|
|
The HOTLINE |
|
|
|
|
|
Farewell to 2007…Welcome to 2008! |
by Bill Feltenberger, KD5UEW |
2007 is almost gone. It seems like it was just a few days ago when I was called and asked to be HOTARC Vice-President. Not knowing what that meant, it seemed to be a fearful expedition. Now that it is passed, I wonder at how well it seems to have gone. I had people calling and e-mailing me with suggestions. I had people calling and lining up to get on the program. We had several meetings that were already planned by our traditions. That being said, 2007 is gone.
|
Bill, KD5UEW |
Now 2008 is almost here. Soon we will have our Christmas party, and then the New Year begins! We will start over with a new set of officers, a new set of challenges, and a new list of places and times that we can use to serve our community and our club. But with 2008 almost here, we need to not skip over this last meeting in November. We need to come and elect new officers. We have one more opportunity to see, and hear, and come together as a group. Yes, 2008 is almost here, but let’s finish 2007 in fine style.
What’s here and now is our November meeting—where we will elect our new officers. That should be an exciting and fun-filled program. We will get to see who has stepped up to lead us through the coming year. We will get to voice our support for those brave souls. We will then go forth into the New Year with confidence.
So, this is my opportunity to encourage you to come to the meeting once again, and support your new officers and directors with your votes and suggestions for programs. If you miss the November meeting, you will have “really missed it,” for it truly will be gone.
And this is my opportunity to tell you how much fun it has been as your 2007 Vice President to set up meetings and get programs that were both entertaining and also informative. Let me conclude by saying “thank you” for your support. I would also like you to continue to support our new vice-president and all the new officers. So, let’s all come to the meeting Thursday and have a voice in selecting our new Club officers!
|
President’s Corner |
by Wayne Branscum, KD5SMC |
|
|
|
Wayne, KD5SMC |
As we draw near to the last regular meeting for this year let me say thank you to each of you for all your help this past year. All of us have seen our numbers grow this year—a big credit to each and every one. The wonderful time of Thanksgiving is upon us—a time for family; many of us have formed bonds with the people we work and live, thus creating a second family. The holidays are a time when we can reach out and say “thank you” to all the people who make up our many families.
My wish for all of you: have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I hope you can come join your second family at our last meeting for this year, and hopefully for our Christmas luncheon on December 15th. We’re looking forward to seeing each of you!
Wayne
Branscum, KD5SMC
HOTARC President
|
For the Record... |
HOTARC Meeting of Directors
October 25, 2007
HOTARC’s Meeting of Directors was called to order by President Wayne Branscum, KD5SMC, at 6:30 pm at the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco campus. Present were Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, John Chamberlain AC5CV, Norris Martin KB5SLI, Terry Williams KD5KJU, Rodney Baden K5YKC, Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, and Mike Ross N5MVL. The only order of business was a discussion of the proposed Department of Public Safety contract to install a HOTARC D-Star repeater system on their tower. The contract we were given as a pattern was based on an old contract used with an earlier customer. The Directors agreed to recommend the contract to the Members. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm on a motion from KD5UEW.
HOTARC Meeting of Members
October 25, 2007
|
The Treasurer Reports... |
|
|
|
Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 6,641.69 Income Dues $ 38.00 Interest 1.41 TOTAL Income $ 39.41 Expenses P.O. Box Rent $ 40.00 TOTAL Expenses $ 40.00 Ending Account Balance $ 6,641.10 Outstanding (as of 11-20-2007) Submitted by |
HOTARC’s October Meeting was called to order by Wayne Branscum, KD5SMC, at 6:58 pm at the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco campus. Chaplain Dell Bredemeyer KE5MZS, opened the meeting with a prayer.
Present were twenty-one full members, one family member, one associate member, and three visitors. Visitors were James Tabola KC5LDO of Hewitt, Jesse Wilburn of Elm Mott, and Robbie Fletcher of Hewitt.
