Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur Association (NIRAA/W0MG) Meeting Minutes, Sept 2019 The September gathering of the Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur's Association (NIRAA) was called to order at 7:34 PM September 14, 2019 by Harold Lucas (N4HRL). There were 9 members (9 ARRL) and no guests in attendance this evening, listed below. MINUTES ------- Adjustments to last month's minutes: Neither Jim (KE0IWQ) or Janice (KE0IWP) were in attendance at the July picnic (they were out of state) Minutes accepted with 1 adjustment TREASURER'S REPORT ------------------ Dave (K0CQH) reports we have $1,090.18 in the savings/repeater account and $2,170.61 in the sharedraft/general account. $30.73 was spent at Walmart for food for the picnic, $26.05 of that needs to be reimbursed to Dave. (MARK/NATHAN) Please contact Dave if you would like to get your dues paid for the year. Report accepted REPEATERS --------- The 94 repeater's frequency seems to have stabilized and is now receiving all stations normally again. There may have been an improvement in sensitivity as well. Not sure what caused or fixed the issue. Dave (K0CQH) suggests we test the antenna when we swap the repeater, just to make sure there isn't an issue there. Chuck (W0ALO) suggests also checking the duplexer. COMMITTEES ---------- (none active) OLD BUSINESS ------------ W0MG repeater swap was discussed. Dave (K0CQH), John (WB0MAR), and Harold (N4HRL) can help. We will only be able to get access during the weekday, not on the weekend. Mark (N8TWO): The Scout-o-Rama has been postponed due to the organizer having a medical emergency. There's currently no new date scheduled, they may not hold one this year. Curt (NK0T): Bill is leaving for Texas in a month or so, the remote station being set up at his cottage has all the parts assembled and just needs to be set up and tested. Although we will have access over the winter, we should try to get that set up and tested before Bill departs. Remote ham software needs to be installed on the computer but the computer itself is ready otherwise. Mark (N8TWO) has the most restrictive availability so he will be contacting Nathan/Curt/Bill when he is available for everyone to meet at the cottage. Mark (N8TWO): JOTA is next month, registration is open for scouts. Looking for volunteers for expert hiders at the camp. The club's JOTA meeting is tentatively scheduled for Oct 7 or 8. NEW BUSINESS ------------ There's a KiCad class coming up on October 19 (at Mercy hospital in CR), Nathan will be forwarding the flyer to club members.This is valuable information that walks you through the relatively easy process of designing and having your own custome circuit boards fabricated. Advance registration is required and there is a $25 fee. Our club christmas party is coming up, do we want to do Nana Rosa's again? It seemed to work out very well last year. Motion to begin preparation for Nana Rosa's (N8TWO/NK0T) Remember to bring cash for the dinner. Curt (NK0T) can present on the Icom 7300 and the remote Icom software. Chuck (W0ALO) suggests the presenter that wa here previously on QRP may be available to present on kits Harold (N4HRL): Bill will be doing a presentation next month on standby power, and the December presentation will be on solar activity by Patrick from Readlyn. Motion to adjourn at 7:57 pm (N4HRL/N0ZYC) PRESENTATION ------------ Tonight's presentation was by Mark (N8TWO) on tower safety UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS ---------------------- OCT: BILL DEDIC ON EMERGENCY POWER NOV: (XMAS PARTY) DEC: PATRICK RONIGAN ON SUNSPOTS AND SOLAR WEATHER 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 Ansborough Ave - hams meet informally at 12pm every Tuesday at Taco Johns on University Ave - Iowa Digital Net runs every Tuesday night at 7pm, 3.5885 MHz USB / 1500 Hz WF (Olivia 8-500) << NOTE! FREQENCY HAS CHANGED EFFECTIVE FEB 2018 >> - DMR checkin 7:30 pm Sunday night on talk group 3119 VE TESTING AND TRAINING ----------------------- - ongoing tech-to-general class usually meets at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Tuesdays at 6:00 pm contact is Al (KB0VGG) 319-243-8819 2ND FLOOR CF LIBRARY 10AM next class: (contact Al) - scheduled club testing for 2019 will be held at the Hudson Library, at 401 5th St in Hudson, from 9:45 am - 1:00 pm on the following dates: -Sept 21 additional testing dates may be added as needed UPCOMING HAMFESTS ----------------- (none noted) OTHER EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ------------------------------ (none noted) W0MG/NIRAA LINKS ---------------- - Club Website: http://w0mg.net/ - 2019 membership form: http://www.w0mg.net/contact/membershipform2019.pdf - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/waterloo.hams/community/ - Cedar Valley area repeaters list: http://w0mg.net/repeaters/ MEETING ATTENDANCE ------------------ Members: N0ZYC Nathan Fisher N4HRL Harold Lucas KD0DK David Kelly W0ALO Chuck Angel WB0MAR John Humpal K0DV Doug Vernier N8TWO Mark Colby NK0T Curt Wilson K0CQH Dave Knittel Guests: (none) Members wishing to pay club dues (or have paid and are not indicated above) please contact Dave Knittel in person at our monthly meeting or by email at treas(a)w0mg.net Officers may be contacted over the air or via email: President, Harold Lucas (N4HRL) : pres(a)w0mg.net Vice President, Curtis Wilson (NK0T) : vp(a)w0mg.net Secretary, Nathan Fisher (N0ZYC) : sec(a)w0mg.net Treasurer, Dave Knittel (K0CQH) : treas(a)w0mg.net Director 2016, Taryn Colby (N0TKC) : dir1(a)w0mg.net Director 2017, Stan Johnson (W0SJ) : dir2(a)w0mg.net Director 2018, Dave Kelly (KD0DK) : dir3(a)w0mg.net NIRAA meets most months at Windcove (Western Home Communities) apartments at 5300 South Main St in Cedar Falls. We are meeting on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 7:30 pm, anyone interested in ham radio is welcome to attend. Our primary club repeater is on 146.94 mhz, negative offset, with a PL tone of 136.5 hz, with coverage centered in Black Hawk County. Many members are also monitoring channel 3119 on DMR. Our club website is at http://www.w0mg.net/ and the club's primary email contact is sec(a)w0mg.net You're receiving these meeting minutes because you have given the NIRAA club your email address for minutes and announcements. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply requesting removal from one or both distribution lists. - Nathan Fisher (N0ZYC) Secretary, W0MG