President’s Report
Even though we got rained out and the gnats were bad, it was still a fun time at Field Day 2022. We had several people from a far away as Ohio stop and say hi. We even received a $20 donation from a non club ham just for thanking us for doing what we do.
Young Toni, K0TYT, Seth’s daughter made several contacts (click on the video link below). She even made one to Puerto Rico! Her mother got to get on the air for the first time in 8 years, she said.
Again, I want to thank those who helped set up and especially those who stuck it out during the rain to tear down.
Sorry to all those who wanted to come out Sunday, but it was just too much work to have to come back and set up again with the little sleep.
73! Justin N9WX
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=812904249589355
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Meeting Minutes: Membership
Justin introduces himself and Scott… other attendees take turns.
Motion to approve Bandbits … Tom first, Mark seconds. Unanimous approval
TREASURER’S REPORT:
$235.30 in savings
$3,072.09 in checking
$8,394.63 in money market
$98.75 in PayPal
Looking to move W9UVI repeater (075) from current location to Supreme
Radio tower in East Peoria. It’ll be at 300 feet in height, with
hopefully a better footprint. The owner of Midwest 2-way doesn’t want
to renew our lease and was going to raise our rent, so this is our
best option.
We’re permanently taking down the UHF D-Star repeater. Neither D-Star
system gets much use. Matt has set up an agreement to place the VHF
D-Star repeater on the top of Proctor Hospital. No tower rent! And
there’s already an antenna and internet access ($25/month).
At the Midwest site, we have intermod issues due to others on the
tower. And our antenna is only at 180 feet. The Proctor site is the
highest point on this side of the river in Peoria, says Tom. We’ve
also been having issues with network firewall problems that prevent
Echolink use.
The cost? $2,520 a year for five years at Supreme. After five years,
we have an option to renew at a 3% rate increase. Supreme Radio was
originally going to charge $3500/year for tower space, but we got that
down quite a bit.
Justin says we’re waiting to sign the contract because we don’t have a
climber available just yet… our first climber dropped out, this
second one is just busy. He was recommended by Craig Thompson – we
can’t just have any climber, as they must be insured and bonded. The
rate for a climber is usually $100/man/hr, but dropped to $85/man/hr
to help us out.
The new tower site is on Cole Hollow Road, near a church. We’ll have
24/7 access to the site, secured by a gate. There’s also a generator
there, although we already have battery backup. Internet access is
already out there.
Other towers we looked at were super expensive. The new site has been
approved by the board and some members, but Justin wanted to bring it
to all membership because of the time crunch: Our current lease is up
July 1 with Midwest. We may need volunteers to help move the repeater
when it’s time. We’ll only have 3 or 4 days notice to Supreme when a
tower climber is finally free.
We’re still okay with Bill, owner of Midwest 2-way… this is just a
financial decision. If we can’t get the repeaters moved, we’ll be able to work
month-to-month with Midwest.
Finally, there’s nothing 100 feet above or below on Supreme tower
that’s anywhere near the frequency range of our needs.
Any old or unfinished business? No.
FIELD DAY 2022:
- June 25/26 at Bartonville VFW in the back lot that we reserved
- Justin is bringing a generator and battery.
- We’re not going to contest seriously, but just out to have fun.
Bring out your go rig. Bring chairs, drinks, etc. - Not just about being on the air, either.. also about getting things
set up and learning. - Justin will be there 11:30ish on the day and will stay there the whole time.
- Will set up a couple of club stations (including a GOTA station),
but feel free to bring your own. - Don’t need to be licensed to come play
- 10×20 canopy for shade
- Will have access to restrooms out back
Scott says that this was going to be his last day as VP of the club.
When he does training, 3 or 4 people show up… just want to know that
people are interested in this stuff. He’s been frustrated with a lack
of interest. If wanting to do/learn something, please do let Scott
know! He’s trying to expand learning beyond voice-only ham activities.
If new to the hobby, we can help get you on the air! We have access to
our radio room at the Red Cross in Peoria and the equipment within.
Scott will meet anyone out at Jubilee State Park to do Parks on the
Air, etc.
There’s a suggestion from someone at the meeting to do a better job
promoting a willingness to train/teach/have fun during the Sunday
night nets. Or even announcing a single topic in advance that we’ll
talk about after the net. The audience is there.
7:45pm: Jim (KD9JDP) motions to end meeting, Jon (NM0O) seconds. All
in favor… the meeting has ended.
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Peoria County ARES
July 6, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
July 12, Emergency Expo from 4-7 pm at the Grand Prairie Shopping Center
July 13, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
July 20, Monthly Meeting On-line @ 7:00 PM CDT (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.
Monthly Meeting will include a short update on Infrastructure activities but will focus on Training. Please submit your Training Documentation in advance of the meeting.
ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/
Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: kd9anu@arrl.net
Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org
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June Net Logs
6/5
K9XJT KD9ANU W9JDP N9SJZ KB9ATO W9WGN W8NWG KD9JXR NK0O KD9IVV KD9AER N9WFT K9RCS KD9ERS K9UQF KD9QQU NA9LE K9HJZ KD9IBC WF9E KD9RYH KD9PXZ WW9DLM N9GUE K9TNT KB9TNZ KD9SZZ KD9STL Submitted by KD9DBQ 73
6/12
KD9ANU W9WTF W9JDP K9TNT N9NDF NM0O KD9NYE W9WGN KD9AER KD9IBC KD9PXZ N0XOH KD9JXR N9GUE KD9IVV KD9ERS N9WFT K9RCS NP2JW WF9E K9UQF KT9TB KD9HZZ K9QZ N9GZ KC9YTT KB9YVN KD9RYH KD9HZZ KB9ATO WW9DLM K9HJZ KD9STL KB9TNZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73
6/19
K9TNT KD9SZZ W9WTF NM0O KB9ATO KD9NYE N9NDF KD9PXZ W8NWG KD9JXR N9WFT KD9QQU/AG KD9IVV KD9TAE N9GUE KD9MPI W9JDP WF9E K9RCS KB9TNZ K9HJZ KD9RYH NP2WJ K9XJT KD9ERS KD9STL W9SEB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73
6/26
N9WX KD9ANU JD9HZZ KD9SZZ K9TNT KB9ATO KD9IVV KD9AER K9RCS KD9PXZ N9WFT KD9IBC KD9VAM N9GUE KD9JXR K9XJT N9NDF NM0O K9HJZ WF9E KC9YTT WW9DLM KB9TNZ KD9QQU KD9STL KT9TB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73
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July Club Events
July 6 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater
July 7 – Board of Directors – Zoom
July 12 – 4-7 pm: Emergency Expo at the Grand Prairie Shopping Center. Contact Rich, KD9ANU for more information
July 13 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater
July 14 – Membership Meeting – details to be announced
July 20 7:00 p,m, ARES Meeting – via Zoom
July 28 – Superfest Meeting