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MARA Meeting Minutes 2009
MARA Meeting
North Precinct Police Station – Appling Farms
January 8, 2009
Meeting started at 7:05 PM
Keith Price, WA5LPW, welcomed all members and thanked Jeff Kloek, KI4NDR, for securing the facility for our monthly meetings; Jeff gave a brief protocol synopsis for using the building.
Stay out of the locker room, and use the bathrooms located behind the desk sergeant. Materials for use during the meeting can be brought in advance, and stored in the room with the refrigerators. The parking lot fills fast; don’t park in the rear. You may park along the front of the building. This location has been secured for the year.
Introductions were made.
Jeff Kloek, KI4NDR, made a proposal to accept the November minutes in the Zero Beat and on the MARA Website; Ham Hillard, W4GMM, seconded the motion. Vote passed.
Treasury Report given by John Parish, KD4EUZ; Balance: $33030.37. Ham,W4GMM, made a motion to accept the Report; seconded by Bill Hudock, KB4SQV.
Old Business:
Website up and running. Thanks to Tony Brignole, WA4KHN, and Billy Freeman, KD4EYW, for adding the Membership Application online.
Elmer Net needs Net Control Stations; Keith, WA5LPW, asked the membership for questions/answers for the Elmer Net. The net control script in on the website, and is included in the reminder email each week. It is held Mondays at 2100 on 147.03 MHz.
New Business:
NS40 – Anyone make a rare contact; build something or have anything of interest to share.
Joe Lowenthal, WA4OVO, gave a short synopsis of his contact on 160m. The Health Department station has a horizontal 160 meter loop, seven feet above the building’s roof.
Keith, WA5LPW asked the new hams/membership if anyone had any Elmer questions. No questions were asked.
David Saks, WK2B, asked the membership to consider a Special Events Station at Graceland.
John Landrigan, KA4RXP, mentioned about the oscillator he read about in the July 1964 issue of QST and is having a fabulous time fabricating and making it work as described. It’s a PTO—permativity tuned oscillator. It varies inductance by moving a metal slug through a coil with a fixed capacitor for resonance.
Pat Lane, W4OQG, placed 5th in the state; Nina Stone, WB4CHH, placed 7th for the TN QSO Party. Nina operated phone, while Pat operated ambidextrously. He logged with his left, and keyed with his right hand. They operated from multiple counties.
Keith, WA5LPW, spoke of the NS-40 – None Simpler – The NS40 is a five-watt 40 meter QRP transmitter with simple construction and instructions - Keith bought one in Missouri for $30.00. He said in order to purchase a kit go to http://4sqrp.com.
FreeFest 2009
Need Event Chair
Promotion Coordinator
Prizes Coordinator - Keith Price, WA5LPW
Concession Coordinator
Vendors Coordinator
Bartlett Center Coordinator (Setup, Tear down)
Meeting Rooms=ARRL Meeting/Testing Coordinator
The FreeFest has been (will be) designated as the Tennessee Section Convention.
Members will be contacted by Bill Hudock, KB4SQV or Keith Price, WA5LPW to help out at the FreeFest.
John Landrigan, KA4RXP, proposed having VA Hospital as our sponsored charity instead of St. Jude.
Tony, WA4KHN, has the past vendor set-up list for the Bartlett Center.
Ham Hillard, W4GMM, will be handling the sound system.
Billy Freeman, KD4EYW, is teaching a class about FEMA; the class entails what to do in emergency situations. The class will be held on January 26, 2009. 69 Students are registered at the present time.
Other News:
ARES – Thursdays 9:00 PM 146.88 MHz.
Upcoming Calendar Events:
-2009 Capital City Hamfest – January 30 and 31, 2009
-Huxtable Cross band – May 8 and 9, 2009
-ARRL Field Day – June 27 and 28, 2009
-Joe Lowenthal New Ham Class to start on February 7, 2009; no class on January 31st
Larry McMillan, WA4VXH, asked Joe, WA4OVO, about a basic electronic class; maybe in the fall 2009.
Keith, WA4LPW, passed out a survey for input from the membership about what they liked/disliked about MARA and what changes they would like to see. The survey will be sent via email to all the members not present.
Bill, KB4SQ, made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ham, W4GMM, seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM.
Initial minutes recorded by Carol Hudock , and detail contributed by John Cummings.
