DATE: May 1, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Jerry Cammack (KT5US)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): TBD – but, be ready for Jerry!

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

Those of you who attended our April KARS meeting got to hear Tom, AE5QB, talk about the very nice 3 element, 2 Meter YAGI beam he built out of metal tape measures to do Fox Hunting.
Now we plan to have a ‘build day’ open to anyone who wants to attend and build one of these antennas. That will be on Saturday, May 12th starting at 9AM right after our usual breakfast at Skeeters. Cost will be $10 per antenna and you’ll need to signup to do this so we can buy all the materials needed.
If you are planning to attend, please send an email to: maxwelltl@aol.com (copy and paste that into your email program).
Deadline for signing up is May 5th.
This build day will be at our normal club meeting location, Fire Station No. 4 on Franz Road, just east of Grand Parkway (99).

Here’s a list of things you can bring IF you have them. If not Tom will have some and you can share. It will go quicker if you bring your own!

Tools and equipment list:
$10 to pay for materials
Phillips head screwdrivers – small size for #6 pan-head screws and #6 machine screws.
Needle nose pliers to place washers and nuts inside of the PVC and to hold nuts inside the PVC while tightening the screws.
Wire cutters to cut some #12 house wiring for the hairpin match
A pair of old scissors to cut the tape measure. It is easy to cut but don’t bring momma’s good sewing scissors for this task.
Tape measure or steel rule to measure with (Tom will bring the ones to cut up) – calibrated in tenths of inches would be great but not a requirement.
Soldering equipment to put terminal lugs on the coax and the hairpin match – iron & solder
Battery operated power drills for small bits #6 or less – 1/4″ drill is fine
5/64 inch drill bits to drill pilot holes in PVC
#6 drill bit to drill screw hole in PVC – 9/64 inch bits are really really close and work fine
Contact Tom at the email above if you have any questions on this…

Saturday in the Park with KARS was lots of fun! I talked to China (my first time) on the little 1/4 wave vertical out in the grass and 100w using my ole Icom 706. Broke a big pileup to do so! We had two visitors stop by who are interested in Ham Radio and about 12 club members.

The FX Tenna which worked China on 15 mtrs.

The whole group, several folks came and went during the morning.

Tom, AE5QB and Dave, KD5FX mobile setups

Tom’s 1/4w vertical portable antenna

The KARS Saturday In The Park (SITP) Event will be held April 28th starting about 9AM.

The plan is to attend our usual KARS breakfast at Skeeters and then head on over to Geo Bush Park about 9AM to setup and get on the air. If you have portable radio equipment, bring it, if you don’t, just come and learn! I’m sure you can help someone else setup and get some time operating one of the radios too.

Where: George Bush Park on the far EAST end of Westheimer. There’s a small parking lot there and a pond to the East of the lot. Depending on how many people are there, we’ll either setup near the pond, with a few shade trees and picnic tables, or to the WEST of the parking lot where there’s lots of open space.
We’ll have some small signs near the road that say “KARS Radio Event” soon after I arrive there.
No restrooms at this location but it’s a short drive to one.
Here’s a google maps link:

http://www.google.com/maps?ll=29.734705,-95.657498&spn=0.004447,0.005681&hnear=Katy,+Fort+Bend,+Texas&t=w&z=18

Minimum to bring:
lawn chair (if you want to sit down)
water
sun screen
bug spray
lunch if you plan to stay past noon

If you have it, bring:
radio
antenna
antenna supports (if needed, don’t count on using a tree)
power for radio (12V battery, or vehicle) Generator? If it’s very quiet
headphones (might be needed)
folding table and chair if you don’t operate out of your vehicle
canopy or some kind of cover from the sun
(something as simple as the back hatch of your car or SUV might work)

DATE: April 24, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Michael Smith (N5TGL)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): TBD

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

In this beautiful spring day, we had conducted HAM test at W-10 VFS. People came around from Katy, Bellville, Houston, Richmond, and Spring. After approx. 1.5 hours’ test session, we now have 3 Technicians, 2 Generals, and 1 Extra.

KARS conduct HAM test every 3rd Saturday of even month. We are looking forward to helping our community in June!

