ROYAL GORGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

MAY 2, 2012

 

Attendance:

Philip Ott

WAØNLK

Cathy Ott

KC5GTH

Carmen Piekenbrock

KCØQHM

Jerry Carrier

K3COT

Derrick Houska

NØTQ

Steve Swearingen

NØKYB

Tom Jubar

KDØTOM

Larry Piekenbrock

KCØMDQ

Chuck Ward

NCØA

Dennis Glowienka 

WBØWDF

Derrick Houska

NØTQ

Marvin Pratt

KAØSKK

Jim Lutenberg

NØOBV

Rich LeDoux

NØFGA

Frank Moore

AAØHB

Jim Vernetti

WDØEKR

Ronnie Todd

KDØPLH

Sidney Todd

KDØPLI

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by vice president, Chuck Ward, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Guests and new members Ronnie and Sidney Todd were introduced.  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.    

 

Correspondence:  none

 

Reports of Committees:

 

REPEATERS: numerous trips have been made to repeater sites. 

  1. The Cripple Creek linking system is working now that the Master Control Receiver has been turned on once more.
  2. Jim, Dennis, Phil, Larry, and Jeff made 6 or 7 trips to get the network linked with others in the state on Jeff’s digital repeater.  (For local users it is now linked with the one in Pueblo.)
  3. The Westcliffe repeaters weren’t operating because both had been turned off.
  4. At the Cotopaxi site, the antennas are in good shape as is the tower.  The wood structures have collapsed—the door fell off, the building and site needs a general cleaning as there are boards scattered about with nails sticking out, guy.

wires posing hazards, etc.  There needs to be a new door put on the building and re-wiring.  The access road is good up to the last switchback, and a key is needed to gain access across private property

 

ARES/RACES:

  1. The April 26 multijurisdiction, multiagency, multidiscipline meeting included HAMs, Homeland Security, police, other emergency services, and other law enforcement.  One item of note was the recommendation for all responders to complete a minimum number of ICS (Incident Command System) emergency response training classes.
  2. From listening to the radio traffic, the CSEP (Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness) exercise in Pueblo was not a good showing for the capabilities of amateur radio.  Radio operators were dispatched to key locations known for poor radio reception with no follow up to rectify the situation.
  3. Steve Morrisey wants an updated list of HAMs who are interested in emergency response with names and phone numbers.

 

FIELD DAY:  Chuck has obtained the official park permit for the 2 shelters listed in the Piñon rest area near the Royal Gorge Park for June 23-24.   Set up at 10 a.m. on the 23rd.

 

Old Business:  Frank Miller suggested moving the June picnic to Rudd Park.  Phil Ott moved and Frank Miller seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Thom and Rich LeDoux are seeking volunteers to provide communication for the Pedal Paddle Battle portion of the Whitewater Festival June 22 at the Whitewater Park/Arkansas River.  Contact one or other to sign up.

 

New Business:  Motorola has left the Royal Gorge repeater site.  A group of club members have cleaned the building, returned Motorola’s radios to them, and returned the trash company’s radio to them.  American Messaging’s repeater and a “mystery” repeater are still on site and running.   There was discussion regarding the site.

 

Derrick moved, Jim seconded the meeting be adjourned.  Carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathy Ott KC5GTH

Secretary/Treasurer

 

 

ROYAL GORGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

APRIL 4, 2012

 

Attendance:

Philip Ott

WAØNLK

Cathy Ott

KC5GTH

Carmen Piekenbrock

KCØQHM

Jerry Carrier

K3COT

Derrick Houska

NØTQ

Bryce Nelson

WAØTSO

Tom Jubar

KDØTOM

Larry Piekenbrock

KCØMDQ

Chuck Ward

NCØA

Dennis Glowienka 

WBØWDF

Marvin Pratt

KAØSKK

Jim Lutenberg

NØOBV

Rich LeDoux

NØFGA

Jim Vernetti

WDØEKR

Amanda Alden

K1DDN

Jeff Carrier

KØJSC

Guest-- Jeff Reynolds

KCØCTN

Guest—Riley Frazee

KCØYWX

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Derrick Houska (NØTQ) with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Guests Riley Frazee and Jeff Reynolds were introduced and welcomed.  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read. 

