SQUELCH TALE
Central Missouri Radio Association KØSI 146.76(-) PL 127.3 September 2005
ARRL Emergency Power Operating Event:
Saturday 17 Sept, 0800-2300 local time. For more info: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/08/20/1/?nc=1 . In conjunction with this event we will conduct a local Central Missouri Emergency Net check-in at 1400 on 146.470 simplex. WØBUX will be NCS. Please plan to check in using emergency power if possible, but check-in even if you are on mains power. Be prepared to relay check-ins from stations that are not heard directly by NCS.
Local Emergency Procedures Reviewed:
If power is lost to KØSI repeater (146.760) inoperative: The agreed procedure is: First listen to the K4CHS repeater (146.610). This repeater is capable of running on emergency power but does not at present switch-over automatically. If it is not working, then go to HVTAC6 (146.505 Simplex). Stations that have two radios should monitor 146.160 for stations that have not followed the above QSY plan. (You will have to use your radio’s Reverse function to transmit on 76).
Minutes:
August 2005 Meeting
Meeting opened at 7:02 PM. Introductions went all around. The minutes were read and approved.
Treasurer’s Report:
Savings: $2,228.07
Checking: $2,648.40
Old Business: One commercial vendor has agreed to be at our hamfest. They are Amateur Accessories. The main prizes for the hamfest have been ordered, though as of August 9th it wasn’t certain if they had been shipped yet. Also, the ARRL prizes have arrived.
The Ashland Optimist Club is the venue for this year’s hamfest. The setup for forums might be a little different, as there is only one side room available. However, it might be possible to set up a little area in the main room for forums as well.
Volunteers will be needed to help set up tables, chairs and other equipment on Friday night, the 19th of August. No one will be able to enter the building on Friday night till around 10:00 PM. On Saturday morning helpers should get to the Optimist Club sometime around 6 and 7 AM; 6 would be best.
The Optimist Club opens officially at 8 AM Saturday morning (the 20th), though there will be people getting preparations together before then.
The emergency-type vests are now available for the club members. They were shipped the day of the August meeting. Anyone who hasn’t paid for or gotten his or her vest yet should talk to John, NØEG.
At the July meeting it was suggested that our group could perhaps do a joint hamfest with the Jefferson City club. After contacting them, they have declined the offer.
A local ham, J.D. Moss (KBØSB), has donated a 35-foot push-up tower for our use. After a discussion of exactly what to do with the tower, we voted to keep it at the club station so that we can use it as needed for club functions.
Thank you to John (NØEG) for putting the field day together this year. It was a success, and everyone had a lot of fun.
New Business:
The MS-150 is fast approaching. Its dates are September 10th & 11th, with setup on the 9th around 6:00 PM. Don Moore has so far gotten about 37 volunteers for Day 1 (the 10th); he needs 47. He also needs about 45 volunteers for Day 2 (the 11th). Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact Don (KMØR) or Jim Barner (KØWWV). There will be MS-150 training at the Job Point Building, on August 24th at 7:30 PM.
There will be between 35 and 37 APRS trackers for use during the events. Also, SEMA has offered for us to use a truck with a tower on it.
John Turner (NDØN) has started a local Mid-Missouri chapter of the QCWA. Anyone wanting to join must have been a ham at least 25 years ago, and should be holding a license currently. The headquarters for this local chapter will be at the club station. John will be provided a table at the hamfest to show his information. If you were a licensed ham 25 years ago and are one currently, please contact John to join.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 PM. No program was held.
End of Minutes
Hamfest Report
The 2005 Hamfest was held on 20 August at the Ashland Optimist Complex, a last-minute replacement for the National Guard Armory. This proved to be an excellent venue, with plenty of room, adequate parking and air conditioning.
The hamfest was a moderate success. Paid attendance was 186, which was slightly fewer than last year (213). We made a net profit of $543.12, of which $230.90 was profit on the catering. The new pricing structure was responsible for the profit on ticket sales.
We had three major vendors – Amateur Accessories, Memphis Amateur Electronics and D&L Antennas. The latter two only decided to attend within the last week before the event. All said they were satisfied and that they would either probably or definitely attend next year’s event.
As always, the success of the hamfest was entirely the result of the hard work of the club members who volunteered to set up, run the event, and clean up afterward. My sincere thanks to everyone who helped.
Bob Clinton
WØBUX
Hamfest Chairman
Our guys make the Columbia Missourian! Go to http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/story.php?ID=15834, for the full story by MATTHEW GRAHAM in the September 5, 2005 edition.
Dewey Bennett listens for news about victims of Hurricane Katrina. Bennett is a member of the Central Missouri Radio Association, which has been relaying information about the recovery effort. (TOM APPLETON/Missourian)
Bob Jett scans ham radio channels Friday at the Central Missouri Radio Association to find news about hurricane victims.
WØSMI Link Frequencies:
Columbia 444.425 pl 77
Jefferson City 443.175 pl 77
High Hill 444.025 pl 77
Foristel 444.475 pl 77
St. Louis 443.425 pl 77