Proper notice of the regularly scheduled meeting of the Katy Amateur Radio Society (KARS) Meeting was sent to all members via email and posted on the KARS website, in accordance with the by-laws of KARS. The meeting was held at Fire Station No. 4 located at 22855 Franz Rd, Katy, Texas at 07:30 PM Central. In attendance were the following board members: Mike (KA5OXA), President, Scott (KT5SR), Jason (NV5DS) Treasurer, Jack (WB5KVV), Activities Manager and Peter (KD5OCR), Secretary. No KARS Board Members were absent. The meeting was called to order by Mike, KA5OXA, at 07:26 PM Central.

Pledge of Allegiance

Introductions of members and visitors:
34 Members present; 5 Visitors and all recorded on sign-in sheet. A Quorum of 28 members was present.

Old Business

Last month’s meeting minutes were online; Motion to accept last KARS
meeting minutes. Motion to accept, Bob (WB3EWP) seconded, Charlie (KT5BBQ) Motion Passed.

Treasury report was given by Scott, KT5SR, Treasurer. Motion to Accept the Treasury report by Ron (K5CE), second, Joe (N5IDF). Motion Passed.

Peter, KD5OCR, Secretary, presented the last BOD Meeting Minutes. No motions were made.

Owen was given a desk carving with his callsign, KF5CZO, for his ham shack in recognition for his work as Activity Directory last year.

Discussed holding a Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge class on Saturday, June 15, 2013 here at Fire Station #4. Mike, KA5OXA, reserved the Fire Station #4. There will be a limit of 15 scouts. Bryan will lead the electronics portion. Peter will lead the Radio Service and Regulation portion. Dave S. and Tom will lead the fox hunt demo. Troop 925 received notice of this event.

Sachiko, W5IDF, cancelled the KARS ham radio VE exam for Saturday, June 15, 2013.

City Council approved KARS Field Day in the Katy City Park.

Public Service Calendar:

Memorial Hermann Triathalon (Woodlands) – Full
Memorial Hermann Emergency Regional Drill: Charlie (KT5BBQ) – Needs Volunteers at the Katy Hospital, Fire Station #4, or badly Downtown
HamComm is July 7th and 8th in Plano, TX
June 1 at George R. Brown: Hurricane Preparation Workshop
June 1 is Museum Ship Weekend on the TEXAS (Houston Ship Channel), Cavella, or Stewart (Seawolf Park): Texas Navy Certificate available
www.NA5DV.org
www.BVARCmswe.org
New Ship: AC0TX
Lexigonton: W5LEX
Alyssa: N5E

New Business

New Member Election: None (2 Applications Accepted)

KARS Net Controller Needed for Tuesday Evenings at 07:30 PM:
June 18, 2013
June 25, 2013
July 02, 2013

Dave, KD5FX, has his last KARS meeting is today. He made a nice goodbye speech.

KARS 2013 Field Day
22 June 2013 at 09:30 AM
On the Air by Noon at the Katy Park
Visitors and KARS Members are welcome
24-Hour Off-Grid Power; Meals Provided
Scott would like Peter KD5OCR to coordinate the logging software
15 people wanted to attend Field Day

KARS Inventory Spreadsheet

(Refreshments 10 minutes)

Tom’s International Space Station Presentation

Mike, KA5OXA, closed the meeting at 08:56 PM Central.

Duly submitted for review on May 13th, 2013:
Peter, KD5OCR, Secretary

Thanks to Tom, AE5QB on his presentation at the May 2013 KARS Meeting!

