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APRIL 2018 BAARC SECRETARY’S REPORT

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THURSDAY-APRIL 26, 2018 – 4:00 PM – BAARC BOARD MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

President: Steve Mott NØCRM
Vice President: John Luce WØWY
Treasurer: Doug Bergsnev WØDWB
Secretary: Ron Finger KØGOP
Past Presidents: Charles Lane W5CCL, Al Doree WØRC
Director At Large: Lyle Amundson KØLFV
Director of Emergency Communications: Dave Schuldheisz KØISZ
Repeater Trustee: Mitch Ahrenstorff ADØHJ
Community Events Coordinator: Mark Cross KEØLFQ

Attendees: Steve NØCRM, John WØWY, Lyle KØLFV, Doug WØDWB, Ron KØGOP, Al WØRC, Shirley KØDCW, Charles W5CCL, Roger WØWUG, Mark KEØLFQ and Mitch ADØHJ. The President opened the Board Meeting at 4 PM.

Secretary’s Report: 

  • Membership roster: 72 members with 9 unpaid for 2018. The Club roster can be found on the Club website under the“Resources/Members Only”  Current paid members can request an individual password for access via the “Contact Us” form.
  • Minutes: The March 2018 meeting minutes were posted to the“Baarcer” area of the Club website.
  • Correspondence: None.
  • Documents: Updated Club membership roster and Gmail contacts database.
  • Web Banner Art: New Banner Art for April Satellite Program
  • Community & Special Events Coordinator position updated in BAARC Bylaws. Fire department and Crow Wing County Fair Board plaques completed for engraving.
  • Membership ID’s: 1 New Club ID badge made.
  • Motion to accept: John WØWY, SecondAl WØRC,  

Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer presented the Treasurer’s report showing all month’s account transactions and balances to date.

  • Motion to accept: Al WØRC, SecondJohn WØWY, Passed

Membership Meeting Programs: The President reviewed recent and future Club programs and events. May 24 meeting: BAARC Spring Dinner.

Upcoming Events: The following events were discussed:

Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes Marathon

  • Saturday, April 28, 2018
  • John WØWY will arrange for use of CWC Sherriff’s Trailer

Breezy Point Airport Fly-In May 5th, 2018

  • Mark KEØLFQ will chair the event
  • Will present sign-up sheet at April meeting

BAARC Spring Dinner May 24, 2018

  • Nisswa Legion – Prairie Bay to do catering.
  • Still need a program speaker

Digital & Emergency Communications: 

HRA – High Rise site:

  • Verizon Communications will be moving its equipment to the roof
  • We need to determine what Club antennas we wish to retain and add
  • John WØWY discussed the proposed plan
  • Schedule Saturday May 19th 1000 for Club work session

Other Repeater Sites:

  • Gull Lake:
    • Discussed options for coax and connectors.
  • Crosby:
    • 444.925 DARC room setup for a persistent connection.
  • Crow Wing Power:
    • Computer/controller back online.
  • Cross Lake:
    • No new items.

Old Business:

Add second 2m antenna to CWC Sheriff’s Trailer

  • John Bowen has approved; will use their installer.
  • Al WØRC has purchased antenna for their installation.

Possible Portable Repeater Site at future Remer Fire Station

  • Progress Update
  • Al and John discussed the possibility of obtaining permission to install an antenna, coax and power at the new Fire Station site in Remer, MN.
  • This would allow for setting up a temporary portable Club repeater for use during Club-staffed events like the Mid-MN 150 Sled Dog Race and SKYWARN.
  • Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes will contact the Remer FD as an introduction.

Purchase Upgrade for Yaesu Fusion DR Repeater #5 for $300

Motion to accept: Lyle KØLFV, Second Al WØRC, Passed. 

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM.

THURSDAY-APRIL 26, 2018 – 7:00 PM – BAARC MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

The President opened the Club membership business meeting at 7 PM with 36 members and guests present. Paul KEØPBR gave an informative program on Amateur Radio Satellite Communication. Ron KØGOP, Secretary

All Things HF: April 2018

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All Things HF

As you get older it seems as though you’re prone to attend more funerals or at least read the obits more often. In the obits column a couple of weeks ago was the demise of Art Bell (W6OBB) who had a long running syndicated early morning radio show titled Coast To Coast AM. Art was quite famous for dealing with the paranormal on his radio show. I must admit that I was not one of his spooky radio show listeners. I never met Art but…in 1997 when the Magic Band was doing its magic, I worked Art Bell on 6-meters at his station in Pahrump, Nevada.

