P.O. Box 1324, Hammond LA 70404
Visit our website: www.selarc.org
Tuesday December 14, 2021 7:00 PM CDT
Location: Golden Corral in Hammond, Louisiana
1748 SW Railroad Ave, Hammond, LA 70403
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/YupBRz7h43CPfZ8k8
The meeting is to start at 7PM. All members and prospective members are welcome to attend. The basic buffet and drink should be well below $18/person. Look forward to seeing all that can attend. Due to the noise level there will be no attempt to run Zoom.
Senior Buffet is $13.39 +Tax
Regular Buffet is $13.99 +Tax
Drinks are $2.49 +Tax
If you would like to become a member of SELARC, please print out and complete the application/renewal form and return it with your check to: P.O. Box 1324, Hammond LA 70404. Thanks!
SELARC Hammond HamFest - January 15, 2022 - flyer
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 [email protected] or Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area.
Birthday Wishes for December go out to - Elizabeth KM6MWZ and Carol KE5GOC. If we missed your birthday, then please let us know.
SELARC Meeting Agenda
(Meeting Type: In Person)
Nov., 09, 2021
Call to order: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) at 6:57 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance:Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)
Minutes of previous meetings: Ryan Plyler (KI5FMA)
- Previous meeting minutes as published in the “Hamster” were accepted byTyrone Burns (N5XES) and second byRalph Shaw (K5CAV).Motion carried
Members present: (13)
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES), Ralph Shaw (K5CAV), Ryan Plyler (KI5FMA), Russ Plyler (WI5ARD), Bob Priez (WB5FBS), Jimmy Hess (AG5EJ), Jim Leblanc (KF5AGQ), Mark Lacey (WX5RN), Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
Guest present: 1
- Matthew C. Anderson (KD5KNZ)
Treasurers’ report: Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
- Joe Locasio (K5KT) donated money to the club. We need to send an official thankyou.
- Purchased Hamfest tickets which we have for sale. Ernie Bush (N5NIB) paid for the tickets on his credit card and is going to reimburse himself.
- Purchased arrl liability insurance for the hamfest.
- Treasurers’ report as presented by Ernie was accepted by Tyrone Burns (N5XES) and second by Ralph Shaw (K5CAV). Motion carried
Bills & Correspondence:
New member applications & renewals: Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
- New Member: Matthew C. Anderson (KD5KNZ)
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES) motioned, Ernie Bush (N5NIB) second to wave the “one meeting wait requirement to accept a new member” motion carried.
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES) motioned Mark Lacey (WX5RN) second to accept the new SELARC member themotion carried.
Health and Welfare:
- None
ARES report: Russ (WI5ARD) read Pat (KE5KMM) email report-out
- ARES Net participation: Average of 14 check-ins for last month.
- Change of Repeater: The nets held on the 147.00 repeater on 10/11/2021 and 10/18/2021 had heavy amounts of static and a "pulsating" noise that interfered with the functioning of the net beyond just a normal amount of static or band conditions. Some of our regular check-ins to the net were not able to join in on the nets. (I will say the 147.000 was clear and all seemed fine at times, but minutes later deteriorated to where it was not readable.) It is not reliable at this time and we made the decision to move to our secondary repeater 146.610.
- On 10/25/2021 the net started on 147.000 repeater and QSY to the secondary repeater of 146.610 for the actual net and that all future nets will be on the 146.610 until further notice. I notified the Tangi ARES members as well as some regular hams by email and posted it on the Region 9 ARES facebook page.
- Luckily the 146.610 repeater has documented coverage from Baton Rouge to Pearl River, McComb and from a Metairie home using a 10 foot pole. Fringe areas are covered well but as we all know conditions can vary this.
- I would encourage all club members to take advantage of the ARES net on Monday nights to check the functionality of your equipment.... radios, feedlines and those wonder antennas.
