SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MEETING

PARA Meeting Minutes 9/11/2017

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held  Monday, September 11, 2017 at the WKCTC Emerging Technology Center, Room 140, in Paducah, KY.  There were 21 present.  One came for FCC license testing.  See pic. below.

The meeting was opened by Club President, Jeff Wielgos (KB9BVL).  Jeff invited each attendee around the room to introduce themselves with their name and call.

Items Discussed and Passed

The business portion of the meeting was as follows:

• The Treasurer’s report was given by Bruce Huyck (KS4V) followed by the Secretary’s report given by Ron Cowherd (K4GYD).  Both reports were subsequently approved by unanimous vote.
• Treasurer Huyck asked for a motion to reimburse Rob Larrison $16.17 which was paid to Hover.com for the yearly W4NJA web domain.  The motion was made, seconded and passed.
• Jeff announced that Bryan Pickering had asked to come back to finish a presentation on batteries that he gave February 13, 2017.  His Power Point presentation covering all the parameters of understanding, maintenance and operation of lead acid batteries was most enlightening and well received.  Jeff will try to schedule him for the November meeting.
• Paul Smith (ND4X) gave a positive health and welfare report concerning John Hudson’s (KO4XJ) recent shoulder replacement surgery.  Several have chatted with John on 2 meters while he is recuperating.
• Mike Newman (WD4EFZ) commented on the need to inventory the Force beam antenna that is stored in his garage.  Mike also gave a progress report on the new tower and beam installation soon to be erected at his location.
• Bruce Huyck passed around a thank you letter from Baptist Hospital for the memorial donation made in the name of Jerry Foland who recently became a silent key.   Bruce also spoke of a new change in the FCC Form 605 (formally Form 610).  When renewing or upgrading our license, we will now be required to check a yes or no box to indicate if we have ever been convicted of a felony by any state or federal court.  A yes indication will not prevent you from getting your license but if you don’t answer truthfully, you may forfeit your license or lose your right to hold a license.  If you check yes or fail to answer any other questions, your application may go into a holding file until the information is given.

Presentation

Bruce Huyck gave a very well prepared “show and tell” session introducing the  SDRPlay pan-adaptor ($99) and associated free SDRUNO computer software.  Bruce showed sharp and clear Powerpoint screen shots of actual software pages to show the system’s amazing capabilities.  The pan-adaptor and software require a transceiver with a USB or RS232 IF output port.  Bruce followed up the demonstration by answering many questions from the club about the new technology.  Thanks Bruce.

Net Control Operators for Late September/Early October