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February 5, 2009
The meeting was relocated from the Blue Crush room, to somewhere smaller. It started with introductions at 1900; and a request to sign in, and add or correct email addresses.
Financial report was given by Treasurer John Parrish KD4EUZ. Ham Hilliard W4GMM moved the report be accepted as read, and seconded by Robert. Motion carried.
Our website is by Billy Freeman KD4EYW. Send in links to other useful sites, and we’ll add them.
Net Control Stations are wanted for the Elmer Net for February 16 and the rest of the month.
FreeFest 2009 is Saturday, April 18. Returning sponsors are ICOM and MFJ. ICOM kindly offers four HTs and a two meter mobile; MFJ possible prizes are presently unknown. Contact has been made with Alinco, CT Morgan, the Signman of Baton Rouge, and the Wireman.
We will need to inspect tables two days before FreeFest 2009, to record any existing imperfections. There will be a FreeFest meeting after the membership meeting, and its budget will be presented.
President Keith Price WA5LPW presented the results of the January member survey.
Ham W4GMM spoke of cross-band operation in April.
New Business:
Ham W4GMM and Billy KD4EYW presented their PowerPole constructions, homebuilt DC busses, with multiple fusings.
Keith WA5LPW has a new keyer by NorCal, in a lovely Elcraft Plexiglas enclosure.
Billy KD4EYW taught a course at the Tennessee State Fire Academy in Bellbucket. There were sixty-nine students, of whom about 80% were hams.
Joe Lowenthal WA4OVO reports ARES will have a new message form, developed with the hospital council.
Program:
Pat Lane W4OQG and Chief Engineer emeritus of WKNO-TV/FM, presented on analog and digital viewing using a DTV to analog converter. He also showed live spectrum analyzer views of the local RF TV neighborhood.
At 2052 Ham W4GMM moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by unknown. All were in favor!
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March 5, 2009
Vice-President William Hudock KB4SQV opened the meeting at 1907. Introductions by callsign and name. The February 5 minutes are to be posted on the website.
Treasurer John Parrish KD4EUZ gave his report. Ham Hilliard W4GMM moved that the report be accepted as read, and Jeff seconded. The report was accepted by voice vote.
Old Business:
Elmer Net needs Net Control Station volunteers.
Repeater update by Tony Brignole WA4KHN. The six meter band duplexors have been received, they are large!
FreeFest 2009 (on April 18) has an organization chart.
There will be a banquet for ARRL State Convention officials Friday night April 17. Tony WA4KHN's La Costa Clubhouse has been reserved, and MARA members are welcome.
We have commitments from Memphis Amateur Electronics and Restaurant Iris.
Major vendors can enter FreeFest 2009 at 0600, minor vendors next, and the general public at 0900. Alinco is a maybe.
About the Friday Welcome Banquet for ARRL, we need to know in advance if you are coming. Please volunteer to bring drinks, cups, chips, desert, etc.
New Business:
Field Day is coming on June 27 & 28, noted by John Gallarno AJ4AT.
Huxtable, Arkansas Amateur/MARS operation coming May 8 & 9 Armed Forces Day, per Ham W4GMM.
The Shelby County Health Department will test running a dispensary site on Thursday March 26 0800-1300 in the Creative Arts Building at the Fairgrounds, per Joe Lowenthal WA40V0.
Billy Freeman KD4EYW notes Tennessee Emergency Management Agency's interoperability test at the end of March, with one hundred participants expected.
Program presentations are wanted for future MARA meetings!
Program:
Rick Tillman WA4NVM demonstrated satellite operation before tonight's meeting at 1850 (hence the slightly delayed start) during a AO-5 pass. He used 2M and 70cm FM, and a hand pointed dual band Yagi outdoors on the sidewalk. Now the details, and celebrating AMSAT's fortieth anniversary.
At 2040 Ham W4GMM moved we adjorn, seconded by Rick. All were in favor.
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April 2, 2009
MARA Meeting Minutes
Lacosta Clubhouse
2 April 2009
President Keith Price WA5LPW opened the meeting at 1910. Introductions by callsign and name. The March 5 minutes are posted on the website.
Treasurer John Parrish KD4EUZ gave his report via projection screen. Bill Hudock KB4SQV moved that the report and minutes be accepted as read, and David Saks seconded. The report was accepted by voice vote.
