de KR1ZAN
PROGRESS -- Both the Club Room and the "new" Repeater have had significant progress in the past couple of months.
Thanks to the dedicated effort of Mark Dempsky, N5MD, facilities has completed several projects which will allow the AARA to get the radios in the Club Room operational. We now have 220V outlets at all the operating cubicles. There's now a light switch to shutoff the overhead lights (less one powered by emergency lighting). Ground bars have been installed in all operating cubicles which are attached to building ground. And ... just last week, a roof penetration was provided above the Club Room.
The next step(s) are to get the HF vertical relocated closer to the Club Room and get coax pulled into the HF cube. We plan to install a tri-band vertical for 2m, 70cm and 23cm to get the VHF/UHF cube on the air. Mark has been scouting out the roof for a potential spot on which to mount the 15 foot tower for the 2m/70cm/23cm AZ-EL satellite beam system. Thank you, Mark, for your continued, dedicated support.
The "Repeater Team" consisting of Mark Butler, AB5KJ, John Schroeder, K5ZMJ, Clyde Heath, K5NCH, and the writer, have also had recent successes in getting the new repeater ready to roll out. Like so many projects, the last 10 percent takes 90 percent of the time. Things that worked last year no longer work because of wiring changes or software improvements. We're now down to a few monitoring signals and we'll be able to perform the full system checkout, hopefully, during the next couple of weeks.
At this time, the Team is hopeful the transfer of the equipment to the UTD tower can be accomplished in mid-April. The input will require a PL tone of 110.9 Hz. The output will send the same PL for the convenience of those wanting to use CTCSS squelch. A "user" manual is planned for the AARA web site, which gives details of what the different courtesy tones mean, etc.
SCOUTS -- Since it was formed in 1991, Venturing Crew 73 (formerly known as Explorer Post 73) was co-sponsored by Alcatel and the AARA. In the past five years, the sponsorship was changed to Alcatel USA. The AARA has supported the Crew throughout the period, however. Alcatel has asked the AARA to assume the exclusive role as Chartering Organization because of the natural mutual interests in amateur radio of the AARA and Crew 73.
The AARA passed a motion in 2002 to seek such exclusive sponsorship of Crew 73, but, Alcatel desired to continue as sponsor. Now, in 2004, the direction has changed and the AARA has been asked to assume the sponsor role.
A motion will be presented to the membership at the March 23rd meeting to re-affirm the interest of the Club in Crew 73. Venturing is open to young men and women, ages 14 to 20, who have an interest in amateur radio, emergency preparedness, the outdoors and public service. The Crew meets the second Thursday of each month at the City of Richardson Service Center, 1260 Columbia Drive, in Richardson, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and on the third Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at K2BSA at Camp Wisdom, in southwest Dallas.
73, Frank KR1ZAN
All members of the AARA and any interested Hams are invited to attend the March meeting of the Alcatel Amateur Radio Association to be held Tuesday, March 23rd. The meeting will be held in Conference Room 10073 in Building PB7 at Alcatel in Plano. A brief business meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a program at 6 p.m.
The speaker will be Bill Swan, K5MWC, who is the Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL North Texas Section. Bill's program will be on Emergency Communications and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service in North Texas. This is a very timely subject as we enter the Spring storm season and the increasing relationship between the amateur radio community and Homeland Security.
Non-employees needing escorted access should be at the PB7 northeast Guard Station at 5:15 p.m. for sign in and escort. Talk in on 442.8 MHz (no PL, +5 MHz offset; or SIMPLEX 442.8 MHz on site).
If you haven't paid your dues for 2004, download a Membership/Renewal Form off the AARA web site (http://www.qsl.net/w5vv) and bring to the meeting.
[Reprinted with permission from the ARRL Division Director and Section Manager]
BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES (BPL)
Many of you have asked what you can do to fight this threat to amateur radio. If you aren't familiar with it check out the ARRL web site at: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/02/23/1/?nc=1 At this point, all I can recommend is that you get ready. Once the Notice of Proposed Rule Making is published in the Federal Register then you can comment on it. In the mean time do some research for a detailed technical response to the notice. The more facts that we can bring to the table the better. Stay tuned and we will let you know when to take action.
OKLAHOMA QSO PARTY
The Oklahoma QSO Party is this weekend. Check for details at: http://www.okdxa.org/ get on and make some contacts!
CONVENTIONS AND HAMFESTS
13 Mar 04, Irving ARC, Irving TX
http://www.irvingarc.org/
Section Manager, Roy Rabey -- AD5KZ, will attend and Division Director,
Coy Day -- N5OK, will attend the ARRL forum at 2:00PM.
