Author: w9uvi

IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE!

Can you tell I am excited? 😀 So much so I took over Justin’s spot!

I want to say thank you to all who have and who will be assisting with making our first year in our new home a success.

The September Club meeting will be at Three Sisters, in the area we will be camping, (behind the pavilion to the left of the flea market). We will be grilling, so bring what you want to grill. In addition to some food and fun conversations with fellow hams, we will also be going through the plans for the weekend and how different areas will operate.

If you haven’t signed up to help yet, please visit the Volunteer sign-up page, even if you plan on helping all weekend, please sign-up for specific jobs, so I know all jobs are covered. Assistance is especially needed on Thursday, marking the flea market and on Friday setting up the tables and helping the indoor vendors load-in.

In appreciation of your assistance, all volunteers will receive one 2-stub ticket for 2 or more hours worked.

If you sign-up for one of the first time slots of the day for that tasks (gate sales, parking help, those type of jobs) please be at the park at least 1/2 hour before the start of your time slot.

Please remember to make sure you get a receipt when you turn in your ticket money. If you pay by check, I will take a picture of your check and your check will be your receipt. If you pay by cash, make sure you get a paper receipt from me.

Any questions about Superfest, send me an email at: WD9EB@arrl.net

Again, and yes I am repeating myself 😎 I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped or will be helping.

Thanks & 73,
Deb
WD9EB

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President’s Report

The big news this month is SUPERFEST! We hope to see everyone there, and of course make sure you join us for our monthly club meeting at Three Sisters Park so you can see why we’re so excited about our new Superfest home.

I want to remind everyone that we will be voting on an amendment to our Constitution, AND electing officers at the October Club meeting. This will allow us to apply for the IRS nonprofit status that will make us eligible for grants, and will make contributions to the club tax deductible. We will also make a slight modification to the language regarding election of officers.

These changes can be found on our web site by clicking here or visiting the link labeled “Constitutional Amendments.”

See you at Three Sisters September 16-17!

Justin, N9WX
PAARC President

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Meeting Minutes:

Board of Dirctors Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 7:03mpm. Attending the 8/3/23 PAARC Board of Directors meeting:
Justin N9WX, Tom W8NWG, Adam KD9NYE, Darren KD9HZZ, Tanya KD9YPM, Rob KD9DBQ, Scott K9XJT, Doug, Matt KD9ERS, Deb WD9EB

Bandbits: No meeting last month, so no minutes to approve.

Treasurer’s report from Tanya:

• PayPal: $880.74
• Checking: $523.50
• Savings: $245.87
• Money market: $9,765.04
• Nothing pending
• Still need to pay for port-a-potties (2x), hand washing station (1x) and tables for Superfest ($7.50ish per table), along with the other half of the Superfest site fee. We’ll also have to pay for ticket printing and postage, but neither should be much.

Rob makes a motion to approve, Deb seconds… all are in favor.

Repeater committee from Matt and Tom:

• We did get remote access working again for the repeater site
• Still have internet work to do for D-star and .085 repeater
• There’s a computer already out there at the bunker, but we need to configure the router
• Also have plans in the future to link together the 085 to 610 in Bloomington to make a central Illinois net
• Matt is hoping to get out to the site next week

Superfest update from Deb:

• Everybody should be getting their tickets at the next club meeting!
• Need to call A-Z to see if Rich can pick up the tables on Thursday night to keep them in his enclosed trailer and bring them out first thing Friday morning to the site
• Next year… someone needs to step up and pick up the tables and take care of the garbage next year. Rich won’t be at Superfest because of his 40th anniversary! Not complicated – just need to move bagged trash from barrels to the dumpster. Scott volunteers for 2024!
• We’ve got quite a few orders coming in for tickets…
• 40 prizes so far, about 30 less than 2022. Scott may look for some additional things to add to the prize pool. Craig says that he has prizes for Superfest from the ARRL. This appears to be separate from the usual gift certificates we get from them as a sanctioned hamfest. Our main prize so far may be a handheld this year… DMR6X2Pro. Will keep looking for more prize options, including possibly buying something as a club. Gigaparts has offered us Hamvention pricing for door prizes. Tom suggests a ceiling of $400 to see what we can get from a few vendors. Scott generously offers to pay for half the cost of something under $500. He also brings up the idea of getting a netbook as a prize (like a POTA kit.) We need to also ask the POTA org if they might have something to donate to Superfest.
• Tickets are available at Midwest Two-Way and Don’s CBD shop in East Peoria in addition to any club member or through w9uvi.net

Old business:

• Tom has updated the website/Facebook with our upcoming membership meeting where we’ll talk about a new transceiver demo and possible new club bylaws.
• There was a bunch of stuff donated from someone in Pekin, and Mark is going to try to sell some of it at the Peotone hamfest this weekend for club proceeds.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Membership Meeting

7:01 p.m., our meeting is called to order

Tonight’s agenda: Amendments to our constitution

Time to approve the minutes in Band Bits:
– Mark Suhs (W9WGN) makes a motion, Jim Polson (W9JDP) seconds.. all are in favor. Passes.

Treasurer’s report from Tanya (:
– $245.87 in savings
– $523.50 in checking
– $9,765.04 in money market
– $158.28 in PayPal (all from Superfest tix)
– $412.16 spent on Superfest grand prize (G90 kit) (still need antenna, for $60-ish possibly.) Scott is generously donating half the cost of the prize, with rest from our money market account. Also ordered 6 HTs for prizes as well. And two RTL-SDR dongles as well! (the surprises keep coming from the generous Scott!)

Tom (W8NWG) makes a motion to accept, Scott (K9XJT) seconds… all are in favor and it passes.

Repeater committee report from Tom (W8NWG):
– Things are working and sounding good. We still haven’t gotten the D-Star repeater internet set up, though. Ben has volunteered to help.
– We need to get the antenna back up at the Red Cross as well… Darren will handle.
– In the future, we hope to link some of our repeaters across the state in a network.

Old business? None.

Superfest committee report from Deb (WD9EB):
– If you’re a club member, you should have an envelope of 10 tickets for you. These are to sell, buy or give back. Return unused ones at the next club meeting (two nights before Superfest!)
– If you’re paid with a check, bring it… if cash, get a written receipt!
– The Superfest meeting in two weeks will be at the Red Cross, going over logistics for that weekend.
-Anybody who is available that Thursday to be out at Three Sisters Park at 10 a.m., help is appreciated to mark out the Flea Market area. (Deb will check on paint needs to mark those spaces.)
– Deb will check on what time to have campers set up….hopefully also on Thursday.
– We have a renewable contract with Three Sisters… what we pay this year is what we pay for the next four years. There’s room for growth there!
– We’ll have golf cart shuttles available since the site is so large. Some carts will be for PAARC official business, others will be for guests (6-passenger ones with shuttle drivers.)
– We’ll have garbage pickup that will need to be handled, emptying bags out of the barrels and taking them to the dumpster.
– We’ve rented two port-a-potties and one handwashing station ($400 total for the whole weekend.)
– There’s no charge for 20 amp electricity! There’s a campground adjacent with higher level service also available.
– Testing will be Saturday at noon… and is in a separate area from the forums, which means they aren’t waiting on each other.
– Lots of extra room to expand!
– If you help out this year in needed positions, you get two free tickets to Superfest. Sign up for positions by letting Deb know, or by going to w9uvi.org. Flea market setup on Thursday morning, table setup on Friday morning, trash duties, etc. Get involved!

New business:

501(c)3 and sexual harassment policy:

– We need to have a policy for our constitution. It’ll be posted on the website and in the next issue of Band Bits, with the club going back over it in September and then voting on it in October.Constitution amendment:
– Article 4, Section 2… terms of office. Right now, it says “The president shall be elected for one calendar year and shall be limited to a maximum of two consecutive elected terms.” That also applies for a few other board positions, but not all.
– Justin and Scott don’t mind staying in their positions of president and VP, but they can’t unless we change the constitution.
– Justin proposes that we change the language to “In the event that no one is wanting to accept a new position, the current person in the position will continue for another term. This may continue for unlimited consecutive terms.”
– If someone in a position doesn’t want to serve and no one else does, the next senior position on the board is appointed.
– Article 4, section 3: “All officers shall be voting members in good standing and shall have been members of PAARC for 6 months prior to the year for which they’ll hold office.”
– Justin proposes: “All officers shall be voting members in good standing.”
– Reason for these changes are that we need to have everything in order to be a 501(c)3 for grant applications, etc. There was a dying club featured in ARRL Magazine, but they were able to save the club by officially becoming a non-profit.
– This will cost $1500 as a club for an attorney’s help.
– No objections from the club membership for the proposed plan to post in Band Bits, review in September, and vote on in October.
– The end of our October meeting is also time to vote for officers… so put your hat in the ring if you’d like to run.

Mark (W9WGN) makes a motion to adjourn, seconded by Darren (KD9HZZ)… 7:53 p.m. official meeting business is over, with Scott beginning a presentation on the Xiegu G90 radio.

