Florida Parishes VE Group - Testing sessions are scheduled for the last Sunday of each month [with the exception of holiday conflicts] at AmVets Post #68; 26890 Hwy 42 (jct. of Hwys 42 and 43) - Springfield, La. 70462 (approximately 3 miles south of I-12 at exit 32) at 2pm with $15 testing fee. Bring photo ID and any appropriate CSCE. For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area.

SELARC Meeting Minutes

(Meeting Type: In-Person)

(Ponchatoula Community Center)

November 14th, 2023

Call to order: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) at 7:01 pm

Pledge of Allegiance: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

Introductions: Done

Minutes of previous meetings: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• 1st motion to accept meeting minutes as posted by Tyrone Burns (N5XES)
• 2nd motion by Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
• All Approved

Members present: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD), Mike Jackson (KI5GGP), William Harris (KF5YBY), Ralph Shaw (K5CAV), Mark Lacey (WX5RN), Terry Williams (N5TDW), Ernie Bush (N5NIB), Tyrone Burns (N5XES), Ed Mason (KE5GMN), Pat Mason (KE5KMN), Bob Spahn (WD5BJW), Sumana Disimone, (KI5WNV), Jerry Burg (W5TE), Tracy Durio (N5CT2), Dean Melancon (KG5AAE), Randy Landry (WB5BW), Ken Nieto (KF5UHM), Timothy Lynch (AG5XK), George Carr (KB5ILL)

Guest present: Mona Williams, Matt Anderson (KD5KNZ), Paul Chapron (KJ5COB), and Kirby Larpenter

Treasurers’ report: Mike Jackson (KI5GGP)

• 1st motion to accept the treasurer's Ed Mason (KE5GMN)
• 2nd motion by Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
• All Approved

Bills / Correspondence:

• N/A

New member applications / renewals: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• Paul Chapron (KJ5COB) of Ponchatoula
• Kirby Larpenter of Ponchatoula who is studying for his license.
• 1st motion to accept by Tyrone Burns (N5XES)
• 2nd motion to accept by Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
• All Approved.

Health and Welfare:

• Bill KB5OBW is still struggling with his jaw.
• Homer Jones is not doing very well. Fell and broke his shoulder.

ARES report: Pat Mason (KE5KMN)

• 5 nets and 100 check-ins
• Averaging 15-20
• Pearl River County is activating the ARES group. Drill in future but no information yet.

Hamfest Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES)

• Ponchatoula Community Center
  • Confirmed
• Confirmed Vendors
  • The SignMan on 7/10
  • Connector Guy - Richard East N5IAW
• Prizes (Other)
  • Flex Radio
    • Some “SWAG” for door prizes. (T-Shirts, Caps, Decals, and Flyers)
  • Wireman
    • Sent some gift certificates.
• Prizes (Main)
  • 1st ICOM IC-7300
  • 2nd RigExpert AA-650
  • 3rd Yaesu FT-70DR
  • 4th Yaesu FT-65R
• Tickets
  • Time to sell tickets.
• Food Vendor
  • Boss Hog is confirmed. Same as last year. Tyrone to see if he will make coffee.
• Member Volunteers
  • Ticket Sales
  • Security
  • Kids 12 and under are free.

Repeater Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES) & Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• Tickfaw
  • Waiting to see when the grounding is down at the tower.
  • Future Steps
    • Insulation is on location and needs to be installed on the ceiling.
    • Wall outlets have exposed wiring and burnt plugs that need to be corrected.
    • Power distribution in the cabinet.
    • 110 power wall sockets within the building.
  • Thanks to Terry N5TDW just prior to OZONE Hamfest he swung by the Tickfaw site and picked up the Commander Technologies Repeater antenna and brought it to the club house in Ponchatoula.

• Hammond
  • Tyrone programmed the 6-meter repeater of Pete’s. Waiting to see when to install. Still a question on the repeater controller needed.
  • Future Steps
    • Power distribution in the cabinet.

Packet:

• HMU (Hammond, LA, North Oaks Hospital)
  • Operational
• PCC (Ponchatoula Community Center)
  • Operational
• NEW: W5TEO is back online in Hammond
  • W5TEO-2 = Mail
  • W5TEO-8 = NODE
  • DOTD = Digi Alias
• Spare Alinco DR-135 donated to SELARC by Matt Anderson (KD5KNZ) for our packet stuff.

Old Business:

• N/A

Field Day: Mark Lacey (WX5RN)

• Winter Field Day The weekend after the Hamfest.
• June 22nd is the next Field Day.

Training

• Packet Demo (Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) & Terry Williams (N5TDW) November
  • Packet Message
  • Winlink Wednesday <link> Current Week - Terry (N5TDW)
  • Winlink Wednesday <link> Participant Map - Terry (N5TDW)
• QRP- George Carr (KB5ILL) January
• EMP Protection / Dave with OZONE on LRS (Lightning Rig Saver) Russ WI5ARD to contact Dave.

New Business:

• ARRL: Matt Anderson (KD5KNZ)
  • ARRL Urges Comments on FCC on 60-Meter Band <link>
    • The issues around the 60-Meter Band were discussed. The above link will provide you with the information needed to comment to FCC against.
  • Louisiana ARRL Section Manager Election
    • Matt will be running for the Louisiana ARRL Section Manager Election which he currently holds after John Mark Robertson (K5JMR) stepped down. He was appointed to the position on September 1, 2023, to finish out John Mark’s term.
    • He has held many positions within ARRL over the years, so it was of no surprise many in the meeting voiced support for him in this position.

• Congratulations on the new licenses and/or upgrades from the VE Session of the Florida Parishes VE Group.
  • Technician
    • James T. Raborn - Livingston, La. <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
  • General
    • Hyson M. LeBlanc / KI5ZXF - Ponchatoula, La. <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
  • Extra
    • Brian A. Salcedo / K5NWO - Ridgeland, Ms. <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

• December Christmas Meeting (6 PM to 8 PM)
  • Middendorf’s Manchac
    • 30160 US-51, Akers, LA 70421
    • (985) 386-6666
    • DATE: Wednesday December 13, 2023
    • NEED CONFIRMATION: Spouses are invited, and we are looking for numbers to know we are meeting the minimum number for the reserved room. (30 is the magic number) We have 15 that were confirmed during the November meeting. Please send confirmation to Russ Plyler (WI5ARD).

Upcoming events / Hamfest / Cancellations:

• SELARC Hamfest
  • Date: January 20th, 2024
  • Location: Ponchatoula Community Center, 300 N. 5th Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454
  • We are still in need of volunteers. Please email Tyrone Burns (N5XES).
  • https://www.selarc.org/images/2024/SELARC_HF_2024_flyer-rev_25_Sep_2023.jpg
• Jackson City Hamfest
  • Date February 02-03, 2024
  • Location: MIssissippi State Fairgrounds Trademart, Jackson, MS 39202
  • http://www.msham.org/capital-city-hamfest

General discussion, presentation, or training:

• Silent Auction:
  • The auction rules were rolled out and everyone was given 20+ minutes to submit their bids. In all we had 30+ items individually listed along with separate tables for $1 and $5 items.
  • All the tickets that were purchased at tonight’s meeting were put in a box for the raffle of the 33’ Telescopic Fiberglass Mast MFJ-1910. Congratulations to George Carr (KB5ILL) on being the winner.
  • Great night with the total ticket sales being at $1,165.

Motion to adjourn:

• 1st motion to adjourn meeting by Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
• 2nd motion by Ralph Shaw (K5CAV)
• All Approved.