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The HOTLINE
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by Scott Hamilton, K5ZOH |
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Let’s take a break from “serious” meeting programs this month, and simply cool off with some ice cold watermelon before, during, and after the meeting! We’ll have our regular business meeting, of course, and some good reports on our Field Day performance. But, in addition, let’s just have a great time visiting about our great hobby while gathering around the cold, sweet, treat of a juicy red watermelon—perfect for the summer months in Texas, don’t you think? We can call it a “watermelon social!” See you there!
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President’s Corner |
by Scott Hamilton, K5ZOH |
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Field Day was a great success thanks to the fine efforts of our members. We got on the air when we needed too, and were cleared out before 3:00 on Sunday... although it took several days to get all the personal property sorted out and returned to the actual owner. From start to finish we made a bunch of contacts. We should have the report at the meeting.
Let’s celebrate with a cold treat and some warm fellowship at the meeting this coming Thursday. We can swap a few stories and perhaps get an update on the progress of the Larry Bush W5NCD building project.
Jim Judd, KA5QKL has been cleared by his physicians and wife to get back to work. This is great news for Jim and his family! Also for us: the HOTARC membership. Jim will be back in the saddle as our Special Events Coordinator. Welcome back, Jim!
On a sad note, I read about two incidents concerning amateur radio operators each resulting in death or injuries. Both involved working with antennas and towers. In both cases, careful preparation and attention to what they were doing would have probably saved lives.
This hit home for me, and I have a suggestion for all of us. When we are erecting or lowering an antenna or tower, there needs to be just one person who directs all activities. In one of the accidents mentioned above, the lack of coordination caused a tower to come down while two hams were still up 30 feet. If everyone had been looking to a single coordinator directing activities, the guy wire would not have been released until all the climbers were clear. Let’s be careful! Some of the things we do with our hobby can kill the careless person!
See you at the Salvation Army building this Thursday evening.
73, Scott K5ZOH
HOTARC Vice President
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For the Record... |
HOTARC
Meeting of Members
June 23, 2011
HOTARC’s June Meeting was called to order by Clint Anderson AE5CA on Thursday June 23rd 2011 at 7:04 pm at the Salvation Army Center in Waco. Wayne Branscum KD5SMC opened the meeting with a prayer.
Present were 15 full members, 1 family member and 4 guests. Our guests were Jim Boatman, Keith Schoenefeld W5TTL, Elizabeth Schoenefeld KC9TOL and Brian Schoenefeld KC9TOK of Waco.
A motion to approve the Minutes for the May meeting as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Rodney Baden K5YKC, with second by Mike Ross N5MVL. The motion was approved by the members.
A motion to approve the May Treasurer’s Report as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, with second by Larry Carlson KC5JWD. 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 $ 7,628.44 Income Dues $ 30.00 Interest 0.10 TOTAL Income $ 30.10 Expenses Field Day lunch $ 100.00 Generator fuel tanks 59.50 Field Day gasoline 100.00 PayPal fees 0.96 TOTAL Expenses $ 260.86 Ending Account Balance $ 7,397.68 Uncleared
activity (as
of 6/15/2011) Submitted
by |
Committee Reports:
· ARES: Clint Anderson AE5CA reported that the past few weather nets have run well. There is still a need for a few more operators to help out as Net Control operators.
· Trailer: Mike Ross N5MVL reported everything is ready to go for FD and has received a quote for $59.90 for 2 fuel tanks. Larry Carlson KC5JWD and N5MVL will be installing the 440 radio. N5MVL made a motion to purchase two tanks with second by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW. KD5UEW amended the motion to increase the amount to $80 with second by John Chamberlain AC5CV. The amended motion was approved by the members.
· Repeater: Norris Martin KB5SLI had nothing new to report and is still waiting for an opportunity to get on top of the Hillcrest tower to replace the antenna.
· D-Star: No News
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV reported that everything is working fine.
· ATV: No News
· Education: Clint Anderson AE5CA reported that the class did not have enough attendees to warrant having a class.
