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 Minutes
13 October 2023
Officers in Attendance:
President – Ryan Benteman – AD0TZ
Vice Pres. – Craig Moore – WN0KS
Treasurer – Suzanne Asbury – W0MMA
Secretary – Jason Johnson – KB0EOD
M.A.A.R.S. VE ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Jim Foster – KS0VO
18 in Attendance
Meeting was called to order at 18:34 hrs. by Ryan Benteman – AD0TZ Club President Meeting began with introductions
Officer Reports:
President Ryan Benteman – AD0TZ Began meeting with introductions. Treasurer Report – Suzanne Asbury – W0MMA read the September 2023 Treasurer’s Report as published 01SEPT23.
Membership Dues for year 2024 were and continue to be collected. Ryan Benteman – AD0TZ released the three nominated finalists names for “The Glen Rubash Memorial M.A.A.R.S. Member of the Year”
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Matt Hale – KF0ISO
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Jason Johnson – KB0EOD
Suzanne Asbury – W0MMA
Ballots were handed out to club members in attendance in order to check the name of the nominee they wished to vote for to receive the “The Glen Rubash Memorial M.A.A.R.S. Member of the Year” award. Ballots were collected by Club President Ryan Benteman – AD0TZ. Later in the meeting Ryan announced the recipient of this years’ award to Jason Johnson – KB0EOD.
Vice President – NSTR
Old Business:
Jon Klimek – KE0MHK discussed the Simplex Exercise (SET) Simulated Emergency Training scheduled for 21OCT23. RCEM has a renewed interest in Amateur Radio. Jon will establish a Simplex Net (NET Control) from the area of the Konza Prairie Overlook, conduct a rollcall and log the names, callsigns and locations of the participants in the area.
– (West) Junction City
– (Center) Manhattan Via Christi Hospital
– (East) Wamego Hospital
Passing pre scripted messages using low power and 5 watts on 146.480. Pass messages from Point to Point and back to Net Control.
Ryan Benteman – AD0TZ Gave a fully functional prototype of the 3D Printed 102” whip (Wolf River Coil Type) antenna now officially named the Big Kansas Coil (BKC) to Mike – AE0PT to put through its passes throughout his travels assisting outside the MHK environment. Mike’s feedback could include but not limited to physical changes to the antenna’s construction illustrating it’s capabilities strengths and weaknesses, that can be re-engineered to present a stronger and more reliable project for club members. Mike was able to tune the antenna from 20 to 80 meters making DX contacts to Europe on 17m. More to follow in the coming months.
Matt Hale – KF0ISO briefed the POTA activation at POT#2 Lake. Participates were Matt Hale – KF0ISO, Jason Johnson – KB0EOD and Jeff Rhoads – KD0KKD. Matt spotted the activation on the POTA website making voice contacts on 20m switching to 17m where no contacts were made and back to 20m for a total of 52 contacts, including 24 states and one DX to Canada, using a G90 HF Transceiver 20W, Vertical HamSticks attached to the roof rack of his SUV.
See attached: KF0ISO POTA Activation Mapper.png
Dave Mills – KD0AZG Repeater Update. RCEM has some funds although one of the submitted grants failed to be granted. Club asked if there was an updated timeline for the 2m tower site. The Schurle 70cm tower site would be in a future project after the 2m site was completed. Dave Mills – KD0AZG said that individuals were welcomed to join WARN as a home spotter and passed out handouts that could be brought to the next meeting scheduled for 24OCT at 6pm at the RCEM offices on 4th and Poyntz.
See attached: Riley County WARN Home Spotter.pdf
There is a need to get the backup repeater and cans (duplexers) ready to be installed when such time as KaComm is ready for them in the future.
New Business:
Ryan Benteman – AD0TZ, The positions of President and Vice President are open and available for 2024. Suzanne Asbury – W0MMA Treasurer would be willing to stay but would like to be released of the position. Jason Johnson – KB0EOD Secretary would like to stay in the position unless there is someone that wants to run against him. Matt Hale – KF0ISO is interested in the Vice President.
M.A.A.R.S. NET Control position is still available for the first Tuesday of the month weekly nets.
Meeting adjourned at 19:14 hrs Nothing Follows