June 13, 2009
The meeting was held in the offices of Ball and Ball Communications, 14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel, Maryland.
12 people attended the meeting.
Ken McCue K3UQQ (President)
John Watson NY3K (Treasurer)
Bob Martin KC3FI (Corresponding Secretary)
Al (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB
Al Lind K3OF
Tom Farrell W3RCJ
Heru Walmsley W3WVV
Grady Ball WB3JUV
John Hagland KA3ZTC
Rich Moellmann N3MOB
Jim Busick WY3W
Bill Rhone WB3LOT
Elections were held.
Elected Officers:
President Ken McCue, K3UQQ
Treasurer John Watson, NY3K
Recording Secretary Al (Brownie) Brown, KZ3AB
Corresponding Secretary Bob Martin, KC3FI
- Old Business:
* The 3480 MHz amplifier failed at the Tabco Towers Apartment Building in Baltimore. Bob Curry, KC3VO, is hoping to fix it.
* The W3BAB ATV 421.25 MHz repeater transmit antenna, located atop the Greater Laurel Hospital, seems to be having some intermittent problems. Variations in
signal strength have been noted duing the W3BAB "blue screen" identification.
John, NY3K, measured at VSWR of >1.9 to 1 at the transmitter.
Hopes are to replace it with a "borrowed" four bay before the next meeting.
If the new antenna improves the W3BAB ATV repeater coverage, the club will consider purchasing a new four-bay antenna so that the borrowed antenna may be returned.
- New Business:
* CATS has a 60 foot Rohn 25G tower for sale. The price is $350. Anyone who is interested may contact Grady, WB3JUV, at <[email protected]> or 301-490-1587.
The next CATS meeting is scheduled for Saturday,July 11th in the offices of Ball and Ball Communications, 14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel, Maryland at 9:00 a.m.
July 11, 2009
President Ken McCue, K3UQQ, called the meeting to orderin the offices of Ball and Ball Communications,14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel, Maryland at 9:24 a.m.
12 people attended the meeting.
Ken McCue K3UQQ (President)
Al Lind K3OF (Vice President - Elect)
John Watson NY3K (Treasurer)
Al (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB (Recording Secretary - Elect)
Bob Martin KC3FI (Corresponding Secretary)
Tom Farrell W3RCJ
Heru Walmsley W3WVV
Grady Ball WB3JUV
John Hagland KA3ZTC
Jim Cross WI3N
Bill Boston N3DCI
R Alfred Whiting K3BRS
It was noted that last year's secretary, Rodney Douglass,Sr, KD3DV, suffered a stroke before the June 13th meeting.President Ken, K3UQQ, reported that he is now home and
resting comfortably. We wish him well.
- Secretary's Report: There was no secretary's report.
- Treasurer's Report: Treasurer John, NY3K, e-mailed the treasurer's report to all members.
John also reported that our bank balance increased by $100 in the past month because Al Lind, K3OF, donated equipment to the club that Grady, WB3JUV, purchased.
Proceeds went to the CATS treasury.
- A motion was made to install the slate of officers elected at the June meeting. The motion was seconded and approved.
Congratulations to:
President Ken McCue, K3UQQ
Vice President Al Lind, K3OF
Treasurer John Watson, NY3K
Recording Secretary Al (Brownie) Brown, KZ3AB
and
Corresponding Secretary Bob Martin, KC3FI
- Old Business:
* The "West Side" repeater is off the air and is in need of antenna structure maintenance.
* Bob Curry, KC3VO, has repaired and modified the 3480 MHz equipment that failed at the Tabco Towers Apartment Building in Baltimore. He will bring it to
the Ball and Ball offices later today, July 11th.
President Ken, K3UQQ, will install the repaired amplifier at Tabco Towers before the next meeting.
* The W3BAB ATV 421.25 MHz repeater transmit antenna, located atop the Laurel Regional Hospital, seems to be having some intermittent problems. Variations in
signal strength and ghosting have been noted during the W3BAB "blue screen" identification.
A few months ago, John, NY3K, found the VSWR of the antenna system (coax and antenna) to be >1.9 to 1 at the transmitter.
Grady, WB3JUV, and Bob, KC3VO, will construct and test a new (borrowed) four-bay 421.25 MHz antenna system at Grady's shop, take the new antenna to the hospital and
test it there.
This work is scheduled for the week of July 13th.
If the new antenna improves the W3BAB ATV repeater coverage, the club will consider purchasing a new four-bay antenna so that the borrowed antenna may be returned.
* The Laurel Regional Hospital is up for sale. President Ken, K3UQQ, is concerned that after the sale we *may* need to move the CATS ATV repeater.