DATE: April 17, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Scott Reeve (KT5SR)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): ARRL Numbered Radiograms

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

DATE: April 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Jack Philley (W B 5 K V V)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): Passing traffic messages

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

Just a reminder that our monthly club meeting is coming up on Monday night at 7:30.
Fire Station No. 4 on Franz road as usual.
Here’s the agenda:
I. Call to Order
II. Pledge to the Flag
III. Old Business
A. Minutes of last meeting (Peter) -motion/vote
B. Treasurers report – (Ron) -motion/vote
C. Other Old Business?
N0D End of the World special event, Dec. 21, 2012 update
Saturday in the Park – April 28th, after breakfast, Geo Bush Park, Need Planning Team to make plans, volunteers?
IV. New Business
A. New Members (if any) – election
B. Visitors identified
C. Comments/statements from BOD members (if any)
D. Scott or Peter- Public Service Events
Daryl, Move repeater antenna to water tower?
Joe, N5IDF, Holy Land Contest – April 15
Field Day plans, June 30th this year,
Tom, AE5QB Fox Hunt and tape antenna idea, 10 minutes or so, who is interested?
Owen, KF5CZO, Intro to HSMM for next month’s program, 10 minutes or so
E. Other New Business?
F. Remind everyone that refreshments aren’t free
– Refreshments follow
V. Presentations.
Scott, KT5SR on the MS150 with help from Peter
Joe, N5IDF, SODA to Lost Mine Peak, 7,300 feet, Big Bend Park
Tom, AE5QB, Another SODA by the club?
VI. Adjourn.

I got this email today, I have already written the ARRL a letter that tells my story. If you’d like a copy just let me know via email. Now is our only chance to get this changed! Act now! Do not send your information to me, use the ARRL website shown below OR the ARRL email address shown below.
73, Dave KD5FX KARS President kd5fx.dave@gmail.com

Do you live in a CC&R- restricted community or participate in EmCom
activities? Have deed restrictions / HOA covenants prevented you from
erecting amateur radio antennas? Have these restrictions prevented you
from full participation in emergency communications activities during
disasters?

If your answer is “Yes”, ARRL needs to hear about your experience.

As you are probably aware, Congress has directed the FCC to conduct a
study of the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications
in emergencies and disaster relief. The FCC was directed to identify ”
impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the
effects of unreasonable or unnecessary
private land use restrictions on residential antenna installations”.
Finally, the study is to make “recommendations regarding the removal of
such impediments.”

The FCC has issued a Public Notice – DA 12-523- soliciting input from the
public as part of their study. The ARRL is gathering comments from the
Amateur Radio community to present as part of its comments on the public
notice.

The ARRL is looking specifically for input in two specific areas:
* Recent Amateur Radio involvement in actual emergency communications
and disaster relief;
* Specific details about how CC&Rs and other private land use
restrictions have impaired licensed Amateurs to participate fully in these
disaster relief communications.

If your ability to participate in ARES, RACES, SKYWARN, CERT, or other
emergency and disaster relief communications has been limited because the
inability to have adequate antennas due to CC&Rs, you are asked to provide
that information to the ARRL.

First, we recommend that you prepare a narrative of your exact situation,
in as much detail as practical. Some areas for you to consider in writing
your story might be:

* Were there alternative properties without CC&Rs in the area you
wished to reside?
* What exactly does your CC&R allow / prohibit (please include a copy
of the specific wording)
* Have you applied for a waiver of the CC&R with the Home Owner’s
Association / Architectural Review Committee but were denied? If so, what
was the reason?

To assist you in sharing your information with the ARRL, please visit the
special ARRL website built to allow you to readily provide the pertinent
information at www.arrl.org/ccr-study-information

This page will present you with an overview of what we are asking and have
links to the two forms for you to complete. Please be as factual as you
can with the information you provide and please provide only information
about events and activities in which you were directly involved.

If you wish to write out the details of your situation in advance, please
do so. The, they can be either uploaded from the website or they can be
sent as an email attachment to an email sent to CCRinfo@arrl.org

Keep in mind that the FCC study does not apply to ordinances and zoning
laws implemented by the government – such as towns, cities or counties.
PRB-1 covers those situations.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Congress directed that the FCC provide the report
back within 180-days and that clock is already counting. The FCC is only
accepting comments for a 45-day period, which will end May 17,2012. In
order for the ARRL to collate your information in a common report, we ask
that you send in your information no later than WEDNESDAY APRIL 25. If
you need more information, please contact reginfo@arrl.org The time to
act is NOW!