Hello KARS members!

Field day continues to approach, and we continue to assemble plans.  I’ve posted a “food link”  right here:

http://www.katyars.com/2010/04/21/food-for-field-day/

So, if you haven’t posted in the comments what you are bringing, please log in and post what you are going to bring.  We’ll get a good list with few duplications that way.  We’ve also made progress on getting the park for 24 hour operation.  I’ve not got final confirmation (maybe someone can confirm in the comments?) but it looks like we’ll have it for the full 24 hours of field day.  Charlie has volunteered to bring out his BBQ trailer, Del is going to bring out his 20m beam, I’m going to have up my longwire, and Joe will bring his antenna out again.  Dave should be bringing out all of the other usual field day antennas, so it looks like we’ll really be loaded for bear on this go-round.

10m has been looking good lately.  I’ve been out of town for a few days, and I played around on 10m mobile on the way home.  I had great success, made contacts in NB, WI, MN, AZ and NM.  The Albuquerque station reported that I was S9+20, so that was pretty awesome.  Pretty much every day from around 2pm until about 6pm 10m has been opening up to some extent.  I think today was predominately sporadic – e, but I’ll take what I can get!

As always, if you know of an activity that I’ve missed, or would like to have included, please email me at radioN5TGL@gmail.com and I will make sure that information gets distributed.  Also, if you would rather not be included on this email distribution, please let me know and I’ll remove your name from the list.

Volunteer opportunities, it’s a great way to use your license privileges to benefit our community…but my list of events is empty!  Anyone who knows of any upcoming events, please let me know via the comments here, or via the email above.  If I don’t know about it, I can’t post it!

Contests:

MARAC SSB QSO Party: 0000Z, May 1 to 2359Z, May 2

7th Call Area QSO Party: 1300Z, May 1 to 0700Z, May 2

Indiana QSO Party: 1600Z, May 1 to 0400Z, May 2

New England QSO Party: 2000Z, May 1 to 0500Z, May 2 and 1300Z-2400Z, May 2

ARI International DX Contest: 2000Z, May 1 to 1959Z, May 2

Hamfests:

05/08/2010 | Bastrop County Amateur Radio Club

Location: Smithville, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Bastrop County Amateur Radio Club
Learn More

06/11/2010 | West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com 2010)

Location: Plano, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Ham-Com, Inc. & supporting clubs
Learn More

07/10/2010 | Tidelands Amateur Radio Society

Location: Texas City, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Tidelands Amateur Radio Society
Learn More

08/06/2010 | Texas State Convention (Austin Summerfest 2010)

Location: Austin, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Austin ARC and Texas VHF FM Society
Learn More

Closing notes:

Coming up at the next business meeting, I’ll be asking for people to give me commitments for field day operations.  Daytime ops will be on 10/15/20 and possibly 40.  Nighttime will be  40/80 and possibly 160.  So, we’ll need two people per band, one logging and one operating.  We’ll switch off so people won’t be stuck on one task for the whole shift.  Keep in mind what times you’d like to work, and we’ll do the best to accommodate everyone’s requests.  We only do this once a year so let’s do it right, and have some fun doing it!

We are holding a “Elmer talk-show” before all of our nets now.  It starts at 7:30, and we’ll be taking early checkins at that time.  Stations that are short on time are encouraged to let the NCS know, so they can be worked early in the net.  We know that other folks have nets that start at 8:30, so let us know and we’ll work through you on the list first!

Remember, the KARS net is held each Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM local time, except the third Tuesday of the month, which is KARS’s meeting night. The nets are held on the club repeater, KT5TX with an output frequency of 147.200(+) and a PL of 141.3.  Currently we are transmitting tone, so you can use tone squelch if you have it.  We also get together each Saturday at Skeeters for breakfast around 8 am.  Skeeters is located on the NE corner of Mason Road and Highland Knolls. You are cordially invited to attend and enjoy the food and fellowship.
73,
Michael
N5TGL

Ok, if we want field day to be a success, we can’t do it on an empty stomach.  Please use the comments on this topic to tell us what you are going to bring.  Charlie is going to do a brisket, and I’m probably going to bring a few chickens to throw on the pit.  I think there’ll be some sausage in there too.  SO, what we need help with is the sides and drinks.  Please comment away below!