One might ask ‘where the hell is Pahrump anyway ? Well, Pahrump is the home of the Chicken Ranch. If you’re asking what’s the Chicken Ranch ? You’re from the younger generation 2 or 3 times removed and I would suggest you Google Chicken Ranch to become enlightened. So long Art and good DX from your home up there! The strange places one runs into when driving the expanse of our interstate system is amazing. On interstate 15 going through the eastern half of the Mojave Desert is a green road sign with the arrow pointing to Zzyzx Road. Folks, you just can’t make up stuff like that. I worked an operator on 17-meters years ago who lived near Zzyzx as I thought to myself ‘what a great CW call’ oh well, you can’t make that one up either.

Speaking of CW calls, my QSL card for Kosovo (Z6ØA) arrived in the mail courtesy of Club Log and their OQRS QSL service. This brings this old operator to 311 worked and confirmed for DXCC as I march (limp) toward Honor Roll. On another note re: band conditions reported by an expert on the subject of solar activities, the expected minimum for cycle 24 will be the year 2020 so let’s not give up hope. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings…That’s it for now from my station to your station. Don’t forget to sit at your station and call CQ because someone somewhere is listening for you…could be the six call from Zzyzx, you never know.

Best 73 es gud DX from Bob/WØZPE

MARCH 2018 BAARC SECRETARY’S REPORT

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THURSDAY-MARCH 29, 2018 – 4:00 PM – BAARC BOARD MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

President: Steve Mott NØCRM
Vice President: John Luce WØWY
Treasurer: Doug Bergsnev WØDWB
Secretary: Ron Finger KØGOP
Past Presidents: Charles Lane W5CCL, Al Doree WØRC
Director At Large: Lyle Amundson KØLFV
Director of Emergency Communications: Dave Schuldheisz KØISZ
Repeater Trustee: Mitch Ahrenstorff ADØHJ
Community Events Coordinator: Mark Cross KEØLFQ

Attendees: Steve NØCRM, John WØWY, Lyle KØLFV, Doug WØDWB, Ron KØGOP, Al WØRC, Shirley KØDCW, Dave KØISZ, Charles W5CCL, Roger WØWUG, Mark KEØLFQ and Mitch ADØHJ. The President opened the Board Meeting at 4 PM.

Secretary’s Report: 

  • Membership roster: 71 members with 11 unpaid for 2018. The Club roster can be found on the Club website under the“Resources/Members Only”  Current paid members can request an individual password for access via the “Contact Us” form.
  • Minutes: The February 2018 meeting minutes were posted to the“Baarcer” area of the Club website.
  • Correspondence: None
  • Documents: Updated Club membership roster and Gmail contacts database. Final Draft of Community & Special Events Coordinator position. Fire department and Crow Wing County Fair Board plaques drafted for review.
  • Membership ID’s: 3 New Club ID badges made. Will develop 1-year “Complimentary Membership” card for new Hams.
  • Motion to accept: Charles W5CCL, SecondAl WØRC,  

Treasurer’s Report: The President presented the Treasurer’s report that was forwarded to the board showing all month’s account transactions and balances to date.

  • Motion to accept: John WØWY, SecondAl WØRC, Passed

Membership Meeting Programs: The President reviewed recent and future Club programs and events. April 26 meeting: Paul KEØPBR will present a program on Satellite UHF/VHF Communications.

Upcoming Events: The following events were discussed:

CQ WPX SSB Contest March 24-25, 2018

BAARC Hamfest April 7, 2018

  • $400.00 usage fee for Brainerd Armory

Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes Marathon

  • Saturday, April 28, 2018
  • John WØWY will arrange for use of CWC Sherriff’s Trailer

BAARC Spring Dinner May 24, 2018

  • Nisswa Legion – Prairie Bay to do catering.
  • Still need a program speaker

Digital & Emergency Communications: 

Duluth SKYWARN meeting:

  • Duluth Skywarn meeting update
  • Severe weather awareness information
  • Al, John, Terry, and emergency coordinators met in Duluth
  • Schedule of April 12 test watch
  • 1:30PM Test Net Weather Net 147.225
  • Updated Form to give to club members

Old Business: 

Repeater Sites:

  • Gull Lake:
    • No new items; waiting for WX.
  • Crosby:
    • 444.925 DARC room setup for a persistent connection.
  • Crow Wing Power:
    • Computer/controller down.
  • Cross Lake:
    • No new items.
  • High-rise Site:
    • No new items.

Roger WØWUG expressed connectivity lapses in the Brainerd area on the 147.225 repeater location in Crosby. Near-future plans to link Club repeaters were discussed as a solution.

New Business:

Club Fundraising

  • Becky KDØHDH has identified possible fundraising opportunities and is willing to help develop those with the Club.

