The meeting was attended by 17 members and guests:
DeRoy AA5R Austin Sallie AE5OM Austin Grady WA5ZBX Pecos Cary KF5ZBW Barstow Barb KM5VM Alpine Robert K5AHI Alpine Julianne KF5RDN Terlinqua Mike NW5M Fort Davis Rob KE5KNQ Alpine Dave N5DO Alpine Fran K5FRN Fort Davis Richard W5DWI Alpine Lora W5JUW Alpine Bob W5RHN Fort Davis Dean WA5MHO Alpine Bob WA5ROE Alpine Bill W5NPR Alpine
The meeting was called to order by President Bob Ward, WA5ROE at 7:30 p.m.
Treasurer’s Report: Angie, N5MVV was not present and no report was made.
Minutes of the December 10, 2013 meeting were read and accepted.
Old Business:
Rob KE5KNQ reported that the Santa Net was conducted as planned and 47 individuals contacted Santa Claus.
Bill W5NPR reported that the Cibolo repeater had been re-installed by Bill W5ATO and W5NPR. The frequency of the repeater has been changed to 147.12 with shift of +.600 and PL Tone of 146.12. It was further discussed that tuning of the antenna is required, but wind conditions on the day the installation was made prevented climbing the tower for the tuning process.
Bill W5NPR reported that the Emergency Repeater 145.23 had been re-assembled and was presently set up in the back of his pickup at his QTH for testing. On Friday morning January17th, he would then deliver the repeater to the Old Ore Road location in the BBNP where it would be in operation for the Big Bend Ultra Run. The repeater would be tested from all communication points on the BBUR route on Saturday January 18th, with the actual event to occur on Sunday. It was further discussed that Dick and Lora had offered lodging for up to 5 individuals at the South 40,but that advance notice would be helpful.
N5DO reported that the sale of surplus equipment in the rented storage facility continues with a small offering available at club meetings each month for a minimum bid of $1.00. Any unsold equipment at the end of each meeting would be re-cycled or disposed of in an appropriate manner. This is an attempt to empty the storage bin and eliminate rental cost in the future.
New Business:
It was discussed that the Annual BBARC Banquet was scheduled for January 24th, with menu items being a choice of Chicken Fried Steak or Pecan Crusted Chicken. Cost of the banquet meal to be $18.00/person. The banquet would be located in the Gallego Center Room 129. The keynote speaker would be Betse Esparza, Brewster County Emergency Coordinator. CW bingo would be featured, with the awarding of door prizes to the bingo winners. The banquet would begin with a “happy hour” from 6:30-7:00 PM., hosted by Bob WA5ROE and Dave N5DO, with the banquet meal to begin at 7:00 PM.
Bob WA5ROE reported that the SKYWARN session presented annually by the National Weather Service through West Texas was upcoming, usually occurring in Alpine and Fort Davis in April, although no schedule had been advertised by NWS.
It was reported that a new Technician Class would be presented on Saturday April 5th and Saturday April 12th. More details are forthcoming.
Program:
Cary Hannsz KF5ZBW, Physics and Principals of Technology instructor at Wink High School presented the program on School ham radio participation. He informed the Club that he had incorporated ham radio into his class curriculum, including license instructions and testing, balloon projects with ham radio equipment aboard, vhf fox hunting techniques to locate balloons after landing, participation in School Club Radio Roundups and plans for a 2-meter net between participating schools. He further discussed that the next scheduled School Club Roundup would be February 10th-February 14th.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Bill W5NPR, Secretary