Author: w3ft67

A turnout of twelve people at our Zoom meeting: Dave AB3TE, John K3VN, Kyle K3KRG, Christopher AB3WG, Bud W3LL, Mike K2TPZ, Robin AB3SB, John KD3H, Al WA3SFR, Gordon KC3LWO, John KD3H, Neil W3ZQI.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. Hamfest working funds were procured.

Old Business:

Hamfest: Dave AB3TE: sign holders were completed. Neil W3ZQI: a third e-mail campaign is pending. Additional people have signed up for the list from our club webpage. Thank you to The Beacon for their informative posting. Dave AB3TE and Neil W3ZQI to retrieve hamfest supplies/tables/prize drum/etc. from storage. Hale N3NYC and Matt to again offer food shuttling for tailgaters at the hamfest.

Webpage: no report

Facebook: no report

New Business:

John N3VN: to report next month on possible use of Mastodon as alternative to Twitter.

Club announcement e-mails: feel free to send postings to Neil W3ZQI at the club W3FT@yahoo.com for inclusion.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

A turnout of eleven people at our Zoom meeting: Dave AB3TE, Kyle K3KRG, Kurt WA3TOY, Christopher KC3VIO, Jon KC3PAN, Stephan KC3ILL, Jim W3BBE, Bud W3LL, Mike K2TPZ, Jim WB3DJU, Bill N3WD, Neil W3ZQI.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. P.O. box expense was paid.

Old Business:

Hamfest: Dave AB3TE: picture of signs shown including the mounting apparatus. Big thank you to Dave for mounting apparatus and Al WA3SFR and wife Francine for creating the signs. Neil W3ZQI: second e-mail campaign was sent. To-date, a dozen people have signed up for the list from our club webpage. A third e-mailing will be done prior to the hamfest. Bill N3WD to take flyers to the Hagerstown and Philadelphia hamfests.

Webpage: Neil W3ZQI: nothing new

Facebook: Jim W3BBE: maintaining the Facebook account, seeking photos

New Business:

None discussed.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

A turnout of sixteen people at our Zoom meeting: Dave AB3TE, Kyle K3KRG, Kurt WA3TOY, Gordon KC3LWO, Christopher KC3VIO, Jon KC3PAN, Stephan KC3ILL, Jim W3BBE, Bud W3LL, Mike K2TPZ, Al WA3SFR, Mathew KC3UDF, Jim WB3DJU, Lou WZ3J, Bill N3WD, Neil W3ZQI.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. Internet host expense was paid.

Old Business:

Hamfest: Al WA3SFR: The new banner was created and flyers printed. Neil W3ZQI: a second MailChimp campaign e-mailing is soon. Jim W3BBE: updates done at our Facebook account for club and hamfest publicity. Neil: we are seeking someone familiar with Twitter; Mathew KC3UDF to investigate. Dave AB3TE collected names of volunteers for the hamfest.

New Business:

None discussed.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

We’re starting the Operating Classes again on March 30.

Free weekly 3-hour Zoom sessions providing info on a wide range of Amateur Radio Operating Activities will start on Thursday March 30, 2023 and run through June 15, 2023 at 6:30 PM Eastern time.  Each session is independent, so you can attend all or just selected evenings.  The presenters will be folks very experienced in the various subjects.

A detailed syllabus will be published before the classes begin.  Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes.  To receive registration information, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@comcast.net. 

Subjects will include:

All About Operating–A general Introduction

Amateur Radio Organizations—Local to International

Ham Radio Awards

DXing-History and Tips from the Experts

QSLing-How to get that needed card for DXCC or WAS

VHF/UHF Weak Signal Work and “Roving”

Image Operating—Slow Scan and Fast Scan TV

Remote Station control over internet

Learning CW in the no-code era

Digital Modes—From RTTY to FT8 and beyond

Contesting—How to get started, tips for the beginner and intermediated contester

Logging Software—What’s available, how to use

Propagation—A general intro to HF Propagation

Amateur Satellites—How to get started

Portable (backpacking) operation—Tips from an expert

Setting Up a Modern (or not so modern) HF Station

Lightning Protection and Grounding

Traffic Handling

Public Service, Emergency Communications      

Thanks,

Rol, K3RA

A turnout of seventeen people at our Zoom meeting: Dave AB3TE, Kyle K3KRG, Kurt WA3TOY, Gordon KC3LWO, Bob W3BMM, Christopher KC3VIO, Jon KC3PAN, Stephan KC3ILL, Jim W3BBE, Bud W3LL, Don N3FQC, John KD3H, Mike K2TPZ, Al WA3SFR, Robin AA3SB, Jim WB3DJU, Neil W3ZQI.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. One hamfest expense was paid.

Old Business:

Hamfest: Al WA3SFR’s daughter Kim designed a new flyer and banner; design approvals are immanent. Neil W3ZQI’s first MailChimp campaign for the hamfest to past attendees was successful. Jim W3BBE to assist with club and hamfest publicity at our Facebook account.

