The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held 7:00 PM, Monday, September 14, 2020 at the home/business of Amy and Logan Blewett (KG4VKB). There were 9 present in the auditorium and 5 on Zoom. The church is located at 227 Farley Place, Paducah, 42003. Farley Place is just off Clements St. which connects Bridge Street with I-24 loop.
Masks and social distancing, as per the Governor’s edict, was observed. Garry Wheatley (KD4GCY) hosted a ZOOM link for members who could not be present. The meeting was opened and hosted by PARA President, Jeff Wielgos (KB9BVL).
Club Business Items
The Secretary’s report was given by Ron Cowherd (K4GYD). In addition to a review of the past month’s business Logan and Amy were thanked for their kindness, allowing us to meet at their home/business for the last two meetings.
The Treasurer’s report was given by Secretary Cowherd in place of Treasurer Roger Good who was home recuperating from surgery. Both the Secretary and Treasurer reports were moved to a vote and accepted.
Old Business:
- Meeting location was discussed and the need for getting back together again. Secretary Cowherd related a phone call from the office of WKCTC Workforce Solutions stating that the rooms we usually use for monthly meetings would not be available through the end of September. However, they will call us back before October 1st to report the status of the facilities depending on state pandemic rules which may be less strict by then. Fortunately, again Logan offered his facilities until we can move back to the college.
- Logan reminded us that we should have a signup sheet for those who are present as per the Covid-19 Pandemic requirements. It is normal that we do this at all meetings but it is just another item that is overlooked because of the Covid-19 disruption.
- A lot of time was devoted to the need for two volunteers to oversee the upcoming PARA KY QSO Party. The planning for award plaques has been discussed with a positive vote from club at the last meeting, but at this time we have no facilitators. Dave Perry and Paul Smith have served in this capacity and have done a masterful job with the past two year’s events. However, they have asked that they be relieved of the job with the coming QSO Party. It was brought up that it might be time to turn over the event to another club. It was also suggested that if we want to turn it over, it should be done before January 1st. Several clubs and organizations were suggested to be contacted.
NET CONTROL OPERATORS
Sunday night nets are at 9:00 PM on 147.060 MHZ. PL 179.9 ARES net follows Sunday PARA net, same frequency, 1st Sunday of the month.
September 20 – Jeff KB9BVL 15 ck-ins
September 27 – Frank KY4LDS 17 ck-ins
October 4 – Jeff KM4LDP 16 PARA ck-ins
October 4 – Logan KG4VKB 12 ARES ck-ins
October 11 – Jeff KB9BVL 21 ck-ins
Remember:
PARA meetings are 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December. The next meeting place (October 12) is undetermined at this time. We are waiting for a call from WKCTC concerning the use of two classrooms in the Emerging Technologies building. If the WKCTC facility is not available, we will meet again at Logan Blewett’s home/church located at 227 Farley Place, Paducah, 42003. Farley Place is just off Clements St. which connects Bridge Street with I-24 loop. Covid-19 masks and distance rules observed.
New License and upgrade exams will be offered. Address above. Exams or normally given at the close of each meeting night throughout the year. See W4NJA web site for info. Click button at the top of the page: About Us, then VE License Testing. Also, you may call Fred Carter (AI4EY) and leave a message at (270)210-3628 if you wish to take a test at the next meeting.
Prospective hams in search of general info concerning the hobby may Google ARRL.com and click on relevant headings.
The Sunday Night PARA Emergency Net meets each Sunday night at 9 PM. All amateur radio operators are invited to check in. 147.060 PL 179.9 The ARES monthly net convenes immediately following PARA net on the first Sunday night of each month.
CW round table for on-the-air operating practice, 6:30 pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Meet on W4NJA 147.060 repeater at 6:30 to get instructions.
Amateur Radio Emergency Services meetings are normally held at 7:00 pm on 3rd Thursdays, however the next meeting will be on October 22nd, to be located at Logan Blewett’s home/church located at 227 Farley Place, Paducah, 42003. Farley Place is just off Clements St. which connects Bridge Street with I-24 loop.
Metropolis net Thursdays 8:15, 146.655 – 600, PL179.9, The Massac club call is now known as W9DUE. 147.225 is old repeater freq.
Draffenville net Wednesdays 9:00 145.390 PL118.8
Metropolis Ham Study Class: October 3rd, 0900 TO 1400, Grace Church, 10th street, Study.org. Review session with test to follow. 90% pass rate, email Charlie Richey (K9DUE) or call (618) 309-6911 to preregister. Questions same number.
Metropolis ARES Earthquake presentation 6:30 on Oct. 15th. West 10th Street Community Center.
Wickliffe, recently put a new repeater (KA9SKT) on line, using the same machine that was formally located at Cairo, IL, using the same freq. (147.180 mh.), and tone (88.5 PL).