MINUTES

Saturday July 19, 2008

Club president Rick Taylot KB5ZFC called the meeting to order at 10:00. Members KE5UHZ, KE5UIA and W5OMU were in attendance. 

W5OMU reported that ENMU police chief Ray Chambers has authorized the purchase of two 2m transcievers and antennas for installation in the police station and one cruiser.  Portales Roosevelt county Director of Emergency Management Keith Wattenbarger has authorized the purchase of three 2m radios and antennas for the Portales Police Department and two vehicles.  Radios and antennas are on order.

After a short  business meeting with coffee and donuts, members moved to the radio shack to work on hf antennas. 

The 20m and 40m dipole antennas were assembled and erected between the radio shack and the KENW self supporting tower.  Transmission lines will be added at the next get together.  W5OMU reported that good progress is being made on the new 147.00 /.60 repeater.  Members adjourned about 1:30.

Wednesday July 9, 2008

 

The Greyhound Amateur Radio Club co-sponsored a SKY WARN class and Emergency Management seminar at the College of Business building, Becky Sharp Auditorium. Tim Shy and his colleague from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque presented a SKY WARN training class to help residents understand and identify hazardous weather conditons. Keith Wattenbarger, Portales and Roosevelt County Emergency Management Director, gave a presentation on emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery.  Don KE5UIA and Jeff W5OMU provided information about our club and our amateur radio classes.  Fourteen residents and hams showed up to attend the class - the meeting was a great success.

Saturday June 21, 2008

The club met at the radio shack in the old broadcast center this weekend to work on antennas and make a few contacts.  We had a nice turnout with attendence including Rick Taylor KB5ZFC, Jim Lawrence KC5GWU, Ed Miller WB5HUY, Jeff Burmeister, W5OMU, Don Criss KE5UIA, Keane Brown KE5UHZ, Dale Miller WA5YDJ, Lonzo Lassiter, and Don Bridges KA7LPO. The club installed a new weatherhead to bring transmission lines indoors from the antennas.  A new 2m j-pole antenna was installed for the VHF rig in the shack. Rick made the first contact using our 80m dipole, an MFJ tuner , and the Kenwood TS-820 on 20 meters to a station in Nebraska.  The new 2m jpole can hit the Melrose repeater with full quieting using low power (5 watts). Thanks to all for a very successful and enjoyable morning.

Saturday June 7, 2008

President Rick Taylor KB5ZFC called the meeting to order just after 10:00 this morning. Everyone munched on coffee  and donuts.  Members present including Rick, Don KE5UIA, Keane KE5UHZ, Dale WA5YDJ, Jim KC5GWU, Ed WB5HUY and Jeff W5OMU.

Ed presented a treasurer's report of funds remaining after the purchase of antenna materials. 

Jeff reported that arrangements are being made to schedule a Ham Radio Day co-sponsered by ENMU, the National Weather Service SKY WARN  program, Keith Wattenbarger, Portales/Roosevelt County  Emergency Management, and local radio stations.  The event will be held at Eastern New Mexico University this July on a date and time to be announced.

Also discussed was  application to the New Mexico Frequency Coordination Committee to approve a new 2m repeater frequency pair for Portales.  Roosevelt County has not had 2m wide area coverage since the 147.24/.84  repeater was removed several months ago. The replacement of the existing, but worn out repeater antenna was also discussed.

Rick announced that the Greyhound Amateur Radio Club is now an official affiliate of the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association of radio amateurs.  $15.00 of each new ARRL membership will be donated back to our club. Numerous other benefits also accrue to the club.  See Rick for details !

Don and Jeff were wearing attractive green tee shirts with a large greyhound design labelled "Greyhound Amateur Radio" and their call signs in bold white lettering. Club tee shirts are available for $10.00 each.  Call Clyde Powell at 356-6992 in Portales.

Rick displayed a beautiful carved wooden plaque he is working on for the club. The plaque shows the club call letters and insignia that will be displayed on the clubhouse entrance - very  VERY nice. 

The busines meeting adjourned at about 11:30. 

The membership moved to the ham shack where we worked to complete the 80m dipole antenna.  The dipole center balun is about 120 feet above the ground. The previous week anchors were installed on the tower and club house roof to secure the antenna.  The antenna consists of 14 gauge stranded copperweld wire supported by 1/4 inch dacron rope. There is a pulley at the tower end to allow lowering of the antenna for modifications or repair work when needed.  Keane Brown was the first to try out the new antenna, but unfortunately, no luck . . . Later it was discovered that the center conductor of the RG-59 had broken inside the PL-259 connector.  Murphy is always standing by.  We'll have better luck next meeting !