New Business:

None discussed.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

A turnout of fourteen people: Dave AB3TE, Kyle K3KRG, Jerry AI0K, Gordon KC3LWO, Bob W3BMM, Christopher KC3VIO, Chris AB3WG, Jon KC3PAN, Kurt WA3TOY, Stephan KC3ILL, Jim W3BBE, Bud W3LL, Al WA3SFR, Neil W3ZQI. Meetings have resumed in Zoom format only.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance, modest increase.

Old Business:

Welcome to new attendees: Chris AB3WG, Christopher KC3VIO, Jerry AI0K, Bob W3BMM.

Hamfest: Tickets and tailgating stubs have been constructed by Neil W3ZQI; reimbursement for those supplies was approved. Yes to Arcadia for our hamfest for 2023. Signs: Al WA3SFR volunteered to construct the three signs.

Meeting Site: Investigation continues for an in-person meeting site. Zoom access will still be remained.

W3FT Repeater System: Maintenance was mentioned.

New Business:

SKYWARN: Jerry AI0K reported that SKYWARN is seeking a SKYWARN coordinator to replace Jerome N3VBJ (SK). A presentation on SKYWARN is offered for an upcoming meeting–by Zoom.

Club Property: Jon KC3PAN requested creation of “Property Of” notices for inclusion with the club property in storage. Neil W3ZQI will handle the printing.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

A turnout of fourteen people (and two family members): Dave AB3TE (Z), Bill N3WD (Z), Jon KC3PAN (Z), Kurt WA3TOY (Z), Stephan KC3ILL (Z), Don N3FQC (Z), Jim WB3DJU, Hale N3NYC, Doug N3VEJ, Mike K2TPZ (Z), Jim W3BBE, Bud W3LL (Z), Al WA3SFR (Z), Neil W3ZQI. (“Z” is for by Zoom)

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. Essentially the same

Old Business:

W3FT Repeater System: Maintenance was discussed.

Meeting Site: This meeting at the Greene Turtle-Hunt Valley did not meet our in-person count required by the venue. In-person meetings had been requested by the club membership. The February meeting will mark return to Zoom-only meetings. Another pay-for meeting site in Hunt Valley was proposed; investigation continues.

The Envision 3: Bill N3WD spoke well of this amazing laptop in the December meeting; all gone. They went quickly.

New Business:

Kurt WA3TOY is a proud grandfather of new “harmonic”, Andy on Christmas day. Pictures are available at the BARC groups.io site.

Bud W3LL announced the recent passing of world-class ham Fred Laun K3ZO. Most area hams interacted with him in DXCC/WAS qsl card checking, hamfest visibility, PVRC meetings, and 1st-tier contesting activities. He was the head of the 3-call area ARRL Incoming QSL Card Bureau and a card sorter.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

Please pass this along to anyone you think might be interested.

A free, weekly, live, Amateur Radio Extra Class Licensing course on Zoom will begin on Thursday, January 12, 2023, and will run through Thursday, March 23.  There will be 11 sessions.  The three-hour sessions will start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time.  Sessions will be recorded.  Those attending should hold (or be studying for) the General Class Amateur Radio License.  These are the classes that we have been holding for years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum.  Please publicize this with anyone that you think would be interested.  Those wishing to sign up should email roland.anders@comcast.net.

Thanks.

73, Rol, K3RA

Resources:

Extra Class License Manual –

https://www.arrl.org/extra-class-license-manual

Exam Review –

https://arrlexamreview.appspot.com/

ARRL Extra Class License Manual, 12th edition – 

https://www.arrl.org/extra-class-license-manual

See the Updates / Corrections to 12th edition Manual and Extra Q&A 5th edition (as of 12/8/2021) –

http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=356

2020-2024 Extra Class Pool 2nd Errata issued March 5, 2020 –

http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=356

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Extra Class License Manual, Chapters:

  Chapter 1 – ECLM Introduction

  Chapter 2 – Operating Practices

  Chapter 3 – Rules and Regulations

  Chapters 4 & 5 – Electronic Principles, Components and Building Blocks

  Chapters 6, 7 & 8 – Circuits, Radio Signals & Modes and Equipment

  Chapters 9 & 10 – Antennas, Feed Lines, & Topics in Radio Propagation

  Chapter 11 – Safety

A turnout of eleven people: Dave AB3TE, Bill N3WD, Kyle K3KRG, Jon KC3PAN (Z), Russ N3YI (Z), Stephan KC3ILL (Z), Don N3FQC, Harriet N3IML, Jim WB3DJU, Hale N3NYC, Neil W3ZQI. (“Z” is for by Zoom)

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. No expenses this month; revenue was from dues. Dave still to provide recent financial data to Neil W3ZQI for assembly of annual reporting.

Old Business:

Hamfest: Sign committee headed by Dave AB3TE will meet again to approve the printer-ready art work for the sign designs.

W3FT Repeater System: Maintenance was discussed.

Meeting Site: Our first meeting at the Greene Turtle-Hunt Valley. In-person meetings were requested by the club membership. It is important that a reasonable number of people show in-person for each Green Turtle meeting to meet their venue guidelines. If not then we will be forced to return to Zoom-only meetings.