Links:
Thornton ISS Contact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbFIh9_cxq0
ISS Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doN4t5NKW-k
NASA Johnson Style song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX7z19r4QyQ

Field Day Spreadsheet and Flyer

Overall Planning Coordinator: Jack Philley, WB5KVV
Liaison with City of Katy: Scott R., KT5SR
Overnighters Coordinator: Scott R., KT5SR
Talk-in and 2-Meter Monitor: Brian H., AF5IT
Publicity: Jerry C., KT5US
Operating Plan Coordinator (bands, modes): Phil Y., WB4FCC
Temporary Power Coordinator: Phil B., KJ5OW
Dinner Coordinator: Mike M., KE5VAI
Dinner Assistant: Hannu KT5FI
Logging Coordinator: Peter F., KD5OCR
Filter Czar: Owen M., KF5CZO

We will have four stations set up, two located in the park, aboard the
Cavalla and aboard the Stewart. Weather permitting these stations will be
on the air continuously.

We need operators. Amateur radio operators in the Galveston – Houston area
are cordially invited to participate. You can sign up on the web page if you
would like to operate KK5W during the event at Seawolf Park.

Frequencies as follows:
SSB
7.260 MKHz
14.260 MHz
21.360 MHz
28.360 MHz

CW
7.039 Mhz
14,039 MHz
21.039 KHz
28,039 KHz

Operation on OSCAR satellites is planned for daytime passes on Saturday,
June 1.

KK5W will host two VHF Nets for Houston-Galveston amateurs to contact the
local museum ships using the WA5CYI repeater 146.94 (-) PL 167.9 on Saturday
and Sunday from 11AM – 1 PM Local time. We are anticipating the USS Texas
(NA5DV), Elissa (N5E), and the Grandcamp/High Flyer Memorial (AC0TX) will be
on the net.

A balloon launch is scheduled for Saturday morning, APRS trackers will use
N5BPS (the Cavalla’s wartime call sign was NBPS).

Once again, we will be offering the Texas Navy Award.

This year’s Texas Navy Fleet is expanded to include:
USS Cavalla and USS Stewart – KK5W
USS Texas – NA5DV
Tall Ship Elissa – N5E
USS Lexington – W5LEX
SS High Flyer and SS Grandcamp Memorial – AC0TX
National Museum of the Pacific War – N5P

For KK5W and AC0TX, one contact counts for both ships. Provide evidence of
two way communication (log extract) with at least four of the call signs
during MSWE 2013 to earn the 2013 Texas Navy Certificate. Work all six to
earn the coveted “Clean Sweep” endorsement.

73,
Ron, K5HM
Event Coordinator
“k5hm.ron” at his email with “gmail.com”
www.qrz.com/db/k5hm

Link to the Army announcement with all frequencies and times
http://www.usarmymars.org/home/announcements

Phil, WB4FCC NNN0KIR, will be broadcasting the SECDEF message at 2340Z on 7393.0KHZ LSB 100 WPM RTTY. I’ll also be on air as NNN0ASF 9AM-11AM CDT 4014KHZ (LSB Voice listening 80M), 11-13 CDT on 13974KHZ USB PSK-31 (LISTENING 20M) and 7394.5KHZ LSB PSK-31 7-9PM CDT.

Frequencies cited are WINDOW frequency.

Other folks in the vicinity will be doing other frequencies/modes as listed including operators in Cypress, Kingwood and Magnolia (all under call sign NNN0ASF).

For folks in the Katy Amateur Radio Society it should be an easy QSL. (And SECDEF says they will be sending cards).

Navy MARS website: http://www.navymars.org

AGENDA KARS MEETING 7:30 P.M. Monday, May 13, 2013

I. Call to Order

II. Pledge to the Flag

INTRODUCTIONS ALL AROUND

III. Old Business
A. Minutes of last meeting (Peter) -motion to approve minutes as posted on the KARS website
B. Treasurers report – (Scott) -motion/vote (Quarterly itemized statement on the projector)
C. BOD Meeting Notes from the last BOD Meeting – (Peter) report only
D. Other Old Business?
a. Planning for BSA Radio Merit Badge class, Sat., June 15 at FS#4
b. Planning for Field Day – volunteer spreadsheet
c. Update on reserving the Katy City Park for Field Day. Scott & Mike at City Hall
d. Update on public service events – Peter & Scott, if we get back