Saturday May 3, 2008

President Rick Taylor called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.  Members present were Keane Brown, Jeff Burmeister, Don Criss, Dale Miller, Ed Miller, Rick Taylor, and visitor Jimmy Carley N3JTP.

 

Old business included a discussion of field day activities coming up on Saturday and Sunday June 28 and 29.  Jeff reported that antenna materials have still not arrived, but should be arriving soon.

 

Rick announced a large donation of ham radio equipment to the club from Don and Sandra Herman.  The equipment includes a set  of Kenwood twins - a T599 transmitter, R599 receiver, matching S599 speaker, a classic D104 microphone, an MFJ electronic keyer along with numerous accessories. Many sincere thanks to Don and Sandra for their valuable gift to our new station!

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:35.

 

At that time members went over to the club radio shack to work on building 2 meter j pole antennas.  Construction techniques were demostrated by buidling a j pole antenna for the club station, while Don and Keane built antennas for their home stations.  When all the soldering was finished, the antennas were tested by making contacts with stations in Carlsbad, NM using a 5 watt Yaesu VX-5 handie talkie through the Melrose Megalink repeater 30 miles away.  By all accounts,  it was a very successful club project!

 

Saturday April 26, 2008

 

Congratulations to  Don Criss KE5UIA and Keane Brown KE5UHZ.  Don and Keane passed their technician class license exams with flying colors on Saturday April 26 after attending classes here at the club.

 

Saturday   April 5, 2008

Coffee and donuts were available for club members in the break room.

 

President Rick Taylor called the  meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. Members present were: Rick Taylor, Jim Lawrence, Ed Miller, Jeff Burmeister, and Don Criss. The club welcomed two new visitors Chris Lally and Lance Miller.  Lance has attended several technician study sessions and decided to become a member of the club and get his ticket ! Yeah !

 

Secretary Jeff Burmeister read the minutes of the March 1st meeting.  Don made a motion a to accept the  minutes as read. Jim seconded the motion.  The minutes were accepted by acclimation.

 

Treasurer Ed Miller presented a report of the club funds.

 

Jeff reported that the Director of the Rocky Mountain Division, Brian Mileshosky N5ZGT, has forwarded his recomendation to the ARRL for the club to be accepted as an ARRL affiliated club.  Club affiliation documentation is being prepared in Newington.

 

Jeff also reported that a low bid vendor for antenna materials has currently suspended  business due to a serious family illness.  Coupled with the recent increases in copper wire prices, antenna materials will be more expensive than anticipated.  The membership approved the additional cost of materials.  We also discussed the antenna farm geometry and radiation patterns.  These plans can be viewed on the club "Ham shack" webpage. Antenna materials will be ordered and should show up at the end of April. 

 

The membership gave high praise and thanks to President Rick Taylor for his work in aquiring desks, room dividers, telephone service, and internet connectivity for the new ham shack.  Our club telephone number is 562-hamm (562-4266) - voice mail can be recorded on this line when the shack is unattended.

 

Under New Business, Jim Lawrence has made another fabulous donation of equipment to the club.  This time Jim has presented the club with a Yaseu FRG-7 general coverage receiver in near pristine condition.  It will go along very well with the Heathkit HX-10 Marauder transmitter.  The Kenwood TS820S now has a microphone and the Tentec Triton has a very nice surplus straight key - the shack is really coming along !

 

Rick is spear-heading interest in field day which will be held on Saturday and Sunday June 28-29.  Several locations were suggested for assembling a remote site equipped with a tent/canopy, generators, operating positions, antennas, and equipment. Stay tuned!

 

Don mentioned possible connections to middle and senior high schools students. Contact- ing the Boy Scouts could also generate more interest in ham radio.

 

Rick reminded the membership of our support for emergency communications preparedness and the Military Affiliate Radio Service.

 

Don't forget the upcoming exams to be held at the KENW Broadcast Center on Saturday morning April 26, at 10:00 a.m. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 to work on the ham shack.

 

 

Saturday  March 1, 2008

President Rick Taylor called the  meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Members present were: Rick Taylor, Jim Lawrence, Ed Miller, Jeff Burmeister, Don Criss, Lonzo Lassiter, and Tony Schroeder. 

 

Treasurer Ed Miller reported that he will open a club account with Portales National Bank.  Two signatures will be required to access club funds, with authority vested in the four club officers. Officers will have to sign signature cards at the bank.

 

Secretary Jeff Burmeister reported that dipole antenna materials will cost approximatey $80 for insulators, dacron cord, stranded copperweld, and 450 ohm ladderline. The membership approved the purchase by unanimous vote.