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Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies, When All Else Fails®.

September 6, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
September 13, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

There will be no Monthly ARES Meeting for September 2023.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

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August Net Logs

8/6
W8NWG KD9ANU WD9EB K9XJT W9WGN KD9MPI KC9IH KD9TEG KD9YCJ KD9HZZ KD9JXR N9NDF NM0O KD9PXZ KD9WRX KD9AER N9WFT W9WTF W9DAY KD9SPI K9RCS KD9YPM KB9ATO WW9DLM KD9RYH NP2WJ KD9WHE KD9STL K9TNT KD9QQU KD9NYE Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

8/13
N9WX WD9EB KD9ANU W9WTF KD9QQU K9XJT W9WGN W8NWG KD9WRX KD9IBC KC9IH KD9AER K9HJZ KD9YCJ K9RCS KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9JXR N9WFT K9TNT KB9ATO W9JDP WF9E KD9WHE KD9RYH K9UQF KD9YPM KD9STL NM0O KD9TEG Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

8/20
N9WX WD9EB W9WGN KD9ANU KD9QQU W9JDP K9XJT W8NWG KD9MPI KD9WRX KD9AER KD9YTM KD9PXZ KD9IVV N9NDF NM0O KD9JXR K9WFT K9RCS NP2WJ N9WFT KD9VIN KD9NYE KD9TEG K9UQF KD9NYI WW9DLM KD9STL KB9ATO N9SJZ KD9IBC W9DAY KD9RYH KD9WHE KC9YTT KC9IH Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

8/27
KD9ANU, WD9EB, W9WGN, KD9IVC, KC9IH, K9HJZ, KD9DBQ, KD9YCJ, NP2WJ, W9JDP, KD9PXZ, KD9IVV, W9WTF, NM0O, K9TNT, KD9JXR, KD9AER, KD9YPM, W8NWG, N9JXR, K9XJT, KD9RSC, N9NDF, N9CS (formerly, KD9WHE), WF9E, KD9RYH, KD9STL, K9CEW, KB9ATO, N9NDF, N9CS, KB9OGS, KD9WRX, KC9YTT, KD9NYE Submitted by KD9QQU 73

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September Club Events

Sept. 6 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

Sept. 7 – 7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting via Zoom

Sept. 13 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

Sept. 14 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Meeting: Three Sisters Park, 17189 IL 29, Chillicothe

September 16-17, 2023 MIDWEST SUPERFEST 2023  Three Sisters Park
17189 IL-29, Chillicothe, IL. Flea Market, Vendors, Forums, License Testing and more!

September 28 – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting

President’s Report

Heads up! Changes Coming Soon! Be at the next Club Meeting to discuss the changes that will be proposed for our Constitution. We will discuss these changes and then vote on them in September. Needing to be added to the Constitution is a section on sexual harassment. This is mandatory per a pro bono lawyer that we have been seeking advice from.

In order for us as a Club to become an IRS 501 (c) (3) not for profit, we will need to update our Constitution. Please plan to attend the in person meeting at the Red Cross Thursday, August 10th 2023 at 7PM. The majority rules the house! In order to have your voice heard, you must be paid up on voting member dues. Feel free to reach out to any Board member if you have and questions, comments or concerns. I want to hear your voice! This is your Club as well… not just mine. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, please Email or Call me and let me know what you want said on your behalf. N9WX.ARES@gmail.com or 309-830-1967

501 (c) (3): We missed out on a large ($5,000.00) grant through Caterpillar due to not being a 501 (c) (3) organization. Currently we are a 501 (7) (c). In order to make sure everything is completed correctly, Darren Weir KD9HZZ has spoken with several lawyers. The cost would be around $1,500.00 for them to file on our behalf. This cost may be reduced since we are adjusting our Constitution before we apply for 501 (c) (3).

Again, we will bring up changes to the Club’s Constitution at August’s Club meeting and then Vote in September! Please be there both nights!

Superfest is less than 2 months away! I’m extremely excited for this event. I hope that you will consider coming out and working a task or several. Position’s can be found on the Club’s website under the Superfest tab. This year it was voted that anyone who works at Superfest will receive 2 tickets, good for the whole weekend, as a thank you. Without your help and support, we won’t survive as a club.

I’ve been hearing that a lot of people are moving away or considering not re joining next year. This makes me very sad. I belive we are a great Club and I’m proud to be a part of it. I am trying my hardest to keep this Club alive and running smoothly. I do not want to see this amazing club die. We are over 100 years old! That’s an amazing achievement! If there are issues that need to be discussed, please bring them to my attention or to a Board Member’s attention.

Elections: Elections are coming up quickly as well. If you think you’d like to be a member of the Club’s Board Of Directors, please let myself or another Board member know which position you are interested in. We are in this together! As most know, at the end of this year, I will have been President for about 2.5 years. While I love the position, I want to know if there’s someone who wants to step up and lead the Club. Is that you?

Never hesitate to contact me via email or phone. I’ll respond to your messages just as soon as I can. Thank you to all of you, our members, for making this a great and fun Club!

73!
Justin Flick – N9WX
PAARC – President

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A Message from Craig Worrick

I’m inviting comments from the ARRL members and appointee’s within the Illinois Section that DID NOT get notified of the dues survey in May. With only 15.9 % response from the members of the Central Division (Illinois,Indiana,Wisconsin) . Something is definitely wrong! 

It is my opinion this is not a fair representation of the Illinois Section. It is my goal to make your voice heard. I’m fully aware that many are very upset about the dues increase, I’ve already heard from several members in my area that they are not going to renew when it’s time. HQ has decided to freeze ” new applications for Life Membership and ARRL Life Membership 70+ are not being accepted as of 7/21/2023 while new rates are being established.” 

I believe mistakes have been made and WE need to correct them. 

I patiently await your responses, 

Thank you & 73′

Craig, K9CEW
IL ASM

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Meeting Minutes:

Membership Meeting 7/13/23:

Justin Flick, N9WX, Club President called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Justin welcomed guests to the Meeting, and introduced Tanya Knapp, wife of Ben Knapp (KD9RYH). Today is Tanya’s birthday and further the day she got her Technician License. She is KD9YPM.

Rich Schmitz, K9RCS, made a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes as published in BandBits. Darren Weir, KD9HZZ, seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed.

Treasurer Report

Justin Flick reported the balances in the individual accounts. We have already sold some Superfest Tickets, so the PayPal account is growing a bit.

A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Darren Weir, KD9HZZ, and seconded by Mark Suhs, W9WGN. A vote was taken, and the motion passed.

SuperFest Report

Scott Tranchitella, K9XJT, made a motion to give 2 SuperFest tickets to club members who work to help with setup of the Midwest SuperFest. Ben Knapp, KD9RYH, seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed.

Repeater Report

Matt Behnke, KD9ERS, reported that he hopes to get out to the Groveland site to resolve remote access issues with Echolink, and further get Echolink back in service on the 075 repeater. He also reported that the D-Star (UHF) server at the Bunker is now operating, he needs to get out there too, to resolve IP Address settings, so that the D-Star equipment can connect through the Internet.

Old Business

There was no Old Business.

New Business

A discussion was held regarding considering setting the club up as an Illinois 501(c)(3) non-profit. When complete, this would provide the club with tax exempt status and provide the opportunity to get grants and matching funds for certain donations. To do this we would need to make some changes to the club bylaws. It is believed based on preliminary discussions with an attorney that the paperwork to become a 501(c)(3) would cost $1500 or less. The idea of holding a meeting dedicated to discussing changes to the bylaws was made, which might be via Zoom or in-person.

Radio Activities

Justin Flick, N9WX, reported that he plans to hold a Fox Hunt and POTA this Saturday, July 15th at Jubilee State Park. Operators who want to participate should meet at the college historical site at 10 a.m.

A motion to adjourn was made by Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, and seconded by Ben Knapp, KD9RYH. A vote was taken, and the motion passed. The club meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Program

Scott Tranchitella, K9XJT, spoke about doing POTA, as-well-as the OMISS International Sideband Society. He had some useful and interesting handouts. A number of door prizes were also handed out based on drawing call signs of those present from a hat.

Meeting ended at 8:10 p.m.

Submitted by Richard Holtman, KD9ANU

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KD9DBQ, KD9ANU and N9WX at the Emergency Expo

Peoria County ARES

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies When All Else Fails®.

August 2, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
August 9, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
August 16, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich using the contact info below if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

Meeting Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Repeater & Simplex Testing, NVIS Exercise, Winlink News, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

Purchase tickets, Flea Market spots and indoor vendor spaces onine!

It is almost here, the time flies so fast. I can’t stress enough how much your help is needed and appreciated.

I want to say thanks to those of you who have reached out already volunteering for different positions at Superfest, anyone else who would like to request certain positions, feel free to contact Deb Suhs WD9EB@arrl.net.