Hello KARS members!

This was a busy weekend for many folks.  Weather you went to Belton for the HamExpo, or worked in the MS150, there was a heavy schedule of ham activity.  Belton was a great ‘fest as usual, lots of gear to pick from…from immaculate Collins gear to old stuff that was being sold for $1.00/lb.  (No lie!)

Field day is coming up rapidly, and we’re making plans for this to be a good one.  Del, as PIO, is working hard to get us some exposure and some VIPs to come visit our setup.  I’m getting more and more interest in 24 hr operations, I’ve already got double the number of folks for night ops over last year.  If you want to play on the radio all night, here’s your chance!

As always, if you know of an activity that I’ve missed, or would like to have included, please email me at radioN5TGL@gmail.com and I will make sure that information gets distributed.  Also, if you would rather not be included on this email distribution, please let me know and I’ll remove your name from the list.

Volunteer opportunities, it’s a great way to use your license privileges to benefit our community…but my list of events ends after this recent MS150.  Anyone who knows of any upcoming events, let me know via the comments here.

Contests:

Hamfests:

05/08/2010 | Bastrop County Amateur Radio Club

Location: Smithville, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Bastrop County Amateur Radio Club
Learn More

06/11/2010 | West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com 2010)

Location: Plano, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Ham-Com, Inc. & supporting clubs
Learn More

07/10/2010 | Tidelands Amateur Radio Society

Location: Texas City, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Tidelands Amateur Radio Society
Learn More

08/06/2010 | Texas State Convention (Austin Summerfest 2010)

Location: Austin, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Austin ARC and Texas VHF FM Society
Learn More

Closing Notes:

ARRL has their new website up.  It does look more polished, but I find it a bit harder to find the things I usually look at.  Their search index isn’t built all the way either, so it can be hard to find items.  I’m sure it will get better with time, just like our site will.

Solar activity dropped off, and we’ve been several days without spots now.  I swear, as soon as I got the 10m rig installed in the car, I got a few days of contacts and then the sun just gave up on me.  Those of you who joined the net last week will remember I had one memorable contact when I was calling CQ on the way home on 10m.  I was answered by a station in Hawaii…pretty awesome!  I can’t wait for the cycle to get going and make 10m a bit more reliable.

We are holding a “Elmer talk-show” before all of our nets now.  It starts at 7:30, and we’ll be taking early checkins at that time.  Stations that are short on time are encouraged to let the NCS know, so they can be worked early in the net.  We know that other folks have nets that start at 8:30, so let us know and we’ll work through you on the list first!

Remember, the KARS net is held each Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM local time, except the third Tuesday of the month, which is KARS’s meeting night. The nets are held on the club repeater, KT5TX with an output frequency of 147.200(+) and a PL of 141.3.  Currently we are transmitting tone, so you can use tone squelch if you have it.  We also get together each Saturday at Skeeters for breakfast around 8 am.  Skeeters is located on the NE corner of Mason Road and Highland Knolls. You are cordially invited to attend and enjoy the food and fellowship.
73,
Michael
N5TGL

One of the fun things that comes along with ham radio is looking for other stations.  Some folks use the “hunt and pounce” where you listen for someone calling, but you can also bring stations to YOU by calling CQ.  The problem is that a lot of folks really aren’t sure how to do it, and may use other bad habits that they’ve heard on the air.  This article should get you on the right track!

WB2WIK wrote up a good method for calling CQ, and it’s the one I use.  My theory is that a good calling sequence will get you answered, and a bad one will drive people away to another frequency — not what you want!  I’ve heard many people on the air call CQ very sloppily, and it usually makes me tune somewhere else.  We may be amateur radio operators, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t operate professionally!

There’s a few simple steps to calling:

• Find a clear frequency that is in the band plan for your emission and your license class
• Transmit “is this frequency in use?”  If you don’t hear anything after a few seconds, call again “Is this frequency in use, this is <your call>?” If you still don’t hear anything, you’re clear to move on to the next step.  If someone says it’s in use, I always tell them sorry for interrupting, and then sign clear of the frequency.  It’s just being courteous.  Find another clear frequency and try again.
• If you don’t get any response, consider the frequency clear, and begin calling.

