconded by Jim Judd KA5QKL, and approved by the members.
Committee Reports:
· ARES: No News
· Trailer: N5MVL reported that the tri-band antenna is in need of some repair and a PL259 connector needs some work.
· Repeater: No News.
· D-Star: No News
· Web page: AC5CV reported a calendar issue is now resolved and that the call sign lookup on the home page has been changed.
· ATV: No News
· Education: No News
· Public Relations: AC5CV stated that we are in need of a Public Relations committee.
· Special Events: KA5QKL reported that some more positions are needed for the upcoming TMOM event on August 14th.
New Business:
· K5ZOH made a motion to approve an additional $100 for food at Field Day, with second by KA5QKL. The motion was approved by the members.
Motion to adjourn was recognized from KC5NT at approximately 7:36 pm. Tonight’s presentation was from Jim Judd KA5QKL about our Field Day activities and the remaining volunteers needed.
Submitted by:
Jeremy Neal KE5PRG, HOTARC Secretary
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by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI |
I am still in the process of
verifying all membership information. This process is accomplished every 2
years to insure that contact information is fresh and correct. I currently have
updates from: KA5KQL, W5CLB, K5YKC, N5MVL, AC5DE, KD5JML, AE5CA, KB5SLI, AC5CV,
KD5SMC, KE5PIU, KC5UOZ, W5TUB, KC5KNI, AC5QQ, KD5BCM, AE5PZ, and KE5ZOG. ID Cards
for these individuals will be ready in early August. I will have copies of ARES
data sheets on file at the August Club Meeting for those who have not
updated their information. I 
will not be available
for the July meeting. If you want to get a jump on updating your
information, download the application form from the club web site, fill it out
with “2010 update” in the application date and e-mail it to me.
As I look over the names of the current ARES members, I see several members of HOTARC that are not ARES members. I can’t understand why every member of HOTARC is not a member of ARES. The price is right – FREE! All that is required is a valid license and a willingness to help. If you are ever requested to assist in an event or emergency situation, participation is still voluntary. If you feel that you don’t have the time and/or membership conflicts with your job, remember we may face a situation where your job is affected by the emergency, and/or things that occupy your time may in fact be cancelled as a result of the emergency. The ARES application lists options for your availability: either 24/7, Nights & Weekends, or General. You can pick the one that best suits your schedule.
A real emergency is going to take all the resources that we have, and after the event happens is NOT the time to join ARES. NOTE: effective with this verification of membership data, those wanting to work disaster response must have completed four of the FREE FEMA courses:
- National Incident Management System (NIMS): IS–700
- Incident Command System (ICS): IS–100 and IS–200
- National Response Plan (NRP): IS–800
Current Net Control Operators are considered major players for disaster response and especially need these courses. Without these basic courses you will not qualify for access to secure and/or restricted locations. Our support will most likely be needed in the Emergency Operations Centers, Incident Command Posts, Police or Fire facilities, and hospitals just to name a few.
If you are not an ARES member, go to our web site (hotarc.org), fill out an application (the link is right there on the home page), send it in, and become a registered ARES member. I also have applications with me at all Club meetings. You can also find links to the above FEMA Courses on the HOTARC home page.
Remember, when it comes to disasters: it is not IF it will happen, but WHEN. It is better to be a small part of the solution rather than a big part of the problem. Get involved! You’ll be glad you did.
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Scenes from Field Day 2010 (click thumbnails for larger images) |
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Photos by AE5CA and KD5RWX. |
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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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2010 Board of
Directors |
HOTARC 2010 Board of Directors
President: John Chamberlain, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Vice Pres: Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, K5YKC@arrl.net
Secretary: Jeremy Neal KE5PRG, 881-2123, JeremyLeeNeal@gmail.com
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: Wayne Branscum KD5SMC, 857-3964, wbscum@grandecom.net
Director (2010): Ed Hynan KC5KNI, 666-4873, KC5KNI@arrl.net
Director (2011): Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, 826-4053, KC5NT@arrl.net
Director (2012): Clint Anderson AE5CA, 855-5080, AE5CA@grid-em11.com
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, D-Star)
442.875 MHz (input at +5.0 MHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
Next session is scheduled for Saturday August 21, 2010, about 10:00 AM. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg (#70 on the map), Room 109. Bring: 1) testing fee of $15 (cash only); 2) a photo ID (two for first-time licensees); and for already 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 next Meeting of HOTARC Members will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday July 22 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed! |
Are you registered with ARES?