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July Net Logs

7/2
KD9ANU N9WX W9WTF W8NWG W9WGN KD9MPI WD9EB KC9IH K9HJZ KD9HZZ W9JDP K9TNT N9NDF KD9PXZ KD9RJH KD9JXR KD9IVV NM0O KB9ATO N9WFT KD9AER KD9ERS K9RCS/AE W9DAY KD9RYH K9XJT WW9DLM KD9STL KB9OGS KD9NYE K9UQF KD9WSP/AG KD9TEG Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/9
KD9QQU KD9ANU K9XJT KD9HZZ W9JDP K9TNT N9NDF KD9IVV NM0O KD9PXZ KD9JXR W9WGN WD9EB NP2WJ KD9AER N9WFT KD9IBC WF9E KD9WHE W9WTF K9RCS KB9ATO WW9DLM KC9YTT KD9YPM W9DAY KD9STL KD9RYH KD9ERS KD9NYN KD9NYE KD9WSP Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/16
KD9ANU K9KJT W9JDP N9NDF K9TNT NM0O KD9IBC KD9PXZ KD9AERT KD9JXR W9TTX N9WFT KD9WSP K9RS K9IVV W9WGN KB9ATO KD9DBQ KD9ERS KD9QQU KD9TEG KD9STL K9CEW KD9HZZ Submitted by N9WX 73

7/23
KD9ANU N9WX K9HJZ KC9IH KD9IBC K9TNT N9NDF KD9JXR K9WFT WW9DLM W8NWG W9TTX NM0O KD9PXZ W9JDP KD9AER KD9TEG NP2WJ N9WFT KC9YTT KB9ATO KD9WHE N9SL KD9IVV KD9RYH KD9STL K9CEW KD9RJH KD9YPM KD9WRX WF9E K9XJT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/30
K9XJT N9WX WD9EB KD9ANU W9WGN K9HJZ KD9MPI KD9YCJ KC9IH W9JDP W9TTX NM0O K9TNT KD9PXZ KD9JXR W8NWG KD9IVV N9WFT KD9AER KC9YTT NP2WJ K9RCS KD9RYH KD9YPM W9DAY KD9WHE WF9E KD9STL KD9IBC KD9SPI Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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August Club Events

August 2 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

August 3 – 7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting via Zoom

August 9 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

August 10 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Meeting: Discussion and vote on Bylaw changes – American Red Cross, 311 W John H Gwynn Jr Ave, Peoria

August 16 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Meeting: TBA

August 19 – 12:00 noon – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

August 23 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

August 24 – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting

Board Announcement

As was announced on the W9UVI Sunday night net tonight, John Zandowski has tendered his resignation as PAARC treasurer. The PAARC Board of Directors sincerely appreciates John’s service to the club, and we are looking forward to working with him again in the future. In the meantime, John plans to stay as active as possible with the club so he won’t be a stranger.

The PAARC BOD is deeply grateful to Tanya Knapp (KD9YMP) for agreeing to be the new treasurer.

This change is effective as of 07/15/2023.

FIELD DAY, 2023

____________________________

President’s Report

Independence Day 2023 is quickly approaching. Be safe and have a great holiday!

 I have a strong desire to POTA with a Foxhunt! I plan to have this on Saturday the 15th of July, 2023. Location TBD. Watch Facebook for further updates. 

Field Day 2023 was a success, mostly. We did shut down early because of the threat of severe weather. I want to thank everyone who came out, especially those who helped set up and tear down. There’s no way I could do that without you. 

We had several new members come out and make their first HF contacts. Micah made his first DX contact as well! Congrats to you all!

Again, have a great holiday and be safe! We dont need anyone to get hurt. 

73. Justin Flick N9WX PAARC President 

__________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Membership Meeting:

June 8, 2022, American Red Cross – Justin Flick, N9WX, Club President called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Tom Hunt, W8NWG, made a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes as published in BandBits.  Darren Weir, KD9HZZ, seconded the motion.  A vote was taken, and the motion passed.

Treasurer Report – John Zdanowski, KD9QQU, submitted his report to Justin Flick, who read it to those in attendance.

A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Mark Suhs, W9WGN, and seconded by Jon Dainty NMO0.   A vote was taken, and the motion passed.

SuperFest Report – Justin Flick, N9WX, and Darren Weir, KD9HZZ, spent some time today considering various SuperFest issues.  They believe we need some 13-14 signs to be made up to direct folks at the new site.  A draft of a new “Midwest SuperFest” banner was passed around for review.  There were no objections to the design, so expect such to be prepared.

Repeater Report – Earlier today, a group from the club moved the entire D-Star cabinet from the Groveland site to the Garage Radio Room at the Bunker.  As a result of that move, the VHF D-Star Repeater will be taken off the air, and the UHF D-Star Repeater will be put on the air, serving the Greater Peoria Area/Central Illinois.  The Bunker had a folded dipole VHF antenna at 240’ height available free-of-charge, courtesy of the Woodford Repeater Association.  Thanks to those club members who worked with the Woodford group to make this possible, including but not limited to Steve Grob, KD9AER and Justin Flick, N9WX.  And thanks to those folks who came out today to perform the move.

Justin Flick, N9WX, also reported that the next step at Groveland will be to get 2 antennas down from the tower, at some future time.  Expect to get the bill in July for the antenna for the W9UVI repeater located at the 160 ft position.

Matt Behnke, KD9ERS, reported that the relocated UHF D-Star machine is running just locally right now, as the computer in the D-Star cabinet is not working.  A replacement computer will be configured and installed soon to connect the UHF D-Star machine to the Internet and restore full functionality.

It was also reported that a laptop has been built for the Glasford repeater Wires-X station.

Old Business – Darren Weir, KD9HZZ, and Andy Day, W9DAY, are planning to assemble the new antenna that the club has for a replacement of the damaged antenna recently taken down at the Red Cross.

New Business – We will hold Field Day on June 24-25 at Illinois Central College in East Peoria in the Visitor Parking Lot.  Hoping to run on battery power only.  Planning to have 2 stations set-up, with IC-7300’s and antennas.  The club’s 10 x by canopy will be used.  Hope to set up HAMRS logging software on a laptop or tablet to record QSO’s.  Justin says he expects to start setting up on Saturday about 11 AM, and would welcome any and all help.  Bring a Folding Chair!

Program Report – From Scott Tranchitella, K9XJT

Who is aware of the TEMU App/Website?  This is a chance for first time shoppers to get a Baofeng UV5R for only $2.99.  Throw some antenna options in too.  We can give these away to new folks who pass the Technician Exam, and get them on the air quite cheaply.  Everyone should jump on this to help out new hams.

Three future Program Subjects include:

1) RTTY

2) POTA Session, possibly instead of a meeting night

3) Fox Hunt (we have a low power 2 meter transmitter to use)

Send other program ideas you have to Justin’s email.

Scott then presented tonight’s program on how to use DroidStar on Android and ios devices.  Simply put, this app provides D-Star capability on an Android phone, over the Internet, no radio needed.  The demo included contacted a ham on D-Star in California.  For ios device, one can use an app called TestFlight which will run DroidStar, does take some luck to get it set-up and working.

Meeting ended at 8:15 PM

Submitted by Richard Holtman, KD9ANU

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

July 5, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
July 12, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
July 19, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)
July 20, Emergency Expo 4:00-7:00 PM at Grand Prairie Shopping Center

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

Meeting Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Repeater & Simplex Testing, NVIS Exercise, Winlink News, Volunteer Opportunities, Emergency Expo, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

Purchase tickets, Flea Market spots and indoor vendor spaces onine!

I want to say thanks to those of you who have reached out already volunteering for different positions at Superfest, anyone else who would like to request certain positions, feel free to contact Deb Suhs WD9EB@arrl.net.

Please make sure you have Superfest on your calendar and please plan on helping during it, without Superfest our ability to keep our repeaters is in jeopardy, your help is greatly needed and appreciated.

Since most of the positions/help needed were listed in the May Bandbits, and some definitions were in the June Bandbits, here is the explanation for the rest of the jobs/positions.

Flea Market Spot Sales and General Assistance – checking in the flea market vendors, selling/assigning spots if needed, and assisting flea market vendors with finding their spaces.

Vendor Assistant – checking with the indoor vendors, making sure they don’t need anything, watching their stuff if they need to use the facilities, especially if an indoor vendor is alone, getting food for them, answering questions, genera support as needed.

Forum Assistant – making sure the guest speakers have what they need, answering any questions, and making sure they don’t go over into the next session.

Ticket Barrel Sales – selling extra stubs, answering questions and assisting Matt & Brett with prizes if needed.

Rapid Fire Giveaway Assistance – help listen for responses when the numbers are called and help pass out prizes won.

Table takedown, clean-up – are what they sound, after the indoor vendors are done, we need to take the tables down and clean up after ourselves.

The next Midwest Superfest meeting will be on Thursday July 27th at 7pm via Zoom on the Club Meetings page.

