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The HOTLINE
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by Jim Jud, KA5QKL |
HOTARC provides
radio communications in support of this big annual event—over 1000 participants
and volunteers! This year’s Waco Wild
West Century (WWWC) Bike Ride is Saturday,
September 17, 2011. The Start/Finish Line is in downtown Waco,
TX. Beginning at 7:45 AM, all riders will be staged in groups starting
with tandems, then 100-, 65-, 50-, 25- and 10-milers, with the first riders
leaving at 8:00 AM. Riders of diverse abilities participate—all supported
by rest stops, SAG vehicles, and, of course, radio communications.
This is where you come in. The WWWC staff coordinates dozens of
volunteers in pace cars and at the many rest stops around the course. Amateur
radio operators are a big part of that coordination. Located at the rest
stops and in several pace cars, amateur radio provides timely rider progress
information, and reports of break-downs, injuries, need for supplies, and so
forth. Additionally, our ham-built APRS trackers transmit GPS-determined positions,
providing Net Control with real-time locations for pace cars and SAG vehicles.
As many of you know, although this event is “well planned”, surprises occur every
year. More than any other event, the WWWC helps us prepare for a real disaster
requiring coordinated radio communications from several remote locations. This
really is probably our most important special event.
Contact KA5QKL Jim by email (JJud654@aol.com) or by phone at 254-235-2315 for more info or to volunteer. Whatever time you can offer, we can use you! We’ll discuss all this at the August Club meeting. Since this is our last meeting before the event, please come, learn, and volunteer—if you have even a few hours to help on Sept 17!
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President’s Corner |
by Scott Hamilton, K5ZOH |
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Last month we were trying to beat the heat...this month I’ve been trying to keep the trees alive! Hope things get better (cooler!) in time for the Waco Wild West Century Bike Ride (WWWC). This is an important event for HOTARC because of its visibility to the community. Also, our help with the WWWC brings in $500 for the club!
This coming Thursday Jim (KA5QKL) who is back from his brief break due to illness, will present the details of the bike ride to the HOTARC members. At the meeting you will have the opportunity to pick your spot as a volunteer for the event. We have just over three week until the ride (17 Sept 2011), so we need to get all the volunteers signed up this week. Come to the meeting and make your choice for the WWWC.
Last week we learned that a valuable member of HOTARC has moved to Indiana to be near his daughter. It was with regret that Mike Ross (N5MV) sent in his notice of resignation from the club after many years of enjoyment as a member. Mike has been a very valuable member of HOTARC and has served the club in many capacities. The Board has an idea to present to the membership on how we can recognized Mike’s contributions. Come to the meeting and get the scoop!
In the meantime, let’s try to keep our trees alive! See you on Thursday.
73, Scott K5ZOH
HOTARC President
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For the Record... |
HOTARC
Meeting of Members
July 28, 2011
HOTARC’s July Meeting was called to order by President Scott Hamilton K5ZOH on Thursday July 28, 2011 at 7:04 pm at the Salvation Army Center in Waco. Visiting Salvation Army Major Dan Ford KD5OJZ opened the meeting with a prayer.
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The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart
O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 7,397.68 Income Interest 0.06 TOTAL Income $ 0.06 Expenses Field Day dinner $ 99.08 Field Day breakfast 32.10 KD5JM flowers 81.19 Fuel-line fittings 11.38 TOTAL Expenses $ 223.75 Ending Account Balance $ 7,173.99 Uncleared
activity (as
of 6/15/2011) Submitted
by |
Present were 16 full members and 1 guest: Dan Ford KD5OJZ of Woodway.
A motion to approve the Minutes for the June meeting as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, with second by Larry Carlson KC5JWD. The motion was approved by the members.
A motion to approve the June Treasurer’s Report as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Jim Jud KA5QKL, with second by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW. The motion was approved by the members.
Committee Reports:
· ARES: Ed Hynan KC5KNI reported the ARES database is updated and new ID cards issued. He encouraged anyone who is not yet ARES member to complete the application on the Club website.
· Trailer: Larry Carlson KC5JWD and others reported.
o During Field Day (FD) the trailer’s HF transceiver had low power output again. Scott K5ZOH took it home to diagnose/repair.
o The trailer’s generator blew a fuse during FD. The backup generator ran awhile, and then could not be restarted, so we used KC5JWD’s Honda generator. A lengthy discussion ensued about buying new generator(s), perhaps powered by LP gas. KC5JWD will research and recommend at next meeting.
o KC5JWD requested $16.32 more than authorized last month for new gas tanks. A motion was recognized from KA5QKL to authorize the additional amount, seconded by K5YKC, and approved by the members.
