The end of the month publishing of the RHG is not the only time the web site is updated. We post articles throughout the month and combine them into the RHG. Sometimes these are timely notifications about events such as Winter Field Day, and it’s unfortunate cancellation due to cold weather.
If you’re not visiting the web site frequently there are ways to get notifications about new posts on our website.
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The Salvation Army has started to use our repeater on Monday evenings at 7 PM for their weekly net. The name of the net is SATERN. It stands for Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network. This net lasts about 15 minutes. You do not have to be a member of the Salvation Army to check in. Satern also has an International net Monday through Saturday starting at 10 AM on 14.265 Mhz. Every Tuesday there is a Territory net at 8:30 AM on 7.265 Mhz.
A little info about the Salvation Army Emergency Radio Network. During the initial first hours of a major disaster the Satern operators establish emergency communications for the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster service. The Satern members also provide communities with invaluable Health & Welfare Inquiry services.
The attached brochure was available at the Hamfest in Saint Charles explaining in detail Satern.
On January 26th 2019, aka Winter Field Day, I decided to deploy a portable station at the Moraine Hills State Park, in Illinois (map).
I chose this location because, as a bonus, it is also a Parks On The Air (POTA) recognized location, so I would be able to take part in WFD as well as activate this park for POTA ‘hunters’. The reference for this park is K1012 and more details about POTA can be found here.
Operating Location, Mike KD9KMV photo
I ran a QRP station for portable work, using an Icom IC-703+ HF/6m transceiver. On this day, and because of the cold temperatures (10 degrees), I chose to just run with one antenna on 20m.
First, I needed to make sure my 20m dipole was resonant for the SSB portion of 20m. Check (good enough!).
20m Antenna Test, Mike KD9KMV photo
Next, getting the antenna deployed at a reasonable height. Check.
Antenna setup, Mike KD9KMV photo
Despite making the antenna as stealthy as possible (can you see it below?), the park ranger was interested and asked a few questions. After being told the reason for this setup, he wanted to know the furthest contact. Very nice chap.
Antenna setup, Mike KD9KMV photo
In order to officially ‘activate’ a POTA park, a minimum of 10 contacts must be made. Logs are then submitted to the POTA coordinators who upload to their database and all the statistics, awards, etc., are updated for all to see.
Operating as both WFD (1 Oscar IL), and POTA K-1012, I made 12 QRP contacts beating my previous POTA record of 11. Conditions (both band and weather) were not favorable, and as the snow was coming down, after operating for around 2 hours, I decided to call it a day and find a place to warm up.
This was my first WFD portable deployment, and just my second POTA activation.
Geoff Stevens KA9QGH President called the meeting to order at 7:17 PM.
Rebecca KA9EFE brought some bakery items tonight that disappeared quickly.
Attendees
Mel Luxenberg
W9FRT
Danny Kafka VP
KD9HIL
Geoff Stevens
KA9QGH
Kent Ochs
W9KAO
Rob Glowacki
N9MVO
Burt Shultz
AB9CV
Rick Cook
KC9PLO
Geoff Stevens
KA9QGH
Doug May
W9YFC
Dick Mirdell
Mike Griffiths
KD9KMV
Robert Kocourek
W9RKK
John Zietlow
K9WIC
Bill Crockett
KD9AUP
Terry Jarholm
AE9TJ
Edward Lishka
AC9SD
Dennis Calvey
KD9HIK
Bob McIntyre
W9DXR
Chris Brewer
AC9GN
Roberto Beltramelli
WA9E
Cliff Sowka
K9QD
Treasurer’s Report
Chris Brewer AC9GN reported:
Beginning Balance $5,133.26
Income $ 0
Expense $ 106.97 ($60.42 Data Line, $46.55 club raffle prizes)
Ending Balance $5,026.29
Current fully-paid membership: 75
President’s Report
Geoff KA9QGH provided the following report: Encouraged membership to promote diversity in Ham Radio operating modes. New digital modes are fun and there seems to be growing interest in CW as well. Leo N9NBH has been helping to encourage new Ham License students in joining a local radio club to encourage mentoring and knowledge-building in understanding the myriad technologies available.