 

Correspondence:

There was none.

 

Reports of Committees:

 

REPEATERS: Dennis Glowienka (WBØWDF) With the repair of the hard line, the 900 repeater is back on the air.  Jeff (KØJSC and Phil (WAØNLK) straightened the 2 meter antenna so it will operate efficiently again.  Jeff’s digital repeater (Digital Mobile Radio open standard) has been temporarily installed on Ron’s tower.  Jim (WDØEKR) advised that soon, possibly tomorrow the 220 repeater will require a 103.5 tone in an attempt to reduce the number of times it self-identifies.

 

ARES/RACES- April 26 at 9:30 AM there will be a meeting for District 15 and 16 at the Florence Police Department regarding emergency communications.

 

FIELD DAY- Chuck (NØCA) reported he has submitted our application to the Royal Gorge Park for a park use permit for Field Day June 23 & 24.

 

Old Business: None

 

RGARC

April2012 Minutes

Page 2

 

 

New Business: 

 

Jeff (KØJSC) gave a live demonstration of the DRM system and his repeater.

 

Rich (NØFGA) alerted group that KAØZUS (Thom LeDoux) wanted to offer the club the opportunity to assist with the Pedal Paddle Battle at the Whitewater Festival as we did last year.  Thom appeared just at that moment to make the announcement himself.  The race will be on Friday, June 22, at 6:30 at the Whitewater Park on the Arkansas River.  He reported hearing good comments regarding our communications assistance last year.  There will be a volunteers meeting at 5 pm that evening for orientation and to get HAMS introduced to the individuals they are shadowing.  The course will close at 8 pm.  To volunteer, contact Rich LeDoux.

 

June is the club’s annual picnic at Centennial (Duck) park.  The plans are the same as in previous years.  Bring potluck and meet at 6 pm at one of the shelters.

 

Riley Frazee, South/Southwest Regional Field Manager for the State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs, Colorado Division of Emergency Management, gave a presentation on a HAM radio network for backup communications in the event of an emergency.  This will use and give support for the ARES component in emergencies in our state.  The official 800 system has experienced issues in emergencies in the past and traffic cannot be passed.  He is asking for local support beginning with knowledge of local resources i.e. participation, towers, repeaters, contacts, and etc. that might be available in our locality.  There was mention in passing that the club’s attempts to participate had been rebuffed multiple times by multiple officials.  He advised that was changing.

 

Jeff Reynolds, Radio Systems Coordinator, Chair of the COM Committee for the South Region, KCØCTN from Pueblo, was also on hand to answer questions that relate more specifically to the Fremont-Pueblo County area.

 

Jeff (KØJSC) moved that as a club we lend our support for the concept and welcome updates on the project.  Larry (KCØMDQ) seconded, and the motion carried.

 

Hearing no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathy Ott KC5GTH

Secretary/Treasurer

 

A number of our members huddled with our guests for further discussion following the close of the meeting.

ROYAL GORGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

March 7, 2012

 

Attendance:

Philip Ott

WAØNLK

Cathy Ott

KC5GTH

Ken Kendall

WØKEN

Carmen Piekenbrock

KCØQHM

Larry Piekenbrock

KCØMDQ

Amanda Alden

KIDDN

Chuck Ward

NCØA

Dennis Glowienka 

WBØWDF

Jeff Carrier

KØJSC

Jim Vernetti

WDØEKR

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 by Chuck Ward (NCØA) vice- president, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.

. 

 

Correspondence: None

 

Reports of Committees:

 

REPEATERS: Dennis Glowienka (WBØWDF 220 repeater is back on the air.  The Westcliffe 2-meter repeater is not working.  The 900 repeater is not working because the hardline snapped off on the outside of the building.  Dennis reported that 2 UHF magnet-mount antennas that had been on the roof are now dangling in the wind.  The club’s 2-meter antenna is leaning about 20° to the east and will be difficult to correct.