American Red Cross

  • Following a request at the February Board Meeting by Ken Vertin KEØLOX, an ARC volunteer from Crosslake, no further correspondence or developments have occurred. Mr. Vertin had discussed the current MOU between the ARC and ARRL, and various scenarios of possible involvement.

Active 911

  • The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Emergency Management Department has allowed us to use their Active 911 E-Paging Alert System to alert us of Skywarn events or other needs.
  • Need to reestablish and review our Club status using this system.
  • John Bowen to resolve.

Upgrade Club IC-746 HF Transceiver to a second TS-590S

  • Completed by Lyle KØLFV

Community Events Coordinator position description

  • Position title will be modified to “Community Events Coordinator”, from previous “Community and Special Events Coordinator”
  • The BAARC Amended Bylaws 2001 should be amended again to reflect this title change along with the following position description:
    • The Community Events Coordinator will oversee Club support of regularly scheduled community events over the calendar year. These Club events may be organized and led by other Club members; the Coordinator will prepare and ensure that “someone” is prepared to chair a specific event and that they have the support they need to run that event, smoothly and orderly, for the Club and host.
    • A secondary responsibility for this position is to seek out new avenues to promote our Club and the Amateur Radio hobby through different opportunities within the Brainerd area community.
  • Motion to accept: Steve NØCRM, SecondDoug WØDWB, Passed

Add second 2m antenna to CWC Sheriff’s Trailer

  • John Bowen has approved; will use their installer
  • Need to provide an NMO mount w/ 20’ of coax, Lyle will order

Purchase suitcase rack for donated Tektronix test equipment

  • Ron KØGOP donating TM500 test equipment modules to Club for member use.
  • TM515 is suitcase-style system for safe transport and field use. A new unit is available on ebay for $160, will make lower offer first.
  • Motion to purchase: Dave KØISZ, SecondCharles W5CCL, Passed

Possible Portable Repeater Site at future Remer Fire Station

  • Al and John discussed the possibility of obtaining permission to install an antenna, coax and power at the new Fire Station site in Remer, MN.
  • This would allow for setting up a temporary portable Club repeater for use during Club-staffed events like the Mid-MN 150 Sled Dog Race and SKYWARN.
  • Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes will contact the Remer FD as an introduction.

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 PM.

THURSDAY-MARCH 29, 2018 – 7:00 PM – BAARC MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

The President opened the Club membership business meeting at 7 PM with 36 members and guests present. Crow Wing County Emergency Management Director, John Bowen gave a presentation on the new facilities nearing completion at the CWC EOC, and the Public Safety use of tactical drones. Several officers and deputies were present for outdoor demonstrations and tours of the EOC. Ron KØGOP, Secretary

 

All Things HF: March 2018

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In the many years of writing this monthly addition to the BAARC newsletter, I’ve kept the contents upbeat and positive for the hobby we represent, Amateur Radio. The time to sound off is when one believes the hobby is being led in the wrong direction. I am and always will be a supporter of the ARRL.

As a life member along with being an annual supporter of the Diamond Club, I firmly believe in the tiered class of membership (Technician, General, Advanced and Extra) as each of the classes are earned through intensive study and finally by strictly administered examination. Advancement to a higher class equals additional bandwidth privileges. The ARRL in its infinite wisdom has sent a request to the FCC for expanded HF privileges for Technician class licenses to include (limited) phone privileges on 75, 40 and 15-meters plus RTTY and digital mode privileges on 80, 40, 15 and 10-meters.

Their rationale is that it’ll attract more newcomers to Amateur Radio. By the ARRL’s own published numbers there are 378,000 technician class licensees which is more than half the numbers of those with HF privileges. My objection is the word ‘give’ should be replaced with the word ‘earned’. Nobody is holding these folks back from upgrading their licenses to have more privileges other than themselves. A relatively simple test that is administered for a Technician class license will give them a personalized vehicle license plate with their callsign, a big whip antenna and an FM transceiver for their vehicle allowing them mobile radio privileges. I doubt very much if most of them will go any further. How many of those 378,000 Techs are really going to upgrade to earn their way up the ladder.

What this hobby needs is more dedicated people able and willing to follow in the footsteps of those that went before them. There’s no doubt that the digital modes are going to be ‘The Thing’ in the coming years and so we welcome these new modes and encourage younger people to join this wonderful hobby BUT…they must EARN their way up the ladder just like the rest of us have done over the years. Those of you dedicated HF radio operators can sit down at your station, find an open frequency and call CQ because someone somewhere that has HF privileges is listening for your call. Don’t disappoint them. So long from my station in Huntersville to your station wherever it may be…

Best 73 es gud DX de Bob/WØZPE