Meeting Notice
HOTARC will hold its monthly Meeting of Members at 7:00 PM on Thursday August 27, 2026
in person at Uncle Dan’s BBQ, 1001 Lake Air Dr., Waco, TX 76710 and via Video
Conferencing. Please check your email or the Members Only section of the website for login
information.
The HOTLINE
Official Newsletter for the
Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club
Waco, Texas
AUGUST 2026
VOLUME LI, NUMBER 8
From the President
Hello HOTARC Members and visitors,
It has been a good month, and I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe in the heat.
A lot has happened since our last meeting. The generator is back and ready for service. Jim
Schmaus, KB5TEA, dropped it off at the repair shop and picked it back up for us. It will be
back on the trailer this weekend.
The air conditioner was also replaced, but unfortunately it failed within a few days. I received
the replacement unit and installed it again, and there have been no issues since. It has been
cooling perfectly since the install.
Waco Wild West, coming up on September 13, 2026, is approaching fast. We have already
had many people sign up, and the Baylor club will also be joining us for the event. I
appreciate and thank everyone who has volunteered so far. We still have some spots open.
Jim Jud, KA5QKL, is coordinating the event. Anyone interested in participating should
contact Jim or me for more information or to sign up.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting.
73,
Dave McClure, N3DMC
President, Heart of Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC) – W5ZDN
HOTARC Meeting of Members
July 23, 2026
President Dave McClure N3DMC called the
meeting to order at 7:00PM. 10 members and 2
guests were in person and in the ZOOM
Meeting Room. Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW gave
the invocation.
Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW moved the last
meeting's minutes be accepted as read, J Jim
Schmaus KB5TEA seconded. Motion carried
Webpage – Still working on domain transfer
Repeaters – 12
th
St was down for 12 hours
during storm. Added a wireless modem on the
PC
Trailer – HVAC in this week, old one has been
pulled. Generator overhaul around $800 and
HVAC another $1000-1500. Jim Schmaus
KB5TEA is checking on pricing for propane
conversion.
Old Business - None
New Business – Waco Wild West coming up,
need operators. New full member application,
Brad Lay KJ5FLL.. Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW
moved to accept him as new member, Drew
Dickenson KE5UBO seconded. Motion carried.
Suggestion made for on-demand license testing.
President Dave McClure N3DMC adjourned the
meeting at 7:21PM.
Submitted by
Mike Davis
NA5X
HOTARC Secretary
The Treasurer’s Report
July 31, 2026
Starting Balance July 1, 2026 15,872.68$
Income
Transfer in from Edward Jones Account 3,000.00$
Cash Dues
In
terest Income
Total received 3,000.00$
Total Income 3,000.00$
Expenses
Total Expenses -$
Ending Balance 15,872.68$
There is one outstanding check -54.38
Current Edward Jones CDs balance 11,000.00$
Checking balance 4,872.68$
Mike Ross New Ham Radio Fund 180.94$
Flower Fund Total 284.47$
Submitted by
Bill Feltenberger
KD5UEW
Heart o' Texas Amateur Radio Club
Treasurers Report:
7/31/2026
July 31, 2026
McLennan County
A.R.E.S.
by Paul Collins KG5DHS
McLennan County Emergency Coordinator
Hi HOTARC!
Central Texas is currently experiencing intense, triple-digit summer heat, but long-range forecasts from the NOAA Climate
Prediction Center indicate that a looming "Super El Niño" will dramatically reshape the region's weather into a wet, stormy,
and highly volatile fall and winter.
Winter 2026–2027 El Niño Outlook
As the seasons change, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecasts a 95% probability of a record-breaking "Super" El
Niño. For Central Texas, this introduces a highly active subtropical jet stream—essentially a multi-lane highway for Pacific
storms:
Wetter-Than-Normal Patterns: NOAA predicts a 40% to 50% higher likelihood of above-average winter rainfall. Central
Texas will likely see frequent, widespread Gulf low-pressure systems bringing heavy rains and occasional thunderstorms.
Drought Relief vs. Flood Risks: This shift provides a high-probability opportunity to recharge parched local aquifers and
reservoirs. However, repeated back-to-back storms will raise the risk of localized flash flooding.
Temperature Swings: While overall average seasonal temperatures may sit close to normal, the region will face extended
periods of dense cloud cover and raw, chilly days.
Wintry Mix Potential: Local meteorologists warn that when rapid Arctic air blasts push south and collide with the intense El
Niño moisture, Central Texas will face an elevated risk of severe winter weather outbreaks, including ice storms, sleet, or
freezing rain.
As always, the ARES team is ready to deploy if needed. Thanks to everyone who is part of the team!
If you are interested in becoming a member of McLennan County ARES, go to the HOTARC Web site under the frequently
asked questions and download the application.
E-mail or mail the completed application according to the instructions listed at the bottom of the application. Your application
will be processed and you will receive an ARES ID Card As always, the ARES team is ready to deploy if needed. Thanks to
everyone who is part of the team!
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting.
73, Paul
KG5DHS
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 Mike Davis NA5X, mike@na5x.com
.
HOTARC 2026 Board of Directors
President: Dave McClure, N3DMC
President@hotarc.org
Vice Pres: Jeff Fortenberry, KI5MGL
VicePres@hotarc.org
Secretary: Mike Davis, NA5X
Secretary@hotarc.org
Treasurer: Bill Feltenberger, KD5UEW
Treasurer@hotarc.org
Past-Pres.: Drew Dickenson, KE5UBO
PastPres@hotarc.org
Director (2026): Jeb Leutwyler, KG5WHS
Director2@hotarc.org
Director (2027): Jim Jud, KA5QKL
Director3@hotarc.org
Director (2028): Jeff Fortenberry, KI5MGL
Director1@hotarc.org
Club Repeaters
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, D-Star)
442.875 MHz (input at +5.0 MHz, tone 123 Hz)
VE Testing
Contact HOTARC at hamradio@hotarc.org or visit HamStudy.org for testing practice and possible testing dates
and times.