____________________________________________________

June Net Logs

6/4
KD9ANU K9XJT KD9MPI KD9TEG W9JDP W9WGN N9NDF N9WFT NM0O KD9PXZ KD9JXR KD9IVV W8NWG KD9AER K9TNT KB9OGS WF9E KT9TB KD9STL NP2WJ K9UQF Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/11
WD9EB W9WTF K9XJT KD9ANU W8NWG W9WGN W9JDP NM0O KD9AER KD9IVV KD9PXZ KD9JXR W9TTX KB9ATO K9TNT N9NDF KD9WSP KD9TEG KD9STL N9WFT K9RCS KD9RYH KD9RJH KD9WHE K9UQF KB9OGS KD9QQU KD9SPJ WF9E KD9NYE Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/18
W9WTF K9XJT KD9ERS WD9EB KD9ANU W8NWG W9WGN KD9YCJ K9HJZ KC9IH N9GUE W9TTX N9NDF W9JDP NM0O KD9JXR KD9RJH K9OBI KD9PXZ K9TNT K9RCS KD9AER N9WFT KD9IVV KD9QQU KT9TB KD9RYH KD9WHE KD9NYE KB9OGS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/25
KD9ANU N9WX W9WGN K9OBI K9HJZ KD9WRX KC9IH K9XJT W9TTX KD9YCJ KD9HZZ W9JDP K9TNT KD9IVV N9NDF W9DAY KB9ATO NM0O KD9PXZ KD9AER KD9JXR KD9NYE N9WFT W8NWG KD9QQU KB9OGS K9CEW KD9WSP KD9TED KD9VIN KD9RYH KD9STL K9RCS KD9ERS WF9E WW9DLM Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

July Club Events

July 5 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

July 6 – 7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting via Zoom

July 12 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

July 13- 7:00 p.m. – Club Meeting: TBA – American Red Cross, 311 W John H Gwynn Jr Ave, Peoria

July 19 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Meeting: TBA

July 20 – 4:00-7:00 p.m. – Emergency Expo: The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. For information contact Rich, KD9ANU

July 27 – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting

President’s Report

It’s already June! That means it is almost Field Day 2023 time! We are going to be at Illinois Central College main campus in the Visitors Lot. 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL. Setup starts at 11:30am and I can use all the help we can get. This year I’m wanting to run off Battery Only. If you have a battery box and want to see how well it performs, bring it on out! I have 2 inverters that I will bring for AC power. We will have Water and most likely get pizza later in the day. Feel free to bring your own dishes/snacks/drinks to share. Please Bring Your Own Chair!

In other news, the UHF D-Star machine is moving to the Bunker! This is thanks in large part to the Woodford County Club allowing us access to their site and antenna. This will save our club on tower rent, get the D-Star higher than it is currently and further our relationship with the Woodford Club. I want to thank Steve Grob and Brad Haney for working with PAARC to get this accomplished. For more information, see the story lower on this page.

I want to thank several other members for their hard work and dedication lately. Darren KD9HZZ and Ben KD9RYH have helped with getting the Cub Trailer cleaned out and organized. Darren helped put lights inside and out so we can see at all hours during events. Ben helped take down the leaning HF antenna at the Red Cross. We have another antenna to go back up that needs to be assembled. Thanks to the late Fritz Bock WD9FMB for purchasing said antenna before his passing.

In July, I hope to have a Foxhunt and a Club POTA event so be on the lookout for those!

73! Justin Flick N9WX PAARC President

__________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Board of Directors: In attendance: Tom, Darren, Justin, Steve, Deb, Rob, Matt, Adam, Casey, Doug

No Bandbits approval needed due to no board meeting last month.

Superfest committee:
⁃ Deb is still trying to have Chris get us our info for the raffle license… will try to meet him in person soon. We need it so we can get the tickets printed and mailed.
⁃ Adam and Deb will meet Sunday afternoon to discuss getting payments set up for Superfest site…
⁃ Deb also needs to reserve Porta Potties.
⁃ Justin will call to confirm that we got an additional golf cart for Darren.
⁃ Rich has been great at sending out gift certificates and fliers.
⁃ Tom and Deb will talk about trademark stuff for the club… they’re wanting us to file electronically. There’s an 8.5 month wait for new applications, though.
⁃ Darren has heard back from quite a few of the vendors he’s sent messages to… he’s been forwarding the prize offers to Matt. After this year’s SuperFest, he’s going to build a spreadsheet to make this easier next year. Darren is also going to network at Dayton this year on our behalf.
⁃ Matt reports that we’ve hit $2,000 in prizes so far
⁃ Justin will go with Darren to the Sign Guys

Other business:
⁃ Justin may have found another mailbox key that he’ll return

Repeater business:
⁃ Will talk in executive session

Treasurer’s report:
We don’t have our treasurer’s report due to John’s absence and the banking site being down.
⁃ Replacement tires for 16-year-old ones on trailer: $263.12
⁃ Paypal transaction to Bionics: $115 (foxhunt transmitter that was approved over 2 years ago)
⁃ Small solar panel charger for trailer (lights + radio): $35
⁃ Savings: $545.43
⁃ Checking: $1869.87
⁃ Money market: $10939.29
⁃ PayPal: $731.51
⁃ ARRL insurance is due June 18th (we’ll need to send a copy to ICC for Field Day, along with certificate of liability)

• Tom makes a motion to approve the report, Deb seconds. Everyone approves.

Old business:
⁃ Justin is going to confirm that we have ICC available for Field Day (already in contract, just making sure)
⁃ John is still looking for a cheap filing cabinet for the radio room for us (Darren may have one; he’ll check)
⁃ 501(c)3 for the club: Tom still needs to talk to his daughter about it… she’s been busy lately. Darren mentioned that he has some experience getting that set up for the motorcycle club 25 years ago, so he will assist Tom in the effort.

Tom makes a motion to move to executive session at 7:30 to discuss the D-Star repeater agreement.

Membership Meeting: Tom and Scott are running the show tonight in Justin’s absence!

We start the meeting with a presentation by Rob Orr (K9RST) on Chicago Marathon ham support and public service (hamradiochicago.org)

May Bandbits – Rich makes a motion to approve, Scott seconds. All are in favor.

Treasurer’s report – John is absent, so no report this time.

Superfest:
⁃ Deb is working on getting the SuperFest website live.
⁃ Also working on getting our raffle license for the county.

Repeater committee:
⁃ Matt is working on getting the 85 repeater in Glasford set up for Fusion/Wires-X and get it back on analog as well. We still need internet access.
⁃ Working on a couple of other exciting things as well to be announced soon.

Scott then polls tonight’s attendees on what digital radios they have… he’ll be giving away some gear soon to those who do not.

Additionally, Scott shows us what’s inside his emergency kit full of Dollar Store supplies. He’ll be making versions of his to give away at a future meeting.

Finally, Scott previews DroidStar – something he’ll demonstrate at the June club meeting.

Rich makes a motion to adjourn, all are in favor and we are done at 8:22 p.m.!

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

June 7, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
June 14, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
June 21, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

Meeting Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Simplex Exercises, Winlink News, Volunteer Opportunities, Emergency Expo, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272
____________________________________________________

I want to say thanks to those of you who have reached out already volunteering for different positions at Superfest, anyone else who would like to request certain positions, feel free to contact Deb Suhs WD9EB@arrl.net.

Since most of the positions/help needed was listed in last in the May Bandbits, we’re going to explain what some of those jobs/positions are.

Flea Market Marking consists of getting the area between the pavilion and museum turned into several 20×20 spots. We will use utility flags, construction cones and probably marking paint. This will be a learning experience for us, and should be easier than it was in the past.

Gate ticket sales will consists of greeting the incoming vehicle and asking if they have their tickets, if they don’t have tickets asking them if they want a single stub ticket for $10 or a double stub ticket for $15. Once they respond with the type of ticket they want by how many they want, determine the amount owed, collect the amount owed and give them their tickets. After giving them their tickets determine where they need to park, if indoor vendor; flea market or handicap send them straight, if general parking send them to the left.

Table setup and helping vendors load in, are pretty much what they sound like. On Friday morning we will set the tables up according to the layout that will be done ahead of time. Then after the tables are setup we help any of our vendors who would like our assistance with unloading and setting up.

Garbage pickup will consists of a few guys working with Rich KD9ANU, going around in a trailer removing the full bags of garbage and putting in new bags, then putting the bags in the dumpster.

As said last month, other jobs may be added to the list and here are two jobs just added 😎

Parking guides – make sure people park sensibly and in rows

Table pick up/return – we will need some tables picked up from Pekin and probably Peoria Friday morning and returned Monday morning.

More job definitions and possibly more jobs next month.

____________________________________________________

W9PIA D-Star Repeater to be relocated

The Woodford County Repeater Association and the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club have agreed to the use of the Woodford Club’s UHF antenna and transmission line located at the Peoria Emergency Management Agency site, (commonly referred to as “The Bunker”) for the relocation and operation of the Peoria Club’s D-Star repeater. The W9PIA repeater operates on 443.46875 MHz.

When the move is completed, the D-Star repeater operating on 145.1050 MHz will be shut off and the 443.4675 MHz will be activated.

