Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur Association (NIRAA/W0MG) Meeting Minutes, July 2016 The July 2016 meeting of the Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur's Association (NIRAA) was called to order at 7:03 pm on July 9, 2016 by Mark Colby (N8TWO). There were 20 members (17 ARRL) and no guests in attendance this evening, listed below. Meeting minutes from last month with no revisions, accepted as emailed, (N0TKC/W0ALO) Treasurer's Report: We have $934.34 in the general fund. (includes one recent club donation and two new club members) Treasurer's report accepted, (N0TKC/K0DV) OLD BUSINESS ------------ Field Day Report: It turns out the scouts double-booked us this year - although we didn't see much in the way of scouts, they were nearby at the same location. Since the scouts naturally will get priority over other bookings at this location, we may not be able to return there next year. (there's a yearly event at the same time as field day, and they may choose that location to be at) So we will need to think about a different location for next year unfortunately. We have a request in for Inawanus for next year but are probably subject to getting bumped with possibly very little notice. George Wyth is another option that was discussed, but it has some issues, such as formally closing at 10pm. Dick has an open offer for the "north 40" on his property, though if we want "facillities" (porta-potty) that will be an additional $300 cost, which is considerably more than we pay for Ingawanus. We logged over 300 total contacts, which was excellent for us, many of them were GOTA (Get On The Air) Thanks go out to several club members or assisting scouts that stopped in to participate in field day. Batteries and power were in plentiful supply this year, Chris's solar AND bucket truck antenna hanger were both appreciated. Since batteries were in surplus, more 24->12v converters would be useful in the future. Stan's mosquito net gazebo was a good idea, though it actually got more use for eating in peace than operating in peace. Bugs were pretty light this year, and the heat wasn't too oppressive. We had a few fans available, maybe more next year. Our scheduling of stations, operators, and loggers worked out very well this year, our radios were very well used. Suggested additions for next year were discussed: - get together a "field day tote" for the club - roll of caution tape to mark coax and other cables on the ground, trip hazard - laminate more bandplan sheets - spare keys in case people that brought their keys leave for the day - splitter for headphones - perferably with independent volume adjustment - set up "APRS Objects" breadcrumb trail to lead some operators to the location - alternate antenna arrangements - helium balloon and drone lifted longwire options were 'floated'. Opportunities for improvement for next year: - we did not copy the W1AW broadcast. Maybe next year we have someone specifically charged with making sure that gets captured. - we did not report to our division leader. this also need to be scheduled (6pm on Saturday when there's a net?) to make sure it happens - enthusiasm for operating led to some operatiors running past their scheduled time with the next shift waiting for their opportunity to participate. Lets make sure everyone gets a chance to operate at least when they're scheduled, as some have a limited window of time they can attend. - although we had several antennas and radios, band conditions severely limited our operations at several points. It does no good to have four radios when only two bands you have antennas up for are open. It may be a good idea to get other less common field day band antennas available in case we run out of bands again. Even a VHF station could be useful if nothing else is usable. - we actually HAD a lot more useful equipment available than many operators were aware of. There was a disconect between people that needed things and people that HAD things. We probably need to have a few key people act as "material coordinators" so we have a "go-to" person we can approach if something is needed, someone that has a good knowledge of what's available. - although logging went pretty smoothly this year, that may have been more to luck than good planning. An refresher course in use of logging software for the operators that will be attending prior to field day would be a good idea. A thank-you card for the Salvation Army's partitipation and services they provided at this year's W0MG Field Day was passed around at breakfast recently, and was passed around again at the July meeting for additional signatures. The food was good and the portions were enormous. Taryn also passed a hat to collect donations for them to help reimburse their costs. Motion made to cover difference to $100 (N0ZYC/W0SJ) - $86 collected, club funds will contribute the additional $14, Dave will cut them a check for $100. Dick gave a report on the status of our upcoming hamfest, including handouts, registration table, repeater talk-in, cleanup, and signage. Club members are encouraged to wear their club tshirts if they have one. Duties for the various jobs were finalized. Taryn gave us an update on this year's christmas party/meeting. We need committments for attendance, and a main course selection from those that will be attending. In addition to sandwiches, here is the dinner selection RIBEYE STAKE $17 BAKED SALMON $15 PORK CHOPS $13 CHICKEN POT PIE 10 /VEG $9 THREE CHEESE PIZZA Again this is in addition to the sandwiches that they will have available in quantity. Taryn will be collecting meal choices soon, probably at the Sept meeting. Again this is Nov 12 at the Waverly Bremer Diner. NEW BUSINESS ------------ VE testing is coming up soon (Sept 17), contact Mark Colby for details Another technician class is also being discussed for the near future. Bremer County CERT was activated the evening of June 28 for a dimensia walkoff. Several operators participated in the serach but were unsuccessful. Anyone involved in CERT is recommended to have a Go-Box prepped in case of sudden activation. No August meeting, get-together at Lookout Park at 6pm. Motion to adjourn (N0ZC/N0TKC) --- This month's presentation was on mobile installation by N0ZYC. Nathan brought a wide variety of mobile hardware and accessories, covering power, antenna seletion and installation, radio installation, coax plumbing, and more, followed by a lively Q&A. CALENDAR: SEPT 17 VE TESTING (contact Mark N8TWO) REGULAR EVENTS -------------- - ARES net check-in is at 9pm every Sunday night, on 146.94/34 - hams meet informally at 9am every Monday morning at HyVee on University Ave - hams meet informally at 12pm every Tuesday at Taco Johns on University Ave - Iowa Digital Net runs every Tues night at 7pm on 3572.5 / 3574 ctr USB VE TESTING AND TRAINING ---------------------------- SEPT 17 VE TESTING (contact Mark N8TWO) technician classes upcoming, to be announced HAMFESTS -------- OTHER EVENTS ------------ - Christmas Dinner will be on Saturday Nov 12 at 5:30 pm at the Waverly Diner ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The NIRAA club meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 7pm in the basement of the Red Cross building (2530 University Ave) in Waterloo. Anyone interested in ham radio is welcome to attend. Our primary club repeater is on 146.94 mhz, negative offset, PL tone of 136.5 hz, with coverage centered in Black Hawk County. Our club website is at http://www.w0mg.net/ Officers may be contacted over the air or via email: President, Mark Colby, N8TWO, pres(a)w0mg.net Vice President, Curtis Wilson, NKØT, vp(a)w0mg.net Secretary, Nathan Fisher, NØZYC, sec(a)w0mg.net Treasurer, Dave Knittel, K0CQH, treas(a)w0mg.net Director 1, Chris Conklin, NØCF, dir1(a)w0mg.net Director 2, Stan Johnson, WØSJ, dir2(a)w0mg.net Director 3, Tom Bicket, AEØTB, dir3(a)w0mg.net - Nathan Fisher Secretary, W0MG You're receiving these meeting minutes because you have given the NIRAA club your email address for minutes or announcements. If you no longer wish to receive email, please reply requesting removal from one or both distribution lists. This month's meeting attendance: Members: N0ZYC Nathan Fisher N4HRL Harold Lucas AE0TB Tom Bicket W0VJB Vicki Bicket N0TKC Taryn Colby N3CAH Craig Hoepfner AE5EI Joe Hoepfner KD0DK David Kelly W0SJ Stan Johnson K0DV Doug Vernier W0HHF Dick Nelson N0HHF Judi Nelson KE0IWO Chris Goeller KE0IWQ James Fitkin KE0IWP Janice Fitkin W0ALO Chuck Angel K0CQH Dave Knittel KZ0MBI Michael Chapman NK0T Curt Wilson N8TWO Mark Colby Guests: (none)