Publicity
Dennis Calvey KD9HIK no report.
SARC Repeaters
Rob N9MVO related his discovery and correction of the 2M machine’s disabled modem due to the Village’s effort to clean the floor. Cabinets were moved without disconnecting the telephone line therefore pulling the modem’s power cord loose. Kent W9KAO commented the 440 machine has a somewhat low audio excitation that may be related to either frequency offset or line attenuation. The machine is useful as a stand-alone resource but suffers sub-standard audio transmission on the 2M link traffic.
Membership
Bob Benwitz N9JAX not present.
Secretary’s Report
Cliff Sowka K9QD: Approval of Meeting Minutes as published on our website.
The 2019 State of Illinois Annual Report for SARC 501c3 Corporate status is completed and required $10 filing fee submitted.
State of Illinois Agent of Record is currently K9QD and will need to transition to Ken KD9HIJ when he returns later this quarter.
EMCOMM
John Zietlow K9WIC EMCOMM Chairman reminded May 19th is the Chicagoland Marathon. April 28th Illinois simulation exercise.
Upcoming on June 21st there will be a National organization hosting a Wide Area Unified Command exercise by Ham Radio Operators.
There will be a joint exercise involving multiple communities and agencies during the week of June 17-21, 2019. This exercise will likely include amateur radio participation. It should be noted that time is the week leading up to Field Day.
Construction Project (CP)
Meeting this coming Saturday is on schedule. Previously informed our membership the Board approved $200 headroom to procure some new parts cabinets/drawers that allow storage of larger components Ron Remus WB9PTA has obtained recently. Ron spent several hours sorting through large amounts of bulk transistors and they are now ready for new drawer organization. Search on the web indicates the metal-sided cabinets are very expensive (more than $65 each) so we may opt for the plastic-sided versions as long as the drawers will allow larger items and the cabinet is capable of reasonable handling. Search for appropriate cabinets still underway.
The current Park District Free-Rental Agreement for the basement facility needs to be renewed. Vince Kennedy has retired and the ladies at the front desk of the Tennis Club told us Richard Ward was the new Superintendent. We will need to renew our insurance rider as well.
Social
John Douglas KD9KSH will assume Social Chairman Role for 2019.
Education
Leo N9NBH not present but previously reported winter General Class has concluded with two students already taking their exam. Potential for Tech Class in the fall and Leo has to notify and reserve the Library about 60 days in advance. None of tonight’s attendees indicated interest in hosting classes for General or Extra at the moment.
VE Testing
John AC9JS not present but previously reported VE Tests Results for February, 2019
Name
Call
Class
Lathan, James
KD9MGU
General
Motoki, Yoshinori
KD9MGT
General
Bovio, Joseph
KD9MKO
Technician
Housour, Barry
KD9MKP
General
Cabana, Virgilio
KD9MKQ
Technician
Class
Technician
2
General
3
Extra
0
Failed to Upgrade
0
Total
5
Next examination date: March 2, 2019
RHG
Matt AC9IG has been publishing club meeting minutes and activities on his newly-designed website. Matt wishes a new Editor will come forward to assume RHG publication responsibility.
Public Service
Rob N9MVO reported MS Walk is moving all the way to Roselle this spring and set for the first weekend of May. July events Hoffman Estates Fourth and Schaumburg Triathalon Chicagoland Marathon will be handled by the EMCOMM team.
Programs
Cliff Sowka K9QD reports no presentation is on the schedule for March and a new Program Chair will need to organize something for that month. John K9WIC will present Emergency Communications Basics tonight as the introductory portion of his plan for several more formal educational communications elements during the year.
Nets
Reminder that the Salvation Army has been successfully using our 2M machine for their Monday Night Nets and they have been announcing their gratitude for the SARC Group’s hospitality.
2M Machine is working fine and EchoLink is functional again since Rob N9MVO restored the modem’s power loss.
Ebay Sales
No eBay sales to report
Old Business
None
New Business – Hereby Invoking Required 30-Day Notice Provision
Committee asks membership to approve mechanism presented to the Board of Directors during February session that allows the club to remove an undesirable member(s).