If, and only if, the CATS ATV repeater has to be moved, Al, KZ3AB, has offered his QTH as a possible relocation site.
- New Business:
* President Ken, K3UQQ, feels that the CATS should be as active as possible in the area of public service.
The general feeling among members present is that we should be prepared and are looking forward to providing ATV coverage for the Howard County Health
Department at their annual 'Drive Thru Flu Clinic' in Columbia, Maryland. This will probably take place in the fall.
* Bob, KC3FI, started a discussion about a technical committee. The CATS by-laws call for a "Repeater Committee."
During the next month, members are asked to review the by-laws and be prepared to discuss a motion regarding he committee to be presented by Bob at the August meeting.
* A motion was made to form a committee to review the by-laws and make recommendations for changes to be
presented to the members for voting at a subsequent meeting(s).
Bob, KC3FI, Al, K3OF, and John, NY3K, volunteered as committee members.
The motion was seconded and approved.
CATS members are encouraged to review the by-laws and offer suggestions for change to Bob, KC3FI
<[email protected]>, Al, K3OF <[email protected]> and/or John, NY3K <[email protected]>.
* Bob, KC3FI, told of his adventures with getting Camstreams on the Internet.
* CATS has a 60 foot Rohn 25G tower for sale. The price is $350. Anyone who is interested may contact Grady, WB3JUV, at <[email protected]> or 301-490-1587.
- Announcements:
* Jim, WI3N, and Al, KZ3AB, are compiling a list of volunteers to be guest speakers at amateur radio club meetings and other events. Speaker's topics do not
necessarily need to be amateur radio related.
If you would like to volunteer to speak in front of an audience of hams, please send your name, call sign, subject of your talk, how far you are willing to
travel and how interested clubs may contact you to: Al (Brownie) Brown at <[email protected]>.
You may view the list at: <http://www.arrl-mdc.net/speakerlist.html>.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:08 am.
The next CATS meeting is scheduled for Saturday,August 8th in the offices of Ball and BallCommunications, 14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel,Maryland at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ E. Allen (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB Recording Secretary
August 8, 2009
President Ken McCue, K3UQQ, called the meeting to order
in the offices of Ball and Ball Communications,
14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel, Maryland at 9:15 a.m.
11 people attended the meeting.
Ken McCue K3UQQ (President) <[email protected]>
Al Lind K3OF (Vice President) <[email protected]>
John Watson NY3K (Treasurer) <[email protected]>
Al (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB (Recording Secretary) <[email protected]>
Bob Martin KC3FI (Corresponding Secretary) <[email protected]>
Tom Farrell W3RCJ <[email protected]>
Heru Walmsley W3WVV <[email protected]>
Grady Ball WB3JUV <[email protected]>
John Hagland KA3ZTC <[email protected]
Bill Boston N3DCI <[email protected]>
Roger Johnson KA3FTJ (Guest)
- Secretary's Report: Recording secretary, Al (Brownie) Brown, KZ3AB, e-mailed the July 2009 CATS meeting minutes
to all members. The minutes were approved.
- Treasurer's Report: Treasurer John Watson, NY3K, e-mailed the treasurer's report, as of August 6, 2009 to all members.
- President Ken McCue, K3UQQ, reported that member Rodney Douglass, KD3DV, is making marked recovery from his recent stroke.
- Old Business:
* The "West Side" repeater is off the air and is in need of antenna structure maintenance. There has been no change during the last month.
* Bob Curry, KC3VO, repaired and modified the 3480 MHz equipment that failed at the Tabco Towers Apartment Building in Baltimore.
The repaired equipment was reinstalled at "Tabco Towers" on July 29th. The RF/Coaxial lightning and surge protector, commonly called by it's brand name,
"Polyphaser," was found to be defective; possibly because of a lightning strike.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to purchase a "like-for-like" replacement.
President Ken, K3UQQ, will investigate and work with Grady Ball, WB3JUV, to decide whether to replace the
damaged RF/Coaxial lightning and surge protector with an 'Alpha-Delta' brand or a 'Polyphaser' brand unit.
In addition, Ken and Grady will make sure the unit to be purchased has a band pass at or greater than 3480 MHz.
Grady will make the purchase and use his Ball and Ball Communications dealer discount on behalf of the club.
* The W3BAB ATV 421.25 MHz repeater transmit antenna, located atop the Laurel Regional Hospital, was replaced in July with a borrowed four-bay 421.25 MHz
antenna system of Wimo Wheels that was constructed and tested at Ball and Ball Communications.
No improvement in the CATS ATV transmitted signal or coverage area was observed.
