denton county amateur radio association the exciter · andrew, ke5gdb mar 2017 the exciter meeting...

Denton County Amateur Radio Association

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Repeaters 2

VE Exam 2

Minutes 3

Brd. Mtg. Mins. 5

Events 4

Finance 4

News 5

News 6

The EXCITER

Is published each month for the pur-pose of informing DCARA members of current events and issues of inter-est to amateur ra-dio. Articles and suggestions are always welcome. Articles that ap-pear in this publi-cation may be re-produced provided credit is given to The EXCITER and to the original source.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Rich, K5YBX <[email protected]> 940-367-0362

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS: Gerald, WB5NZV <[email protected]> 940-387-2314

Meeting Topic

Weather Radar Data Acquisition

Dave, AA5HL

Weather Data on Applications

Andrew, KE5GDB

MAR 2017

THE EXCITER Meeting Monday, 27 MAR 1900L (Denton County EOC)

President’s Podium By Bob, AF5RS

It’s March Madness,

and that means we

are already up for

DCARA Officer elec-

tions next Month. I’m

pleased to announce

that Cheryl Harris

K5BGT has stepped

up to head our Elec-

tion Committee this

year. Cheryl will be coordinating nominees

for the Officer positions and will submit-

ting ballot information next month for all

members to vote online. If you’re interest-

ed in running for any Officer position, let

Cheryl know to get you name on the Ballot.

DCARA is your club, interests in leader-

ship is an important part to keep our group

going. By all means remember to vote next

month when you receive the link to the

voting site via email, and your dues must

be current to be eligible to vote. The Online

Voting system has worked well for us and

the results will be announced at our April

meeting.

Field Day, June 24-25, will be here before

we all know it. Kelly Roark KC5AMT is

heading up the Field Day Committee and

is looking for more volunteers and ideas.

Since we’re at the same location most eve-

ryone agreed was a great spot, we should

be able to tune up our efforts in advance.

Step up and let’s make this year as much

fun or even better.

See you at our meeting.

73, Bob AF5RS

These magnetic signs for your vehicle are

available for $25.00 for a set of three. The

size is 24 X 6 inches.

Contact Gerald, [email protected] to

order your set. Or, place your order and

prepay using the "Misc. Payment" button

on the Membership page of the web site.

http://dcara.net/membership.php

ARES training NET on 146.92 repeater on the Thursday

before Club

meeting at 1930L.

For up to date info on contests, go to:

www.arrl.org/contest

There is NO Ham radio test session this month

due to the tech class being held at the same loca-

tion on that same weekend of March 25/26.

Monthly Amateur Radio test sessions resume

April 23rd (4th Sunday) at 3PM.

OPS By Doug, KE5WTL

mailto:[email protected]

http://dcara.net/membership.php

MAR 2017

Name Position Phone No. Email

Bob Storey President 214-629-8877 [email protected]

Matthew Morris Vice Pres. 940-441-7220 [email protected]

Gerald Marchant Secretary 940-387-2314 [email protected]

Doug King Operations [email protected]

Mike Chittenden Tech Dir. 972-567-5498 [email protected]

Meetings: Fourth Monday of each

month (except Dec) at 1900L. We

are currently meeting at the new

Denton County Emergency Opera-

tions Center (EOC), 9060 Teasley

Lane, Denton. For more info on the

Denton County Amateur Radio

Association, contact one of the indi-

viduals listed to the right.

DCARA on line: www.dcara.net Denton ARES on line: www.denton-

ares.org

There is no test session scheduled

for Sunday, March 26th, due to the

Tech Class. Testing will resume

April 23rd.The time will be 1500L

and the place is the Denton County

EOC which is located at 9060 Tea-

sley Lane (FM 2181), south of Den-

ton. For licensed amateurs, talk-in is on the Denton

145.17 minus (110.9) repeater. Tests will normally

be conducted on the fourth Sunday of every month

(except NOV and DEC). All test participants: you

must bring your picture ID, and $15.00 (exact

change please). If upgrading, also bring your FCC

License, a COPY of your FCC License, your

CSCE, and a COPY of your CSCE. For more infor-

mation please contact Mike, K5YX at 214-387-9077

Amateur test session By Mike, K5YX

Area repeaters ( * = new info) PAGE 2 THE EXCITER

Debra and her staff have a great variety of batter-ies for rebuilding your handi-talkie packs. Also they will recycle most types of rechargeable batteries to help keep them out of the landfill.