Two separate proposals:
Article III Section 5
Revocation of Membership for cause will be considered in a method specified by the Board of Directors
Article VIII Section 3
No member shall act in an official capacity on behalf of SARC or allocate/order emergency funding without having prior approval of three (3) members of the Board of Directors.
Adjourn 8:33 PM
Submitted: February 22, 2019 by Cliff Sowka K9QD during the prearranged absence of Ken Krzywicki KD9HIJ, Secretary.
Leo Ribordy N9NBH Chairman opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.
Attendees
Leo Ribordy
N9NBH
Dirk Smith
W0RI
Cliff Sowka
K9QD
Frank Giampa
N9QPD
John Zietlow
K9WIC
Geoff Stevens
KA9QGH
Edward Lishka
AC9SD
Chris Brewer
AC9GN
Peter Maziuk
N9POL
Treasurer’s Report
Chris Brewer AC9GN reported current financials:
Beginning Balance $5,133.26
Income $ 0
Expense $ 106.97 ($60.42 Data Line, $46.55 club raffle prizes)
Ending Balance $5,026.29
Current fully-paid membership: 75
President’s Report
Geoff KA9QGH would like to encourage our members to initiate more diversity in Ham Radio operating modes. New digital modes are fun and there seems to be growing interest in CW as well. Leo N9NBH has been helping to encourage new Ham License students in joining a local radio club to help with mentoring and knowledge building in understanding the myriad technologies available.
Publicity
Dennis Calvey KD9HIK not present.
SARC Repeaters
Rob N9MVO and Terry AE9TJ not present; Leo mentioned receiving notice the Echolink is not working. Chis AC9GN hasn’t been contacted for reimbursement of newly-authorized SPARES purchases at the moment. The Board had previously approved expenditures for various Repeater items such as Lightning suppressors, controller modules, etc.
Secretary’s Report
Cliff Sowka K9QD: Board appointed Cliff as Acting Secretary for the duration of Ken’s KD9HIJ absence. Approval of January’s BOD Minutes as published on our website.
The 2019 State of Illinois Annual Report for SARC 501c3 Corporate status is completed and required $10 filing fee will be in US Mail today.
State of Illinois Agent of Record is currently K9QD and will need to transition to KD9HIJ when he returns later this quarter.
EMCOMM
John Zietlow K9WIC EMCOMM Chairman reminded May 19th is the Chicagoland Marathon. John will check AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) regarding 2019 invitation from the Village. This could now present a new, formal process for us to follow within governmental procedure before SARC could be selected again this year.
Construction Project (CP)
Robert W9RKK not present. We had somewhat skinny attendance for January. Hosted around 15 Hams for each of the two sessions.
Board approved $200 headroom to procure some new parts cabinets/drawers that allow storage of larger components Ron Remus WB9PTA has obtained recently. Ron spent several hours sorting through large amounts of bulk transistors and they are now ready for new drawer organization. Search on the web indicates the metal-sided cabinets are very expensive (more than $65 each) so we may opt for the plastic-sided versions as long as the drawers will allow larger items and the cabinet is capable of reasonable handling. Search for appropriate cabinets still underway.
The current Park District Free-Rental Agreement for the basement facility needs to be renewed. Vince Kennedy has retired and the ladies at the front desk of the Tennis Club told us Richard Ward was the new Superintendent. We will need to renew our insurance rider as well.
Social
John Douglas KD9KSH will assume Social Chairman role for 2019.
Education
Leo N9NBH will be planning a Technician Class with the Library District for the fall timeframe. John Zietlow K9WIC suggested Geoff KA9QGH take a survey during the Business Meeting attendees in February to ascertain interest in offering a class for General upgrade this fall.
VE Testing
VE Tests Results for January, 2019
John Schofield AC9JS provided the following report:
Name
Call
Class
Zuckerman, Adam
KD9MGQ
Technician
Wendt, Albert
KD9MFK
General
Wolter, Kurt
KD9MGR
Technician
Ochoa, Yuan
KD9MGS
Technician
Motoki, Yoshinori
KD9MGT
Technician
Lathan, James
KD9MGU
Technician
Sasaki, August
KD9MGV
Technician
Chiorean, Gheorghe
KD9MFA
General
Hintz, Jason
KD9MGW
Technician
Mucker, Jon
N8XVE
General
Preble, Kevin
KD9LKY
General
Class
Technician
7
General
4
Extra
0
Failed to Upgrade
3
Total
14
Results were delayed due to the government shutdown.
