FIRST ANNOUNCEMENTS: • The gate at the EOC is fixed • ARRL testing at the EOC, 2/26/2022 at 10am
Historical in nature, it was the first meeting held at our new OPD Shack. It was not planned, but due to the inability to access entry to our normal meeting place at the EOC, a decision was made to move the meeting to our new digs at the OPD (Old Police Department).
Although our radio room was not yet provided with heat, we utilized a heated section of the building to conduct a very successful and productive meeting. With President Tim Henson not present, the meeting was conducted by Vice President, Greg Medina. The minutes are as follows.
1) Sign In
a. There were 25 attendees: 18 members were present at the OPD. Potluck was very plentiful, and quite delicious. 7 members were present via "Zoom". Matt, KN8X was the producer for the Zoom participants. Brian, NB5R teased them by showing all the delicious food they were missing out on.
2) Members introduced themselves by name and call sign. Paul, N2YZW and Sherri, KI5TLA were new attendees. Denise Janelle was also a first-time attendee, and we all hope she has a call sign soon.
3) Approval of prior months minutes published 01-29-22.
a. Motion for approval by Sheila, second by Jane. Approval was unanimous with no objections.
4) Treasurer's report
a. General fund: $4216.35
b. LANL grant: $404.12
c. Siegel grant: $3561.42
d. Donovan owed out of pocket expense $37.23
e. Post Box annual fee due of $156.00
5) Vice Presidents Remarks, Greg (KI5TTO)
*) Mike (NM5MK) made an immediate motion for Tim to purchase an HF radio, amp, and antenna when they become available using funds from the Seigel grant. Balance can be covered by General Fund. Motion by Mike, 2nd by Sheila (KI5IPS). Decision unanimous and none opposed.
a. Attorney General Certificate awarded. Means we can accept money for the year.
b. USDA Forest Service $1400.00 fee feedback cutoff is Feb 22nd, 2022. Mike spoke to staff at Congresswoman Leger and Senator Lujan. Neither office thought we should have to pay the fee. Mike also brought up the new $35.00 license fee for all licensed hams. He made the point that licensed hams can't make money using radios, so there should not be a license fee. Mike continued with a defiantly humorous rant. Too much for minutes. You just had to be there.
c. Membership dues are in March. Dues are $25.00. ($26.00 if sent by PayPal.)
d. Notified the club was advanced to round II for a small grant to the general fund. (Could become OPD media center for STEM training.)- A third party is writing the grant gratis.
e. 02-20-22 Taos city event was scheduled for Taos Arc radio volunteers was a rescheduled mayor's pig roast that was supposed to have taken place on New Years Eve. VP Greg announced that this was also cancelled or postponed. Mike chimed in with the fact of many benefits that the town is providing our club shack with. He mentioned free water, electricity, internet, etc. Mike went on to talk about the wonderful food the town provided for the radio volunteers, and then they give us $1000.00 per event. Because of law enforcement shortage, it's cheaper to pay TARC than to pay for outside services. Mike continued on about the inability to access entry into the EOC, causing our subsequent move to have the meeting at the OPD. He continued with another very humorous rant about gaining access to the place we go to save people in an emergency, but can't get in. Again, too much for minutes. You just had to be there.
f. ARRL test has been moved to Saturday, Feb 26th, 2022 at 10:00 am at the EOC. Future tests are 06-04 and 11-12. Expecting several for General, so we will need qualified VEs. (Greg- if we can get the gate open).
g. Matt (KN8X) can arrange on demand on-line testing. Matt says he's been doing Zoom testing for quite a while and now he is working with TARC VEs to conduct on-line testing for hams. Matt encouraged TARC members to become VEs to participate in testing citing Wayne (W5GWR) participating as a VE in last Monday's test that passed two technicians and one general. Matt further explained the ease of utilizing the testing system. Mike added the speed at which the system generates the license. Anyone wanting to take a test or enroll as a VE can contact Matt at 575-741-1855 or email kn8x@protonmail.com.
h. Website updates are made on testing, nets, and OPD configurations. Brian (NB5R) spoke of his tower climbing employee, Dave Hoyne, possibly being interested in obtaining a ham license. Brian said that one HF vertical and two triband antennas had been mounted on the OPD mast today. Greg suggested attending members tour the radio room after the meeting to come up with suggestions.
i. Techfest is on Saturday, March 5th, 9:00-4:00. Cost is $10.00 and well worth it. Sign up at:
https://www.rmham.org/wordpress/new-mexico-techfest
New Business
a. Code plug programming- (NM5MK) https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/?ref=ame1o2sv9r
b. $5000.00 grant submitted for teachers' association. Sherri said things are moving slowly and radios given to kids. Possibly by July funds will be available. On testing, she said one passed, two have not. Those will be testing again, and interest is growing with students.
7) Old business
a. OPD shack facility update: Great progress and is ongoing. Mike brought up the inexpensive vests. Brian joked about the disposable paper ones.
8) Repeater update.
a. Brian reported the new repeater is up and running both analog and digital on the OPD tower, despite its relatively low location. It even worked talking to George in Los Alamos. The analog should be used for town functions so it would free up the Picuris repeater.
HF Report-NM5MK
a. Mike reported that his antenna is service affected, and that Wayne and Zac have been doing more HF than him. Brian said we have HF at the shack right now. We just need to connect the cables.
10) Net Report- W5GWR, K5GEO
a. Wayne reported 19 sign-ins on analog and Donovan reported seven on DMR as he substituted for George that night. DMR had some glitches that night, however.
11) ARES Update-HF 3.939, 1st Sunday.
12) Other Business
a. Greg announced the ARRL tests to take place at the EOC on Feb 26th, June 4th, and Nov 12th all at 10:00 am.b. Nets: Greg reported next Wednesday as having a net at 7:00 pm on the Picuris repeater on 147.120+, 67.o analog, and immediately after, on DMR 442.175 (+5MHZ0 CC5 TS2 TG 715 local) Greg encouraged members to be on both if capable. I would help members to know how their equipment is working. Allows for working out glitches. Greg announced lastly how Wayne always works in a theme to make things different. There was a little confusion on the next net, but it appeared to have been cleared up.
13) Notice- Each club meeting is the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm, location pending as a result of the problems accessing the EOC. Stay tuned for announcements on the location of the next meeting.
Last minute off agenda talks ensued about carpet for the radio room. Anti-static carpet was brought up. Brian said it was very expensive. Dan suggested rubber flooring and Matt suggested bar mats.
Sheila suggested having an aluminum collection box at the OPD shack volunteering to collect and give proceeds to the club. All agreed without motion or vote.
14) Meeting Closure- Motion to adjourn Daniel, second by Brian.