Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum | K3NEM

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ARCNEM
K3NEM -- W3HEM -- W3GR
Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum
MINUTES
of the
08 July 2010
Monthly Meeting
1. ATTENDEES

John Paul Howell AA3WI
Ted Bauer WA3AER
Tom Dalton KB3NHQ
Bob Gardenghi K3FQP
Chip Weems W4PBG
Bill Thompson W3TB
Nick Yokanovich K3NY
Fred Heath AI3Z
Shane Longo K2GZL
John Havrilla KB3PIE
Jim Smith AB3CA
Jim Dressler KB3GSA
Steve Stitzer WA3ZWC
Larry Leitch K3FII
Rol Anders K3RA
Gary Hendrickson W3DTN
Laurie Knaack KB3ORF
Zack Goldstein WA2DRY

2. MINUTES - June meeting minutes accepted.

3. REPORTS
(a) Treasurer's Report -- Fred AI3Z:
Started the previous period with $1477.59
Ended the period with $1466.59
Income:
$5.00 50/50
$12.00 snacks
Expenses:
$28.00 snacks
Field Day receipts have not come in yet.
There will be a $40 expense for the new DX4WIN version, which Rol obtained and installed.

(b) Station Equipment and Operation Reports
i. Northrop Grumman Family Net, Weds 3pm ET – Chip W4PBG / Bob K3FQP
10 check-ins last time. W6NSD relayed 3-4 contacts because propagation conditions were not very good. Our Avondale station has joined us.

ii. Equipment issues
1. The rotor apparently has bad gear tooth (ring gear suspected): when pointed West, it sticks in position. We need to take rotator down to debug, repair. Can we get our loaned-out spare back to facilitate the process?
2. There is excess voltage drop across fuse holders to FT920. Discussed options of RigRunner (proposed by Jim N.) and replacing fuse holders. Decided to do the latter as a first step and research the cost of the RigRunner. NPTE: replacing the fuse holders resolved the voltage drop problem.
3. The ICOM in Gary's hands to see about fixing the low frequency compressor oscillation and background hum.
4. Local time wall clock needs a new battery. (further discussion re. atomic time clock and whether the WWVB signal can be received at the station location).
5. The MFJ dummy load SO239 needs replacement. It will be fixed in house. NOTE: repair completed.
6. Discussed providing an Internet connection for the ICOM. Tom and Ted have the action item; Ted volunteered to donate a router.
7. Larry donated a microham keyer and CT-17, which will be used for the ICOM.
8. The Yaesu mic is still intermittent...at least it is not being used. Gary is going to look into it again.
9. The power supply cable for the 2M rig is a bit too short. Options are to “stretch” the cable, buy a new one, and look at a separate power supply for the rig and situate it closer.

ii. Monthly Power Line Noise Report – Rol K3RA
Noise is back. It ran S7 for the latest net.
Rol has been back in contact with BGE. BGE did not do the scheduled June 14-15 work; it is now TOO hot to work. It is unclear what work they still have to do. Paul Fry (BGE) wants to keep Glen Booth (prior BGE contact) out of the picture and rely on the latest data they have collected. “Progress” on the noise front is haltingly slow. FCC, PSC, and ARRL are in receipt of our ongoing communications with BGE.

(c) QSL Report – Nick K3NY, Tim W1TRT
QSLs - No new ones since last month.
170 D-Day QSLs processed thus far. Zero expense operation.
Just worked EK, in addition to the other new countries reported this week.

(d) FISTS Report - Nick K3NY - No report.

(e) Training Report -- Rol Anders, K3RA
General class starts the 2nd Tue in Sep. 2010.

(f) FAR Report - No report. We still need a FAR Representative.

4. OLD BUSINESS
• Rol has talked with summer intern regarding our display.
• No update on our storage space relocation date.
• No trailer report.
• IEEE Microwave Convention is being held next June at Baltimore Convention Center. Ideas for participation, please.
• Field strength at new patio area assessed: it is well within tolerable limits by a factor of 10 (minimum). Clean bill of health on hazardous radiation. Blackberries produced more radiation than the station!!
• John will send Jim e-mail with information regarding new badge logos.

5. NEW BUSINESS
• Tom Christovich and the UMBC ARC assisted with the W3V special event at Thomas Viaduct. Rol worked half the Landline Morse Code demonstration.
• FD Results - Steve shared analysis. 8 QSOs shy of 1200. 71 sections. Jim's detailed report was unavailable because someone let him go away on vacation.
• Tom showed the FD video he made. It was a hit! Tom donated DVD copies. Great job, Tom!
• Rol demo'd the new DX4WIN version.
6. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Events: School roundup Oct. 18-22. Volunteers needed to man K3NEM at lunchtime.
JOTA Oct. 16-17. Volunteers welcome. Location not yet ID'ed.

Technical presentations - Suggest or volunteer by contacting John Paul!

Next regular meeting: August 12, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. local time.
Respectfully submitted, Laurie Knaack KB3ORF (from Ted Bauer’s notes, 73!)

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