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The HOTLINE |
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Our Annual Meeting |
by Terry Williams, KD5KJU |
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President: Wayne Branscum KD5SMC Vice Pres: Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW Secretary: John Chamberlain AC5CV Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI Director (2007): Terry Williams KD5KJU Director (2008): Ed Middlebrook KC5NT Director (2009): Mike Ross N5MVL |
It’s November so the holiday season has begun and I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. You will definitely want to make an effort to be at this meeting because we have elections of club officers this month. As a member of the Nominating Committee, I am happy to report that we have a complete slate of candidates to fill the Officers and Directors positions! Thanks to all who agreed to serve if elected.
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President’s Corner |
by Rodney Baden, K5YKC |
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Rodney, K5YKC |
The Last Hurrah!
Well folks, this is my final column as your 2005 and 2006 Club President. We have accomplished a lot together over the last 2 years. But, there are still plenty of projects to do and complete in the months ahead. I want to thank each one of you for your dedication, support and friendship. Yes, we seem to be decreasing in numbers, but many clubs around the U.S. are experiencing a similar trend—or worse. It is very important for us to grow HOTARC and maintain our current yearly projects. I hope that you will be able to continue your part in this effort next year.
Do you have exciting plans for the holidays? I expect to spend part of mine in Houston helping my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson remodel their master bath. But before I get around to that, we have the very important business of electing Directors and Officers for 2007 at the Club’s Annual Meeting. I hope all of you can attend. Also, remember the HOTARC Christmas Party on December 9, 2006 at Uncle Dan’s BBQ on Lake Air Drive at 12 Noon. I hope to see you and your families there!
Another thought I would like to leave with each of you: if you need help with anything in amateur radio, I—and many others in our Club—are very available to assist. The email list that our webmaster John Chamberlain AC5CV has set up at members@hotarc.org is a great place to get help with needed parts, suggestions for ham-related problems, and so forth. I encourage you to use this resource often and to the fullest.
And lastly, my wife Cherie WD5GRU and I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. May God bless you and your family!
73
Rodney A. Baden, K5YKC
HOTARC President
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For the Record... |
HOTARC Meeting of Members
October 26, 2006
The October meeting was called to order by President Rodney Baden K5YKC at 7:03 PM at the TSTC Kultgen Automotive Center in Waco. Present were thirteen full members, two associate members, one life member, and two visitors. Visitors were: James Harris KD5FKY of Waco and Tommy Smith of Waco.
Wayne Branscum KD5SMC opened the meeting with a prayer.
The Minutes for the September meeting were approved as published in the HOTLINE, on a motion by Terry Williams KD5KJU, second by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, and unanimous vote by the members. The September Treasurer’s Report was also accepted as published in the HOTLINE following a motion by Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, second by KD5SMC, and unanimous vote by the members.
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The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 4,625.77 Income Interest 0.98 TOTAL Income $ 0.98 Expenses TOTAL Expenses $ 0.00 Ending Account Balance $ 4,626.75 Outstanding (as of 10-18-06) Submitted by |
Announcements
· Annual Meeting: Note that the Annual Meeting is prescribed by the bylaws to occur on the first Thursday following Thanksgiving, which this year falls on November 30, 2006.
Committee Reports
· ARES: No report.
· Trailer: Larry Bush W5NCD reported that the mini-trailer is completed at a cost of $480, which Larry generously offered to donate. THANK YOU, Larry!! Photos of the finished trailer will be posted to the web site. (See here. —Editor)
· Repeater: Norris Martin KB5SLI reported that the renewal form for coordination of the 440 repeater was completed and mailed. Regarding locating a repeater at the DPS: K5YKC reported a conversation with Sonya Willis, DPS Regional Communications Supervisor regarding their antenna site: DPS will purchase and pay for installation of 7¤8-inch hardline; HOTARC will only need to provide the DB-229 antenna. The committee recommends relocating the 146.98 repeater to the DPS tower and install the 146.88 repeater at the Hewitt water tower site.
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV reported that the web server and email list are working well.
· ATV: David Bush KC5UOZ reported the ATV repeater is working well, but the Skycam needs some maintenance work (antenna, hornet nest removal, etc.). The new LCD TV was temporarily installed in the trailer and used for the WWWC Bike Race—and worked very well; a stronger mount is needed for permanent installation.
· Education: K5YKC reported that HOTCOG is again interested in the Amateur Radio Training Class, wanting a class in late January-early February. Interested in participating expressed by: K5YKC, AC5CV, KC5NT, KD5UEW, and Bill Cox W5JRM. AC5CV reported that he had to turn down the request to teach the Boy Scout merit badge class due to lack of volunteers. K5YKC offered to teach the first weekend, and so AC5CV will try to connect with Larry Smith again to see if not too late to change plans.
· Public Relations: No report.
· Special Events: AC5CV thanked all who contributed to the successful communications furnished for the WWWC event. He also reported that we enjoyed wireless Internet in the trailer at the starting line, thanks to the signal from the nearby Hilton hotel.
· Nominating Committee: KD5KJU reported that Mike Ross N5MVL has agreed to serve if elected to a Director position (though he will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting), AC5CV similarly for the Secretary position, KB5SLI, for the Treasurer position, and KD5UEW for the Vice President position. The President position is still open. KD5UEW made a motion to amend the by-laws to permit a third consecutive term by the President, but it was not recognized by the President.
Old Business
· None
New Business
· Christmas Luncheon: K5YKC will investigate a location and date, the first choice being noon December 9 at either Olive Garden or Uncle Dan’s BBQ. AC5CV will coordinate door prizes. A motion was heard from KD5UEW to authorize spending up to $50 for door prizes, seconded by AC5CV, and unanimously approved by the members.