73, Pat (KE5KMM)
Repeater Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES)
- Chris Bolton (N0XBD) came to the tower site with Russ Plyler (WI5ARD), Tyrone Burns (N5XES), and Ernie Bush (N5NIB) to scan the coax and antenna to look for damage. The SWR picked up a bit which is not a big surprise considering the antenna could be touching the tower. All that appears to be needed is for the antenna to be adjusted back into pre-storm position.
- Repeater swapped with old repeater and still produced the same digital noise.
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES) sent a query to Brock to see if he can climb the tower.
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES) talked about changing out the antenna mount to one that puts it out 3ft instead of the current 18 inches.
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES) is going to schedule a meeting with Gary at the hospital to discuss the hospital repeater site
- Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) is waiting on quotes and money to repair repeater sites.
- Hammond: Preliminary quotes received from Hi-Tech Tower for the 3 antenna systems at $22K. Still waiting on a formal quote.
- Tickfaw: Preliminary quotes received from Hi-Tech Tower for the 147 at $3,500.00. This price also includes the replacement of the DB0224 antenna. Still waiting on a formal quote.
Hamfest:
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES) stated he is trying to get some vendors for the Hamfest.
Old Business:
- Ernie called Alan Pearson twice about the work needed at his place but has not heard back from him.
New Business:
- Tyrone Burns (N5XES) antenna on the ponchetula building took on some damage
- HF vertical is laid over on the pole
- Bob Priez (WB5FBS) asked if we can commission ARES to add a repeater to the water tower
- Mark Lacey (WX5RN) suggested a Christmas eat and greet on December 14th along with the club meeting at a Golden Corral in Hammond, Louisiana.
- November 20th Saturday plan to have guests build and install HF Antennas at the ponchy rec center (antenna work party).
Upcoming events / Hamfest / Cancellations:
- Greater New Orleans hamfest Date: November 13, 2021
Hamfest 2022: Tyrone Burns (N5XES)
- Date: January 15, 2022
- Tickets have been received and ready for purchase.
- Email received from Carmen that everything is still a go for the HamFest at SLU on 2021-11-09. He is going to send a follow-up message to the SLU group to see if there is anything else needed or if we are all set.
2022 Bike MS: Dat's How We Roll
- Date: March 19-20, 2022
New Business:
- Club antenna repairs.
- Ponchatoula water tower options for repeaters.
- Dec 14th restaurant option… target for the 20th
Upcoming events / Hamfest / Cancellations
- The Greater New Orleans HamFest Date: 13th November 2021
Motion to adjourn:Tyrone Burns (N5XES) second: Mark Lacey (WX5RN)
==> YOTA Month Continues to Expand into the Americas
December is YOTA Month, celebrating and encouraging Youngsters/Youth On the Air. Amateur radio operators who are 25 years old and younger will be helming special event stations around the world throughout December in celebration of youth in amateur radio. YOTA Month stations will be on all bands and modes at various times ...
==> IARU Reports Another Over-the-Horizon Radar System is Under Construction in India
In October, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 Monitoring System (IARUMS) newsletter reported on the continuing run of over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) troublemakers that often cause severe interference on amateur radio bands -- primarily in IARU Regions 1 and 3 but are audible in the rest of the world. Now, another threat is looming, IARU Region 1 says.
IARU Region 1 has cited a report by Alpha Defense India that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) premier radar development laboratory is working on an OTHR system to keep a close eye on Chinese movements in the Indian Ocean region. The system design has already been completed, according to the report. The prototype stage comes next...
==> Registration Opens for the 2022 ARRL National Convention in Orlando
ARRL and the Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC) will host the 2022 ARRL National Convention and Orlando HamCation® on February 10 - 13, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. The convention theme, "reDiscover Radio," highlights radio amateurs' commitment to developing knowledge and skills in radio technology and radio communication. ...