· Public Relations: No News
· Special Events: Field Day plans will be discussed later in the meeting.
New Business:
· Clint Anderson AE5CA reported that we received a Thank You from the ARRL for supporting the Spectrum Defense Fund.
· New Member Applications:
Ø Larry Northern applied for an Associate Membership. A motion to accept Larry was heard from Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, with second by Rodney Baden K5YKC. The motion was approved by the members.
Ø Keith Schoenefeld applied for a Full Membership and Family Membership for his children Elizabeth Schoenefeld KC9TOL and Brian Schoenefeld KC9TOK. A motion to accept these new members was heard from Mike Ross N5MVL, with second by Mark Plough AC5DE. The motion was approved by the members.
· Rodney Baden K5YKC needs some help at the Lorena EOC tower site.
· A motion was heard by Paul Moore KE5UBN to approve $500 for gas, meals, ice, drinks and other misc. items for Field Day. Second was heard from Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW. The motion was approved by the members.
Motion to adjourn was recognized from Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW at approximately 7:46 pm.
Tonight’s presentation was from John Chamberlain AC5CV on Field Day station positions and details involving the plans for setup and take-down of our 2011 ARRL Field Day event.
Submitted by:
Jeremy Neal KE5PRG
HOTARC Secretary
Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI |
Hurricane season began on 1 June and ends on 30 November. It is during this time that Hurricane Watch Net, (HWN) the primary wide-area amateur radio hurricane response and information source, is activated. The HWN serves as eyes and ears for the National Weather Service, and relays official weather bulletins to those monitoring the Net in affected areas. The Net also serves as a back-up communication link between NWS forecast centers, EOCs, and other disaster relief efforts. As with our local Bakers Dozen Weather Net, we provide real time confirmation of severe occurrences to the NWS. The HWN does the same over a wide area.
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The HWN is activated for all hurricanes that are a threat to land in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. The Net will normally activate when a hurricane is moving towards land at a range of 300 miles. The National Hurricane Center may occasionally request activation for a tropical storm or a storm that is over 300 miles from land.
Once activated, the HF HWN has the following primary functions:
1. Disseminate hurricane advisory information to marine interests, Caribbean island nations, emergency operations centers, and other interests in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.
2. Obtain weather information from reporting stations and observers who are not part of the routine network for the National Weather Service.
3.
Function as a back-up
wide-area communication link for the National Hurricane Center, emergency
operations centers, and the National Weather Service, and other vital interests
involved in the protection of life and property before, during, and after
hurricane events.
4. Relay initial damage assessments to the National Hurricane Center.
The HWN and the operation at W4EHW at the National Hurricane Center in Miami are staffed entirely by volunteers. Net operations are usually conducted on 14.325 MHz, although when band conditions warrant the Net moves to 3.950 MHz. Standard operating procedures, operating tips, reporting forms, and tips on taking observations can be found at: www.hwn.org. This information is also covered extensively in the Level 3 ARRL Emergency Communications Course.
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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HOTARC 2011 Board of Directors President: Scott Hamilton K5ZOH, 717-0755, DrPSHamilton@gmail.com Vice Pres: Clint Anderson AE5CA, 855-5080, AE5CA@grid-em11.com Secretary: Jeremy Neal KE5PRG, 881-2123, JeremyLeeNeal@gmail.com Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net Past-Pres.: John Chamberlain, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net Director (2011): Larry Carlson KC5JWD, 662-4106, LMCarlson1@att.net Director (2012): Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, RBaden@hot.rr.com Director (2013): Larry Bush W5NCD, 848-5155, LBW5NCD@gmail.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)
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2011 Board of
Directors |
NO TESTING IN AUGUST. Next session is scheduled for Saturday September 24, 10:00 AM. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg (#70 on the map), Room 210. 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 28 at the Salvation Army Church on the I-35 southbound service road in Waco (near 12th Street). 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! |
Lazy days of summer...are HOT!!
ICE COLD watermelon!! Come join us!