The text of the file, as a machine read it. Open the original below for the layout, the pictures and anything the reading missed.
MAARS Club Meeting — May 2018
Meeting Commenced: 6:30 pm
Meeting Concluded: 7:30 pm
Attending: Ashley Benteman – KEOIQV
29 People Signed Attendance Sheet
Officer Reports:
President
– Jim has been added to the Pot County emergency manager’s call list for ham radio operators. He has brought up with the Natasha the possibility of practicing and she agreed. There could be more to come later.
– Possibly ‘unannounced field day’ could be good practice to simulate an emergency situation.
Vice President
– Nothing to report
Treasurer
– $1,046.55
– Took in $10 in dues
Committee Reports:
Repeater
– The contact person, trustee for KSDB, to get onto the sight of the repeater is retiring in December. There is no one to take his place. The person that owns the property has a troubled history with ham radio operators and so will not allow ham operators on his property by themselves.
– Pat with Riley County Emergency Management spoke with Ron, the owner of the property, and tried to reinforce ham radio with county emergency communications. Ron seemed responsive but insists that Ham radio operators do not have the code to the gate and are accompanied by an engineer/escort. The escort will need to let Ron know beforehand that we will be visiting.
– Possibly consider leaving the current repeater where it is and adding another. We could work with Riley County Emergency Management to use one of their new towers.
– If we would like to move the current repeater, there is a possibility to use an empty tower on county land. As well as a different tower with one of Jon’s contacts.
– Unresolved:
– Securing/selecting sight to move repeater to a new location that we have easier access to.
– Proposed new sit and new repeater.
– Any volunteers to work on repeater committee. Craig, KB8KGA, has offered to help when he is available. If anyone else would like to help, then please see Jon.
– Jason has also offered to take pictures of the tower at the county shops and will email them to Jon.
Fox Hunt
– Two successful build days last month for beam antennas
– Opened up discussion to determine which of the next three weekends (5/19, 5/22, 6/2) people are available for a fox hunt. No objections heard and so we will send out an email with options for a vote.
Antenna Trailer
– Jon spoke with Dave about sandblasting and painting the trailer. At least 2-3 volunteers will need to help with it but the more the better. There may even be food after for the people that help.
– Dave and his team are willing to do the labor for free and we would only need to cover the materials
– $40 for sand, $65 for paint, $20 for activator & 10 gallons of Diesel fuel equaling less that $250
– Motion was made by Ryan to spend the money to sandblast and paint the trailer, Mike seconds it
– Treasurer has confirmed that we will not have another bill until next February
– The club votes and motion carries authorizing the tower committee to spend up to $250 to get our tower sandblasted and painted.
– The tower will be a gloss white with orange stripes on tower.
– Possible dates to do this is the 19th or the 26th depending on when they get the sand. Jon will send out an email to get volunteers organized.
Field Day (Jon & Ryan gave a presentation)
– Field day transmitting location with be the Riley County Shops off of Tuttle Creek Blvd. In the far west building near the public parking lot. It is indoor with restrooms and part of it being air conditioned. The radios will probably not be in air conditioning but they will be indoors. So if there is severe weather (which is likely during Stampede), then we do not have to worry as much.
– 3A stations (all Yeasu radios)
– Two 2m voice stations
– One digital (probably PSK31) station
– GOTA
– Food Committee: Ashley and Susanne will plan out food for field day including Ryan’s pulled pork
– Safety Coordinator: Ashley has volunteered
– Antennas: Pneumatic mast we have used in the past & new antenna trailer for main masts
– Location of antennas will need to be outside and decently far away from radios. So one of the challenges is feed line which Myron has provided us with.
– Originally though antennas would be on the grass out front but plans may need to change for the antennas to go out back. Jon should know by Monday if we can put the antennas out front on the grass.
– Actually considering the power lines out front, it would be better to have the antennas in the back in case of interference.
– Types of antennas for voice are G5RV, Wire antennas and/or fan di-poles
– GOTA: NVIS antenna
– Digital: Vertical antenna
– We could also potentially use the mobile command post
– Publicity (facebook, ARRL Field Day finder, flyers, radio spots): Jim has volunteered
– We will have the same call signs as previous field days; KON for regular stations and KOA for GOTA
– May need some volunteers to help clean out supplies in the office.
– Ryan will send out an email link to sign up for the event. It works best to have two people assigned to a radio at a time so that one person can operate and the other can help log.
– Laptops are covered and Ryan will bring the router we used last year.
– Parking for the event will probably be at the front of the building
– We should consider putting a sign out by the road for publicity
– While we are in operation and control of the building, the public is open to come in and visit. Laurie will also probably be there during the day.
– We will have the remote to the gate to leave for the night whenever we decide to call it a day
– We have extending the invitation to Mark to use his solar panel golf cart again. He has expressed interest earlier this year but has not responded to our invite yet.
Old Business:
Test Session:
– Tomorrow, May 12th, is a test session in the Manhattan Library Auditorium at 9 am
– There have been 4 people interested in the session
– Examiners are needed.
– Several people have volunteered to help
New Business:
George & Pattie Moving: They will be moving next month to Colorado Springs. Patti may be able to attend the next meeting but George will not. So their positions in the club of VP & Treasurer are open.
– Jim will check the constitution to figure out the correct protocol but we will probably have an election next month.
– Thank you to George & Pattie for their help with the club and we wish them luck Batteries
– Myron has brought more batteries to hand out
HF After Net Net e |t has been very successful with a core group of 4-5 checking. Last check in was for 12 people. It is after the MAARS net on Tuesday and the Clay Center net on Wednesday on 38.42 or 38.39. All are welcome and it seems to be growing in popularity.
– If you would like to listen to the net, you can get onto one of the Kiwi SDR servers. See Bill for more information.
Meeting Space
– The room unfortunately wasn’t booked this month but it was thankfully still available. So Ashley will double check that we can still use the auditorium for the next few meetings. If we can not, then Ashley will work on finding another meeting space and let everyone know via email.
– Jim will be able to update the Facebook event notices if needed New Ham
– Jim has received an email from a ham in Texas that is moving up here and interested in getting involved with the club. He should be here at the end of May so welcome any new faces
Reimbursing for Fox Hunt Build
– Motion to reimburse Ryan for materials for fox hunt build days.
– Ryan will come up with a number for reimbursement for the next meeting and this will be revisited in old business for next month.