The best news is that they offer a discount to DCARA members. Drop by the next time you need batteries or bulbs of any type.

Freq Shift PL Call Name

145.1700 -.600 110.9 W5FKN DCARA-Denton County EOC

145.2100 -.600 110.9 N5MJQ Metrocrest ARA-Carrollton

145.4000 -.600 110.9 NETARC Grapevine

145.4900 -.600 85.4 WD5U Rosston Tower

146.9200 -.600 110.9 W5NGU DCARA - Denton

147.300 +600 114.8 N5ERS Flower Mound

147.3800 +.600 110.9 K5LRK LAARK - The Colony

224.000 -1.6 110.9 K5LRK LAARK - The Colony

224.920 -1.6 110.9 AF5RS AF5RS

441.3250 +5.0 88.5 W5NGU Portable DCARA repeater

442.7500 +5.0 110.9 KA5R Trophy Club

444.5125 +5.0 123.0 KE5UT Celina

442.1750 +5.0 110.9 NETARC Southlake

442.6500 +5.0 110.9 N5MJQ Metrocrest ARA-Carrollton

443.3000 +5.0 110.9 K5LRK LAARK-C4FM only

443.5250 +5.0 118.8 WA5LIE DCARA - Denton

443.7375 +5.0 141.3 N6LXX Rosston Tower

443.8750 +5.0 110.9 NETARC DFW Airport

444.0500 +5.0 110.9 W5NGU DCARA-Denton County EOC

444.2250 +5.0 110.9 K5CFD Coppell

444.7000 +5.0 110.9 NETARC Southlake

444.8500 +5.0 110.9 N5ERS Flower Mound

927.025 -25.0 D532 N5ERS Flower Mound

927.4125 -25.0 432.0 N5LS Denton

927.6125 -25.0 110.9 W5NGU DCARA-Denton County EOC

927.1375 -25.0 131.8 W5FKN Decatur

1253.6000 none none W5NGU-G DCARA - EOC - D*Star "G"

1293.4000 -20.0 none W5NGU-A DCARA - EOC - D*Star "A"

442.9250 +5.0 none W5NGU-B DCARA - EOC - D*Star "B"

147.4500 -1.0 none W5NGU-C DCARA - EOC - D*Star "C"

1259.2000 none none KE5YAP-G DCARA-Rosston- D*Star "G"

1293.2000 -20.0 none KE5YAP-A DCARA-Rosston- D*Star "A"

440.7125 +5.0 none KE5YAP-B DCARA-Rosston- D*Star "B"

147.4900 -1.0 none KE5YAP-C DCARA-Rosston- D*Star "C"

DIGITAL ==== ==== ========= ===========================

144.9100 none none W5NGU-4 DCARA Digipeater-Denton

147.970 none none K5YX-10 WinLink Gateway

144.990 none none KC5GOI DCARA Digipeater-Rosston

144.990 none none KD5EOC-10 DCARA WL Gateway

440.6625 +5 none N5LS DMR-MARC CC1*

927.6625 +25 none N5LS DMR-MARC CC1*

THE EXCITER PAGE 3 MAR 2017

Meeting minutes

Meeting Minutes Monday

February 27, 2017

Recorded by Nancy Graff

KG5CKO. The club started a

silent auction before the meeting. Final bids will be

taken after the meeting. Bob Storey AF5RS called the

meeting to order at 1900 and led the Pledge of Alle-

giance followed by the introduction of members and 7

guests.

Presentation: David Seals N5FU gave a presentation

on Antenna Problems.

Minutes: The January 23, 2017 meeting minutes as

published in the newsletter were approved. Motion to

approve by Andrew Koenig KE5GDB, seconded by

Scott Boutwell KG5RJR.