Old Business:
Elmer Net needs Net Control Station volunteers.
FreeFest 2009 Update – Spread the word however you can; there will be no mailing, no cash donations to cover the cost, $1300.
Mickey Cox K5MC Delta Division Director promoted FreeFest in his newsletter.
Please volunteer for various duties like unloading/loading the major vendors, door control, and concessions.
MFJ and Red Dragon Computers need six volunteers for 0600-0900. Please commit, we have thirty two slots to fill.
Donate a prize or cash to help pay for the event.
ARRL Welcome BBQ Dinner is April 17 at 1900.
The FreeFest 2009 budget was presented.
New Business:
Meeting location change for tonight explained. Neighborhood Watch has first Thursday of the month at the Police Precinst. The third Thursday is proposed. So moved, vote in favor.
Field Day is June 27 & 28.
Huxtable crossband operation is May 10, Armed Forces Day.
Program at 2000:
Ham Hilliard W4GMM on Army Mars. Secondary Mission to FEMA & Homeland Security.
Joint Service MARS. Crossband operation demonstration on 7200 & 7360 Khz.
Questions and Answers.
Meeting ended at 2049.
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May 21, 2009
Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Station)
21 May 2009
The membership meeting was opened by Vice President William Hudock KB4SQV. We heard the report of Treasurer John Parrish KD4EUZ. Ham Hilliard W4GHN moved that the report be accepted as read. A second was heard, all present voted yea.
Our domain pointing of http://www.maraonline.com into Google Sites at http://sites.google.com/a/maraonline.org/mara-online/Home for our website has been corrected.
FreeFest 2009 – we have good reports from the vendors. Over $2200 was donated to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
New Business:
Tony Brignole WA4KHN tried to send an email to all members. The store “Tuesday Morning” has a crank powered radio and cell phone charger for $19.95.
Tony WA4KHN gave a report on Field Day preparations, to be held June 27-28 at his Lacosta Clubhouse (see meeting locations at left margin for directions).
Other business:
Nina gave a Dayton Hamvention report, and joined the YLRL.
Band reports and other operations were noted.
Programs wanted for future meeting. June meeting will be Field Day. Next meeting to be July’s third Thursday (July 16).
Armed Forces Day report on WUG-231 operation by Ham W4GHN.
Auction Rules: Study the items during the break. $5 increments on bids over $50. Must be a member to bid.
ARES mentioned, next meeting to come June 23.
Programs wanted for future meeting.
Program: Emergency Preparedness, by Billy Freeman KD4EYW. Major point, rotate your stock of water, rations, fuel, batteries, etc. to be sure of fresh materials on hand.
Additional Dayton Hamfest reporting by Tony WA4KHN with pictures!
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July 16, 2009
Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Station)
16 July 2009
The membership meeting was opened by President Keith Price WA5LPW at 1906. We heard the report of Treasurer John Parrish KD4EUZ.
Old Business:
Major fun occurred at Field Day, and photos were presented.
New Business:
Ham Hilliard W4GHM repaired three rotors.
Tony Brignole WA4KHN had a similar rotor experience.
Keith built a Rockmite 20m xmtr, from www.smallwonderlabs.com.
Send Keith digital photos of your antennas, and some basic information, for a future program. Also electric generator will be another future topic.
Next meeting is 20 August 2009. December’s third Thursday is 17 December 2009, and will be our Christmas Party date. Coletta’s Italian Restaurant has waived the deposit, because we’ve been good repeat customers.
Upcoming calendar event:
Alabama Section Convention August 15-16, 2009 in Huntsville. Bus trip by the Delta Club; cost will include admission.
The program by Richard Mayfield KI4VUZ was on Software Tools, with a microcontroller overview. Programs mentioned included Open Office, Audacity, GIMP, and the Linux operating system. Eagle Software offers CadSoft online for making printed circuit boards. See also www.timesmicrowave.com for useful calculators.
See EZNEC Antenna modeling and ardwino.cc for more hardware projects.
The meeting ended at 2042, with an announcement of a Fox Hunt on July 18 on 147.42 MHz by Linda (KJ4ELL).
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August 20, 2009
Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Station)
20 August 2009
The membership meeting was opened by President Keith Price WA5LPW at 1905. Introductions of attendees followed. We heard the report of Treasurer John Parrish KD4EUZ.
