The May 8th, 2023 monthly HARC meeting was held at Hermiston High School in Room 302 and was called to order by President Sam at 19:00.
Member Attendees: KI7CUS, AA7AZ, W7JJK, AA7TH, W7MWK, KD7VX, KE7YX, W7ILD, KJ7SMT, KF6EV, KK7JLW, KE4TRR
Guests: Garnet, WRKY505 (GMRS)
New Members: None
The April 2023 meeting minutes and May 2023 Secretary/Treasurer’s Report were distributed via email by J. Kelso on 05/01/2023.
A motion was made by Todd to adopt the April meeting minutes as presented. Seconded by Whitley. Motion passed unanimously.
The May 2023 Secretary/Treasurer’s Report was read by Jeff K.
Ongoing Business
1. There was no update on this topic from Chuck or Anna as neither were at the meeting. President Sam said that there was some discussion on last Monday’s net about obtaining coax for the hospital project. A discussion then ensued about asking the county emergency coordinators if we can use the spools of LMR400 and LMR600 that are in Umatilla County’s possession for the project. Tom Roberts, former Umatilla County Emergency Manager, would know where they currently are, according to Alan.
2. Dennis provided a solar report to the club. A discussion of band conditions ensued.
3. Field Day – June 24th and 25th, 2023. How many are planning to attend? Emery with trailer, Whitley with trailer, Tony with trailer, Jeff K. with tent, Sam with trailer, Todd with a trailer, and Mike and Garnet with an RV. President Sam said that more details will be discussed and finalized at the next HARC meeting. Todd brought up the fact that we might want to only run two stations, and then it was decided that we would nail that decision down once we had a feel for the site and how many people would be there.
4. One radio is still available for sale from Don’s estate equipment. The radio is a working Yaesu FTM-400 and the price is $385.
5. Jeff K asked the membership for recommendations to be sent to him via email for antennas that would be suitable for use with the go-kit.
6. Whitley, Emery, and Dennis went up and blew out the repeaters and also vacuumed the inside of the repeater shack. Whitley topped off the batteries with distilled water. The group also did some testing on the .02 repeater and recorded the results of the testing. According to Whitley, there are about 20 watts going from the repeater to the duplexers and 9 or 10 watts coming out of the antenna. The receiver capability was also tested and found to be in good shape. The work party spent at least three hours up at the shack doing this cleaning, maintenance, and testing.
7. Repeater interference – Jeff K will email the interfering repeater owner to ask when he might be available to come down and look at our repeater setup.
New Business
- The President is looking for an event leader for the following parades:
Boardman July 4th Parade
Irrigon Watermelon Festival Parade – July 29th
Umatilla County Fair Parade – August 5th
*** No volunteers stepped forward.
- Jim read a letter from NB7O describing the Wagon Train Net and asking for volunteers to continually monitor the .78 repeater on the days that the Wagon Train will be active (from 0800 to 1700 on 19 June through 23 June.) Kevin’s letter also asked that all radio amateurs who are able to monitor the .78 repeater from 17 June through 24 June do so to provide extra monitoring coverage. Dennis volunteered for the 19th. Todd volunteered for the 20th. Mike Kimsey volunteered for the 21st. Alan volunteered for the 22nd, and Jim volunteered for the 23rd.
Announcements:
1. Club breakfast – Saturday, May 20th at Rayz Dayz, Umatilla at 8:00 AM.
2. Jeff K asked if anyone knew where he could get a Barker & Williamson 90’ antenna.
The meeting was adjourned by AA7TH at 20:04.
Respectfully submitted by Jeff Kelso, W7JJK.