So, how to call?  I use this form:

CQ, CQ, CQ 20 meters. This is N5TGL calling.  November five tango golf lima, N5TGL in Texas calling CQ 20 meters.  Hello CQ, CQ, CQ 20 meters.  This is N5TGL calling.  November five tango golf lima, N5TGL in Texas calling CQ 20 meters and standing by for a call.

This gets your call out there six times, (twice phonetically) your location twice and above all, lets people know you are listening for a call when you are done.  It takes about 30 seconds to say, and nobody should have any doubt about who you are, where you are and when you are done.   It’s long enough for someone to hear as they are tuning by, but not so long that they give up on you.  It’s important that you get your location in your call, as it will help folks with beams to home in on your signal.

One other thing to remember is to call in a good clear voice.  Sit up straight, take a deep breath and let ‘er rip.  You don’t have to shout in the mic, but make sure that you clearly enunciate every word, and project from the diaphragm.  Don’t rush through your CQ, and especially don’t rush through your call.  With noise and interference on the bands, it’s hard enough to hear clear voices, let alone if you mumble your words.

Another thing I do is keep an alternate set of phonetics in case the other station is having a hard time understanding me.  I base them off of well known geographical areas, so my alternate is Norway Five Tokyo Germany London.  Usually if the ICAO phonetics don’t work, the alternate will.

The comments are live, and everyone is signed up now, so if you have a different procedure, or questions, use the comments!

Everyone should have received an email today with your account name and password.  I just assigned a default password, I’d strongly suggest changing it to something more secure, and this can be done through your profile.  If you are reading this site and have NOT got an account email, please contact me and I will see what the problem is.

Also, everyone is subscribed by default to the “news” category.  That means when I post something in that category, the site will email everyone and let them know there is new content.  You can control this by going into your profile and looking for “subscriptions”.  That will allow you to control what is emailed to you, and how often.  If you uncheck news, you won’t get the weekly mailing though!  If the settings aren’t working right for you, or if you have any problems, contact me and I will help you out.

I’d suggest everyone take a good look at their profile and see what there is to fill out.  There’s quite a few options there, and you might miss out on some good stuff if you don’t take a look.

Hello KARS members!

All of the future newsletters will be posted here.  I’ll be reminding folks of the change in a email, but I hope to have everyone’s account created by the next newsletter.  All members here will get an account set up with a default password, which will be emailed to you.  That way the site can inform everyone of new newsletter postings, and will make administration much easier on my part.

I’m also still in the process of moving over content from the old site, so keep  browsing through here to see the updates.  On the right sidebar, there is a “recent posts” section, which will make it easy to find what I’ve been posting.  I’m posting the content with the original date when possible, so that way it will fall into chronological order.  If you haven’t checked out the gallery yet, please do so.  You can click the link marked “gallery” at the top left of the page.  I’ve moved a lot of pictures over, and have a few more to move.  This will make it much easier to get our pictures online where everyone can see them.

The recruitment drive for the ARRL West Gulf Division continues:
The ARRL West Gulf Division is having a contest to increase ARRL membership. This contest will allow the Katy Amateur Radio Society to keep $15 for each NEW membership or LAPSED membership (of 2 years or more), and $2 for each RENEWAL. The club could also win prizes or gift certificates.
KARS members – please consider an ARRL membership or renewal between now and April 15th to receive the benefits of the ARRL for yourself, and to increase the KARS treasury.  If interested, contact the KARS President at joepeet1@yahoo.com.

As always, if you know of an activity that I’ve missed, or would like to have included, please email me at radioN5TGL@gmail.com and I will make sure that information gets distributed.  Also, if you would rather not be included on this email distribution, please let me know and I’ll remove your name from the list.

Volunteer opportunities, it’s a great way to use your license privileges to benefit our community:

BP MS150 4-17,18-2010
150 Operators Metro Park-n-Ride Hwy 6/Interstate 10
444.600 71.9 Mike Hardwick 713-826-6917 4-17,18-2010

CONTESTS:  Quite a few to pick from again this week.

HAMFESTS:

Closing Notes:
In keeping with our recent focus on Elmering members, I’ll be posting items up here on the site to help folks understand ham radio a bit better.  Please, if you have any articles that you’d like to write, or subjects you’d like to cover, please let me know and I’ll get them posted to the site.