A motion to approve the Minutes for the September meeting as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, with second by Rodney Baden K5YKC. The motion was approved by the members.
A motion to approve the September Treasurer’s Report as published in the HOTLINE was recognized from Bill Cox W5JRM, with second by KD5UEW. The motion was approved by the members.
Committee Reports
· ARES: K5YKC discussed new initiatives to corporate America to prepare for disaster by passing online courses.
· Trailer: Mike Ross N5MVL reported trailer is well. David Bush KC5UOZ observed during the WWWC event that the white toolbox is a safety (pinch) hazard. W5JRM offered a replacement box.
· Repeater: Norris Martin KB5SLI reported the 145.15 repeater still not working at the Channel 25 tower, so we are still relying on backup at Hillcrest Hospital site.
· D-Star: Larry Bush W5NCD reported cost estimate for purchasing and installing a D-Star repeater at the DPS tower site: after $1000 donation by K5YKC and miscellaneous hardware by W5NCD, remaining cost to HOTARC would be approximately $1860. KC5DSM reported that Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requested a contract for the installation of a D-Star repeater on the DPS property, which the HOTARC Directors recommended. KB5SLI made a motion that we enter into a contract with the DPS to install the D-Star repeater on their premises, Roger Miles WB5MBO seconded the motion. There was no further discussion and the members approved the motion. Subsequently a motion was heard from K5YKC to authorize the spending of up to $2000 for the purchase and installation of a D-Star repeater at the DPS tower site (per the research by W5NCD). The motion was seconded by N5MVL, and approved by the members without further discussion.
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV reported that we would be changing web servers in the weeks ahead, but that you should notice little, if any, disruption in service.
· ATV: David Bush KC5UOZ had nothing to report.
· Education: K5YKC reported that we have only three signed up yet for the Technician license classes. If no more sign up, we plan to conduct a one-day class on November 3 with testing to occur on November 10.
· Public Relations: No report.
· Special Events: As reported in HOTLINE, thanks to all who helped in the WWWC. No more special events this year.
Announcements
· Lifetime Membership: J.W. Roach W5AYX addressed the members, expressing his appreciation for the honor of being granted a Lifetime Membership status to HOTARC.
New Business
· Nominations Committee: John Chamberlain AC5CV (Chair), Terry Williams KD5KJU, and Al McDaniel KE5ISO agreed to serve on a committee to identify members willing to serve as officer and director candidates for 2008 elections at the Annual Meeting on November 29.
· Christmas Luncheon: K5YKC agreed to investigate the reservations for the Club at the Summer Palace on Valley Mills Drive in Waco for our annual Christmas luncheon, with first choice being December 15, and second choice December 8.
Motion to adjourn was made by Rusty Keyes KC5DSM at approximately 8:00 pm.
Our program this evening was a collection of home-brew presentations by the members (and visitors!).
Submitted by:
John Chamberlain AC5CV
HOTARC Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating Committee Report |
by John Chamberlain AC5CV |
The Nominating Committee of John Chamberlain AC5CV, Terry Williams KD5KJU, and Al McDaniel KE5ISO is pleased to recommend to the membership at the Annual Meeting the candidates shown here for election.
|
President (2008) |
Rodney Baden, K5YKC |
|
Vice-President (2008) |
Terry Williams, KD5KJU |
|
Secretary (2008) |
Jeremy Neal, KE5PRG |
|
Treasurer (2008) |
Norris Martin, KB5SLI |
|
Director (2010) |
Ed Hynan, KC5KNI |
All the listed candidates have agreed to serve, if elected. The Club President will also accept additional nominations from the floor. According to our by-laws, any additional nominees must be present to accept the nomination (or have stated in writing their willingness to serve if elected).
