Join us in person at the Waterloo Airport, or via Zoom: - WWW URL: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://zoom.us/j/99863201285?pwd%3DcWUyQWxrRk81OEcwN1Q0dzF1UTBLUT09 - Zoom computer or mobile app: meeting ID 998 632 01285, passcode 955710 - Phone: (312) 626-6799 (Chicago number) Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur Association (NIRAA/W0MG) Meeting Minutes, May 2022 The May gathering of the Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur's Association (NIRAA) was called to order at 7:13 PM, Saturday May 14, 2022 by Al (KB0VGG). There were 16 members (11 ARRL) and 1 guests in attendance this evening, listed below. MINUTES ------- Adjustments to last month's minutes: N)ZYC: Typo in member count, last meeting was attended by 11 members, not 1. N0TKC: Bill Dedic (W0GEN)'s membership was waved due to his Zoom and other club contributions. K0CQH: The 75 meter net starts at 6pm. AE5EI: The Iowa Digital Net is at 7pm an Tuesdays Report accepted with 4 adjustments (N0ZYC/N0TKC) TREASURER'S REPORT ------------------ Dave (KD0DK) reports we have $1,090.18 in the savings/repeater fund and $1,913.53 in checking. This includes a couple of deposits using the new club debit card and a test withdrawal. We also wrote a check for $50 for the CF Rocket Club. A check for $235 to Grinnelle Mutual for insurance for 2022 will be recorded next month. Jan and Lois completed the audit of the finances, no problems found. Report accepted (KB0VGG/K0CQH) Please contact Dave if you would like to get your dues paid for the year. Our club membership form is also available on our club website at https://www.w0mg.net/ REPEATERS --------- Al (KB0VGG): Mine's still a bit deaf but it's working. Ingawanis is also still running on the rubber duck on the roof (we intend to get that swapped this month) 146.94 controller is a bit of an old boat anchor at this point, really showing its age. We could replace the Ingawanis controller with one we have parts to assemble, and move the current Yaesu (with its dual band capability) to replace the 94? COMMITTEES ---------- Presentation Committee (Curt/NK0T, John/WB0MAR): no report Field Day 2022 Committee (Harold/N4HRL): we still need the Heath & Safety and Public Affairs positions filled OLD BUSINESS ------------ This evening's Old Business was entirely devoted to discussing Field Day. Tom (AE0TB): there has been a rules change, clubs must get their field day announcement PUBLISHED to count. Previously we were only required to report it, and it would still count even if the papers didn't print it. Hickory Hills is a nice site, there's also sidewalk to the shelter, so no grass hike. The Safety Officer needs to be First Aid and CPR certified to count. (if we can't meet that requirement, we just don't get credit for that in our score) Al (KB0VGG): concerning food, we need an estimated headcount. Looks like probably around a dozen from 7am-10pm. We can begin setup anytime if we don't plan to run 24/7. Taryn (N0TKC) can send emails to mayors etc if she has their addresses. (mark to provide) (discussion of what bands to operate on) Mark (N8TWO): we should try to have a Get On the Air (GOTA) station (limited to 100w) for easy points credit. We will be at the "Archer" shelter at Hickory Hills. This shelter has AC power and a kitchenette that includes a microwave, refrigerator, running water, etc, and modern restrooms. NEW BUSINESS ------------ Al (KB0VGG): we did a park activation today at George Wyth, we had 13 operators and 5 visitors. Al (KB0VGG): do we have any ideas for club activities? The ARRL has a grant program to help fund activities for promoting club community awareness. Stan (W0SJ): we could resume our "bicycle mobile" rides like we've done recently around Big Woods Lake? Or maybe a pizza party someplace like Pizza Ranch? those have been popular in the past. Mark (N8TWO): are there any parades or similar events we could help with? Field Day is on Sturgis Falls Day so that's out. Mayor Green is supportive of ham radio. Al (KB0VGG): maybe a foxhunt? (Nathan will need some younger helpers to assist) Tom (AE0TB): We could participate with "Railroad Depots on the Air"? (discussion of renewing the club's Nonprofit "501-c" status) Lois (KA0DBC): we don't need to start over but we have to file 9 "catch-up" yearly reports and then we can apply for reinstatement. Each report costs $35, and reinstatement costs $5, for a total cost of about $320. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/automatic-revocation-how-to-have-your-tax-exempt-status-reinstated Motion to adjourn at 8:22 PM (KB0VGG/N0TKC) There was no presentation this month in leu of Summer Field Day planning. UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS ---------------------- presentation ideas: electronics history, radio bug-out bag, alternate power, solar power, spotting electronics scams, mag-loop antennas, broadband blocking filters Contact Al (KB0VGG) if you'd be interested in giving a presentation. REGULAR EVENTS -------------- - ARES net check-in is at 9pm every Sunday night, on 146.94/34 - Iowa Digital Net runs every Tuesday night at 7pm, 3.5885 MHz USB / 1500 Hz WF (Olivia 8-500) - Iowa 75 Meter Evening Net runs Mon-Sat at 6:00 pm on 3.970 MHz / LSB Also meets at 12:30 pm on same. - Iowa 160 Meter Net runs Sunday night at 9:30 pm on 1.9745 MHz / LSB - DMR checkin 7:30 pm Sunday night on talk group 3119 - Ham Radio Fellowship / Breakfast every Wednesday morning at 9AM at the Wendy's at Love's Travel Stop in Waterloo. (3301 Greyhound Drive) VE TESTING AND TRAINING ----------------------- contact Mark (N8TWO) for current information at classes@w0mg.net UPCOMING HAMFESTS ----------------- (let me know) OTHER EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ------------------------------ Summer Field Day (June 25-26) Hickory Hills Park (Archer shelter) 3338 Hickory Hills Road, La Porte City, IA, 50651 https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Black-Hawk/Park/Hickory-Hills-Park/Facility/Archers-Shelter.aspx W0MG/NIRAA LINKS ---------------- - Club Website: https://www.w0mg.net/ - Membership form: https://www.w0mg.net/contact/membershipform.pdf - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/waterloo.hams/community/ - Cedar Valley area repeaters list: https://www.w0mg.net/repeaters/ MEETING ATTENDANCE ------------------ Members: N0ZYC Nathan Fisher WA0QXF Clark Willoughby N4HRL Harold Lucas W0SJ Stan Johnson K0CQH Dave Knittel KA0DBC Lois Johnson N8TWO Mark Colby AE0TB Tom Bicket KE0IWQ James Fitkin N0TKC Taryn Colby W0VJB Vicki Bicket KE0IWP Janice Fitkin WB0MAR John Humpal N0RXB Wendell Wagner KD0DK David Kelly KB0VGG Al Jones Guests: AE0QI William Wright Members wishing to pay club dues (or have paid and are not indicated above) please contact our Treasurer 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: Al Jones (KB0VGG) - pres(a)w0mg.net Vice President: Curt Wilson (NK0T) - vp(a)w0mg.net Secretary: Nathan Fisher (N0ZYC) - sec(a)w0mg.net Treasurer: Dave Kelly (KD0DK) - treas(a)w0mg.net Director 2020: Jan Fitkin (KE0IWP) - dir3(a)w0mg.net Director 2021: John Humpal (WB0MAR) - dir1(a)w0mg.net Director 2022: Taryn Colby (N0TKC) - dir2(a)w0mg.net NIRAA meets most months on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 7:00 pm, at the Waterloo Airport, in the old restaurant. Parking is available at no cost in the short-term lot. (3 hr free limit) 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 https://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