This move will allow the Peoria Club to save on tower rent and will position the UHF repeater on a higher antenna more centrally located in Peoria County.

Work on this project will be completed early this summer.

____________________________________________________

May Net Logs

5/7
KD9ANU N9WX K9HJZ KD9HZZ N9GUE W9WGN WD9EB KD9VYM KD9MPI KD9TEG KD9IBC KC9IH W9JDP KD9JXR KD9RJH KB9ATO NM0O KD9NYE KD9PXZ KD9AER KD9VIN K9XJT W8NWG KD9ERS KT9TB K9RCS KD9QQU KD9YCJ KD9RYH KD9STL KD9WSP NP2WJ W9GLO KD9HZX KC9WRK KB9SF Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/14
K9XJT KD9ANU K9OBI KD9IBC K9HJZ KC9IH NP2WJ KD9QQU W9WGN WD9EB W9JDP KD9JXR W9WTF KB9ATO N9NDF W8NWG K9RCS KD9IVV KD9PXZ KD9AER N9WFT KB9OGS KD9TEG WF9E KD9RYH KD9STL WW9DLM Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/21
KD9ANU WD9EB KD9DBQ K9OBI W9WGN KD9YCJ KD9IBC KD9WRX KD9AER KC9IH K9HJZ K9XJT KD9WSP N9WFT K9RCS W9WTF N0XOH KD9JXR KD9IVV KD9PXZ NP2WJ KD9STL KD9WFP N9NDF KN9OGS KB9ATO KD9RYH K9CEW KD9NYE Submitted by W8NWG 73

5/28
W8NWG N9WX KD9ANU K9XJT W9WGN WD9EB KD9DBQ K9HJZ W9JDP N9NDF KNTNT KD9JXR NM0O KD9AER KD9IVV N9WFT WF9E KD9STL KB9OGS KD9RYH K9RCS KD9WRX N9SL KD9ERS WW9DLM Submitted by KD9QQU 73

____________________________________________________

June Club Events

June 1 – 7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting via Zoom

June 7 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

June 8 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Meeting: D-Star on your Android device. Before the meeting, please get your free dmrID and Brandmeister ID. Make sure your bring uour Android device – American Red Cross, 311 W John H Gwynn Jr Ave, Peoria

June 14 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

June 17 – 12:00 noon – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

June 21 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Meeting: TBA

June 22 – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting: Details TBA

June 24 – 25 – Field Day 2023: Illinois Central College. Details TBA. For more information contact Justin, N9WX.

Always check the Upcoming Club Events/Meetings page for the latest additional information or last minute changes.

President’s Report

Foxhunt anyone? We finally purchased a transmitter! It’s very basic, but it has a decent range of 3 to 4 blocks in the city. I can’t wait to get together to build the antennas for it. 

This month’s meeting features a presentation on the Chicago Marathon and helping out at that event. Several of our Club Members help out regularly. 

Remember, in June we have Field Day 2023! Please make plans now to come help set up and tear down as I can’t do it all by myself. More details to follow.

There is interest in a camping get together. We’ll have to discuss dates and locations soon! 

Justin Flick, N9WX – PAARC President

_____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Membership Meeting: At the April meeting, Vice President Scott Tranchitella K9XJT provided an interesting demonstration of the RFinder Radio/Phone.

Club President Justin Flick, N9WX received a commemorative plaque from ARRL recognizing The Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club’s 100 plus years of operation. The plaque was presented by Craig Worrick, K9CEW, ARRL Illinois Assistant Section Manger.

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

May 3, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
May 10, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
May 17, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

Meeting Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Simplex Exercises, Winlink News, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

Superfest is 4 1/2 months away, it always gets here faster than we think. Please make sure it is on your calendars, and the 2 days before if you can help us those days. In case you are wondering what type of help we will need, here’s a starting list but there will be some I missed and some that we didn’t realize we needed until we need it 😃

I’m just listing the starting time for the day specified, most things will just keep repeating until we are done. Thanks in advance for your help, it is greatly needed and appreciated.

• Thursday Sept. 14th – 9am
  • Flea market marking
  • Our setup
• Friday Sept. 15th – 8am
  • Gate-Ticket sales
  • Indoor table set up
  • Flea market spot sales
  • Assist vendors loading in
• Saturday Sept 16th – 7am
  • Gate-Ticket sales
  • Flea market spot sales
  • Flea market general assistance
  • Golf cart shuttle drivers
  • Vendor assistant
  • Garbage pick-up
  • Forum assistant
  • Ticket barrel sales (extra stubs)
• Sunday Sept 17th – 7am
  • Gate-Ticket sales
  • Flea market spot sales/general assistance
  • Golf cart shuttle drivers
  • Vendor assistant
  • Garbage pick-up
  • Ticket barrel sales (extra stubs)
  • Rapid fire giveaway assistance
  • Help vendors load out
  • Take tables down
  • General clean-up

____________________________________________________

April Net Logs

4/2
KD9ANU W9WTF K9XJT N9GUE W9WGN KC9IH KD9IBC KD9VYM K9TNT W9JDP N9WFT NM0O KD9JXR KD9AER KD9IVV KD9VIN KD9PXZ KD9STL KD9WHE KD9RYH WW9DLM K9RCS KD9SPL KD9RJH KB9ATO NP2WJ W8NWG KD9NYE KD9QQU KD9TEG N9NDF KC9YTT KB9OGS WF9E KT9TB KB9SF K9HJZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/9
KD9ANU W8NWG N9WX W9WTF W9WGN KD9VYN KD9MPI KC9IH KD9PXZ N9NDF W9JDP KD9JXR KD9VIN KD9RYH KD9IVV KD9AER KD9WSP K9RCS WF9E KD9SZZ KD9STL WW9DLM N9WFT NP2WJ K9HJZ KD9QQT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/16
W9WTF KD9ANU W9WGN KD9VYM KC9IH KB9OGS W9JDP N9NDF NM0O K9XJT KD9JXR KD9PXZ KD9IVV KD9AER WW9DLM W8NWG N9WFT KD9WSP KD9MPI K9HJZ KB9ATO KD9STL KT9TB KD9WHE KD9QQU KD9TEG KD9WRX W9YES KD9VIN W9GLO NP2WJ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/23
WD9EB W8NWG K9XJT W9WGN KD9MPI KC9IH NP2WJ K9HJZ W9JDP KB9ATO KD9IVV NM0O KD9PXZ KD9JXR N9WFT KD9WSP N9NDF KC9YTT K9RCS KD9WHE KB9OGS KD9WRX KC9FQI KD9QQU KD9RYH KD9STL KD9RJH K9CEW K9BDH KD9AER KD9ANU KD9NYE KD9TEG KD9ERS W9GLO Submitted by KD9DBQ 7

4/30
KD9ANU N9WX W9WGN KD9VYM KC9IH KD9MPI W9JDP N9NDF KD9JXR NM0O KD9PXZ KB9ATO K9XJT N9WFT KD9QQU KD9AER W8NWG KD9YCJ WF9E KD9RJH KD9VIN KD9STL KC9YTT KD9MOA KD9IVV NP2WJ KD9NYE KC9FQI K9UQF WW9DLM K9RCS KD9WHE KB9OGS KC9GGC KD9WSP W9WTF Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

May Club Events

May 3 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

May 4 – 7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting via Zoom

May 10 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

May 11 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Meeting: The Chicago Marathon – American Red Cross, 311 W John H Gwynn Jr Ave, Peoria

May 17 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Meeting: TBA

May 25 – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting: Details TBA

Always check the Upcoming Club Events/Meetings page for the latest additional information or last minute changes.

President’s Report

The fact that it’s April is amazing to me. It seems like a couple weeks ago it was the New Year. With the weather getting warmer, the outdoors is calling. Half and full marathons around the area are happening. A lot of them can use communication support and welcome volunteers. I have 2 lined up that I’m helping with so far.

As most of you know, I love doing Parks On The Air and Foxhunts. I’m working with Scott Tranchitella to set up a class where we can make an antenna and use it for satellite communication and Foxhunts. It’s not your typical tape measure yagi. I hope to have this class towards the end of th month. I am hoping to have a Foxhunt in May along with having a POTA event.

I’m asking for you to give me your input. I’m looking for dates and times that work for you and others. Please feel free to email me your ideas. N9WX.ARES@gmail.com

I’m looking forward to what this year will bring.

Justin Flick – N9WX
PAARC, President
N9WX.ARES@gmail.com

_____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Board of Directors

At 7:06 p.m., we begin our board meeting via Zoom.

Tom (W8NWG), Justin (N9WX), Deb (WD9EB), Rob (KD9DBQ), Casey (KC9IH), Matt (KD9ERS) and Adam (KD9NYE) are in attendance.

Bandbits for March:

Tom moves to approve, Deb seconds. All are in favor and it passes.

Repeater committee:

• Matt still needs to go to the repeater site to upgrade software. He’ll check his schedule for a date/time to do so.
• Tom says we still need to also move things around physically in the shack.

