Winter Field Day 2020 is approaching!

So, another year has almost drawn to a close, which means January and WFD 2020!

Similar to the Field Day event held in the Summer, Winter Field Day encourages ham radio operators to deploy communications in the field, and in less than ideal weather conditions.  This serves as a rigorous test on the equipment and skills needed to establish communications in any situation, anytime, anywhere.

SARC will be participating in this nationwide annual event outside the Schaumburg Community Recreation Center (same location as SARC in the Park).

We encourage members and non-members alike to come and join us.  If you are interested in Ham radio and want to see how we can deploy our radio communications in the field, this is the perfect time.

Volunteers for setting up the station should arrive at 10.30am CST, ready for testing at 12pm CST, with the official start time being 1pm CST.

The full 24 hour event takes place between 1900 UTC on Saturday Jan 25th and 1900 UTC on Sunday Jan 26th.  For your information, here are the WFD 2020 rules in printable PDF format.

Mike, K9KMV

 

 

 

December 2019 Monthly Meeting

Ron KD9IPO presenting to the club

As you can see from the photos, we had a great turnout at the December monthly meeting.  After the regular club business agenda was completed, CSRA members Jim (W9JGH) and Ron (KD9IPO), gave us their “Distracted Driving Laws and Amateur Radio” presentation.

It was a very interesting, informative, and interactive presentation, which everyone enjoyed.  Jim and Ron have a done a great job making sure the information provided is regularly updated with the latest changes in the relevant laws, as they apply to our hobby.

Mike, K9KMV

Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club Board of Directors Meeting December 4th, 2019

Board of Directors Meeting,  4 December 2019

Chairman Leo Ribordy called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm noting that there was a quorum.

Attendees:

Cliff Sowka K9QD///Ed Lishka AC9SD///Ken Krzywicki KD9HIJ///Leo Ribordy N9NBH

John Douglas KD9KSH///Burt Schultz AB9CV///Danny Kafka KS9HIL///Frank Giampa N9QPD

John Zietlow K9WIC///Dirk Smith (via phone) W0RI

Secretary’s Report:

A motion to accept the minutes of the 6 November 19 meeting was made by Frank N9QPD and seconded by Danny KD9HIL. The motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

There was no Treasurer’s report. Cliff K9QD has suggested that the Treasurers budget should include funds to cover refreshments for our Construction Project meetings. Attendance is currently at record highs and there are several members purchasing items to share. It seems there is currently some difficulty among those in attendance toward voluntary reimbursement for this generosity. It may be a good thing for the Club to officially host Construction Project refreshments to further enhance the successful atmosphere underway.

Public Service:

There was no report.

EMCOMM:

John K9WIC is looking to put together a 5 to 10 minute presentation for a Club meeting.

Repeaters:

Dennis KD9HIK has submitted his expense for the batteries used for our water tower repeater.

Construction Project:

A dummy load and construction project antenna has been suggested as an activity. Bill W9WEM will be contacted to determine if he will take the Chair for Construction Project. Leo N9NBH will also ask around for anyone interested in the CP Chair. A SARC all will be put out to determine if the dummy load project should be held at CP or at Bob Z’s W9GEW shop. In addition, costs will need to be determined relative to resisters, other materials, etc.

VE Testing:

No report as of this writing.

Membership:

Bob N9JAX submitted a report, read by the Secretary. There were 5 contacts made.

14 November: Pat Keane (no call) needed contact info for Dennis KD9HIK.

14 November: Fran Merkley called regarding the disposal of her SK husband’s equipment. This project is in progress through Cliff K9QD and others.

26 November: Tim Smith KC9NMW needed information on how to join SARC.

27 November: Lou Childers N9LTW joined SARC through Pay Pal and is awaiting confirmation and roster invitation.

30 November: James Edgell KC9UAB is interested in joining SARC and wanted to know if we were accepting new members. He was welcomed to join and was told to sign up on our website via Pay Pal or come to any of our meetings and sign up in person.

Social:

John KD9KSH has lined up Garibaldi’s Restaurant for the SARC Christmas/Holiday Party.

