HEMARC

W3HEM - W3GR

Historic Electronic Museum

Amateur Radio Club

MINUTES

12 January 2006

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Jim Nowotarski, N3GOO

PRESENT:

Jim Nowotarski, N3GOO

Don Ruokonen,K3PKN

Steven Stitzer, WA3ZWC

Rol Anders, K3RA

Bill Corley, NG3O

Ed Myerson, AA3XY

Bill Thompson, WT3B

George Asaki, W3MPN

Al Glusick, K0IQE

Charlie Seggie, K3JJD

Jim Harding, N3OZZ

Jim Smith, ZB3CA

Norm Smith, WA6ABD

Chip Weems, W4PBG

Larry Leitch, K3FIT

Bob Gardenghi, K3FQP

Charles Angel, AA3FB

Gary Hendrickson, W3DTN

Gary Ryan, W3GMY

Rob Carlson, KC2AEI

Will Reece, KB3LWL

Les Jamison, WR3X

December 2005 Minutes were accepted as prepared, amended, and distributed via e-mail

REPORTS:

TREASURER - No report

MEMBERSHIP - Dues for three memberships were collected by Jim, N3GOO

QSLs - No report

TRAINING - (Rol Anders) HEMARC's annual Technician Class license study class began early on 10 January with

10 students present. At least 4 or 5 more students were expected to join the class. There have been 20

registrations received, and the official start of the class will be on 17 January. These numbers include

two Museum officers. The class should continue through the beginning of March, weather permitting.

HEMARC's annual General Class license study class will begin on or about 21 March.

STATION - (Rol Anders) There are two immediate issues which need to be dealt with regarding the Yaesu FT-920

XCVR. The first issue is that the automatic antenna tuner has not been working properly, especially on the

WARC bands. The second issue is the intermittent loss of audio from the standard desk microphone,

which has caused problems for several HEMARC members. It was highly recommended by several members that we

should invest in a bench maintenance manual for this radio. It was decided that Jim, N3GOO, would take the desk microphone home and

try to identify and fix the problem. Meanwhile, the headset microphones have been working fine.

There are problems with the linear amplifier as well. Of particular note is the fact that the input impedance is

not 50 ohms on the WARC bands and the amplifier does not tune properly on 10 meters.

A false ceiling and window will be built and added to the radio station display as part of the Museum's

initiative to make W3HEM look more like a typical home ham shack.

It was strongly recommended that the club needs and should consider purchasing a 6-meter antenna. In

discussion it was determined that it would not be necessary to mount the 6 meter antenna on the present mast.

An 8 to 12 foot mast on one of the roof stanchions with a very small rotator would be advisable. This would

allow placement closer to the operations area and reduce the cable length required. And to also purchase an

amplifier for 2 meters capable of handling all modes. Was noted that some readily available amplifiers like

the Mirage do not amplify in a true linear fashion.

A question was raised about the status of the club's 12-volt batteries. This question was to be referred to Sam

Dunkle, KB3CYL, who stores and maintains the batteries.

FISTS - No report

FAR - (Chip Weems, FAR Trustee) The last FAR meeting was held on 14 December 2005.

As noted last month, FAR is moving from ink & paper publication of their journal - Autocall - to a web-based publishing schema. FAR will be

reworking their web site. Input is being solicited from all member clubs. HEMARC has been officially asked to help specify design criteria

for the training portion of the FAR web site.

FARFEST ended up losing about $600 after payment of all outstanding bills had been made. HEMARC has once again been asked to set up and man a test

table for the benefit of flea market purchasers. Only the top floor of the building used in 2005 will be rented for 2006.

New 2006 officers are mostly the 2005 officers, except that the Treasurer has asked for someone to replace him as soon as possible.

CORRESPONDENCE - none received.

OLD BUSINESS:

A brief discussion was held on what a great job Nick, K3NY, does handling all of our QSLs for regular and special

event operations.

A brief discussion was held on whether we would be seeking to have a table at the BARC Ham & Computer fest. It

was noted that Nick, K3NY, has made these arrangements in the past. Nick was to be asked to handle arrangements

for a table.

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion was held on purchasing a new HF amplifier. Mention was made, but no one was sure of the status of an

FCC NPRM regarding restrictions on the manufacture and sale of amplifiers capable of transmitting above 24 MHz.

It was agreed that a technical manual for the Yaesu XCVR should be bought if not available on-line as a free download.

It was noted that Rol, K3RA, has submitted a list of topics which he is willing to prepare presentations for the

general edification of all HEMARC members. These topics included:

Smith Charts,

Propagation forecasting,

VSWR

Understand Impedance: R + jX made simple

Near Vertical Incidence Antennas: How low do you go?

Using the VOACAP HF Propagation Program on the ham bands, with intro HF Propagation

Antenna tuners: What do they do, when do I need one, what makes a good one?

MultiNEC: A simplified interface to EZNEC antennas modeling, VOACAP propagation modeling, and an integration of the two.

The History of the Morse Code

The Invention of Radio: Maxwell, Hertz, Marconi, and more .

It was announced that the club rules and regulations needed minor amendments to account for the availability of free

membership to persons over 65 upon request, and the inclusion of the Executive Vice President's responsibility to

maintain a club inventory for the benefit of the club and the Museum.

It was noted that the sole survivor of the recent coal mine disaster is a

licensed amateur. It was decided by acclamation that the club would send a QSL card and a good will collection to Randal

McCloy Jr, KC8VKZ, PO BOX 223, Philippi WV 26435. Members present chipped in $25.00 to be sent to Randal.

It was also decided that a card should be sent to Gene Knapp's widow and family. Chuck Angel, AA3FB, indicated

that he would check with the family to learn what type of help will be needed. It was also noted that Lois Turner, WA3VVQ, has offered to

become a corresponding secretary for the club. This matter was to be referred to her.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

BARC Ham & Computer Fest, 25 and 26 March 2006. D-DAY Commemoration, 6-6-2006; W2W has been officially reserved for 3

thru 11 June 2006.

ARRL Field Day, 24 and 25 June 2006.

FARFEST, 9 and 10 September 2006.

HEALTH & WELFARE:

It was announced with great sadness that Gene Knapp, W3BAB, had passed away on Tuesday.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:15 P.M. and was followed by a program

outlining the legislative efforts of the Baltimore Amateur Radio Club.

Next regular club meeting is scheduled for Thursday 9 February 2006 @ 6:00 P.M.

These minutes are respectfully submitted by Norm Smith, WA6ABD

These minutes have been duly approved as amended on ___/___/2006 by

_______________________.

PROGRAM NOTES:

Presenter - Tom Coats, N3IJ, 410-419-8147

Legislative Process vs. Amateur Radio

By the BARC Legislative Affairs Team

Tom reviewed proposed legislation which is to be submitted during the

2006 session regulating real estate covenants, conditions, & restrictions

affecting Amateur Radio.

This legislation follows up on the policy resolution passed by the State

Senate in 2005. The policy resolution got bottled up in the House of

Delegates.

Modeled on Public Law 103-408 (1994) and FCC PRB-1 (1985), this law would

prevent newly formed home owner associations from outlawing Amateur

antennas. The law would recognize the relevant jurisdictions of the FCC

and local zoning/building code authorities. Once introduced, the bill

can be monitored at http://www.mdelect.net The law will not be

retroactive.

The BARC team needs our help with -

Critiquing the bill

Ideas for strategy and tactics

Each of us to call our State House and Senate

representatives, and the committee members

before votes in committee and on the floor.

Providing EXPERT testimony from educators, emergency

communicators (ARES/RACES

managers), economic development, international relations, Hams with

disabilities.