We decided to go back to the Laurel Hospital, take down the four borrowed Wimo Wheels and replace them with a single Wimo Wheel that Bill Thompson, N3DC,
agreed to lend Grady.
Then, test, possibly repair, and/or modify both the OAL Wheels that we originally had at the hospital and the Wimo Wheels at Grady's shop by using modern,
sophisticated test equipment.
Bob Curry, KC3VO, believes the Wimo Wheels can be tuned for 421.25 although they are manufactured to work on frequencies of 432 MHz and above. Then after
both sets of wheels are repaired adjusted and tested, they will be set up side-by-side at Grady's shop to
see which antenna better receives the 421.25 ATV signal coming from the single Wimo Wheel at the hospital.
Then a decision will be made by the Club regarding what antenna structure gets put up at the hospital.
* At the last meeting, a motion was made, seconded and approved to form a committee to review the by-laws and
make recommendations for changes to be presented to the [CATS] members for voting at a subsequent meeting(s).
Bob, KC3FI, Al, K3OF, and John, NY3K, volunteered as committee members.
CATS members are encouraged to review the by-laws and offer suggestions for change to Bob, KC3FI
<[email protected]>, Al, K3OF <[email protected]> and/or John, NY3K <[email protected]>.
At this, the August meeting, recording secretary, Bob Martin, KC3FI, reported that work has started and is
continuing on a rewrite of the CATS by-laws.
* CATS still has a 60 foot Rohn 25G tower for sale. The price is $350. Anyone interested may contact Grady, WB3JUV, at <[email protected]> or
301-490-1587.
- New Business:
* A motion was made, seconded and approved to have a group from CATS attend BRATS meeting(s) in order to make a presentation(s) talking about the
repairs we (CATS) feel are needed to the BRATS repeater and associated equipment.
[In a subsequently recieved e-mail from BRATS, near future meetings are scheduled for:
September 17, October 13, Novmember 17,
December 15, etc. at the Baltimore County Library,
Pikesville Branch on Reisterstown Road from
7:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.]
- Announcements:
* Al, KZ3AB, announced the Maryland-DC QSO Party this weekend, August 8th and 9th.
He would like everyone to get on the air and submit a log to <[email protected]>.
Rules my be found at: <http://www.w3cwc.org/funcontest.htm>.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:51 am.
The next CATS meeting is scheduled for Saturday,September 19th in the offices of Ball and Ball
Communications, 14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel,Maryland at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ E. Allen (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB Recording Secretary
September 19, 2009
President Ken McCue, K3UQQ, called the meeting to orderin the offices of Ball and Ball Communications,14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel, Maryland at 9:21 a.m.
13 people attended the meeting.
Ken McCue K3UQQ (President) <[email protected]>
Al Lind K3OF (Vice President) <[email protected]>
John Watson NY3K (Treasurer) <[email protected]>
Al (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB (Recording Secretary) <[email protected]>
Bob Martin KC3FI (Corresponding Secretary) <[email protected]>
Heru Walmsley W3WVV <[email protected]>
Grady Ball WB3JUV <[email protected]>
John Hagland KA3ZTC <[email protected]
Bill Boston N3DCI <[email protected]>
Jim Cross WI3N <[email protected]>
Robert Lee KM3DR <[email protected]>
Robert Curry KC3VO <[email protected]>
R Alfred Whiting K3BRS <[email protected]>
- Secretary's Report: Recording secretary Al (Brownie) Brown (KZ3AB) e-mailed the August 2009 CATS meeting minutes to all members. The minutes were approved.
- Treasurer's Report: Treasurer John Watson (NY3K) e-mailed the treasurer's report, as of September 19, 2009, to all members.
- Old Business:
* The "West Side" repeater is now on the air and is operational. The antenna height needs to be raised and the link to the Tabco Towers Apartment
Building (TABCO) repeater needs to be reestablished.
* There has been no change with the W3BAB ATV 421.25 MHz repeater transmit antenna, located atop the Laurel Regional Hospital.
John (NY3K) reported that the 1200 MHz link is working better.
At the suggestion of John (NY3K) a new plan for replacement of the 421.250 MHz antenna was approved.
Bob (KC3FI) made the motion: The 'original' four-bay OAL antenna wheels will be tested in Grady's shop
and then reinstalled at the hospital before the October meeting.
The motion was seconded and approved.
[Secretary's note: At the August meeting, a motion was made, seconded and approved to purchase a "like-for-like" antenna replacement. (See the minutes.)
This motion *needs* to be acted upon (rescinded) by a motion at a future meeting.]
* Discussion continued on the subject to replace the damaged RF/Coaxial lightning and surge protector(s) at TABCO.