Education:

Leo N9NBH reports that the General Class will be held in the fall of 2020.

Publicity:

No report.

Programs:

Bill KD9AUP has set up a presentation for the December Club meeting which has to do with distracted driving.

Old Business:

John K9WIC reports that In reference to the repeater at St. Alexius, there has been no response to his e-mails as to the status of the repeater.

New Business:

Cliff K9QD is lining members up to assist with the loading and transportation of the SK member’s equipment from his house to CP for sorting, pricing and storage. More information will be forthcoming on this. A motion to allow this activity and price at 75% of value was made by Frank N9QPD and seconded by Burt AB9CV. The motion carried.

The newly elected officers will be installed at the January meeting.

It was announced that Bill Clark will be retiring soon. Bill has been a longtime friend to SARC and the possibility of presenting him with a retirement gift was brought up. More to follow on this.

A motion to name Cliff K9QD interim Secretary to cover for Ken KD9HIJ during a pre-arranged absence was made by Frank N9QPD and seconded by Burt AB9CV. The motion carried.

 Motion to Adjourn:

With no further business to conduct, a motion to adjourn was made by Ken KD9HIJ and seconded by Burt AB9CV. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted

Ken Krzywicki Secretary KD9HIJ

Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club Business Meeting December 19th, 2019

Schaumburg Business Meeting       December 19th, 2019

Rebecca Hopkins KA9EFE brought chocolate chip cookies tonight.  All gone in minutes.

Danny Kafka KD9HIL Vice President called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

Attendees:

 

Danny Kafka  KD9HIL Cliff Sowka  K9QD Chris Brewer AC9GN
Mel Luxenberg  W9FRT Bob Zuttermeister W9GEW Bill McGovern  W9WEM
Ed Liska  AC9SD Bill Whelan  KD9JYS Robert Kocourek  W9RKK
John Zietlow  K9WIC Terry Jarnholm  AE9TJ Daryl Jenks  KB9RHR
Scott Esser  N9ASI Doug May  W9YFC Rob Glowacki  N9MVO
D. J. Traxler  WA9UBR Burt Shultz  AB9CV Lucas Childers  KB9UGJ
Lou Childers  N9LTW Scott DeSantis  KB9VZW Anatoly Andrianov AC9VI
Mike Griffiths  K9KMV John Douglas  KD9KSH Jack McClurkin  W9YY
Bob McIntyre  W9DXR Russ Schmidt  KC9NUV Don Smith  K9UD
Leo Ribordy  N9NBH Jim Campbell  KB9RGU Don Dewar  KD9NJR
Sid Puri  KD9OLJ Raj Chacko  KD9OLK Timothy Smith  KC9NMW
Bill Crockett  KD9AUP Chuck Billstrand  KB9RGI Jim Hull  W9JGH
Ron Delpiere-Smith KD9IPO Bob Benwitz  N9JAX Dane Duval KD9MBR

Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD requested a motion to accept the minutes of the November 19 meeting.  Burt Shultz AB9CV moved and seconded by Daryl Jenks KB9RHR.    So moved.

Treasurer’s Report:

Chris Brewer AC9GN reported

 

Beginning Balance           $5,261.35

Income                 $   258.82

Expense               $   127.81  (Final Invoice Water Tank Temporary Storage Fee, $62.82 Data line)

Ending Balance                  $5,392.36

Public Service:

Rob Glowacki N9MVO reported our first two events for 2020 will be the MS Walk and the 4th of July parade for Hoffman Estates.

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC informed he expects to provide an ARRL update during the February meeting.

Repeaters:

Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ reported our recent 2M repeater outage was caused by some of the controller’s data going into the tulips; the USB port required reboot and machine working fine now.

Construction Project:

Bill McGovern W9WEM reported the SK sale went well with most equipment paid for and delivered during last week’s Construction Project meeting.  Chris AC9GN will see to it that sales receipts of the  estate will be sent to Fran shortly.