 

Jim Lawrence KC5GWU completed construction of an electronic iambic keyer and brought in his handiwork to show to the group. A fine job on a very nice project!  Photos of his project along with weblinks will be posted on the projects page. 

 

By the way, hearty congratulations to go to Jim.  He was successful in upgrading to general

class by passing his exam at Roswell last week!

 

Donuts and coffee were available for the meeting in the breakroom.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 and was immediately followed by the technicain class study session.  150 questions of the technician class question pool were reviewed, including Ohm's Law, the power formula, and the relationship between frequency and wavelength.  The class adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

 

 

Saturday  February 23, 2008

The membership meeting and study session was  cancelled due to illness of several members.

 

 

Saturday  February 16, 2008  

The membership meeting was  called to order at 10:00 a.m. by president Rick Taylor.

Agenda items for the meeting included a reading and approval of the minutes, opening a bank and checking account for club funds, and expenditures for antenna materials.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

 

A technician class study session followed the meeting, which concluded at about 12:30.

 

 

Saturday February 9, 2008  

The membership meeting was  called to order at 10:00 a.m. by interim president Rick Taylor. The club welcomed new member, Sam Pool, who will be studying for his new technician license.  Agenda items for the meeting included a review of the club charter, election of club officers,  a discussion of initiation fees and annual dues, a coffee and donut fund, and the club ham shack.

 

The membership voted a slate of new club officers for the year :

          President - Rick Taylor KB5ZFC

          Vice President - Jim Lawrence  KC5GWU

          Treasurer - Ed Miller  WB5HUY

          Secretary - Jeff Burmeister  W5OMU

 

The membership unanimously voted to adopt a one-time-only initiation fee of $5.00 and annual dues of $20.00. 

 

The charter was reviewed, and several minor changes and corrections were suggested. The charter was amended and unanimously adopted. The club charter is posted on this website.

 

Jim Lawrence KC5GWU graciously donated a TenTec Triton HF transciever, power supply, and antenna tuner to the club,  Jeff Burmeister W5OMU donated a Heathkit HX-10 Marauder HF transmitter to the club, and Ed Miller WB5HUY will be bringing by a Collins KWM-2 for the ham shack.A very hearty THANK YOU for the equipment donations that are getting the club off to a GREAT start.

The meeting was adjorned at about 10:50 a.m., at which time licensed members carried equipment donations over to the new ham shack to get our new station started.  Associate members stayed to participate in the technician license class.  Material reviewed included questions and answers from the technician license pool displayed by a power point presentation.  The class adjorned at  12:30.

 

Saturday February 2, 2008

Seven members attended today's meeting. The club president, RickTaylor KB5ZFC, distributed new club membership cards and certificates to all members present. Rick did a great job designing and printing the attractive, multi-color wallet cards and 8-1/2 by 11 certificates.

 

Club business included a  discussion about the location of the new club ham shack.   Space has been provided by KENW in the old Broadcast Center on campus.  This office is in the rear of the old center and will provide excellant access to a three hundred foot and a two hundred foot tower which can support a variety of long wire and dipole antennas.

 

We received notification from the ARRL on Friday that the club has a new registered licensing instructor.  Registered instructors and amateur radio classes will be listed on ARRL web pages.  ARRL license manuals and instruction books will be available to club

members at a 25% discount.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to an ad hoc discussion of Technician class license privileges, the relationship between frequency and wavelength, and the importance

of emergency communications to first responders in our community.

The meeting finished up at about 11:30 a.m.

 

Saturday January 26, 2008

Nine people attended the first meeting of the Greyhound Amateur Radio Club this morning, including four who would like to get their ham radio tickets. Coffee and donuts were served in the break room prior to the meeting, which was called to order at 10:00 a.m. One of the attendees was Keith Wattenbarger, the Portales/Roosevelt County emergency management director. Several others had previous engagements.  Overall, a very good turnout for our fledgling group!

We had a number of show-and-tell items on display, including a Kenwood TS-820 donated to the club by Tim Stanford AD5SY and a General Electric MASTR II mobile radio in the process of conversion to a 2 meter fm repeater.Also on display was a Kenwood TS-850SAT high frequency (hf) transceiver, a Yaesu VX-5 vhf HT, a PICAXE microcontroller programmed to send call letters, a laptop computer with various ham programs including APRS, Winlink, PowerSDR, etc. and Softrock40 software defined radio kits by Tony Parks KB9YIG. Copies of QST, an ARRL Technician License Manual, and club application forms and charters were also available.

Topics discussed included introductions and comments, a review of the club charter, dues, a club radio shack, license classes and exams. Our club membership already includes one general class and two extra class Volunteer Examiners (VEs).

The gathering concluded after a tour of the KENW broadcast facility at 1:30 in the afternoon!