19-20 Mar 2004, Oklahoma Section Convention, Claremore, OK
http://www.greencountryhamfest.org
Section Manager, John Thomason -- WB5SYT, and Division Director, Coy Day
-- N5OK, will attend.
20 Mar 2004, Brenham ARC, Brenham, TX
http://www.alpha1.net/~barc
20-21 Mar 2004, West Texas Section Convention, Midland, TX
http://www.w5qgg.org
Section Manager, John Dyer - AE5B, and Division Vice Director, David
Woolweaver -- K5RAV, will attend.
27 Mar 2004, ARC of Parker County, Weatherford, TX Contact: James Adams, AD5KG 4500 Old Springtown Road Weatherford, TX 76085 Phone: 817-341-1979 Email: [email protected]
10 Apr 2004, University of Oklahoma ARC, "Antenna Day";, Norman,
OKhttp://ouarc.ou.edu
Division Director, Coy Day -- N5OK, will attend.
17 Apr 2004, Potter/Randall District 1 ARES/RACES, Amarillo, TX Contact: Vernon Alexander, N5LRH 8900 Red Wing Road Amarillo, TX 79119 Phone: 806-352-3616 Email: [email protected]
1 May 2004, Tri-State AR Group, Mooreland, OK http://www.tsarg.org
1-2 May 2004, Key City ARC, Abilene, TX http://www.qsl.net/kcarc/hamfest.html
22 May 2004, Panhandle ARC, Amarillo, TX http://home.earthlink.net/~picnic-swapfest/
22 May 2004, Temple ARC, Belton, TX
http://www.tarc.org/
DIVISION CONVENTION
18-19 Jun 2004, West Gulf Division Convention at Ham-Com
http://www.hamcom.org
Note that you can now pre-register on line at the above web site!
73, Coy -- N5OK
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ARRL West Gulf Division
Director: Coy Day, N5OK
[email protected]
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Tuesday, January 27, 2003
Alcatel, PB7-10073, 3400 West Plano Parkway, Plano TX
The meeting was called to order at 1733h CT by President Frank Krizan, KR1ZAN. Also present were acting Secretary Ernie Brouwer, KD5MFE, Amanda Brouwer, VP Operations Clarence Sebesta, K5YO, Clyde Heath, K5NCH, John Schroeder, K5ZMJ, Executive VP Miguel Ylagan, KC5FEJ, Treasurer Al Koch, KB5VSL, Bud Walton, K5HW, Barry Goldblatt, WA5KXX, and Mark Dempsky, N5MD.
SECRETARY'S REPORT:
TREASURER'S REPORT:
VP OPERATIONS' REPORT:
EXECUTIVE VP'S REPORT:
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There being no further business, Miguel, MOVED that the meeting be adjourned. Bud SECONDED. The motion was APPROVED and the meeting was adjourned at 1817h CT.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernie Brouwer, KD5MFE, acting Secretary
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Alcatel, PB7 Club room, 3400 West Plano Parkway, Plano TX
OPENING AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 1730h CT January 13, 2004, in the Alcatel PB7 AARA club room. Present were President Frank Krizan, KR1ZAN, Executive Vice President Miguel Ylagan, KC5FVJ, Treasurer Al Koch, KB5VSL, Vice President of Operations Clarence Sebesta, K5YO, and acting Secretary Ernie Brouwer, KD5MFE. There were no visitors present.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The minutes for the January BoD meeting were published in the December/January Newsletter. Given no corrections, they stand approved as published.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Income since last month $144.00; Expenses $140.99. Financial report was filed for audit.
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS' REPORT
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Budget for 2004 approved at Jan. meeting -- We now have an interim budget amount of $500.00 for Operating Expenses for the first couple of months of 2004 until we get word of the amount of Company Sponsorship.
Company sponsorship letter submitted -- A request was submitted in January to Christina Custer and Scott Seale of the Alcatel Sports and Clubs function. The request was copied to all officers. I have received an acknowledgement from Christina that she received the input. As of today (Feb. 10), I have heard nothing concerning the acceptability of the AARA's input nor of any approvals for Company funding. Furthermore, Mark Dempsky has made numerous email requests to Scott Seale asking about the reimbursement for 2003 expenses and Scott has failed to reply.
Retiree access -- I have not had the opportunity to meet with Security to work out details for Club Room access for Retirees and possibly other "non-employee" members.
Club Room -- Mark Dempsky has done a wonderful job keeping on top of the installation of the 240V outlets, the ground bus and roof penetration. Mark sent the following report to limited distribution on Friday, Feb. 6:
"I met with the facilities people in our club room. Each cube will have its own 30A 208 V circuit with a L6-30R connector. The connector will be at the end of a cable, not in a box. The runs are coming from the other end of the building because there are no open panels close to our club room. Each cube will also have its own ground bar bolted to the floor and connected to building steel. We are getting a 3" pipe for a roof penetration. The wiring should be done by the end of next week and the roof penetration will be done when the weather permits. They will also be checking out why our closet outlet doesn't work. In the near future, they will be installing a light switch for the lights over our club room and a switch for the lights over the museum."