[At last month's meeting, we decided that "President Ken (K3UQQ) will investigate and work with Grady (WB3JUV) to decide whether to replace the damaged
RF/Coaxial lightning and surge protector with an 'Alpha-Delta' brand or a 'Polyphaser' brand unit.
In addition, Ken and Grady will make sure the unit to be purchased has a band pass at or greater than 3480 MHz" [3.5GHz].]
Grady (WB3JUV) will check to ensure that the RF/Coaxial lightning and surge protector will pass 3.5 GHz with minimal loss.
If this is the case, Grady is authorized to use his judgement to purchase either the 'Alpha-Delta' brand or the 'Polyphaser' brand unit and use his Ball and Ball
Communications dealer discount on behalf of the club.
* A motion was made to reform the 'TABCO committee.'
After a long discussion, the motion died for lack of a second.
* A group from CATS attended the BRATS meeting on Thursday, September 17. CATS members who attended the meeting included Al (K3OF), Ken (K3UQQ), John (KA3ZTC),
and Bob (KC3FI).
The purpose of our (CATS) attendance was to discuss a mutually agreed upon plan in order to enhance ATV coverage in our area.
This would require BRATS to purchase a new controller.
BRATS refused to make any such purchase until a block diagram and the new controller's specifications are presented to them.
A team from CATS plans to attend the next BRATS meeting on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:15 pm at the Baltimore County Library, Pikesville Branch on Reisterstown Road
with the required documentation.
* At the July meeting, a motion was made, seconded and approved to form a committee to review the by-laws and make recommendations for changes to be presented to the
[CATS] members for voting at a subsequent meeting(s).
Bob (KC3FI), Al (K3OF) and John (NY3K) volunteered as committee members.
CATS members are encouraged to review the by-laws and offer suggestions for change to Bob (KC3FI)
<[email protected]>, Al (K3OF) <[email protected]> and/or John (NY3K) <[email protected]>.
Nothing was reported at this, the September, meeting.
- New Business:
* The Howard County Health Department will be conducting its annual drive-thru flu clinic on Sunday, October 4th from 10 AM to 2 PM around the Columbia Gateway Drive
Loop (enter from Rt 175). This is a free clinic.
Howard County Emergency Coordinator (EC) Rich Firestone (WR3F) asked CATS to provide ATV coverage for the Health Department like we have done in the past.
An ATV receiver, antenna and 220 MHz voice coordination base station needs to be set up at the Howard County Health Department Command Center.
At least two (and, hopefully three) mobile ATV stations will be deployed to various sites around the Columbia Gateway Loop.
Volunteers, so far, include: John (NY3K), Bill (N3DCI), and Ken (K3UQQ).
If you would like to volunteer, please contact either John (NY3K) at <[email protected]> or Bill (N3DCI) at <[email protected]>
- Announcements:
* Camstreams: Bob (KC3FI) reported that his camstreams connection to the Internet is now working. Kudos to John (NY3K) for the help with a PCTV adapter.
_____
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am.
The next CATS meeting is scheduled for Saturday,October 10th in the offices of Ball and Ball Communications, 14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel,Maryland at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ E. Allen (Brownie) Brown, KZ3AB Recording Secretary
November 14, 2009
President Ken McCue, K3UQQ, called the meeting to orderin the offices of Ball and Ball Communications,14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel, Maryland at 9:45 a.m.
Nine people attended the meeting.
Ken McCue K3UQQ (President) <[email protected]>
John Watson NY3K (Treasurer) <[email protected]>
Al (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB (Recording Secretary) <[email protected]>
Grady Ball WB3JUV <[email protected]>
Bill Boston N3DCI <[email protected]>
Jim Cross WI3N <[email protected]>
Robert Curry KC3VO <[email protected]>
R Alfred Whiting K3BRS <[email protected]>
Tom Yingling KA3TCC <[email protected]>
- Secretary's Report: There was no secretary's report.
- Treasurer's Report: Treasurer John Watson (NY3K) e-mailed the treasurer's report, as of November 14, 2009, to all members.
- Old Business:
* Tests are scheduled to begin on the W3BAB ATV 421.25 MHz repeater today, November 14.
A new camera is to be installed at the W3BAB ATV 421.25 MHz repeater site. There will also be an attempt to increase the transmitter power to 60 watts
and repair the repeat audio.
There was also a discussion about setting a timeout timer on the repeater. Nothing was decided.
* There was a report on the repeater at Tabco. All the work was completed with more control on the NASA retransmission.
* A motion was made to reform the 'TABCO committee.'
After a long discussion, the motion died for lack of a second.