Treasurer’s report:

• $545.02 savings
• $4,532.10 checking
• $10,921.47 in money market
• $594.03 in PayPal

A few board members still need to pay dues, but promise they will! We’ll remind the general membership of this as well. (35 people are paid up for 2023)

Deb moves to approve the treasurer’s report, Tom seconds. All are in favor and it passes.

Superfest Committee:

• Deb says they had a good meeting last week at the Red Cross (in person) and got documentation passed out
• Rich has gift certificates and flyers to send to different ham fests coming up
• Darrin has commercial vendor letters to send out
• Matt gave Darrin the most recent list of those sponsoring prizes
• Deb is still waiting on Peoria County about our raffle license situation
• Our flea market map is finally the way we want on our website. We still need to find out if we can sell tickets without a raffle license… then we’ll turn on the Superfest website by the middle of March.

Old business:

• Justin has new membership cards printed, which have our website and repeaters listed on it
• We still need to come up with a welcome letter for both new members and renewing members. Deb has something on the history of the club that might be worth using. She’ll send it to Tom for consideration.

New business:

• Justin says that we’ll have our summer Field Day at Illinois Central College in parking lot V. We’ll have access to the main bathrooms, power, and campus security will be around. $125 will get us a 25 hour period. It’s also high up on the bluff, which could be good for some propagation. We’re not sure if they’ll have anything else going on that weekend officially, but there will be people on campus regardless.
• For our storm spotting meeting this month, Justin says he told Bartonville that we’ll have 30-75 people. Since we normally have treats at this particular meeting, Deb wanted to be sure they’ll be able to handle our hunger and thirst.
• Bartonville is aware that this will be our last meeting at their facility before heading back to the Red Cross.
• Ham radio and boy scouts: Tom mentions that the radio merit badge is the second most popular one (second to white-water rafting!) There’s a 3-hour class to become a merit badge instructor, which Matt completed. Maybe we can host something in the future?
• For our April testing session, we’re going to combine efforts with Woodford for those who completed the Ham-In-A-Day course. This will mean a different date than usual.

Tom makes a motion to adjourn, and Rob seconds. We’re done at 7:40 p.m.

_________________

Membership Meeting

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Apr 5, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Apr 12, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Apr 22, ARES Monthly Meeting @ 7:00 PM CST at the Peoria Red Cross

This meeting will be a chance to meet other ARES Members, as-well-as see the Radio Room at the Red Cross. The following ARES Meeting in May will return to being held via Zoom.

Meeting Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Storm Spotter Training Review, Simplex Exercises, Winlink News, Volunteer Opportunities, Changes to Our Website, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

On April 18, 1925, the International Amateur Radio Union was founded in Paris, to encourage the development of amateur radio and to insure is future.

Every year on April 18, hams all over the world observe World Amateur Radio Day with special events and activities.

Click here to learn more.

____________________________________________________

March Net Logs

3/5
KD9ANU N9WX KD9VYM KD9IBC K9HJZ NP2WJ KC9IH W9WGN WD9EB K9RCS W9JDP KD9PXZ N9WFT NM0O W8NWG KD9AER N9NDF KD9JXR KB9OGS KD9TEG KD9WRX KD9MPI KT9TB W9GLO KD9STL KD9RYH WF9E KD9RJH KC9YTT KD9VLQ KD9ERS KD9VIN AE9DM KD9NYE K9UQF Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

3/12
KD9ANU W9WGN K9HJZ KC9IH KD9ERS W8NWG KD9PXZ NM0O KD9JXR KD9IVV N9NDF W9JDP KD9QQU KD9AER KD9STL KD9RJH N9WFT K9UQF WF9E WW9DLM KB9ATO NP2WJ KD9VYM KD9IBC N9WX K9XJT N9GUE KD9WRX Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

3/19
W8NWG K9XJT N9WX KD9VYM W9WGN KC9IH K9HJZ NP2WJ NM0O KD9JXO KD9TEG K9TNT W9JDP KD9SZZ N9NDF N9WFT KB9SF KD9PXZ KD9JXR KB9ATO KD9QQU KD9AER KD9VIN K9RCS KD9RYH K9UQF KD9STL KB9MJA KD9IVV KC9YTT WW9DLM KB9OGS KD9RJH K9CEW W9WTF KD9WRX Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

3/26
KD9ANU N9WX K9XJT WF9E W9WGN KC9IH N9GUE KD9WSP K9HJZ KD9IBC NP2WJ KD9ERS W9JDP KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9JXR W8NWG KD9VIN K9RCS KD9AER KD9IVV KD9STL KB9OGS KD9RYH KD9VYM N9WFT KD9RJH K9UQF KD9TEG WE9DLM Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

April Club Events

April 5 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

April 6 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of Directors via Zoom

April 12 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Net: W9UVI Repeater 147.075

April 13 – 7:00 p.m. – Club Meeting: Scott Tranchitella, K9XJT will demonstrate the RFinder radio/phone – American Red Cross, 311 W John H Gwynn Jr Ave, Peoria

April 19 – 7:00 p.m. – ARES Meeting: via Zoom. Zoom credentials will be emailed to ARES participants.

April 18 – World Amateur Radio Day

April 22 – 3:00 p.m. – License Testing – This month’s date, time and location are a change from our normal exam schedule: Woodford County EOC, 303 S. Main St., Roanoke, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

April 27 – 7:00 p.m. – Superfest Meeting: Details TBA

Always check the Upcoming Club Events/Meetings page for the latest additional information or last minute changes.

President’s Report

Spring weather season is upon us. Can anyone say Severe Weather Season? I’m always excited for this season. Heck, my call has WX in it! We are hosting the National Weather Service this month at our regular meeting date and time. This is our annual spotter training session and it will be open to the public. The American Legion in Bartonville has been nice enough to have the bar and grill open for you to patronize.

CQ POTA, CQ POTA, CQ PARKS ON THE AIR! The weather is turning nice enough to be out in the open air. I’ve already activated 3 different parks this year. I’m hoping to do many more. If anyone wants to set up a meeting date and time to go do POTA, contact me! N9WX.ARES@gmail.com

Daylight savings time starts March 12th! I know I can’t for it to be light out later. Bonfire season… If anyone wants to set something up for an evening out at Jubilee College State Park at their outdoor fireplace, get in touch! N9WX.ARES@gmail.com

As a reminder, the April Club Meeting will be at the RED CROSS building in downtown Peoria.

Justin Flick – N9WX
PAARC – President

_____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Board of Directors

Attending via Zoom: Rob, Justin, Darren, Tom, John, Deb and Adam

7:04 p.m., we start the meeting!

Justin says thanks to those who came out to Winter Field Day in
Morton… it was a great turnout and a lot of fun.

Bandbits: Deb makes a motion to accept, Tom seconds… All are in
favor and it is accepted.

Treasurer’s Report from John:
Did not have time to prepare a report, but will have it for the
general meeting next week. Justin does provide the following:

• Savings: $544.81
• Checking: $4,532.10 (what recently came out: $100 check for Knights
  of Columbus Hall, $212 for PO BOX, $78.94 for Winter Field Day pizza)
• Money market: $10,914.10
• PayPal: $594.03

Repeater committee:

• Will have to go back out to the repeater site to move things around
  after we weren’t able to meet Bill out there…
• Still no invoice, so waiting on that before paying.

Superfest committee:

• Deb finally got a copy of the bill from last year and it’s $50 less
  than expected (hooray!) We owe them $2,329 out of $3,229 total on the
  bill.
• $3,405.81 total profit from Superfest (although less than that for
  PayPal fees for tickets purchased)
• Met with Three Sisters Park yesterday and had a good meeting. We’ve
  been talking about table arrangements for next year. We will have to
  rent some tables, since they only have 30 of the 3×8 tables. Deb will
  call a rental place in Pekin (A to Z) that has a good deal.
• Talked to Chris Levine at the State’s Attorney’s office today and
  they’re checking to see if we can cancel the existing raffle license
  so we can get a new one issued.
• We don’t have to rent a dumpster, but will have to pick up our own
  garbage and set up our own tables/take them back down.
• Nick Kline is who Three Sisters works with for porta potties… will
  call for a quote. We’re needing four of them.
• Any alcohol seen on premise that hasn’t been purchased from Three
  Sisters will be confiscated
• Dwight is printing a few things (flyers, vendor letter, ticket
  certificate) that Deb will bring to the meeting next week
• Rob brings up that they’re closing the bridge in Lacon during
  Superfest… people will need to use the Henry bridge, so maybe we
  should add a note to our website to warn folks?
• What will we have on the front sign? “Welcome hams!”
• Deb plans to turn on ticket sales in March
• John will get traffic cones for Superfest, but we need to figure out
  how many we need.