Thanks for the Paulin Estate Sale during the 21 May 2009 meeting, which brought in about $700. Vice President Bill Hudock KB4SQV handled the initial offer.
Minutes of the 16 July meeting were distributed, approved, and posted online later.
Old Business:
Need two Net Control Station operators for the Elmer Net, Monday evenings at 2100. Tony Brignole WA4KHN explained the linkup DTMF “10” to connect 440 to 146 MHz, and “11” to disconnect.
An Antenna Project is planned to assist a senior ham return to the air. John Beyer K3LK needs to have the VHF antenna (and coax) on his fifty foot tower replaced. Who can help, and when?
How was the Huntsville Hamfest? Perhaps six spoke up about their experiences and observations.
Any great contacts, events? Nina put in 450 feet of copper ground strap, and has qualified as “a brazing hussy”.
Keith WA5LPW assembled a Black Widow Paddle (lots of brass). It can be seen online at http://www.w5jh.net/blackwidow.htm. About half price compared to Vibroplex.
New Business:
Need volunteers for Basic Test Equipment for every Shack, and Propagation Tools and Tips.
Upcoming presentations: Digital Topics
Next meetings are 15 October and 19 November. December’s third Thursday is 17 December 2009, and will be our Christmas Party date at Coletta’s Italian Restaurant.
Upcoming calendar events:
TN QSO Party on Labor Day weekend.
Army MARS at Chickasaw State Park near Jackson on September 11 & 12.
After a break at 1938, the program began about 2000.
“How is Your Signal” by Richard Martin KJ4DXF
It concluded at 2047. A motion was made to adjourn, seconded en masse.
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September 17, 2009
Meeting called to order around 7:00 p.m.
General Welcome and Introductions followed the opening of the meeting.
John Parish, KD4EUZ, submitted the Treasurers report. He noted that the CD had matured and we renewed at the same bank.
Old Business: We need two NCS volunteers to help with the Monday night Elmer net. Anyone willing to call it is qualified to do so. Suggested script is located on the club website at: http://sites.google.com/a/maraonline.org/mara-online/repeaters
Our service project is planned for later this fall. We will help install a 2-meter antenna on the tower of club member John (K3LK). More details will be available as soon as John acquires the necessary equipment.
New Business: The open positions for the 2010 MARA leadership include the role of President and Vice-President. The nominating committee is comprised of the current officers and board members. Please submit your suggestions for candidates to any of those individuals.
ARRL goes the extra mile. It was noted that the ARRL was instrumental in helping to renew club member Dick Barnes (KA4HXB) license. Dick’s license was within 2 weeks of being past the 2-year expiration mark. Joe Lowenthal (WA4OVO) also noted that ARRL will do this for any ARRL member as part of their service commitment to members.
Keith Price (WA5LPW) shared his latest kit project with the club. It is a 2 element yagi antenna for 2 meters. Plans for the kit can be found at: http://www.qsl.net/w4sat/tiny2.htm
In addition, Keith noted a useful FCC website to help users calculate compass headings and distance between two lat/long positions. That information can be found at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/distance.html
Upcoming club presentations include How to select a generator and Getting on Digital. Volunteers are sought for presentations on Basic Test Equipment for the Ham Shack and Tools/Tips for understanding propagation.
Future club meeting dates are October 15 and November 19.
Club Christmas party is set for Thursday, December 17 at Coletta’s.
Program: The club program for the evening was the auction of the Keith Shook (AJ4FZ) estate. The proceeds from the auction were evenly split between MARA and Tri-State. The auction proved to be exciting with quite a few items going for extended bidding. Over $2,600 was raised during the evening.
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October 15, 2009
Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Station)
15 October 2009
The membership meeting was opened by President Keith Price WA5LPW at 1900. Introductions of attendees followed. We heard the report of Treasurer John Parrish KD4EUZ. Last meeting's minutes by Keith.
Old Business:
Need two Net Control Station operators for the Elmer Net, Monday evenings at 2100.
Late October – Install new two-meter antenna for John Beyer K3LK. We are waiting for John to gather materials.
How was the Huntsville Hamfest? Perhaps six spoke up about their experiences and observations.
New Business:
Nominating Committee Slate
President Lance Morris N4GMT
Vice-President Tony Brignole WA4KHN
Treasurer John Parish KD4EUZ
Secretary John Cummings N4BKN
Board Members Jeff Kloek KI4NDR
Billy Freeman KD4EYW
Upcoming calendar events:
Elections will be held at our next meeting, 19 November.