Treasurer’s report: Gerald Marchant WB5NZV re-

ports the total balance is $4870.55.

Operations Report: Bob Storey AF5RS reports there

is a technician license class Saturday March 25 –

Sunday March 26, 2017 at the EOC. The Irving Ham

fest is March 4, 2017 and the Belton Ham Fest is

March 11, 2017

Technical Report: Mike Chittenden AE5IV reports

everything is operational at the Rosston and EOC

sites. At the Stark site the 220 has failed. Andrew

Koenig KE5GDB reports it will be replaced with a

Motorola CDM 1550 radio. Mike responded to a re-

port of interference at I-35 and 377 and reminded us

to please report any interference to him. Lee Norup

K5WXR reports that AREDN is working great and

Thanks the AREND crew for all their work.

ARES Report: Mike Nelson K5YX reports the next

ARES training net is Thursday March 23, 2017 at

19:30. Gerald Marchant reminds us to submit Sky

Warn training certificates to him in pdf format at

[email protected]

Testing: Mike Nelson K5YX reports 6 took tests on

February 26, 2017 resulting in 4 new techs and 2 gen-

erals. The club will not have a test session in March

due to the March 25th and 26th technician class.

Elmer Coordinator: Duane Baade W5PNM reports

the next rookie roundup, SSB, will be Sunday April

16, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the EOC.

LAARK: Laird Lind KC5LL reports LAARK had

about 20 people at their winter field day. Texas State

Parks on the Air is coming up April 8, 2017 at Isle du

Bois Park. Go to TSPOTA.org for more information.

John Dinneen KC0L reports LAARK is doing a sim-

plex net on the first Wednesday of the month at 8:00 pm

on simplex delta channel 9 on the ICE plan 147.500

LARA: Len Ship KC5MPX reports LARA had a success-

ful winter field day.

North Texas Section Manager: Bob Storey AF5RS re-

ports Jay Urish W5GM was elected ARRL North Texas

section manager.

University/Hospital Coordination: Landon Elfenbein

N5AET reports he and Gerald Marchant WB5NZV have

visited several hospitals and are working to get AREDN

up at some of the sites.

New eComm trailer: Bob Storey AF5RS reports the pa-

perwork is still in progress for the transfer of the donat-

ed trailer.

Elections: Elections are coming up. If you are interested

in running for an office please contact the election com-

mittee chair. See the club website for more information.

Field Day: Kelly Roark KC5AMT reports field day will

be at the same Highland Village Park as last year. He is

waiting for confirmation from Highland Village. Kelly

asks for additional support and assistance to help out

with the field day planning.

ICE Plan: Andrew Koenig KE5GDB reports he has re-

ceived several comments on the updated ICE plan. The

final plan will be published this week as an XLS file.

New Budget: Matthew Morris K5ICR and Gerald

Marchant WB5NZV have prepared a budget for 2017. It

was presented in the newsletter and on the website.

They hope we can establish a sustaining budget and a

one year reserve. Laird Lind KC5LL made a motion to

approve the budget and Lee Norup K5WXR seconded.

The motion passed.

Medal of Honor Escort: Mike Nelson K5YX reports the

Medal of Honor event is April 5, 2017. He has posted a

sign up sheet on the website.

Motion to adjourn by Len Ship KC5MPX. Seconded by

Eric Wheat AG5GV. Meeting Adjourned.


MAR 2017 PAGE 4 THE EXCITER

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On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select Denton County Amateur Radio Club Inc. as charitable organization to receive donations from eligible pur-chases before you begin shopping. AmazonSmile will remember your selection, and then eve-ry eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to Denton County Amateur Radio Club Inc., which is dba Denton County Amateur Radio Association..