Old business:

• Dwight will print membership cards and bring them to the next meeting
• Rich and Tom went to the Red Cross last week to work on WinLink with
  our TS-2000 rig; we do have a potential offer to sell it for $1,000.
  Our Yaesu FT-991 is working just fine. Tom still has our Icom 7300 at
  home after Winter Field Day, but will return.
• There’s a chance we’ll have to start paying for American Legion
  space, so we need to make sure that the Red Cross option is viable and
  good to go.
• Deb would like the March Superfest meeting at the Red Cross as well.
• Still nothing new on the trademark front or 501(c)3 effort yet

New business:

• John suggests getting an embossed seal for our Superfest ticket
  certificates… but not sure we need it since we’ll be signing each
  one in pen. But maybe we want it for other club use?
• Adam has made some improvements to site speed on w9uvi.org
• Adam has also set up email following for w9uvi.org… will announce
  for membership at next meeting

8:04 p.m. Tom moves to adjourn, Deb seconds… we’re done!

__________________

Membership Meeting – No membership meeting in February.

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Mar 1, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Mar 8, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Mar 15, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Storm Spotter Training, Simplex Exercises, Winlink, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Expect to spend most of the meeting time detailing about Volunteer Opportunities. If you are interested in working on ARES radios and computers, please join us.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

February Net Logs

2/5
KD9ANU N9WX KG9DW W9SEB W9WGN N9GUE K9HJZ KB9SF KC9IH KD9IBC NP2WJ W9JDP KD9IVV KD9PXZ KD9AER N9NDF KD9JXR W8NWG K9TNT KD9VIN N9WFT WF9E KB9OGS NM0O KD9TEG KB9ATO K9UQF KD9RJH K9XJT K9RCS N9GZ KD9NYE KD9RYH KB9TNZ KD9STL KD9WHE KT9TB WW9DLM KD9ERS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

2/12
KD9ANU W8NWG W9WGN KD9IBC WD9EB N9GUE KB9SF KC9IH KD9NYN K9RCS KD9ERS KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9STL KB9OGS KD9JXR KB9ATO N9WFT W9SEB KD9VIN KD9AER KD9RYH KD9WHE W9JDP N9SJZ NP2WJ KD9WLD KD9RJH K9UQF KD9TEG K9CEW Submitted by KD9DBQ 737

2/19
KD9ANU KD9NYN KD9IBC KD9SZZ K9TJ W9JDP NA9LE KD9VIN N9WX KC9IH KB9OGS KD9PXZ NM0O KD9IVV K9TNT KD9AER KD9JXR KD9RYH KD9ERS KD9RJH KC9YTT KD9TEG K9UQF NP2WJ N9WFT K9XJT KD9WLD KT9TB W9WGN WD9EB WF9E KD9STL KD9WHE KD9QQU KB9ATO N9NDF Submitted by W8NWG 73

2/26
KD9ANU WD9EB W9WGN KC9IH W9JDP KD9JXR KD9QQU KD9PXZ W8NWG KD9AER KD9IVV N9WFT NP2WJ KD9VIN KD9HZZ NM0O KB9ATO KD9RYH KD9STL KD9MPI WF9E KC9YTT W9SEB K9HJZ N9NDF KD9NYE KB9OGS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

March Club Events

March 1 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

March 2 – Board of Directors via Zoom

March 8 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

March 9 – 7:00 pm – Weather Spotter Training by the National Weather Service. Bartonville American Legion

March 15 – ARES Meeting: via Zoom. Zoom credentials will be emailed to ARES participants.

March 23 – Superfest meeting

Winter Field Day, 2023

President’s Report

I want to start off and say a big thank you to everyone involved with Winter Field Day 2023! I think it was a big success. We had 22 people sign the check in sheet. 51 contacts were made.

Thank you to the Morton Knights Of Columbus Hall for letting us use the hall. We very much appreciate it.

I want to remind everyone that in 2 months, at the March 9th Club Meeting at 7 PM, we will be having our National Weather Service Spotter Training event. It’s open to the public so please pass the word along.

Starting in April, we will be moving back to the Red Cross building on downtown Peoria. The American Legion has been good to us. The majority of people I have talked with want to go back to the Red Cross. I am in communication with the Tactical Response Team and they want to work closer with our Club and ARES. More to come on this subject soon.

Thank you again for your participation in Field Day and in any Club event. If really makes the hard work that’s put into planning and running the events worth it.

Justin Flick, N9WX
PAARC President

_____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Board of Directors – January 5, 2023
7:07 p.m. meeting begins with Tom, Matt, Justin, Rob, Deb, John and Adam on Zoom.

Bandbits… Rob makes a motion to accept, John seconds… all in favor
other than Deb, who didn’t read it!

TREASURER’S REPORT:
$357.67 in PayPal
$44.96 x2 for monthly repeater internet, $11.45 for ARRL Field Day
pamphlet material, $238 for Rivermen tickets (We still need reimbursed
for two tickets from the Rivermen game)
$4,132.04 in checking, with about $600 in deposits to be made soon
$10,909.50 in money market
$544.65 in savings
Grand total in club accounts: $16,554.86

***Next week’s meeting includes a demo by Scott on DV Megacast
(multi-mode digital radio)

OLD BIZ:
Did we get out to Bill’s (repeater site) and move what is needing to
be moved? No. We’re going to move the D-Star radio into the rack with
the main repeater. Tom and Matt will work out details and let others
know if help is needed.

We haven’t done anything regarding the 85 repeater yet.

The noise during the ARES net was due to simplex interference from
Winterheat, says Matt.

Trademarks. Tom talked to his daughter about it briefly and she
thought it was very simple and easy… going to look into it. Will go
ahead and update Midwest Superfest logo with TM mark.

For our 501(c)3 application, there will be more hoops and research to
come by our next meeting.

Winter Field Day. Unless someone steps up quickly, we won’t be
participating as a club.

SUPERFEST:
Nothing new. Deb still needs to arrange a meeting with Susan et all.

Deb called a guy at the State’s Attorney’s office in Peoria and hasn’t
gotten a response yet regarding the raffle license for 2023.

Justin asks if we have a flyer for Superfest that we can share to
entice speakers? Deb will work on finalizing that.

Matt has a prize donation letter ready and will start sending it out.

NEW BIZ:

Deb will make sure that all board members have access to Google Drive
shared folder and email inbox.

Deb will also check on a business card template for membership cards.

From Adam: Could we come up with “greetings” email from club to new
AND renewing members, letting them know handy links available on
w9uvi.org, social accounts, etc? Also asking for feedback on what
they’d like to see from the club. Deb will look into any existing
documents and put them together; Adam will help update.

John brings up that some of the nets he participates in opens with a
prayer. Wanted to know if something we’d want to try… but consensus
was that it’s better to leave religion out of the club to avoid
causing debate or division.

Winterheat competition. John asks if anyone else is participating…
Deb thinks that Mark is.

7:44 p.m. Tom moves to adjourn, Deb seconds. We’re out!

__________________

Membership Meeting – January 12, 2023
7:02 p.m., our meeting begins at the American Legion in Bartonville.

From Justin: A big thank you to all who paid their dues. If you
haven’t renewed yet, please do so by March.

Winter Field Day is happening!… Justin is taking the day off work on
Saturday, January 28. Location is TBD: May be here at Bartonville
Legion or in the community center in Hopedale, 12 p.m. until 10
p.m./midnight-ish. Details will be posted on w9uvi.org and our
Facebook page. We plan to have one or two stations set up; if
interested in helping or coming out (likely ordering pizza!), let
Justin know.

The next SuperFest meeting will be in two weeks… January 23 on Zoom,
with the possibility that it’ll be in-person at the Red Cross (check
our website and social.)

We still haven’t gotten our bill from Expo Gardens for the 2022 SuperFest.

Treasurer’s report via Justin (since John isn’t at meeting):
Savings = $544.65
Checking = $4,743.04
PayPal = $500.45
Money market = $10,909.50

Tom makes a motion to accept, Jim seconds. All in favor, and it passes.

Repeater committee update:

• Still need to get equipment moved between racks. We still don’t have
  a bill for our tower rent, but it will be coming due soon.
• Justin was talking to ETSB in Peoria County about moving to the
  Peoria Heights tower where the .61 repeater is located, but it isn’t
  looking promising due to logistics.
• We can stay where we’re at, too. Not sure if rent will remain stable
  or go up, though. (Last we checked, tower rent was $1,130 for six
  months for two antennas.)
• Also need to address our antenna connection issues on W9UVI (075)…
  but waiting to piggyback on other tower work to save the club money.

Other business:

• We need to decide whether we’re officially staying at the Red Cross
  or making the American Legion our new permanent home.
• We already have a memorandum of understanding with the Red Cross and
  antennas on a tower. But we need to make sure that we have reliable
  access.
• Rich will get Justin contact info for the Red Cross to make sure
  that access problems are solved.
• Group consensus seems to be that we’d prefer to have both as our locations.

Bandbits:

• Jim makes a motion to accept, George seconds. All in favor, and it passes.

Jim makes a motion to adjourn, Rich seconds…. the regular meeting is
over before 7:30 and Scott starts his digital radio presentation on
DVMEGA Cast.