* A motion was made, seconded and approved at the July meeting to form a committee to review the by-laws and make recommendations for changes to be presented to the
CATS members for voting at a subsequent meeting.
Bob (KC3FI), Al (K3OF) and John (NY3K) volunteered as committee members.
The proposed By-Laws changes were sent by John (NY3K) in an e-mail to all CATS dues paying members on October 8, 2009 with a note that they would be voted on
at the November 14, 2009 meeting.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the committee's recommendations.
We appreciate all the hard work that the committee members performed on this difficult task.
* Bill (N3DCI) announced that the CATS team was thanked by the Howard County Health Department for the ATV
participation during the annual drive-thru flu clinic on Sunday, October 4th.
CATS assistance may me requested if there is another drive-thru flu clinic for H1N1 virus immunization.
- New Business:
* Bill (N3DCI) announced that the next CATS meeting will also be a holiday celebration event to be held on
Saturday, December 12th from 9:00 am until noon at the Carroll Baldwin Memorial Hall located at the corner of
Foundry and Baltimore Streets in Savage, Maryland.
XYLs, friends of CATS and members from surrounding area clubs are invited to attend. The more the merrier.
After a short formal meeting, there will be a Holiday mini-potluck.
Admission is by donation of a non-perishable food item for donation to the needy. Attendees are also requested
to bring a covered dish.
Also, if you would like to participate in the NSSSE (Not-So-Secret Santa Exchange), you may wrap or bag an electronic, or near electronic surplus item from your
"junque box" and bring it along.
Afterwards, you may wish to enjoy exploring the Savage Mill shops a block away.
Contact: Bill Boston (N3DCI) at: <[email protected]>.
CATS Secretary Brownie Brown (KZ3AB) will send an invitation to the Laurel Amateur Radio Club (LARC).
The meeting was adjourned at 11:06 am.
The next CATS meeting is scheduled for Saturday,December 12th from 9:00 am until noon at the Carroll
Baldwin Memorial Hall located at the corner of Foundryand Baltimore Streets in Savage, Maryland.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ E. Allen (Brownie) Brown, KZ3ABRecording Secretary
with assistance from Ken McCue, K3UQQ, President
December 12, 2009
President Ken McCue, K3UQQ, called the meeting to orderat 10:00 a.m. The meeting was held at the Carroll Baldwin Memorial Hall located at the corner of Foundry
and Baltimore Streets in Savage, Maryland.
20 people attended the meeting.
Ken McCue K3UQQ (President)
Janice McCue XYL of K3UQQ
John Watson NY3K (Treasurer)
Marilyn Watson XYL of NY3K
Al (Brownie) Brown KZ3AB (Recording Secretary)
Debbie Brown XYL of KZ3AB
Grady Ball WB3JUV
Bill Boston N3DCI
Patricia Riley YL of N3DCI
Jim Cross WI3N
Robert Curry KC3VO
John Hagland KA3ZTC
Sandy Prichnick YL of KA3ZTC
Bob McCown N3IYI
Heru Walmsley W3WVV
Betty Walmsley KA3RRK
Jim Busick WY3W
Fred Merker K3TAZ
Dotty Merker N3HDG
Stan Novack K3DRP
- Secretary's Report: "Brownie" Brown (KZ3AB) read the minutes from the November meeting. The November minutes were also sent to all members.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the minutes as submitted.
- Treasurer's Report: Treasurer John Watson (NY3K) gave an oral summary of the e-mailed treasurer's report, as of December 12, 2009, to all members.
John also announced that he is accepting dues for 2010 and any past dues owed.
- Old Business:
* There was no old business.
- New Business:
* President Kenny McCue (K3UQQ) reported that the CATS Board of Directors voted to move the 420 MHz preamplifier located at the Greater Laurel
Hospital to the Tabco Towers Apartment Building in Baltimore for receiver tests.
The preamplifier may be returned to the Laurel Hospital site at any time.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. and we all enjoyed the food, fellowship and holiday festivities.
Post meeting: Dennis Thornton of the Carroll BaldwinMemorial Institute visted, inspected, and enjoyed aninvitation to taste the available offerings.
We, CATS members, were graciously, heartily thankedfor the food donations when delivered at 4:00 p.m. thatday to The Bread of Life Pantry at the Savage First
Baptist Church.
Approximately 120 needy patrons will benefit from thefood donated from CATS members.
The next CATS meeting is scheduled for Saturday,January 9th, 2010 in the offices of Ball and BallCommunications, 14213 Cherry Lane Court, Laurel,Maryland at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, /s/ E. Allen (Brownie) Brown, KZ3AB Recording Secretary