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The HOTLINE
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Homebrew Night at HOTARC! |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
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It’s time to get out those projects that you’ve been tinkering with. Get them out of the shack and show them off at this month’s meeting. Each year, October at HOTARC means that it’s “Homebrew Night!” Of course we’re talking about home-brewed radio and electronic projects! (What were you thinking?!) As licensed amateur radio operators, we have the privilege to not only operate radios, but also legally repair, modify, and even create radios and radio equipment. That’s because the FCC expects us to abide by the rules, stay safe, and respect other folks who want to use the air-waves, too. But Homebrew Night is not only about radios. We’re eager to see just about any project you’ve been working on. We’ve seen some pretty interesting things over the years. So, don’t be bashful. Even if it is not finished, bring it to the meeting. You might just see some surprising things from your colleagues and get some cool ideas for your own next project. Come on, “Show your Stuff!”
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President’s Corner |
by Scott Hamilton, K5ZOH |
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I enjoyed demonstrating the FlexRadio 1500 (software defined radio) last month, and I want to thank John AC5CV for posting the information for you to download and try out the Flex CDR software on your own computer (even though you don’t yet own the FlexRadio. I hope that those of you who wanted to experiment with the CDR software were able to give it a try.
At the October Club meeting this week we open the program to all of you with our annual homebrew “show and tell” program. It is always interesting to see what our members have been doing with our hobby! Come to the meeting with your box or bag of goodies, show us what you have been up to this past year, and let us enjoy the story with you!
Looking ahead: remember that we hold our Annual Meeting the Thursday after Thanksgiving: December 1. I hope you’ll be ready to accept if the Nominating Committee sees you as a great candidate for a Club office. And the weekend after the Annual Meeting, we will have the opportunity for great fellowship and food at our annual Christmas Luncheon: this year on Saturday December 3. More details of these two important upcoming events at this month’s Club meeting.
Hope to see you there on Thursday.
73, Scott K5ZOH
HOTARC President
For the Record... |
HOTARC
Meeting of Members
September 22, 2011
HOTARC’s September Meeting was called to order by Scott Hamilton K5ZOH on Thursday September 22nd 2011 at 7:02 pm at the Salvation Army Center in Waco. Rodney Baden K5YKC opened the meeting with a prayer.
Present were 15 full members, and 2 guests: Chris Barrett KE5FQU of Houston and Robert Barton W7OES of Waco.
A motion to approve the Minutes for the September meeting as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Jim Jud KA5QKL with second by Larry Carlson KC5JWD. The motion was approved by the members.
A motion to approve the September Treasurer’s Report as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Rodney Baden K5YKC with second by Jim Jud KA5QKL. The motion was approved by the members.
The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart
O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 7,254.49 Income General Class books $ 55.00 Interest 0.06 TOTAL Income $ 55.06 Expenses
Website hosting gratuity $ 70.00 PayPal fees 1.81 TOTAL Expenses $ 71.81 Ending Account Balance $ 7,237.74 Uncleared
activity (as of 10/10/2011) Submitted
by |
Committee Reports:
· ARES: Clint Anderson AE5CA reported that the NWS activated the Weather Net on Sunday night and he appreciated all those who participated.
· Trailer: Larry Carlson KC5JWD reported that the trailer worked well at the Waco Wild West Century bike ride. The generator ran fine during the event, but did have some trouble starting it the next morning.
· Repeater: Norris Martin KB5SLI will talk with Ron Bowden AA5RT to get back up to replace the antenna now that the weather is getting cooler.
· D-Star: Rodney Baden K5YKC reported that everything is running fine.
· Web page: No News
· ATV: No News
· Education: Clint Anderson AE5CA reported that the General Class will be 9AM-4PM on October 8 and 15.
· Public Relations: No News
· Special Events: No News
New Business:
· Rodney Baden K5YKC reserved Raymond’s Southern Kitchen in Lorena on December 3rd @ 12 noon for our Annual Christmas Luncheon. John Chamberlain motioned that we allot $75 for door prizes, with second from Keith Schoenefeld W5TTL. The motion was approved by the members.
· New applications for membership were received from Robert Barton W7OES and Chris Barrett KE5FQU. Motions were made from Mark Plough AC5DE to accept the new members with seconds by Jim Jud KA5QKL. The motions were approved by the members.
Motion to adjourn was recognized from Jim Jud KA5QKL at approximately 7:55 pm.
Tonight’s presentation was from Scott Hamilton K5ZOH on Software Defined Radios. He demonstrated his FLEX-1500 SDR using the PowerSDR Software. You can try out the software at home even if you don’t have an SDR. Just visit the Links page on www.HOTARC.org and download the software and demo sound file.
Submitted
by:
Jeremy Neal KE5PRG
HOTARC Secretary
Request for ARES Net Control Station Volunteers – HELP!!!! |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI |
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I would like to get an early start on the 2012 ARES Net Control schedule. I currently have six individuals that are serving as Net Controls in 2011.
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 Net Control Operator training opportunity to all current members of McLennan County ARES.
Veterans are KC5KNI, K5YKC, KD5KJU, KA5QKL, AC5DE, and AE5CA. These individuals have done an excellent job and the nets have run very smoothly this year.
For the 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 all of you. For any 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. Let me know if there are any Mondays that would not be convenient (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and/or 5th).
For those who would like to volunteer, I will add you to the 2012 schedule, provide you with a copy of the preamble, log sheet, and step-by-step instructions. If you want to participate, please let me know by 15 November 2011. Again, current Net Control stations: please let me know if you would like to continue to serve. This is 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 at the EOC. KC5KNI, KD5KJU, and AE5CA served well this last season. The secondary severe weather season is fast approaching and the Spring severe weather season 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. SKYWARN and some additional training and background checks will be required.
Finally, SKYWARN 2012 has been scheduled for Sat. 4 Feb 2012. It will be held again at the McLennan Community College Emergency Services Center from 0900-1530. As in past years, both the Basic and Advanced courses will be offered. Make plans to attend this informative program presented by the Fort Worth Office of the National Weather Service.
A Big “Thank You” to All |
by
Jim Jud, KA5QKL |
Friends, as October draws to a close, the Special Events Coordinator position is just about on “cruise control.” The only event that I can think of for the remainder of 2011 is the Christmas Luncheon: noon on Saturday, December 3rd. We always have a great time, and I eat too much in the process! With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to say “THANK YOU” to all the hams in the club who supported the events during the year. It has been a tough year for me with back surgery and diabetes flare-ups, but things worked out great. When I was sick, you guys came through! Even when I went out of town there were no worries, as you all came through again. I cannot say THANK YOU enough! I know 2012 will be just as much fun as 2011. So, make plans to attend, let’s enjoy a great Christmas Luncheon and kick off 2012 with a full head of steam!
VE Test Schedule for the Holidays |
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Linda Hynan AC5QQ |
We will hold test sessions in October (next Saturday, the 29th) and December (the 17th), but not November. See the HOTARC web site for up-to-date schedule and location information.
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 scheduled for Saturday October 29, 10:00 AM. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg (#70 on the map), Room 207. 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 October 27 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! |
Make plans to attend our Homebrew Night!
And bring your own stuff! See details inside!