Motion to adjourn heard from KB5SLI at approximately 7:40 PM.
The program this evening was “home brew night” (miscellaneous projects by Club members). This evening several outstanding project accomplishments were presented by David Bush KC5UOZ and Larry Bush W5NCD.
Submitted by:
John Chamberlain AC5CV
HOTARC Secretary
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David KC5UOZ demonstrates several home-brew projects! |
Larry W5NCD demonstrates a RF remote control kit… |
…and a 12-volt battery monitoring device he created (and will sell!). |
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HOTARC Christmas Luncheon |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
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Click image above for Google map to Uncle Dan’s |
Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the annual HOTARC Christmas Luncheon. This year we have arranged to meet together at Uncle Dan’s Barbeque located at 1001 Lake Air Drive in Waco (phone 254-772-3532). As always, this will be a “Dutch treat” affair (everyone pays for whatever they order), and we will have door prizes for hams and family members.
If you’re not familiar with it, you can browse Uncle Dan’s menu online. Hint: I heartily recommend the sliced brisket plate—specifying “top cut” brisket (if you like juicy, tender meat you can cut with your fork!).
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McLennan County ARES Update |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI, |
Last month you got a look at the status of the McLennan
County ARES organization. We are smaller than we used to be, but still may be
called upon to provide emergency communications support on a large scale. This
year’s holidays might be a great time to sharpen your emergency skills by
completing some of the FEMA training courses. Remember: FEMA courses are
FREE! Go to http://www.fema.gov and
click on Education and Training. All amateur radio operators
should have as a minimum IS-700 (National Incident Management System) and
IS-100 and IS-200 (dealing with the Incident Command System). The courses are
interesting, readily available, not difficult, and the price is right. So, why
don’t you plan to spend some of your holiday “down time” improving your
emergency response knowledge and skills?
As we are talking about training, mark your calendars for February 10, 2007. Gary Woodall from the National Weather Service in Fort Worth will be here to conduct SKYWARN 2007. Both Basic and Advanced courses will be offered again in McLennan County. The sessions will run from 0830 to 1630 in the Bosque Theater of the Waco Convention Center. For our part, let’s try to improve the attendance over last year’s turnout. With severe weather season just around the corner it is time for all those associated with the Baker’s Dozen Weather net to get this important annual refresher.
And I’ll remind you again: The time is coming when not having the minimum training required to interface with other emergency responders will prevent you from being part of the response to a disaster or other emergency incident. So, help yourselves and your families, friends, and neighbors. Take a little time and get the necessary training—now!
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FCC “Omnibus” Report and Order |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
Last month we reported on the FCC’s recent Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 04-140, which revised the band plans for most of the HF bands, and included a few errors that need to be corrected. As is standard procedure, R&O’s don’t actually go into effect until 30 days after they are officially published in the Federal Register. Well, that happened on November 15, and so the new band plans (and other changes) will go into effect on December 15! So, whatever the extent of HF privileges that come with your amateur radio license, take note of the changes.
· On 80 meters the top end of the CW/RTTY/Digital band now will be at 3600 kHz. Phone will now begin at 3600 kHz for Amateur Extras; at 3700 kHz for Advanced; and at 3800 kHz for Generals.
· On 40 meters the top end of the CW/RTTY/Digital band now will be at 7125 kHz. Phone will begin at 7125 kHz for Extras and Advanced, and at 7175 for Generals.
· There are no changes on 20 Meters.
· On 15 meters the bottom of the General Class phone band was moved to 21275 KHz. The bottom of the phone band for Extra remains at 21200 KHz and 21225 kHz for Advanced.
· On 10 meters Novices and Technicians with CW credit will now be able to use CW/RTTY/Digital from 28000 kHz to 28300 kHz in addition to the voice privileges (unchanged) from 28300 kHz to 28500 kHz.
· Novices and Technicians with CW credit now have privileges to use CW on 80, 40, and 15 meters on the same frequencies as General and Advanced licensees: 3525 kHz to 3600 kHz; 7025 kHz to 7125 kHz; and 21025 kHz to 21200 kHz.
Other changes and issues (such as repeaters aboard the ISS, vanity call signs, VE testing sessions, use of ham radio by emergency responders, and so forth) are nicely addressed in a FAQ assembled by the ARRL. There are also some errors that will be addressed soon by the FCC.
The
following page is a summary of the new amateur band plan changes to 80m,
40m, 15m, and 10m effective December 15.
Or, click here for a pdf version of this
chart.
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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2006 Board of Directors |
HOTARC 2006 Board of Directors
President: Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, K5YKC@arrl.net
Vice Pres: Terry Williams KD5KJU, 662-2438, pumpman_rpss@yahoo.com
Secretary: John Chamberlain AC5CV, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, 826-4053, KC5NT@arrl.net
Director (2006): Scott Shafer KD5MLY, 848-5888, ScottShafer@clearchannel.com
Director (2007): Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, 756-1397, bfeltenb@swbell.net
Director (2008): Wayne Branscum KD5SMC, 857-3964, wbscum@grandecom.net
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.88 MHz (input at –600 kHz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
Next session is Saturday December 16, 10:00 AM. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg (#63 on the map), Room 109. Bring: 1) testing fee of $14 (cash only); 2) current license and photocopy of it; 3) a photo ID (two for first-time licensees), and 4) photocopy of any relevant CSCE. Contact: Linda Hynan, AC5QQ at 666-4873 or Linda.Hynan@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Meeting NoticeThe Annual Meeting of HOTARC will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday November 30, 2006 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. 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
our Annual Meeting!
(when we elect next year’s officers)