 

ARES/RACES- There is to be a meeting on March 15th in Westcliffe regarding communication coordination in an 11-county area.  This date is subject to change if a birth is happening that day.

 

FIELD DAY:  Chuck Ward (NCØA) plans are pending.  He will get the permit soon.  Informal discussions regarding what equipment and stations to set up are encouraged.

 

Old Business:

The Treasurer has received the insurance premium notice.

 

New Business: 

Jeff Carrier (KØJSC) gave a brief explanation of the 3 digital networks available for affiliation.  Colorado has an in-state system.  DCI is mostly California, Illinois, New York, Iowa, and Missouri.  DMRMARC has mainly users from Australia, South Africa, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and others.  The club members agreed for Jeff to affiliate his digital repeater with the Colorado group to keep it so local members can use it.

 

There was brief discussion on how Tuesday’s CME event and may effect GPS units, communication satellites, and the power grid.

ROYAL GORGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

March 7, 2012

Page 2

 

 

Tom Jubar (KDØTOM) had a mild heart attack while he was in the hospital for surgery. 

 

Amanda (K1DDN) will have time on the Ham Nation TV (twits.tv), This Week in Tech program, Tuesday nights at 7 pm.  She is looking for ham radio stories to share.

 

Larry Piekenbrock (KCØMDQ) moved the meeting be adjourned.  Phil Ott (WAØNLK) seconded, and the meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathy Ott KC5GTH

Secretary/Treasurer

 

ROYAL GORGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

February 1, 2012

 

Attendance:

Philip Ott

WAØNLK

Cathy Ott

KC5GTH

Ken Kendall

WØKEN

Leon Golden

NØVWX

Derrick Houska

NØTQ

Bryce Nelson

WAØTSO

Tom Jubar

KDØTOM

Amanda Alden

KIDDN

Chuck Ward

NCØA

Dennis Glowienka 

WBØWDF

Jeff Carrier

KØJSC

Jim Vernetti

WDØEKR

Jeremy Ellis

ACØVV

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 by Derrick Houska (NØTQ), president, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Jeremy Ellis (ACØV V) was introduced as our guest.  The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved with the explanation of acronyms CCARC (Colorado Council of Amateur Radio Clubs) and CARN (a group of closed repeaters).

 

Correspondence:

 

Phil Ott (WAØNLK) has received a renewal notice for CCARC membership of $5.00.  it was agreed we pay this.  He also had a flyer advertising the Aurora Swapfest.

 

Reports of Committees:

 

REPEATERS: Dennis Glowienka (WBØWDF) the new 220 repeater is on the air, but Jim (WDØEKR) still has some things he wants to tweak.  The Westcliffe 2-meter repeater is not working.

 

ARES/RACES- No Report although there was some discussion regarding the letter from the Sheriff in the paper regarding concerns for possible terrorist actions during “Over the River.”

 

FIELD DAY:  Chuck Ward (NCØA) we received all the points we claimed.  We need to start thinking about set up, stations, etc., for the coming field day.  He stated he would like to have the ‘freebie” VH station this year.  Phil Ott (WAØNLK) commented that the antennas rubbed against the pole, so we might consider taking some tower sections up to support the center of the dipole.

 

 

RGARC

February 2012 Minutes

Page 2

 

 

 

While on the topic of towers, the tower at 831 Fairview is a 3-section aluminum crank-up tower of 3 25-foot lengths, set in cement.  The party is trying to sell it.

 

Old Business:

Regarding the antennas on the commercial side of the building at the Royal Gorge site, the trash company is no longer his services there, American Paging sublets tower space, and it appears Cañon City may have added an antenna to the tower.

 

Jeff Carrier (KØJSC) is planning for the installation of his repeater at that site.

 

Bryce Nelson (WAØTSO) addressed fund-raising efforts and progress on the CAP building at the airport.

 

New Business: 

Bryce Nelson (WAØTSO) will be speaking to the TEA Party (readiness side) about HAM Radio for preparedness on Saturday morning.