|
McLennan County ARES Membership Status November 2007 |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI, |
I thought it was time to give a recap on the membership of McLennan County ARES. We currently have 48 members who updated their membership information since April 2006. A snapshot of our membership follows:
|
Stats for 48 ARES Members in McLennan County: |
|||||||||
|
ARRL Members – 28 (out of 48) |
HOTARC Members – 20 (out of 48) |
Net Control – 14 (out of 48) |
|||||||
|
Member Training Status: |
|
|
|||||||
|
FEMA COURSES: |
NIMS – 29 |
ICS100 – 16 |
ICS200 – 9 |
NRP – 12 |
CERT – 10 |
||||
|
ARRL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COURSES: |
ECC1 – 6 |
ECC2 – 5 |
ECC3 – 2 |
||||||
|
OTHER: |
SKYWARN – 29 |
Traffic Handling – 13 |
|
||||||
|
Member Availability: |
|
|
|||||||
|
24/7 – 12 |
Nights/Weekends – 21 |
General – 15 |
|||||||
|
Weather Nets – 34 |
Exercises – 27 |
Disaster Response – 26 |
|||||||
Improvement continues, but
we can still do better. I encourage all ARES members to continue to prepare for
emergency communications support in time of emergency. Remember—if the
emergency has occurred, it is too late. Also remember: those expecting to be
involved in disaster support after 1 April 2008 must have completed FEMA
courses IS-700-NIMS; IS-100-Incident Command; IS-200-Incident Command for
single incidents; and IS-800-National response plan.
As you complete additional training please e-mail me with documentation and I will update the training listing on the back of your ARES ID Card. ARES membership is open to any licensed amateur, but local support to disaster response will require the above courses.
I still only have 4 volunteers for hospital support plus 2 who can float between all hospitals. Think about it and step up to the plate. Otherwise you may find yourself facing a specific request—especially those who indicate 24/7 availability.
|
HOTARC Christmas Luncheon |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
|
Click image above for live Google map. |
Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the annual HOTARC Christmas Luncheon. This year we have arranged to meet together at noon on Saturday December 15 at the Summer Palace in Waco (corner of Valley Mills Drive and Bosque Blvd).
This is a simple Dutch treat* gathering for some pleasant fellowship, and a few simple door prizes to make it fun. There is a wide assortment of hot, tasty food served buffet-style, both Oriental and American entrées, salads, and desserts, so you're certain to not go away hungry. Make plans now to attend—you and all your "significant others!"
*Everybody pays for their own meal.
The HOTLINE is the monthly newsletter of the Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC), Inc., a nonprofit corporation, chartered by the State of Texas and principally located in Waco. It is permissible to use any of the original material contained herein, provided proper credit is given to the source.
Edited and Published by John Chamberlain AC5CV, AC5CV@arrl.net
|
|
|
2007 Board of Directors |
HOTARC 2007 Board of Directors
President: Wayne Branscum KD5SMC, 857-3964, wbscum@grandecom.net
Vice Pres: Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, 756-1397, bfeltenb@swbell.net
Secretary: John Chamberlain AC5CV, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, K5YKC@arrl.net
Director (2007): Terry Williams KD5KJU, 662-2438, pumpman_rpss@yahoo.com
Director (2008): Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, 826-4053, KC5NT@arrl.net
Director (2009): Mike Ross N5MVL, 836-1083, N5MVL@juno.com
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.88 MHz (input at –600 kHz, D-star)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
Next session is Saturday January
26, 10:00 AM. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg
(#63 on the map), Room 109. Bring: 1) testing fee of $14 (cash only); 2) a photo ID (two for first-time
licensees); and
for already licensed amateurs: 3) current
license and photocopy of it; and 4) photocopy of any relevant CSCE.
Contact: Dr. Linda Hynan, AC5QQ at 666-4873 or Linda.Hynan@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Meeting NoticeThe Annual Meeting of HOTARC will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday November 29, 2007 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. Meetings generally last about 75 minutes consisting of fellowship, general Club business, and an interesting program. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed! |
HOTARC Christmas
Luncheon
December
15! Bring your whole family!