==> Russia's Destruction of an Orbiting Satellite Raises Space Debris Concerns
Russia tested an anti-satellite weapon on November 15, destroying Kosmos 1408, one of its own old and now-defunct satellites. Launched in 1982, Kosmos 1408 was some 300 miles above Earth. Its destruction generated a debris field in low-Earth orbit that prompted the seven International Space Station crew members, including one Russian cosmonaut, to take cover in their crew capsules for several hours, in case they had to abandon the station.
"The [ISS] is passing through or near the cloud every 90 minutes, but the need to shelter for only the second and third passes of the event was based on a risk assessment made by the debris office and ballistics specialists at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston," NASA Chief Bill Nelson explained. Occupants of the Chinese space station are reported to have taken similar action.
The incident also has generated criticism from many corners, as well as a grave discussion on the possible impact of any future such tests, by Russia or anyone else
The danger of damage to the ISS or an orbiting satellite aside, tracking a debris field that could include thousands of pieces, in order to head off collisions, is a concern all its own. Very small debris in space is essentially impossible to track reliably, if at all. The incident also comes at a time when the number of spacecraft orbiting Earth continues to grow. AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, said that Russia's action will pose a threat to all activities in low Earth orbit for years to come, placing satellites and human spaceflight missions at risk ...
==> DXpeditioner Says Operating from Crozet is Limited by Nature
The recent announcement of a pending 3-month DXpedition to activate Crozet Island (FT5W) in 2022 - 2023 has generated enthusiasm within the DX community. Right on the heels of the announcement, the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) pledged $20,000 to support the DXpedition. The point person for the planned event, Thierry Mazel, F6CUK, wants to temper any overblown expectations, as demand will be extremely high for the third most-wanted DXCC entity -- right behind North Korea and Bouvet Island. Thierry says nature-related factors, including climate, will dictate the manner in which the DXpedition takes place.
"The wind blows almost constantly at 70 kilometers per hour (43 MPH), with gusts that can reach 150 kilometers per hour (93 MPH) within a few minutes," Thierry and co-planner Paul Granger, F6EXV, said in a recent news release. "There are no real seasons on Crozet, so these conditions apply all year long, even if, during the austral summer, nicer days can be expected." ...
==> Space Physics Professor Seeks Radio Amateurs' Help in Making Space Physics Data Audible
Space Physicist Martin Archer of Imperial College London wants to know the best approach to making space physics data audible. Archer is the UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) Stephen Hawking Fellow in Space Physics and Public Engagement and is working in the fields of citizen science and data sonification. He is seeking individuals to complete a survey, the results of which may help him to determine the best way to give space physics data a voice. ...
==> Radio Amateurs in Brazil Help with Rescue Operation
Brazil's National Amateur Radio Emergency Network Coordinator Hilton Libanori, PY2BBQ, reports that São Paulo State Network of Emergency Radio Amateurs (REER-SP) volunteers were directly involved in a search-and-rescue operation with the São Paulo State Fire Department, after a cave collapsed on October 31 during a rescue exercise in Altinópolis. Twenty-eight civil firefighters were carrying out an exercise in the Duas Bocas Cave when part of the cave collapsed, leaving nine dead. Search-and-rescue operations were carried out by the São Paulo Fire Department, with support from the State Civil Defense. REER-SP played an important role in providing communication between the incident command post and the rescue area, which proved difficult to access ...
==> Amateur Radio Emergency Service and SKYWARN Respond to Major Nor'easter
A major nor'easter struck eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island last week, with ferocious winds stronger than those that Tropical Storm Henri brought to the region in August.
Starting on the evening of October 26, eastern Massachusetts amateur radio operators on the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN⢠storm spotter teams joined forces to help emergency services provide a focused and effective response as the powerful nor'easter caused widespread damage. Tree and wire damage, trees falling on homes and cars, and a few cases of direct structural damage to weakened structures were reported. ...
--The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League
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Stay Radio active -- Hope to see you at the next meeting. Be sure to monitor your weekly nets, e-mail, and the SELARC website at https://www.selarc.org for any updates.
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