 

The premium notice for insurance on the equipment should be received soon.  Phil Ott (WAØNLK) asked the question, “How much insurance do we really need?”  Discussion followed, no decision reached.

 

Jeff Carrier (KØJSC) passed around flyers on other Chinese digital radios that will work with his repeater.  His will be part of the Rocky Mountain Ham network in the state.

 

Tom Jubar (KDØTOM) moved that the treasurer pay the insurance bill when it comes.  Chuck Ward (NCØA) seconded, and the motion carried.

 

Tom moved, Jim seconded that meeting be adjourned.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

 

Ideas to get youth interested in radio, electronics, and science were discussed. 

 

Amanda Alden (K1DDN) will be on Ham Nation TV (twits.tv), This week in Tech, Tuesday night 7 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathy Ott KC5GTH

Secretary/Treasurer

ROYAL GORGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

JANUARY 2, 2012

 

Attendance:

Philip Ott

WAØNLK

Cathy Ott

KC5GTH

Carmen Piekenbrock

KCØQHM

Jerry Carrier

K3COT

Derrick Houska

NØTQ

Bryce Nelson

WAØTSO

Tom Jubar

KDØTOM

Larry Piekenbrock

KCØMDQ

Chuck Ward

NCØA

Dennis Glowienka 

WBØWDF

Jack Miller

WØJJM

Marvin Pratt

KAØSKK

Jim Lutenberg

NØOBV

Rich LeDoux

NØFGA

Frank Moore

AAØHB

Jack Miller

WØJJM

Jim Vernetti

WDØEKR

 

The committee audited the books prior to the start of the meeting. 

Club meeting time has returned to 7:00 pm since church class has ended.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Phil Ott (WAØNLK) in the absence of the president and vice-president with the Pledge of Allegiance.  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.  Thank you to all who paid dues or made donations at the meeting.

 

Correspondence:

Dennis (WBØWDF) reported that the CCARC has rejected CARN applications. The appeal by CARN will be discussed at the next CCARC meeting.

Reports of Committees:

 

REPEATERS: Dennis Glowienka (WBØWDF) The 220 repeater is still down.

 

ARES/RACES- No Report

 

Old Business: Marvin Pratt (KAØSKK) thanked Chuck Ward, Phil Ott, and other club members for moving the club locker from his living room.  The locker and equipment are currently being stored by Phil Ott (WAØNLK).

 

RGARC

January 2012 Minutes

Page 2

 

 

The Audit committee reported that the books are in order.

 

Bryce Nelson (WAØTSO) addressed fund-raising efforts and progress on the CAP building at the airport.

 

New Business: 

 

Dennis Glowienka (WBØWDF) presented a request from a club member asking permission to install a digital repeater at the club site at Royal Gorge.  Dennis moved and Jim Vernetti (WDØEKR) seconded that the member be given permission.  Jeff Carrier (KØJSC) will purchase and own the radio repeater.  The motion carried.

 

It has been determined that the city of Cañon City has equipment in the commercial side of the building, and the other commercial operator has 2 customers (a trash company and AM Page).  The club may be able to gain access to the commercial side of the building for the purposes of completing the removal of the damaged antennas by removing the hard line that is fed out from that side of the building.

 

Larry Piekenbrock (KCØMDQ) commented on the maps display he brought of the zero pressure balloon flights that started in California, were not expected to travel even across the United States, but one reached the Atlantic Ocean; the other, the Mediterranean Ocean!  Also on display were two new Chinese made handheld radios.

 

Bryce Nelson (WAØTSO) reported on a telephone call he had from the resident at 831 Fairview regarding a tower that may be free for the taking.  If not, the club could provide a community service just in taking it down.  Phil Ott will contact the home owner regarding this.

 

While on the topic of towers and antennas, Marvin Pratt reminded the club that we have 2 antennas stored on the top of Walt’s shed.

 

There was discussion regarding inexpensive crystal kits that could be used to introduce radio/electronics to students.

 

Hearing no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathy Ott KC5GTH

Secretary/Treasurer