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The HOTLINE
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Let’s Do Ice Cream!...and Special Events! |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
The Directors decided that we need a meeting with a
lighter topic and somewhat of a break this month—a dessert break! So, at the
September meeting, while listening to the plans for covering the WWWC special
event coming up this weekend, let’s kick back and enjoy some cool sweets.
This would be a nice opportunity to invite some visitors: they’ll get to enjoy some nice fellowship around a bowl (or two) of ice cream, as well as hear our plans for the special event. They might also just get interested in ham radio and…there you go! You’ve infected another unsuspecting soul with the greatest hobby in the world! J
Speaking of the special event, don’t forget to contact Jim KA5QKL to volunteer to take a position on the course. It’s looking like this Saturday’s temperatures are predicted to moderate a little as Fall arrives this week. C’mon out and give us a hand at keeping up with almost a thousand bikers streaming out across central Texas from Waco’s Indian Springs Park!
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President’s Corner |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
We are making some progress on the discussion started at the last meeting about getting back on the air with our primary 145.15 repeater equipment. Come join in the ongoing discussion and status update at this month’s Club meeting.
We got a new lease on life
for our Club’s HF radios that mysteriously sputtered at Field Day, but it seems
that we might need to have some training sessions on how to operate those
intimidating HF radios with dozens of knobs and settings. This could be very
helpful for those wanting to upgrade to General Class…and a great pursuit for
the Education Committee!
On a more somber note, as most of you probably know: a very respected and active member of our Club, Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, has been courageously facing some extremely difficult health issues. Unfortunately, the latest doctor reports are not good. I know that you will remember Ed and his family in your prayers during this very difficult time.
Finally, as noted last month, one of HOTARC’s most demanding special events is upon us: the Waco Wild West Century Bike Ride (WWWC) is this weekend! Check out the related article in this issue, and do give Jim KA5QKL a call to volunteer. It will be good for us, and good for you!
John AC5CV
HOTARC President
October
is Home-Brew month! Start
planning today!
What personal project/accomplishment
can you present at the October meeting?
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For the Record... |
HOTARC
Meeting of Members
August 26, 2010
HOTARC’s August Meeting was called to order by John Chamberlain AC5CV on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 7:01 pm at the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco campus. Chaplain Dell Bredemeyer KE5MZS 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 $ 6,457.61 Income Interest 0.28 TOTAL Income $ 0.28 Expenses Web site expenses $ 70.00 Printer cartridges 88.00 Generator gas 43.00 TOTAL Expenses $ 201.40 Ending Account Balance $ 6,256.49 Uncleared
activity (as
of 8/15/2010) Submitted
by |
Present were 16 full members and 1 associate member and 1 guest. Our guest was Van Jones of Waco.
A motion to approve the Minutes for the July meeting as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Jim Judd KA5QKL, with second by Rodney Baden K5YKC. The motion was approved by the members.
A motion to approve the July Treasurer’s Report as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Larry Carlson KC5JWD, with second by Mark Plough AC5DE. The motion was approved by the members.
Committee Reports:
· ARES: No News
· Trailer: KA5QKL reported that the he replaced the fuel filter on the generator on the trailer, but neither of the generators will start. Problem with the fuel pump?
· Repeater: A discussion was started for options on a new location for our primary 145.15 repeater site. Larry Bush W5NCD offered a free spot on his tower about 300 feet up. A motion was made by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW to spend up to $1000 for a antenna and tower crew to install the coax and antenna on the tower, seconded by Mike Ross N5MVL, and approved by the members.
· D-Star: No News
· Web page: AC5CV reported our domain name registration was switched from Network Solutions to DreamHost.
· ATV: David Bush KC5UOZ reported that the ATV repeater is working.
· Education: K5YKC made a motion to order 12 Gordon West Technician books. KD5UEW seconded the motion. The motion was approved by the members.
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Our own Van Jones |
· Public Relations: AC5CV reported that we are in need of a Public Relations committee.
· Special Events: KA5QKL still needs a few more positions for the Waco Wild West Century Bike Race. N5MVL made a motion to reimburse KA5QKL $88.50 for printer cartridges used in support of the TMOM event. Second was by Scott Hamilton K5ZOH. The motion was approved by the members.
· Motion to adjourn was recognized from KD5UEW at approximately 7:41 pm.
Tonight’s presentation was from Van Jones on how the Texas Mission of Mercy event was put together and how everyone worked as a team to produce the first ever TMOM event in Waco.
Submitted
by:
Jeremy Neal KE5PRG
HOTARC Secretary
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Request for ARES Net Control Station Volunteers – HELP!!!! |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI |
I would like to get an early start on the 2011 ARES Net Control schedule. I currently have eight individuals that are serving as Net Controls in 2010.
The
ARES / Bakers Dozen Training Net is held each Monday night at 8 PM on the
145.15 Repeater. I would like to provide this 
excellent training opportunity to all current members
of McLennan County ARES.
Veterans are KC5KNI, KC5NT, N5MVL, K5YKC, KD5KJU, KA5QKL, AC5DE, W5ZAK and AE5CA. These individuals have done an excellent job and the nets have run very smoothly this year.
Current Net Controls: Please let me know if you would like to continue on the schedule for 2011. Yes or no, but I need to hear from everyone. For all other members: If you would like the opportunity to serve as a weekly Net Control please let me know via e-mail: KC5KNI@arrl.net. You can let me know if there are any Mondays that would not be convenient for you (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and/or 5th).
For those who would like to volunteer, I will add you to the 2011 schedule, provide you with a copy of the preamble, log sheet, and a letter of Instruction. If you want to participate, please let me know by 15 November 2010. Again, current Net Control stations should let me know if they would like to continue to serve. This is a big part of what amateur radio is all about—preparation for emergency service.
Additionally, we still have room for one or two more individuals to be primary Net Controls for the Bakers Dozen Weather Net. KC5KNI and KD5KJU have had excellent help from AE5CA this last season. The secondary severe weather season is fast approaching and spring is just right around the corner. If you would like to volunteer and work from the EOC running the weather net, please let me know. For this assignment, attendance at SKYWARN and some additional training and background checks will be required.
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800 Bikes…Away! |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
HOTARC provides radio communications in support of this annual event that involves over 1000 participants and volunteers. This year's Waco Wild West Century (WWWC) Bike Ride is Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Indian Springs Park in downtown Waco, starting at 8:00 am. This event accommodates riders of many abilities with courses of varied lengths: 10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles, 65 miles, and 100 miles—all of which are supported by rest stops, SAG vehicles, and, of course, radio communications. That’s where you come in!
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Click this image for map of all the courses. |
The WWWC staff coordinates dozens of volunteers in the pace
cars and at the many rest stops around the course. Amateur radio operators are a
big part of that effort. Located at the rest stops, we provide timely rider progress
information, reports of break-downs and injuries, need for supplies, and so
forth. Additionally, ham-built APRS trackers transmit in real-time, providing Net Control with up-to-the
minute locations for pace cars and SAG vehicles.
Although this event is well “planned,” there are still plenty of surprises for us every year, and it is always an excellent training opportunity for a real disaster requiring coordinated radio communications from several remote locations. Contact KA5QKL Jim by email or by phone at 254-235-2315 to join the fun and help us fill all the necessary assignments.
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 October 16, 2010, 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 September 23 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed! |
WWWC event: Sat 25th
Volunteer to Communicate!