Never has one country had so many names! The Democratic Republic of the Congo  also known as DR Congo, the DRC, DROC, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo and before that it was the Belgian Congo and still earlier it was the Congo Free State. Can you say that all in one breath?

Where is it? In Central Africa. Right next to the Republic of the Congo. It is a country located in Central Africa. It was formerly called Zaire (1971–1997). It is, by area, the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa. With a population of over 84 million, the DRC is the most populous officially Francophone country, the fourth-most-populous country in Africa. The Eastern DR Congo has been the scene of ongoing military conflict since 2015. So not a good place for a DXpedition or a vacation.  To read more go here…

Reporting from the Dark Side,Ron, K5HM

The meeting started at 7:30 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

This month’s presentation was by Robert Powell, KF5GHD on the topic of batteries, loading, charging and building a power source. Lithium batteries will cover a range of applications, some of the parameters that need to be identified are: Type and size of load, what period of time needs to be covered and what size requirements do you desire, portable or larger stationary systems.

Roberts contact information is available and if there are enough interested parties a workshop session could be scheduled.

KARS Business

The Board of Directors meeting minutes were previously shared, a motion was made by Charlie, KT5BBQ and seconded by Tom, AE5TG… A majority show of hands accepted the minutes.

Upcoming Events

The Annual KARS Christmas Party will be held on December 9th at 7:30 pm at Rudy’s BBQ, located at 21799 Katy Fwy. Join us for a good time, bring the family, there will be door prizes and the drawing for the winning raffle ticket. Raffle tickets continue to be available so don’t miss the opportunity for a chance to win the “Shack in a Pack”!

Smoke Alarm Blitz Results from 11/9

Attempted 169 homes, Entered 58 – 34%, Installed 235 smoke alarms, Installed 59 CO alarms

Thanks to those who participated and helped make the community safer.

We have two new club members voted in:

Kurt G. Ristig, W7TL who holds an Extra license

Alexander Park, KI5GTT who also holds an Extra License

Alex received his Technician license on 10/10/2019. He then attended the KARS VE Session on 11/9, where he took and successfully passed both the General and Extra License Exams. Alex is 11 years old.

Treasury report: $4,386.02 current balance.

QRZ published the official Field Day numbers:

The Multi Group official results were: First Place for 10A stations and 6th total standing overall.

We had 27 members and one visitor in attendance.

Net Control 11/19 Bob WB3EWP

Net Control 11/26 Tom AE5TG

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Where in the World is . . .  Tierra Del Fuego (LU/CE8)  CQ Zones 12, 13 ITU Zone 16  IOTA SA-008

The Land of Fire can be considered the end of the world. It is the roughly triangular archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South America, across the Strait of Magellan. The archipelago consists of the main island, Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, and a group of many smaller islands including dangerous, Cape Horn. In the days of sailing ships rounding Cape Horn was deemed particularly dangerous due to the contrasting currents from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meeting here. During his circumnavigation Magellan discovered the strait named for him that makes up the northern boundary of the island.  To find out more read the complete article.

Reporting from the Dark Side,

Ron, K5HM

• Meeting was held at Rudy’s BBQ restaurant, combined with our annual KARS Christmas dinner.
• Treasurer’s Report – Raul Ramos: Current balance = $4260.07
• The raffle for the ICOM IC-7300 was held. Congrats to Darrel, K5TWG, for winning.
• Net Control Assignment for the period of Dec 18, 2018 – Jan 15, 2019:

• Four (4) new member applications were presented and approved by club membership: Benjamin Sommers (K5BSO), Louis Orlando (KI5BWV), Mauricio Valdez, Orville Burg (K5VWW).
• There was a combined total of 39 members and guests in attendance.
• Dinner and meeting adjourned at app. 9:00 pm. Good time had by all.

A message from KA5QDG:

The PL tone on the 147.000 has been changed to 100.0 encode ONLY.  It does NOT transmit a pl tone now.  This was done to cure a interference problem.

As a reminder, this is the main ARES frequency.

Sean Ramsey, AEC Communications, ARES STX HARRIS NW

A message from KA5QDG:

The PL tone on the 147.000 has been changed to 100.0 encode ONLY.  It does NOT transmit a pl tone now.  This was done to cure a interference problem.

As a reminder, this is the main ARES frequency.

Sean Ramsey, AEC Communications, ARES STX HARRIS NW

Where in the World is The Marshall Islands (V73)

CQ Zone 31 ITU Zone 65 IOTA OC-028

Think WW II – the big one. Names of individual atolls are engraved forever in American military history. Part of Admiral Nimitz’ island hopping strategy, islands in the Marshall and Gilberts chains became battle grounds. After the war, the islands, especially Bikini and Eniwetok atolls became U.S. atomic testing grounds. The first hydrogen bomb was tested there.  Officially named the Republic of the Marshall Islands, none of the 29 low-lying coral atolls and the five coral islands in the Marshall group rises to more than 20 feet above high tide. The islands are coral caps set on the rims of submerged volcanoes rising from the ocean floor. The island units of the Marshalls are scattered over about 180,000 square miles of the Pacific.  To read more…

KARS General Meeting – Monday, March 12, 2018

• Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM.
• The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
• Treasurer’s Report – Raul Ramos: Current balance = $3581.95
• “3D Printing for the Amateur Radio Operator” presentation by John T. (K5JBT). John provided an informative overview of 3D printing as well as showing several items that he has produced. Presentation was well received by the club members.  3D Printing for the Amateur Radio Operator Mar 2018
• The February BOD minutes were read – Dan (K5DAF) raised the motion, Jack (WB5KVV) seconded, and the minutes were approved.
• A recommendation to add EchoLink capabilities to our KARS repeater was presented to the members. Funds of app. $450 will be required to purchase the additional components needed. Motion to accept was raised by Bruce (W5BCA), seconded by Bob (WB3EWP), and received unanimous approval by members.
• A payment of $150 is required to continue the services of InMotion Hosting, Inc. to host our KARS website. Motion was raised by Scott (KT5SR), seconded by John (K5JBT), and received unanimous approval by members. Immediately following this Monday’s meeting, Raul send the check via priority mail to InMotion Hosting, Inc.
• One new member application was submitted at the end of the meeting – will be presented to the membership at the April meeting.
• Discussion pertaining to KARS joining with BVARC for the upcoming June Field Day event. A fee of $150 is required. Motion raised by Darrel (K5TWT), seconded by Mike (KA5OXA), and received majority approval by members.
• Presentation topics for future meetings need to be directed to Jimmy (W5ZTX) and David (K5DSM).
• Upcoming Public Service Events (Scott – KT5SR)
  • SpringFest Metric Century Bike Ride – Mar. 24 ( http://www.wheelbrothers.com/springfest-metric-century )
  • Red White & Bike Ride Little Heroes– Mar. 25 ( http://www.redwhiteandbike.org/ )
  • 8^Th No Label Triathlon – Mar 31 ( https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Katy/NoLabelTriathlon )
  • 15^th Annual Schlumberger Education Bike Ride – Apr 7
• Net Control Operator assignments from Mar 13 – Apr 10, 2018:

Date	Net Control Operator
Mar 13	George Graves
Mar 20	Mike Brannan
Mar 27	Tom Greathouse
Apr 3	Bob Bentley
Apr 10	Raul Ramos

• There were 25 members and 1 visitor in attendance.

• Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.