Membership Drive -- I am starting the effort to get last year's members to renew this week. I plan to send an email to everyone I have an email address for, keep it simple and refer members to the web site for the renewal form, etc. After I contact last year's members, I will start with members who have been inactive for more than a year. I encourage every officer to encourage Alcatel employee and retiree Hams you know to renew their memberships.
Need for replacement Secretary -- We currently have so few members that it hasn't been possible to recruit a replacement Secretary for Ernie. Ideas?
February Meeting -- Tuesday, Feb. 24th at MCI. The AARA is supplying the pizza and soft drinks. I will order and pick up pizza and have soft drinks with me. I will need some help between 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. getting the pizza and drinks moved from the car to the meeting room. The AARA will have a business meeting at 5:30 p.m. The main program is at 6 p.m. and features Ray Bartik, WB9TRT, speaking on EMWIN, The Emergency Manager's Weather Information Network.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
There was some discussion regarding non-employees as officers. Changing this would require change to membership rules. How does the ALA handle this?
Program ideas were also discussed. Bruce Dingham? Bill Swan? (either for EmComm). Digital FM? Software Defined radio (Kris Mraz may know someone who knows about this).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Al MOVED that the meeting be adjourned. Miguel SECONDED. The motion was APPROVED and the meeting was adjourned at 1850h CT.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernie Brouwer
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
MCI Campbell Creek Building, 2400 North Glenville Drive, Richardson TX
The meeting was called to order at 1733h CT by President Frank Krizan, KR1ZAN. Also present were acting Secretary Ernie Brouwer, KD5MFE, Bud Walton, K5HW, Ray Bartik WB9TRT, Clyde Heath, K5NCH, John Schroeder, K5ZMJ, Mark Dempsky, N5MD, VP Operations Clarence Sebesta, K5YO, and Keith Parris, WB5RBA.
SECRETARY'S REPORT:
TREASURER'S REPORT:
VP OPERATIONS' REPORT:
EXECUTIVE VP'S REPORT:
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There being no further business, Bud, MOVED that the meeting be adjourned. Keith SECONDED. The motion was APPROVED and the meeting was adjourned at 1755h CT.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernie Brouwer, KD5MFE, acting Secretary
Tuesday, March 9, 2004
Alcatel, PB7 Club room, 3400 West Plano Parkway, Plano TX
OPENING AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 1750h CT January 13, 2004, in the Alcatel PB7 AARA club room. Present were President Frank Krizan, KR1ZAN, Executive Vice President Miguel Ylagan, KC5FVJ, Treasurer Al Koch, KB5VSL, Vice President of Operations Clarence Sebesta, K5YO, and acting Secretary Ernie Brouwer, KD5MFE. Visiting was Mark Dempsky, N5MD.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The minutes for the February BoD meeting were not yet available for distribution so no minutes were approved.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Income since last month $0; Expenses $45.14. Financial report was filed for audit.
VP OPERATION'S REPORT
EXECUTIVE VP'S REPORT
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
What classes do we want to offer? They can be scheduled and put in the catalog with the date TBD, to guage interest. Some class types might include "HAM intro" and other radio related (eg. scanning, etc) subjects in addition to regular licensing classes. A 'radio recess' during workhours might be an option for providing startup help and introductory material. Brownbag sessions might be useful as well. Also, it was pointed out that the ARRL is pursuing online no-code technician licensing. Perhaps we could somehow facilitate that.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Miguel MOVED that the meeting be adjourned. Al SECONDED. The motion was APPROVED and the meeting was adjourned at 1930h CT.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernie Brouwer
Would you like a $15 rebate? Be our guest! If you're a member of AARA, you can join the ARRL as a NEW member and we will process your application at $15 below the regular rate. The present rate is $39 ($34 over 65) for one year. This is for new members only and former members with two years or more lapsed membership. Family, Blind or 21 and under discounted memberships are not applicable for any discount. The ARRL is a great organization, which promotes our hobby to the fullest. Many benefits include the outstanding QST magazine, representations in Washington and international conferences, QSL service, ARES emergency service, contesting, equipment insurance, and the members-only web access, which includes free e-mail forwarding. Simply submit an ARRL application with the discounted payment via the club treasurer. Contact Clarence Sebesta, K5YO at [email protected] or 972-867-2691 for more information. I've been a member for many years and I heartily recommend it.