IV. New Business
A. New Members (if any) – election
B. Comments/statements from BOD members (if any)
C. Museum Ships Week End – BTARS on Texas, BVARC on Stewart and Cavalla
D. FIELD DAY planning discussion
E. Other New Business? Property spreadsheet

- Refreshments follow (reminder that these refreshments aren’t free)

V. Presentations
ARISS school satellite contact – Tom
Lightening Protection – Dave KD5FX

VI. Adjourn.

INFORMATION OF INTEREST
Contest information: See QST Contest site – www.arrl.org/contests
Army MARS website: http://www.usarmymars.org/home
Navy MARS website: http://www.navymars.org/

Upcoming events:
June 1-2: Museum Ships Weekend: Battleship Texas, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart (DE) and many others
June 8-9: June VHF Contest
June 15: Kids Day; possible Merit Badge Class
June 22-23: Field Day, Katy City Park
October 19-20: Scout Jamboree on the Air

For a few minutes, Thorton Middle School was transformed into mission control.
After a year’s worth of preparations, that included the addition of an antenna powerful enough to reach the International Space Station, seventh grader Christoper Babbichio found the right frequency to communication with astronauts with classmates on standby…

For the complete article, go to:
http://www.chron.com/default/article/Cy-Fair-students-savor-radio-visit-with-space-4477232.php

This special event station is to celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the birth of Samuel F.B. Morse and his contribution of the Morse Code to communications.

More information on the QRZ page: http://www.qrz.com/db/W2M

Also, some information on the $20 Software Defined Radio (SDR) thanks to Marshall’s findings

KARS BOD Meeting at Starbucks on Mason Road
7:00 pm, April 24, 2013
AGENDA

Call to order: Mike (KA5OXA) President

Discuss State of Texas form (due mid May) and Change of Address form -

Discuss drafting a property list.

Discuss Kids Day – Scout Radio Merit Badge class – Can KARS fund materials? Guess $100 – Volunteers: Presenters, radio ops for HF & VHF, fox-hunt, electronics kits, and announcement

Discuss FIELD DAY plans– List below:
1. Food / pot luck supper coordinator/czar
2. Publicity – Jerry KT5US.
3. Boy Scout outreach – Saturday, June 15, merit badge class and to Texas Skies – Mike (KA5OXA)
4. Temporary power coordinator – generators, extension cords, Phil Burrow
5. Operations contact person: collect and share information on who is expecting to be there on which bands with what antennas and what rigs
6.   Organize station and antenna placement.
7. Stub filters and Band Pass filters – Owen (KC5CZO) – Dave (WD8RZA)
8.   Overnight coordinator – Scott (KT5SR) must be on site entire duration due to City rules.
9. Talk-ins and monitor our repeater during designated periods during the field day. Perhaps one of the new hams technician class would be interested in this activity.
10.  Record keeper and logs and submit post event documentation – Peter (KD5OCR)
11.  Liaison with the City and Park authorities – Scott (KT5SR) & Mike (KA5OXA) will attending City Council May 13 which the same time as KARS meeting.

Meeting Programs for April, May & June

Operating Events – Next? Informal setup in George Bush Park or other location? Say mid July

Training: Boy Scout Merit Badge; Saturday, June 15 2013, the weekend before Field Day.  The Scouts attending and in the Texas Skies District will be invited.

Proper notice of the regularly scheduled meeting of the Katy Amateur Radio Society (KARS) Meeting was sent to all members via email and posted on the KARS website, in accordance with the by-laws of KARS. The meeting was held at Fire Station No. 4 located at 22855 Franz Rd, Katy, Texas at 07:30 PM Central. In attendance were the following board members: Mike (KA5OXA), President, Scott (KT5SR), Jason (NV5DS) Treasurer, Jack (WB5KVV), Activities Manager and Peter (KD5OCR), Secretary. No KARS Board Members were absent. The meeting was called to order by Mike, KA5OXA, at 07:30 PM Central.