We are holding a “Elmer talk-show” before all of our nets now.  It starts at 7:30, and we’ll be taking early checkins at that time.  Stations that are short on time are encouraged to let the NCS know, so they can be worked early in the net.  We know that other folks have nets that start at 8:30, so let us know and we’ll work through you on the list first!

Remember, the KARS net is held each Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM local time, except the third Tuesday of the month, which is KARS’s meeting night. The nets are held on the club repeater, KT5TX with an output frequency of 147.200(+) and a PL of 141.3.  Currently we are transmitting tone, so you can use tone squelch if you have it.  We also get together each Saturday at Skeeters for breakfast around 8 am.  Skeeters is located on the NE corner of Mason Road and Highland Knolls. You are cordially invited to attend and enjoy the food and fellowship.
73,
Michael
N5TGL

Meeting Minutes of the KARS meeting, 18 August, 2009

Attendants:

NQ5B Allan Hill
KA8KPN Jonathan Guthrie
WA5DVO Bruce Smith
AD5KB Bernie White
K5MMD Marshall Dues
W5QQ Del Partridge
KT5SR Scott Reeve
KT5BBQ Charlie Lancaster
W5OIL Chris Haase
KF5CLG Stephen Manning
Daniel Manning
Owen Morgan
N5LYG Bill Rimmer
WD8RZA Dave Scott
KE5FGA Jeff Walter
KE5VAI Mike Mettler
WA5NSF Larry Doyle
KE5YUK Art Walton
N5IDF Joe Peet
W5IDF Sachiko Peet
KA5OXA Mike Brannan
KE5BRD Tom Fletcher
KT5YZ Ed Sarlls
K5OOR Virgil Stamps

KARS President, Bruce Smith, WA5DVO called the meeting to order at 1932 hrs. We gave the Pledge of Allegiance. Last meetings minutes were read and accepted as read. The Treasury report for May is as follows. The Treasurer was not present.

Comments: Amount Spent Received Balance

Beginning Balance $1,750.39

Ending Balance $1,750.39

Old Business:

None

New Business:

The meeting started with six Amateurs being voted into the club, Jim Rollyson KF5BDX, Rick Turner KD5JCD, Sachiko Peet W5IDF, Marshall Dues K5MMD, Jonathan Guthrie KA8KPN and Arthur Walton KE5YUK. Congratulations all!

Chris Haase called for a motion to create a list of members to bring refreshments to club meetings. The motion was passed. Chris also volunteered to create the list and keep it populated.

Mike Mettler asked the club if it could attend a Boy Scouts of America campout at Stephen F. Austin State Park on October 17^th, 2009 and give the young men a demonstration of Amateur Radio. The club is considering the request.

Charlie Lancaster informed the club that he had approximately 12 people that would like to get their Ham license. Charlie was directed to Charlie Mathews at the Red Cross.

Virgil Stamps returned to KARS to give us an update on his latest Amateur Radio component designs. Among those were a portable HF antenna and a Linear Amplifier for 50 m QRP.

Allan Hill – KARS Secretary

Minutes: Katy Amateur Radio Society

Date: 16 March 2010

Old Business

1. Bruce opened the meeting at 1936 with the Pledge of Allegence. The treasurers report was presented with year-end and current month summary.
2. Motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made and accepted by unanimous vote.
3. Mike Smith gave a short talk on our March 6 special event station. It was successful, but there were traffic jams on the band with ongoing DX contests. Several stations were logged and upon receipt of a SASE, confirmation certificates will be sent out.
4. Jonathan Guthrie, KA5QB, submitted his application for membership. Motion to accept was made, and a vote was presented. Unanimous vote for Jonathan was passed. Also, Bill, KC5ETX, requested to join the club. A motion to accept Bill as member was accepted and the vote was unanimous.