VE? Before the meeting exams would be a good addition.
Future events: Saint Jude Marathon on 5 December.
Foxhunt Saturday 1430 17 October, starting at Northern Tool.
Lance brought 18 and 30 Amp-hour batteries for $10 and $15 (30 A-hr has a handle). See him at the break.
Any reports of fun and experiment?
Ham Hilliard W4GHN: AF MARS deployment last Saturday (10 October). Folks used their new fiberglass poles.
PK4 kit from Milestone to add to a Ten-Tec transceiver.
Tony Brignole WA4KHN: repaired three or four radios.
Pat Lane W4OQG has Lamda power supplies available for repair, 15Vdc at 65A with schematics available. They're about twenty pounds each.
Keith WA5LPW working on a W1 Watt/SWR meter. He needed the low power QRP range for measuring 150 to 1400 mW.
Visit MARRS Inc. at 5580 Commander Drive in Arlington, TN. They seem to market Radio Shack closeout items, and other supplies in their approximately 6000 sq.ft. (Secretary: I've been there once, and am looking for an opportunity to return. It's a long trip from inner city Memphis, though.)
Next meetings are 19 November, and December’s third Thursday is 17 December 2009. It will be our Christmas Party date at Coletta’s Italian Restaurant at 1830, 2850 Appling Road. Please bring a prize for the pile, so that everyone goes home with one.
Programs:
We need volunteers for Basic Test Equipment for every shack; and Propagation – Tools and Rules.
After a break at 1938, the program began about 1950.
“Power Anyone? Generators explained” by (Secretary: Please tell me who!)
It concluded at 2047. A motion was made to adjourn, and seconded.
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November 19, 2009
Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Station)
The membership meeting was opened by President (Keith Price WA5LPW) at 1908, and then he started introductions around the room. The Secretary’s (John Cummings N4BKN) minutes are on the website, accepted as published.
We heard the report of Treasurer (John Parish KD4EUZ), along with the proposed budget for 2010. It was displayed on the big screen, and explained.
Old Business: Work is completed on John Beyer’s (K3LK) antenna project.
The floor was opened for nominations for next year’s officers. None were offered. A motion was made to elect by acclimation, seconded. All present voted “Aye”.
Bill Maddock (N4ZI) requests four sections of Rohn 25 tower. Please call him.
The 2010 budget was accepted.
New Business: Reports on Projects and Activities
John Landrigan (KA4RXP) has obtained and is using a milling machine on tempered aircraft-grade aluminum. Parts are first designed in Eagle CAD toward making a home for a 829B tube.
Lance Morris (N4GMT) built an antenna, instead of buying. His B+W multi-band dipole kept coupling to everything, so he built a fan-dipole for 80/20/30 meters.
Bill Hudock (KB4SQV) told of how his HF vertical was noticed by a neighbor. He told the neighbor it’s a “lightning deflector”.
Keith (WA5LPW) has a new QRP rig, which can be seen online at http://www.qrpkits.com/pfr3.html. The Portable Field was tested while camping.
Volunteers are always needed for future programs. Topics of interest wanted are Propagation and Basic Test Equipment.
Next club meeting will be the Christmas Party on third Thursday, December 17 at 1830 at Coletta’s.
In ARES news, there will be no November or December meetings as they would fall on holidays.
Dennis Foster (KJ4BDU) spoke of the Bartlett Christmas Parade.
Tony Brignole (WA4KHN) reports Memphis Amateur to close soon, go make a deal. Their current hours are 1000-1400 on Monday through Friday. His construction project is a Ten-Tec six meter transceiver kit. It’s about 95% done, and available, but he’s out of time. 5 Watts and ten memories.
Pat Lane (W4OQG) has five more Cyperpower UPSs for sale, supplying 8A at 12V ac, about 70 pounds each. Replacement batteries are $90 for four. Also Lambda power supplies wired for 220V ac offering 24V dc at 60A. They can be rewired to 110V ac and 12V dc.
On to the break at 1950, about fifteen minutes.
Program: Going Digital, by Ray (N5RLC). Digital Amateur Radio Operations, or Morse Code just keeps evolving.
The meeting ended at 2115.
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