· Repeater: Norris Martin KB5SLI reported we are still waiting for an opportunity to get on top of the Hillcrest tower to replace the 145.15 antenna (for our backup repeater).
· D-Star: KA5QKL is waiting on response to D-Star application. K5YKC will look into it. K5YKC offered to donate a 450 MHz D-Star module to HOTARC, but noted work might be needed on the antenna to support the additional band. David Bush KC5UOZ made a motion to accept the donation, which was seconded by KA5QKL, and readily approved by all the members present. Thank you, Rodney!!
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV noted the addition of the Field Day 2011 photos.
· ATV: David Bush KC5UOZ reported the revival of the weekly Slo-Scan Net this week, with six check-ins, four being able to transmit. He invited all to watch streaming video at http://kc5uoz.camstreams.com. David also noted the forthcoming HSMM-MESH project at 2.4 GHz will likely replace the Club’s current 440-band ATV repeater.
· Education: Clint Anderson AE5CA proposed holding a class for the General License around October. He has three General and three Extra Class question manuals. Clint will send out an inquiry to the members to gauge interest.
· Public Relations: No News
· Special Events: Jim Jud KA5QKL was warmly welcomed back after recovering from health issues.
o Jim advised the routes for the 2011 WWWC event have changed considerably from previous years, so we will be communicating from new rest stops this year. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for developments.
o KA5QKL is setting up WinLink at his QTH, which could be used in emergency scenarios and weather nets.
o Clint Anderson AE5CA gave Field Day report. We sorely missed Ed Middlebrook KC5NT-SK. Our submission to ARRL claimed 1250 bonus points and 3486 QSO points, for a total score of 4736 points. Next year: 1) Be more diligent to record GOTA operator names and strive for at least 20 contacts by each to earn points. 2) Set up a “water mister” to aid in cooling for those under the pavilion. 3) Schedule operators for wee hours of the night.
o Noted: this was 55th consecutive Field Day participation by John Curry K5IMC! Congratulations, John!!
o The Club thanks 1) KC5JWD for use of his generator and 2) W5NCD for use of his motor home during FD.
· Update on Clubhouse: Larry Bush W5NCD gave us an update on the construction progress of his new “handyman clubhouse”: outside walls are complete, and construction of inside walls, wiring, ductwork, etc. is underway. He invited all out for a look-see and free-advice session this coming Saturday (July 30, 10:00 am). Help needed to move some industrial-grade tower sections for a 180-ft ham antenna tower. He also warned: avoid driving vehicles off the gravel driveway at the site, due to tire-eating nails and screws. Does anyone have a magnetic nail-sweeper?
New Business:
· New Member Application: A motion to accept application from Dan Ford KD5OJZ for Full Membership was heard from Larry Carlson KC5JWD and second from Jim Jud KA5QKL. The motion was approved by the members.
· Rodney Baden K5YKC still needs help erecting the tower at the new Lorena EOC. Contact him if you can help.
Motion to adjourn was recognized from Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW at 8:25 pm.
The “program” this evening was a cold-watermelon social, provided by John AC5CV and Scott K5ZOH.
Submitted
by:
John Chamberlain, AC5CV
(filling in for the Secretary)
What is A.R.E.S.? |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI |
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of
licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and
equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.
Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or
national organization, is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only
qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere
desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible
for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but
is not a requirement for membership.
ARES is what amateur radio is all about—using equipment and communications skills to help others. Amateur radio and ARES has played a big part in America’s responses to disaster, especially since the events of 9/11. Support for recovery efforts in New York, Washington, Texas, Colorado and Arizona fires have put amateur radio in the public spotlight.
Your registration with the ARES is necessary to best match available equipment and operator availability to support disaster relief efforts. In addition, security requirements for responders have become a requirement as a result of the 9/11attacks. Access to Emergency Operations Centers, hospitals, and incident command posts will be limited to those individuals who have been screened and identified. McLennan County ARES is the backup communication resource for Waco-McLennan County Emergency Management, Hillcrest Hospital and other government agencies within the county.
If you are interested in becoming a member of McLennan County ARES, go to the ARES web page on the HOTARC web site, and open/save/print the application. Send a completed application via e-mail or postal mail according to the instructions listed at the bottom of the application. After your application is processed, you will receive an ARES ID Card. Listen and check-in to the Weekly McLennan County ARES Net every Monday at 8:00 PM on the 145.15 repeater (tone 123.0).
Again, let me stress: If you have a sincere desire to help, registration is necessary before the next emergency, not after.
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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2011 Board of
Directors |
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)
Next session has been rescheduled to Saturday September 17, 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 August 25 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! |
It’s time for a Fall Bike Ride—WWWC!