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Feb 1, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Feb 8, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Feb 15, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Storm Spotter Training, Simplex Exercises, Winlink, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

_________________________________________________________

Superfest

Superfest activities are gearing up more and more, please make sure you have the dates blocked off on your calendars Thursday Sept. 14 through Sunday Sept 17 and plan on helping that weekend. We are so excited about our new home and while it is going to be challenging it is also going to be great for the club. The next Superfest meeting will be on Thursday 2/26 at 7pm via the Zoom link on the Club Meetings page.

Deb WD9EB
Superfest Chair

____________________________________________________

January Net Logs

1/1
W8NWG KD9ANU K9XJT W9WGN N9WX KD9ERS K9TNT KD9PXZ N9NDF NM0O N9GUE KD9JXR KD9AER KD9IVV K9RCS N9WFT KD9NYE W9WTF KB9SF KB9ATO KB9OGS KD9QQU KD9MPI KD9STL KD9RJH KT9TB KD9RYH K9CEW W9JDP NP2WJ K9UQF WW9DLM WF9E KD9QQT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/8
KD9ANU W8NWG W9WGN KG9DW N9GUE KD9TEG KC9IH W9JDP W9WTF KD9PXZ NM0O KD9AER N9WFT KB9SF KB9OGS KD9NYE KB9ATO KD9IBC N9NDF K9TNT KD9JXR WF9E KD9STL KD9RJH KD9QQU NP2WJ KT9Y WW9DLM KB9TNZ KD9RYH K9UQF KD9SPJ KD9VIN W9GLO KT9TB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/15
K9XJT KD9ANU W8NWG N9WX KD9VYM K9HJZ W9WGN KC9IH W9TTX N9GUE K9TNT W9JDP KD9IVV NM0O KD9PXZ KD9JXR KD9AER KD9IBC N9NDF N9WFT W9WTF KB9ATO KD9ERS KD9VIN KD9WHE KC9YTT KD9QQU WF9E NP2WJ KD9RYH KD9STL K9RCS KB9TNZ W9SEB N9SJZ KB9OGS KB9SF K9UQF KD9TEG Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/22
KD9ANU N9WX W8NWG W9SEB N9GUE W9WGN K9HJZ KC9YTT KC9IH KD9VYM KD9IBC K9XJT KD9PXZ KD9SZZ W9JDP N9NDF KD9QQU KD9NYE KD9JXR KD9AER N9WFT KD9STL K9RCS KD9RYH KD9IVV KB9SF KD9TEG KD9RJH K9TNT WF9E NP2WJ WW9DLM KD9ERS NA9LE KB9TNZ KD9LQL KB9OGS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/29
KD9ANU N9WX WD9EB W9WGN W9SEB K9HJZ KD9VYM KC9IH KB9SF NM0O W9JDP KD9SZZ W9TTX KD9NYE W8NWG KD9PXZ NP2WJ KD9JXR N9WFT KD9IBC KB9ATO KD9IVV KD9ERS K9RCS KD9AER KD9VIN N9NDF KD9RJH KD9RYH KD9STL K9UQF KB9OGS WW9DLM N9GUE Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

February Club Events

February 1 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

February 2 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors via Zoom

February 8 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

February 9 – Club Meeting – Demonstration of the RFinder radio/phone – Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville: Details to Be Announced.

February 15 – ARES Meeting: via Zoom. Zoom credentials will be emailed to ARES participants.

February 18 – 12:00 noon – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

February 23 – Superfest Meeting – Zoom

President’s Message

(Updated 1/13/23)

It’s a New Year! Wow, 2023. For this new year, I hope to have the membership be more involved. For starters, join us for Winter Field Day at the American Red Cross building, 311 W. John H Gwynn, Jr. Ave., Peoria. This is a ONE DAY Only event. Come for Radio and Pizza! Hope to see you there

I need your ideas, wants, likes and dislikes. I want our Club to have a lot of fun this year. POTA activations, camping trips, satellite communications, a high altitude balloon launch… These are suggestions.

We have the National Weather Service Lincoln coming in March for our Weather Spotter class. This is open to the public and will be at the American Legion in Bartonville. It’s going to be at the normal date and time as our club meeting. The bar and grill will be open. Spread the word!

It’s time for our annual dues. Without them, we won’t have funds for many things. We have tower rent, monthly internet and other costs. Please consider donating as well. Every little bit helps our club.

This year is also the year of Midwest Superfest at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe! Join the committee and get your ideas heard. We can always use the help!

Justin Flick – N9WX

Meeting Minutes

7:05 p.m. Dec. 1, meeting begins

Bandbits:
Deb makes motion to approve. Matt seconds. Approved!

Treasurer’s report:
Nothing much has changed, since John is away.

Repeater committee:

• Matt plans to get to repeater site to reinstall TeamViewer on the
  machine or install AnyDesk
• Will also move equipment as needed
• Justin talked to Bill… we’re not certain when the next tower
  rental bill will be – but he will send an invoice.
• Will do two more 6-month contracts for 2023; also specifically said
  that he would not be kicking us off unless we want to go. We still
  need to get a longer contract to lock in a decent price.
• Need to fix the Brimfield repeater site by getting an old computer
  in place for Wires-X.

Superfest committee:

• Deb called and left a message for a guy at the state’s attorney’s
  office, then learned the courthouse was closed due to water main
  break. She did go by the post office and we still do not have a bill
  from Expo.
• Will need to pay the rest of the deposit for Three Sisters Park
  after the first of the year.
• Deb has a certificate made for Rich to start sending flyers to
  different ham fests. Instead of getting tickets, they will get a
  certificate to mail back for tickets.

Other business:

• 14 people have signed up for the Rivermen game so far
• There’s an ARRL grant we might qualify for:
  https://www.arrl.org/club-grant-program

____________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Jan 4, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Jan 11, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Jan 18, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info). Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Winterheat Event, Storm Spotter Training, Simplex Exercises, Winlink, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
Cell: 309-256-4272

Winterheat: Open to all Licensed Amateur Radio Operators. This is a Technician-friendly event. Get-on-the-air!

The goal and purpose is to make as many FM voice contacts as possible over a month-long period of time using only designated simplex frequencies. Repeat those same contacts and more the next day.

This will be the fourth year for this event. Runs from January 1st to the 31st (UTC time).

Online QSO Logging system on the web is easy to use. Logs contacts instantaneously and displays data in real time. Participant list, leaderboard statistics, map showing your contacts, link to propagation stats, & more resources.

Go to https://hamactive.com to learn more and sign-up. Check out the logging system and resources provided.

Some Peoria area operators plan to gather daily on Simplex frequency 145.570 MHz at 7:00 PM starting December 31st to get regular local contacts quickly completed, and move on to concentrate on distant contacts. We realize that not everyone may join in at that time every day, and may change the time to optimize as we hear from more Peoria area Winterheat operators. Please join us there.

____________________________________________________

December Net Logs

12/4
KD9ANU KC9IH KD9VYM N9GUE K9HJZ W9WGN K9XJT NP2WJ KD9IBC W9JDP K9TNT KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9JXR KD9SZZ KD9IVV KD9AER N9WFT K9RCS KB9OGS WF9E KD9RJH KD9STL KD9HZZ W8NWG KD9ERS KB9ATO KD9SPJ K8UQF KD9NYE KD9RYH WB9RJY KA3BQE K9CEW KT9TB KD9VIN Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

12/11
W9WTF K9XJT KC9IH NM0O KD9IBC W9WGN K9HJZ N9GUE KD9VYM KD9PXZ N9NDF KB9SF W9JDP KD9AER W8NWG KD9IVV KD9JXR N9WFT K9RCS K9TNT KB9ATO KD9NYE KD9QQU WF9E KA3BQE KD9RYH K9UQF KB9TNZ WB9RJY KD9STL KD9TEG KD9SPJ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

12/18
KD9QQU, W9WTF, KD9ANU, KC9IH, WD9EB, KD9IEC, W9WGN, N9GUE, W9JDP, KD9PXZ, KD9VIN, KD9JXR, W8NWG, NP2WJ, KD9AER, K9TNT, KD9VYO, N8WFT, WFDDE, KD9VYM, KD9STL, WW9DLM, KC9AET, K9UQF, KD9RYH, K9TNZ, TB9OGS, N9NDF, K9XJT, KD9DBQ, KB9ATO, KB9TNZ Submitted by KD9QQU

12/25 – No Net

____________________________________________________

January Club Events

January 4 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

January 5 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

January 11 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

January 12 – 7:00 pm – Club Meeting: Demonstration of DVMEGA Cast Multimode IP radio for DMR, D-Star, and Fusion. Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville

January 18 – 7:00 pm – ARES Meeting: Details to Be Announced

January 26 – 7:00 pm – Superfest Meeting – Details to be announced

January 28 – Noon – 11:00 p.m. Winter Field Day: NEW LOCATION: Morton Knights of Columbus Hall, 616 W. David St, Morton. This is a ONE DAY Only event. Get on the air and meet other hams! Food and Drink available for purchase. For information, contact Justin, N9WX.

Check Upcoming Club Events/Meetings on w9uvi.org for updates.