A dummy load for a Construction Project has been suggested as an activity.  A SARC-ALL broadcast will be published to determine if the dummy load project has enough interest to begin the organizational efforts.  In addition, costs will need to be determined relative to resisters, other materials, etc.

VE Testing:

John Schofield AC9JS reports Volunteer Testing Results:

VE Tests Results for December 7, 2019

 

Name Call Class
Howard KD9OLI Technician
Surrender KD9OLJ Technician
Rajesh KD9OLK General
Robert KD9NDS Extra

 

Class  
Technician 2
General 1
Extra 1
Total 4

Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

 

Bill Davies K9WKD
Ed Lishka AC9SD
William Riess KW9WR
John Schofield AC9JS

 

Next examination date:  January 4, 2020

Radio Hill Gazette  RHG

Mike Griffiths K9KMV requests articles for publication.

Membership:

Bob N9JAX submitted a report, read by the Secretary. There were 5 contacts made.

14 November: Pat Keane (no call) needed contact info for Dennis KD9HIK.

Social:

John KD9KSH has lined up Garibaldi’s Restaurant for the SARC Christmas/Holiday Party and reported that we look forward to a New Year with the promise of new projects, new adventures, and new friendships.  SARC is a great organization providing help and insight to both new and experienced ham radio operators.   SARC wants everyone to enjoy the benefits of the club and to celebrate its accomplishments.

On Thursday, January 16th, we will meet at 7:00 PM for a Holiday Party at Garibaldi’s Italian Eatery in Hoffman Estates which is located in a shopping center to the East of Route 59 on Higgins Road behind our normal meeting place of Buona Beef.    We will all order our own food/drink and be responsible for the cost.

Every member is invited to attend the Holiday Party and we ask that you bring a grab bag gift of $10:00 in value.  The grab bag gift should be something that might be useful in the operation or building of a ham station.  If everyone participates it will result in a fun surprise for all.

In addition, the honorary Bill Smead K9IIM Construction Project Award will be given to a deserving member of SARC’s successful Construction Project activities.

The SARC Member of the Year will also be named.  Both of these awards are an honor for the recipient.

We look forward to seeing all members.

Date and Time:    Thursday, Jan 16th, at 7:00 PM  (Replaces our normal January meeting)

Place:    Garibaldi’s Italian Eatery

2346 West Higgins Road

Hoffman Estates, IL

Education:

Leo N9NBH reports schedule for next Ham Radio License class to start Sep 5th

Publicity:

No report.

Programs:

Bill KD9AUP invited Jim Hull W9JGH and Ron Delpiere-Smith  KDIPO tonight for a Distracted Driving presentation which has to do with equipment use as it applies to Ham Radio operators.  Bill may also prepare a Fox Hunt for some time in February.

Old Business:

Leo reminded we are in need of a Membership Chair.  Effort of ~1 hour per week is required.  Contact Leo via WWW.N9RJV.org to access his email address.

New Business:

 Mike Meder donated several ham radios tonight: Hallicrafters S58, S55, S40.

Danny KD9HIL reminded our January 8th BOD meeting will be held at the CRC instead of the normal meeting room in the basement of the Schaumburg Airport.  The first Wednesday of January will be supplanted with the new date of January 8th due to room reservations conflict at the airport.

John K9WIC announced the Wheaton Club is offering a free table for club promotion only.  The club will need to inform John of any plans to utilize this offer so that he can make a commitment to the Wheaton Club.  Rob N9MVO has the club’s banner.

Mike K9KMV reports planning for Winter Field Day Jan 25th at the CRC.  More details to follow.

Action Required:  Cliff K9QD to author a broadcast to SARC-ALL to ascertain headcount for 250W dummy load.  Club decided a flat $10 cost to cover Bill’s KD9AUP component expense and allow any funding residuals to be a fund-raiser for the treasury.

Motion to Adjourn:

At 8:36PM Burt Shultz AB9CV motioned to Adjourn, Bill McGovern W9WEM seconded.  So Moved.

Submitted

Cliff Sowka K9QD Interim Secretary during Ken Krzywicki’s KD9HIJ Scheduled Absence