VE Tests Results for February, 2019
Dirk Smith W0RI reported February 2nd testing results. 6 tested with all passing: 3 Generals and 3 Techs. There is currently an effort underway to edit the VE Examiner’s roster and bring some missing/older information up to date.
RHG
Matt AC9IG continues editor role until a new editor for 2019 can be appointed.
Membership Committee
Bob Benwitz N9JAX
The following were contacted via phone and/or email during the month of January:
1/29 George Miller WB9VRQ (had questions about the linking of our repeaters)
1/31 Mike Cooley (no call) followed up to him from previous discussion with Matt Walsh, invited him to club meetings/activities
NETS
Leo N9NBH reported the NETS have been conducted as planned. Our 2M machine has made solid contacts possible with hams from Matteson, Elburn, Rochelle, and even Lyons.
Salvation Army has been successfully using our 2M machine for their Monday Night Nets and they have been announcing their gratitude for the SARC Group’s hospitality.
Public Service
Rob N9MVO not present but previously reported the MS Walk has changed the venue for the event in 2019. More details will become known as the spring approaches for the Roselle event May 5th.
Programs
Cliff Sowka K9QD reminded a new SARC Program Chair will need to be selected for 2019. John Zietlow K9WIC will present EMCOMM basics for the February meeting: Where What Who When of Emergency Radio operation.
Ebay Sales
No eBay sales to report. Impromptu Auction items have now been claimed/paid-for and the storage cabinet cleared. About $430 is now in the treasury as received for the surplus equipment.
Old Business
A new Committee has been formed to consider a Bylaw mechanism that allows the club to remove an undesirable member(s).
Dirk reports a different approach: add Frank’s text to enclosed minutes before publication
New Business
Bylaw Changes
Begin 30 Day advance notice for proposed Bylaw changes to be affirmed in a future Special Session of the SARC Membership.
Dirk W0RI reports a different approach from last fall. Instead of 6+ pages of disciplinary procedures, the membership will be asked to ratify simplified Bylaw additions in two separate proposals.
Article III Section 5
Revocation of Membership for cause will be considered in a method specified by the Board of Directors
Article VIII Section 3
No member shall act in an official capacity on behalf of SARC or allocate/order emergency funding without having prior approval of three (3) members of the Board of Directors.
EMCOMM
EMCOMM as Separate Entity: Frank N9QPD moved Peter N9POL seconded: SARC BOD established an Ad Hoc EMCOMM committee separate and autonomous from our previously defined roles within the Bylaws. So moved
Frank N9QPD moved John Zietlow K9WIC be appointed EMCOMM Chair and Peter N9POL seconded. So moved.
Adjourn 8:36 PM
Submitted: February 7, 2019 by Cliff Sowka K9QD during the prearranged absence of Ken Krzywicki KD9HIJ, Secretary.
So the February meeting came off without hitch. Except for starting a half an hour late, we had some spirited discussion. Talk consisted of field strength meters, contesting, Emcomm, and imaginary numbers i = (√-1) or more simply i2=-1. Simply stated an imaginary number is a complex number that can be written as a real number multiplied by the imaginary unit. Needless to say, nothing was settled. The only reason it came up is because we use the imaginary numbers when calculating antenna and feedline impedance. Many of us have seen the calculations on the Extra class exam looking something like this: Z=50+j*0 with “j” being the imaginary number.
The question did come up of how many members were looking to upgrade from Tech to general or General to Extra. The answer was nobody. Maybe this is the time that we should upgrade. Go out on Amazon and get a Gordon West book and study for an upgrade while it’s cold outside. At a minimum you gain access to bands you have never been on. I dare anybody to memorize 462 questions in the FCC General class pool and not learn something, or perhaps the 716 questions in the Extra class pool. The more we “advance the radio art”, the stronger the hold we will have on the airwaves that have been granted to us by the US government to take care of.