New Business

1. Bernie suggested that we appoint a new net coordinator. It was suggested that a topic be used to catalyze a net. Without club participation in the net, the club energy will begin to deteriorate. Thus, the importance of the net was emphasized. Also, creating an open and inviting culture of the net was discussed to maximize participation. Motion to march down the roster to appoint a net control operator. Joe will appoint a net control operator or assume the role himself, if one is not assumed at that time. Action: Joe to initiate.
2. The club expresses its sincere thanks to Bernie AD5KB for his service as net control manager for the club for the last 4+ years.
3. $1,000 refundable deposit was discussed for the use MUD building. The club will attempt to provide insurance in lieu of the $1000 deposit. Other options might include the new Station 4, Franz Road firehouse. Darryl is exploring. Action: Joe follows up with Darryl.
4. Field Day is scheduled for June 26 – 27. Mike Smith says A/C availability is a key in deciding on a location. While we don’t believe that 24 operation is a critical necessity, we do want to know who is interested to participate and how long they are interested in participating. Regarding people who bring their gear, with multiple radios set up for one-band and one-band only, with a list of operators who are “checked-out” and approved to use the gear by the gear’s owner. This way, the risk of equipment damage is low and the owner feels more comfortable. Also, the club suggests that an “Elmer” be present to help new operators. Unfortunately, the Franz Road fire station will not likely be ready in time, so the club will need to reserve its building in old Katy Park. Action: send note to get on Katy City Council Agenda, petition city council Katy for a vote if you want to operate overnight. If you don’t stay the night, then you pay two cleaning fees to the city of Katy. A motion was made to hold a 1-day contest day on Saturday, June 26. The vote was unanimous without objection. A motion was made to hold dinner one hour later at 7:30 pm. The motion was accepted and the vote was unanimous.
5. Upcoming events – next Saturday, Magnolia Mile at Denny’s in Tomball. On Sunday 28, two events – Wheels of Justice Ride in Tomball, and the Blue Bonnet Express bike ride/ Will meet at highway 6 and 290 on that day. MS150 scheduled April 17-18.
6. Del suggests we appoint a PIO for the club. Agree to discuss at next meeting.
7. Scott spoke with Darryl and it was proposed that a work day be scheduled at the Franz Road Fire Station where members could complete construction of furniture and set-up the station. Joe suggests those interested should call Darryl. Joe will speak with Darryl to see when we could schedule it. Action Joe:
8. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The meeting was concluded at 8:41 pm.

Attendees

1. Allan Hill, N5QB
2. Bruce Smith, WA5DVO
3. Larry Doyle, WA5NSF
4. Del Partridge, W5QQ
5. Chris Haase, WOIL
6. Phil Burrow, KJ5OW
7. Charlie Lancaster, KT5BBQ
8. Michael Smith, N5TGL
9. Ron Sauer, K9RKI
10. Ron McDonald, WB5FFD
11. Bill Kelly, KC5ETX
12. Jack Philley, WB5KVV
13. Bernie White, AD5KB
14. Paul Glosch, KF5ENT
15. Tom Maxwell, AE5QB
16. Own Morgan, KF5CZO
17. Scott Reeve, KT5SR
18. Sachiko Peet, W5IDF
19. Joe Peet, N5IDF
20. Jerry Cammack, KT5CIS
21. Dave Land, KD5FX

The following is a repost from Joe Peet

Dear all,
As you are aware, we will no longer be meeting at MUD 81 because the new management requires a $1,000.00 deposit to use the facility.

Through the combined effort of many of our good KARS members we have an opportunity to use I-10 West Fire Station #4 located on Franz Rd. just east of Grand Parkway. Directions; Drive up (North) on Grand Parkway and make a right (East) on Franz about 1/4 mile and the Fire Station #4 is on the Right hand side (South).

The available schedule days are Mondays and Fridays. We tried for the 3rd Monday of each month but on the KARS net tonight it was advised that Chris Haase and others are busy with ARES that evening.

I believe the next best KARS meeting time would be the 2nd Monday of the month.

Note: Station 4 is allowing us to use one up-stairs room for our KARS radio command center. I think this is a unique opportunity for KARS to build a strong relationship with Station 4 and this is one big reason I would like to hold our monthly meeting there.

Tonight was the 2nd Tuesday, if we elect to have our meeting on the 2nd Tuesday we will need to wait a month. Maybe we can hold an informal meeting this Saturday morning at Skeeters.

Please voice your concerns/ideas/facts so we can all make the best decision about our monthly meeting.

Thanks to all for making tonight’s net so interesting, great job Phil!, and thanks to the Elmers.

Joe Peet – N5IDF

Very nice writeup in NPR. Brought to my attention by one of our own, Marshall/K5MMD.

Thanks Marshall!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125586086