Big Bend Amateur Radio Club
Minutes of Meeting
May 8, 2018
The meeting was attended by 23 members and guests.
N5NYM ALLEN ALPINE W5NPR BILL ALPINE WA5ROE BOB ALPINE KE5KNQ ROB ALPINE KA5PVB CHUCK ALPINE KX5SP STEVE ALPINE KG5ZME ZANE ALPINE KG5ZIA STEW TERLINGUA KG5BMK CHUCK TERLINGUA W5DWI DICK ALPINE W5JUW LORA ALPINE KG5LMG MARVIN FORT DAVIS KE5OG BILL ALPINE KG5LMK MIKE FORT DAVIS K5AHI BOB ALPINE KG5AAH BRIAN ALPINE KG5ZIB JUDI FORT DAVIS N5MVV ANGIE FORT DAVIS K5WSA BILL FORT DAVIS KG5LTD ADRIAN ALPINE KG5ZHY J J ALPINE KD5KBU JIM FORT DAVIS WA5ROE BOB ALPINE
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by President Allen Moore N5NYM.
The minutes of the April 10, 2018 meeting were read and approved on a motion by Chuck KA5PVB and second by Jim KD5PVB.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Angie N5NVV with an end of month reported as $6,893.78 with RV registration due and yet to be paid. Also reported was an upcoming insurance payment due later in the year. Report was approved on a motion by Jim KD5KBU and second by Bob WA5ROE.
OLD BUSINESS:
Allen N5NYM discussed the recent ARRL testing of approximately 39 prospective amateur radio operators, with about 25 successful. He expressed congratulations to all the new hams, several of which were in attendance.
Participation by several BBARC members at the March Saint Patrick’s HamFest in Midland was discussed.
The April HammerFest bike race had been a success with 120 starting the race and 90 completions, with no accidents. He reported that 9 volunteers participated on Sunday, and that it was the best turn out of volunteers in several years. He expressed his appreciation to those participating.
NEW BUSINESS:
It was discussed that a new repeater link had been installed in Alpine. The new link is a UHF band with the frequency of 446.150 SIMPLEX with 146.2 PL Tone.
Allen N5NYM reported that a bicycle race event was planned for November 10, 2018 in the Big Bend State Park. It would follow the paved highway route of State Highway 170, also known as the River Road. It was probable that crossband communications would be required. It was also discussed that HF communications should be considered.
It was discussed that ARR L Field Day was scheduled for June 23 &24. It was reported that the Double Diamond location used for a number of years was available and that the June BBARC meeting would precede the event and more detailed plans would be discussed at that time. It was discussed that the event is no contest—contest.
The business meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
The program was presented by Bill KE5OG on the FT-8 Mode. Bill explained that FT-8 was developed by Joe Taylor K1JT and Steven Frank K9AN as part of the W8JT-x suite of low-power, sound card apps that include JT65, JT9, MSK!$$, WSPR and other digital programs. His presentation demonstrated the installation, operation and logbook capabilities of the program. It is in use throughout the ham Radio universe. The program was well presented and informative.
Respectfully Submitted:
Bill Roberts W5NPR
Secretary