DCARA 2015 Financial Statement

1/1/2015 through

12/31/2016

ACCOUNT AMOUNT

INCOME 8,161.58

+ARRL 19.00

+DONATION 2,688.94

+DONATION CORP 2,019.12

+DUES 3,301.00

+MISC 87.52

CLOTHING SALES 46.00

EXPENSES -7,888.27

ADMINISTRATIVE -276.53

APRS -45.49

AWARDS -141.37

BBHN & DCARALAN -2,468.15

CHRISTMAS -1,010.78

DONATION -100.00

DSTAR -526.66

ECOM -196.90

EOC -32.42

FIELD DAY -632.36

GEN -27.82

MAGNETIC ARES SIGN -15.00

PO BOX -78.00

PayPal FEES -56.31

RPTR-2M -1,465.20

RPTR-70CM -180.02

RPTR-FUSION -635.26

OVERALL TOTAL 273.31

Detailed infor-

mation is availa-

ble on the DCARA

web site.

MARCH

27 DCARA Meeting, 1900L, County EOC

APRIL

8 LAARK State Parks on the Air


MAY

19-21 Dayton Hamvention


http://smile.amazon.com/






Board Meeting

Minutes, February

We recognize the following corporate donors.

Employees and/or customers of these fine com-

panies can request donations to DCARA. For

more details, contact Gerald, the DCARA Secre-

tary.

Microsoft Matching Funds

Yahoo

Verizon

Network for Good

HP Your Cause

Amazon Smile

Dell

AT&T

Board Meeting

Minutes

DCARA Officer’s Meeting Minutes, Wednesday March 8,

2017

Recorded by Nancy Graff KG5CKO

Present: Andrew Koenig KE5GDB; Kelly Roark KC5AMT;

Bob Storey AF5RS; Landon Elfenbein N5AET; Duane

Baade W5PNM; Samiee Espinoza WX5JMD

The power point presentation for the March 27, 2017

meeting was updated.

Presentation: Presentation will be Weather Radar by

Dave Giba AA5HL and Weather Spotting by Guy Story

KC5GOI pending acceptance by Dave and Guy. Bob

AF5RS will contact Dave and Guy.

Fund Raising: Kelly Roark KC5AMT is contacting com-

munity businesses for gift card donations for our door

prizes. Andrew Koenig KE5GDB and Mike Chittenden

AE5AV will be attending the Belton Hamfest on Saturday

March 11, 2017 to sell the remainder of the items left over

from the Monday February 27, 2017 club meeting auction.

Technical Report: The technical report information was

discussed and the slides were updated. Additional racks

will be installed at the Stark Site for DMR equipment.

Testing Report: The results from the Sunday March 26,

2017 license testing will be reported. Alan Batteiger’s

WB5QNG technician class is providing the testing this

month. Kelly will make sure someone will be present to

unlock the doors for the class.

Next months testing will be Sunday April 23, 2017.

Elmer Coordinator: Duane Baade W5PNM reports the

next Rookie Roundup is Easter Sunday April 16, 2017 at

1:00 pm and will be SSB, single side band. Andrew Koenig

KE5GDB suggests the Rookie Roundup be announced to

the March 26, 2017 technician class participants. Kelly

Roark KC5AMT also suggests the Rookie Roundup be pro-

moted via social media including the club newsletter and

other area club meetings.

Operations Report: Kelly Roark KC5AMT adds Congress-

man Michael Burgess Emergency Preparedness Summit

and Fair Saturday April 8, 2017 8:00 am - 12:00 noon to

future events. We will have the eComm trailed there. Fu-

ture events also include the Cystic Fibrosis Ride on Sep-

tember 9, 2017.

Old Business: Silent auction and Belton results will be

presented.

ICE Plan Update: Andrew Koenig KE5GDB reports the

ICE plan will be posted.

Field Day: Kelly Roark KC5AMT reports the field day

site at Pilot Knoll Park has been reserved. A field day

committee is needed. Nancy Graff KG5CKO and Samiee

Espinoza WX5JMD will be on the committee.

Elections Committee: An elections committee chair will

be appointed.

Meeting adjourned.

DCARA Officer’s Meeting Minutes, Tuesday February

21, 2017

Recorded by Nancy Graff KG5CKO

Present: Gerald Marchant WB5NZV; Andrew Koenig

KE5GDB; Kelly Roark KC5AMT; Doug King KE5WTL;

Mike Chittenden AE5IV; Bob Storey AF5RS; Matthew

Morris K5ICR; John Petrasek

The power point presentation for the February 27, 2017

meeting was updated.

