MEETING TO ORDER:
President George, WBØCNK, called to order the August 2024 business meeting of the SFTARC at about 8:00 AM CDT. A total of 26 members attended, 22 joining in person at the Gardner Perkins and 4 joining via Zoom. There were no guests.
SECRETARY-TREASURER REPORT:
George read reports submitted by Marty, KEØPEZ, and Jason, KFØISL. These included club account balances, recent bills paid, and outstanding checks, current club membership (79), and ARRL membership (41).
OTHER BUSINESS:
Kansas QSO Party Planning
George explained that this event is open to the entire club in which operation can be at the Sawyer Antenna Farm in Edgerton or at the members home. Marty will publish a sign-up list to coordinate station activity for the two-day event. Larry, KDØRIU, mentioned Eric, WØEAS, will operate fast CW both as WØE and at times as KSØKS from Ensor Park and Museum.
Repeater Update
Jim, KØNK, explained that the 440MHZ repeater at Danny's house, KAØFMZ, had lost Repeater Council Frequency coordination, but has now progressed to "Building Permit" status. It may need to go through coordination again when it is moved back to Olathe.
Tech Night Program
The program for August 29 is FT 240-43 Core Design for End-Fed Antennas. Larry reported this would deal with a two-core balun for end-fed antennas and that he and Jim have been building one from a detailed web article. Larry will give technical details during the Tech-Night program.
Christmas Party
The club Christmas Party will take place at the Gardner Senior Center, 128 E Park St, on Saturday, December 21, at 6 PM. It was clarified that BBQ and potluck food setup would begin at 5PM; the party begins at 6PM. The party will end in time to have the building cleaned up and locked by 9 PM.
Field Day Review
The Field-Day Report and Final Log Results for KSØKS have been submitted to the ARRL. George handed out sheets showing the final KSØKS Field Day totals Results are also in the Field Day article, "Field Day Doubles As Club Social", on the club website. George mentioned that the Official Submittal was accepted by the ARRL on July 18th. Generally these results will be published in QST sometime between December and March.
Tower Trailer
Tom, WA2IVD, reported no additional work completed since Field Day, although his son Shawn, KJ6VQC, obtained a block of Teflon for replacing spacers that may help in reducing sticking when sections are lowered.
Pony Express POTA
Jim reported he is still needing at least a 2nd person to help the Crown Amateur Radio Association put this event on at Hanover, KS, on August 25. There are regular periods of explaining and answering questions about the pony express and telegraph. See: https://www.qrz.com/db/k0asa/ for more information.
Appreciation
The club acknowledges and expresses its appreciation to several members this month. George thanked Rick for writing and Jim contributing to the nice article on our website about our Field Day. He thanked Tom, WA2IVD, and Jeff, KSØJD, (and others) for the nice videos and photographs on Tom's YouTube channel "Ham Radio A2Z." Everyone should take the time to see it.
Greg, KIØKK, pointed out that the a link to Tom's site is published on our website in the "Trail Bytes" blog section in an article titled "Santa Fe Trail ARC Field Day - 2024". George thanked Greg for doing a great job in coordinating all of this material on our website.
MO-KAN Council
George described the activities of the Mo-Kan Council (SFTARC is a member). One of them is an upcoming presentation at 4:30PM, August 17th, at the Atchison, KS, Amelia Earhart Hanger Museum. The program is "Ham 420 - Overview of Amateur Radio and Radio Propagation around the time of Amelia Earhart's flight."
George mentioned that MO-KAN Council had presented 12 Eagle Awards over the years and that our own SFTARC member Joe Krout, KRØUT, was instrumental in obtaining a quantity of D-104 Silver Eagle microphones for the construction of additional awards.
Other
Joe mentioned a Camp Fire will be held at 6PM later that night at Ensor Park and Museum. [Circumstances forced the cancellation of this event.]
Joe also mentioned that there would be a 2PM Sunday August 11th work session at Ensor to fix the south leg of the antenna that had gotten tangled up. [Antenna repairs completed by Larry, Howard and Greg]
Jim Andera gave an update on the club's R7000 vertical. Repair parts are likely not available since the manufacturer (MFJ) no longer answers the phone.
Jim Andera gave an update on Mike Lane, KEØCIS. He is slowly improving. He has recently moved from the Hoeger House to Good Samaritan. Mike would enjoy visitors. He is in room 216 of Good Samaritan. This is a location on the Olathe Medical Campus immediately to the southeast of Hoeger House,
ADJOURN:
President George adjourned the meeting at about 9 AM.