Pledge of Allegiance

Introductions of members and visitors:
22 Members present; 5 Visitors and recorded on sign-in sheet: Todd and 3 kids, April, Jay-Mag (KD5SBI), John (KA8APN) Both JayMag and John are members. A Quorum of 22 members was present.

Old Business

Last month’s meeting minutes were online; Motion to accept last KARS
meeting minutes. Motion to accept, Jerry (KT5US); seconded, Dave (KD5FX). Motion Passed.

Treasury report was given by Scott, KT5SR, Treasurer. Motion to Accept by Jerry (KT5US), second, Dave (KD5FX). Motion Passed.

Discussion of KARS Field Day: Scott, KT5SR, reserved the KARS City Park for Field Day. Mike, KA5OXA, asked for 7 to 8 volunteers. Jack, WB5KVV, emphasized. Nothing heard. Peter, KD5OCR, recommended posting the open positions for Field Day on the website. Club will work class 3A with a GOTA station. Phil, (KJ5OW) suggested having a safety coordinator at Field Day. Mike (N5TGL) suggested having: Rig Signs and Instructions at each station, holding a pre-operation meeting with operators perhaps a 30 minute do’s and don’ts, using a common computer logging program, and using dual earphone set ups.
Mike (N5TGL) gave KARS, the N3FJP’s Amateur Radio Software which can do simultaneous logging for multiple rigs.

Report on the Texas State Parks on the Air for the BVARC and BTARS group by Mike (KA5OXA).

Tom (AE5QB), the ISS contact was successful. Jack (WB5KVV) and Del (W5QQ) assisted Tom with his school’s ISS contact. Scott (KT5SR) was on standby to communicate with the students.

Scott (KT5SR) reminded everyone KARS dues were due last month.

Discussed holding a Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge class on Saturday, June 15 here at Fire Station #4. Mike, KA5OXA, reserved the Fire Station #4.

Discussed having Phil (KJ5OW) list who has what KARS property on KARS membership list.

New Business

New Member Election: Wanda (KF5IYX) and Buddy (KF5UEQ). Dave (KD5FX) moved to accept the (2) persons as KARS members. Seconded, by Jerry (KT5US). Motion Passed.

Jerry (KT5US) commented: Jerry asked that folks send him contact information for Editors to community newsletters. This is for Field Day publicity.

Charlie (KT5BBQ) commented: Charlie and Dave heard a W1AW commercial was heard on the commercial radio promoting ham radio. It was probably on 90.1 MHz KPFT and/or 92.1 MHz news programming.

Michael, N5TGL, commented: Amateur Radio club experience in the U.K. That club had a public greeter. Maybe KARS should have a public greeter?

Bob (WB3EWP) commented: CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team

Scott (KT5SR) commented: CERT opens more volunteering opportunities

Hannu (KF5QXX) requested: Post scheduling information for the Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge in June on the KARS website

Scott (KT5SR) requested: Start KARS with the programs instead of business meeting. Discussion was open to all. No motions so we will continue with business first.

Motion: Treasurer can shred dated past bank statements and out of date contracts, leaving the past 7 years intact. Moved, by Michael, N5TGL, seconded, Dave (KD5FX). Jack, WB5KVV, lead discussion on why we have the old paperwork. Motion Passed.

Public Service Calendar:

CERT class at West I-10 Katy Fire Station #1 starts tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 06:30 PM. More information is on http://www.KatyARS.com
Friday evening, April 19 through Sunday afternoon, April 21: BP MS-150; pre-meetings are this Wednesday evening and Saturday morning at the MS Society headquarters near the Astrodome.
Saturday, April 27 at 05:00 AM, No Label Brewery Triathlon, Meet at a Denny’s to be specified.

(Refreshments 10 minutes)

Ron’s (K5HM) Doomsday Presentation N0D (Now Zero Days)

Dave’s (KD5FX) Lightning Presentation

Mike (KA5OXA) closed the meeting at 09:07 PM Central.

Duly submitted for review on April 08th, 2013:
Peter, KD5OCR, Secretary