Presentation and Auction: David Seals N5FU will pre-

sent part two of his antenna lectures, Antenna Prob-

lems. There will be a silent auction before and after the

meeting. The list of auction items will be posted in the

newsletter and an email blast will be sent out to an-

nounce the auction. Equipment that doesn’t sell in the

auction will be sold at the Belton Ham Fest.

Operations Report: Doug King reports there will be a

tech class March 25-26, 2017. He notified UNTARA,

CERT and MRC about the training opportunity. The

Tour de Cure has moved to Collin County and they

asked if we would still help. Doug contacted the Plano

club to see if they wanted to take this opportunity and

Elections By Cheryl, K5BGT


if they would like us to assist. Doug is waiting to hear

back from the Plano club. The cystic fibrosis Cycle for

Life in Highland Village is scheduled for September 7,

2017.

Technical Report: The technical report information

was discussed and the slides were updated.

Mike and Andrew report everything at the Rosston,

EOC, Guinn and Starr sites is online.

ARES Report: Gerald suggests adding a reminder to

submit Skywarn training certificates in pdf format to

him via email.

LAARK: LAARK’s State Parks on the Air will be April

8, 2017 at Isle Du Bois Park on lake Ray Roberts.

New eComm Trailer: Gerald reports the county is

looking into how to facilitate the transfer.

Net Operations Mentor Program: Gerald and Nancy

are still working on developing this program.

Elections Committee: Daniel Harris N3BBQ has been

asked to chair the elections committee again. Bob is

waiting for his response.

Field Day: Kelly has contacted Highland village about

reserving the park for field day.

ARRL News line: Gerald reports Guy has received

some feedback on his ARRL Newsline survey.

ICE Plan Update: Andrew reports the ICE plan up-

date is still in progress. He is adding other area re-

peaters.

2017 Budget Proposal: The budget proposal was dis-

cussed in detail. Items were edited. The final draft

will be published in the newsletter, on the website

and as a pdf email blast for members to review before

approval. The budget constitutes spending authority

for the fiscal year and authorizes the executive com-

mittee to move funds between line items. Doug made

a motion to accept the proposed 2017 budget and to

present it to membership at the next meeting for ap-

proval. Mike seconded the motion.

Membership Dues: Notifying members with overdue

membership dues was discussed.

National Weather Service: Gerald has planned a trip

to visit the National Weather Service in Fort Worth to

learn about their radio communications operations.

AREDN: Gerald suggests the technical group needs to

discuss plans on finishing out AREDN to increase

coverage.

Doug made the motion to adjourn. Matthew seconded

the motion. Meeting adjourned.

Another year has come and gone. Our officers have served us

proudly and with diligence. We owe them a great debt of

gratitude for taking up our leadership and promoting both

our club and Amateur Radio throughout this past year.

Now, it is time to, once again, ask others to step up and join

in the leadership of our organization. Please consider this an

opportunity to share your skills and time with a worthy

group of people for a worthy cause. Please don’t feel you are

unqualified for a position. No one will be left without guid-

ance and others to support them!

This club is great because of all who participate…officers,

volunteers, committee members.

Duties of Various Officers:

President: Presides at all meetings and conducts them per

the rules of the Association. See Association By Laws for

more information.

Vice President: Assumes all duties of the President in the

absence of the President. See Association By Laws for more

information.

Secretary/Treasurer: Keeps a record of all meetings, man-

ages membership applications and correspondence, and keeps

track of all monies received and spent by the Association,

along with other duties. See Association By Laws for more

information.

Operations / Programs Director: Responsible for coordi-

nation of all Association operations and programs. See Asso-

ciation By Laws for more information.

Technical Director: Supervises installation and mainte-

nance of all equipment owned by the Association. See Associ-

ation By Laws for more information.

If you would like to run for any of these positions, please let

me know.

Thank you

Cheryl Harris

K5BGT

[email protected]


denton county amateur radio association the exciter · andrew, ke5gdb mar 2017 the exciter meeting...

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