February, 2012

Hill Country Amateur Radio Club
February 2, 2012  Meeting Minutes

MEETING COMMENCEMENT
The meeting was called to order by President Marilyn Vordenbaum, KE5DDR, at 7:00 p.m. who led the Pledge of Allegiance.  There were 34 members and guests present.  Marilyn provided an update on Hollis Walker's condition and stated he's at The Windcrest in Fredericksburg, Room 107.  A card was available at the sign in table for signature. 

CLUB MEMBER RECOGNIGNITION
Recently licensed ham, Terry Hipskind, KF5NHK, provided radio support for a 24 hour  50 km cross country race involving 827 runners.  He stated they had many issues to address which were similar to a disaster/ emergency situation.  Seven aid stations where manned for the race.  Curtis Eastwood, AD5UZ, was thanked for stepping up and operating the net on Monday night.  Mort McKenzie, WB2GEU, is presently troubleshooting an older Kenwood  repeater for the club.  Ron Drumheller, K3NXF, was chosen "Volunteer Fireman" for Kerr County.   Chuck Brainard, KA1PM, and Harvey Vordenbaum, K5HV, have been upgrading the club antenna system with the installation of an R5 vertical antenna, a remote antenna relay switch box, lightning protection and cable modifications.  (The R5 provides 10 - 20 meter operation along with the previously installed 40 and 80 meter dipoles.)  Neil French, N7DEK, brought a US Flag for our meeting pledge.  Volunteers Barb Schuyler, N9NM, Pete Schuyler, N9OF, John Huecksteadt, AC4CA, and Tim Woodburn, W6TJW, facilitated the installation of Don Murray's, W4WJ, Gap Voyager vertical antenna.

HOUSEKEEPING  AND FINANCIAL
Meeting minutes for January's meeting had been posted on the website and contained an error - Barb Schuyler's call is N9NM.  Bill Anderson gave the treasurer's report, a brief synopsis of which follows:

January 1, 2012 balance $4,012.20
Deposits $   527.00
Expenditures $  360.29
February 1, 2012 balance $4,178.91

OLD BUSINESS
  Fred Gilmore, W0LPD, reported the Technician Class License Course will be offered through Club Ed, begins March 24th and runs for six weeks in 5 - 5 hr. sessions (1 week off for Easter).  (There's a link to the  Club Ed Course on the our Club's website http://kerrhams.org).
  Skywarn - Upon hearing Curtis Eastwood had no volunteer to run the net, Marilyn volunteered Harvey Vordenbaum to run the net with Curtis as the backup.
  Harvey Vordenbaum provided the Club an update on station antenna upgrades he's pursuing with Chuck Brainard.
  Gale Heise, KM4DR, announced a Field Day logging and operating training session will occur on Saturday, February 4th from 11:30 am through 5 pm at the Club Station in the Red Cross Building.  A RTTY Digital training session will likely be held on Sunday, February 19th at the Club station and will be confirmed via the Club Reflector.  Newly licensed hams are invited to attend in addition to all Club Members.
  John Guida spoke regarding a questionable email on the Club Reflector.  (Sign up for the Club Reflector @  http://kerrhams.org/general_misc.html to receive emails from Club Members and notifications of special events i.e. Field Day Training Sessions).
  Jeff Lavender, N4YPT, presented an update of Field Day plans including T shirts that may be purchased, a distribution of and request to complete volunteer forms, solicitation of inactive hams or hams licensed in the past year to operate the GOTA station, advertising flyers and a request for distribution sources.  Concluded with the latest run down on potential sites with the Gillespie County Fairgrounds being the preferred location.  (Field Day is operated on the fourth full Saturday and Sunday of June, June 23rd & 24th of 2012 and Friday setup on June 22nd).
  Bob Richie, K5YB, reported on the Static.
  Harvey Vordenbaum indicated the repeater had a problem recently but since switching out the power supply there have been no further issues.
  Fred Gilmore reminded all there is a VE testing session on Saturday, February 4th at 10 am in Classroom B of the Red Cross Building.  Those helping Fred are, Harvey Vordenbaum, Bob Richie, Charlie Robinson, AF5AO, Mac McKinney, WB2PCV, and Neil Kern, W9CNC.
  Chuck Brainard announced formation of an Antenna Design and/or Installation group to help those who otherwise are unable to manage such a project on their own.  All costs and contracting will be borne by the benefiting club member along with major components such as excavating tower bases.  A hold harmless document will also be required.  The following volunteers would like to participate in some form: Jeff Lavender, Bob Richie, Gale Heise, Charlie Robinson, John Guida, Curtis Eastwood, Harvey Vordenbaum, Terry Hipskind, Mort McKenzie,  Jerry Migely, WA9KXZ, Sam Jones, N5PHI, Chuck Hopkins, KF5IWY, Bill Tynan,
W3XO, and a ham who chooses to have a small internet footprint.
  Marilyn reminded the members that the Belton Hamfest is on April 14, 2012.
  Bill Tynan announced the Road Runner's Microwave Group will meet at Buzzie's BBQ on Saturday March 3rd at 11:30 am.

MONTHLY PROGRAM
John Guida, K5XA, agreed to step up and present the monthly program on Don Murray's, W4WJ, behalf.  John presented a video on the K4P DXpedition to the Midway Atoll in 2009 and occasionally paused at critical points to clarify items that John also experienced firsthand when he was on a DXpedition to Grenada.

Chuck Hopkins won the 50/50 drawing $19/$38.  There was no other business so the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted

Gale Heise, Secretary