New Business:

Spring Pot Luck event: Bill N3WD elaborated on interest in a weekend day club meet-up for shared food/beverages at an outdoor venue once the weather warms in early 2023.

Congratulations to Julie KC3VGW “Very Good Woman” (wife of Dave AB3TE) who passed her Technician license recently. She is now studying for her General class license.

The Envision 3: Bill N3WD spoke well of this amazing $60 WIN10 laptop available at MicroCenter. He is using his for FT8 and NPOTA (parks) activities. It features two USB 3 ports and 20 hour battery life.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

We are pleased to announce a return to in-person meetings. Our new venue is the Greene Turtle Restaurant 118 Shawan Road Suite HH Hunt Valley, MD 21030. Meetings are at 7:00 pm. on the first Wednesday of each month.

Ample free parking on the north side of the restaurant (by the theater). Plenty of seating too so try to join us in person. Disabled access from the above parking lot; free WiFi; great food; credit cards are accepted.

Zoom access to our meetings is still available.

A turnout of twelve people: Dave AB3TE, Kurt WA3TOY, Kyle K3KRG, Bud W3LL, Jim W3BBE, John KD3H, Mike K2TPZ, Jon KC3PAN, Russ N3YI, Henry KB1PE, Al WA3SFR, Neil W3ZQI

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. No expenses this month; revenue was from dues. Dave will provide recent financial data to Neil W3ZQI for assembly of annual reporting.

Old Business:

Hamfest: Sign committee headed by Dave AB3TE will meet again to get started with art work for the approved sign designs.

W3FT Repeater System: Not discussed

Meeting Site: Covered in New Business.

New Business:

Meetings: Neil W3ZQI proposed short presentations at each meeting to build interest in meetings. Neil to present (in December) an ad hoc Access report file that creates some reports of interest to HF contact chasers. Russ N3YI suggested hybrid meetings (meeting room plus Zoom) for when an in-person meeting site is chosen. Neil to investigate Greene Turtle in Hunt Valley as a possible meeting site.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

A free, weekly, live, Amateur Radio General Class Licensing course on Zoom will begin on Thursday, Oct 27 and will run through Thursday, January 5.  There will be 9 sessions, with two breaks for holidays.  The three-hour sessions will start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time.  Sessions will be recorded. These are the classes that we have been holding for years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum.  Please publicize this with anyone that you think would be interested.  Those wishing to sign up should email me at roland.anders@comcast.net.

A turnout of nine people: Dave AB3TE, Kurt WA3TOY, Jim W3BBE, John KD3H, Bill N3WD, Mike K2TPZ, Stephan KC3ILL, Henry KB1PE, Neil W3ZQI

Treasurer Dave AB3TE opened the meeting, then passed to VP Bill N3WD.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. No expenses this month, only revenue!

Old Business:

W3FT Repeater System: Not discussed

Meeting Site: Not discussed

Hamfest: Sign committee headed by Dave AB3TE, with Al WA3SFR, Kyle K3KRG, and Neil W3ZQI met on 09/21/2022. Two designs proposed. Club voted for orange background with black letters. Trish N3DUH to be asked to do proof-ready artifacts for printer.

New Business:

Performed the actual elections: By acclamation: President Bill N3WD, Secretary Neil W3ZQI, and Jim W3BBE Member-At-Large. Bud W3LL appointed Vice President.

Bill N3WD proposed a spring, in-person get-together. Details forthcoming.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

A turnout of sixteen people: Dave AB3TE, Gordon KC3LWO, Kyle K3KRG, Bud W3LL, Jim W3BBE, Lou W3LOU, Russ N3YI, Bill N3WD, Jerry W3JFG, Al WA3SFR, Don N3FQC, Mike K2TPZ, Robin AA3SB, Henry KB1PE, Jim WB3DJU, Neil W3ZQI

Vice President Bill N3WD opened the meeting.

Treasurer Dave AB3TE gave the treasury balance. Kudos to Dave AB3TE for organizing the effort to eliminate storage expense. And a big thank you to Jon KC3PAN.

Secretary Neil W3ZQI read the prior monthly meeting minutes.

Old Business:

Storage: Discussed with Treasurer’s report.

W3FT Repeater System: Not discussed

Meeting Site: Not discussed

Hamfest: Name to emphasize “swap meet” instead of “marketplace”. Sign committee: Dave AB3TE, Al WA3SFR, and Neil W3ZQI. Suggested to add “modifications” feature to signs, e.g. chalk or replacement panels. To contact Arcadia Fire to confirm 2023 venue and express appreciation for partnering.

New Business:

Elections: By acclamation: President Bill N3WD, Secretary Neil W3ZQI, and Jim W3BBE Member-At-Large. Bud W3LL appointed Vice President.

— Neil W3ZQI Secretary

Our wide-area 2-meter FM repeater W3FT is the meeting place for the weekly CATS ATV Net, each Wednesday evening at 9:00 pm. and frequently at other hours for informal contacts. Amateur Television (ATV) began in use by radio amateurs even before actual network television broadcasts. While much of ATV is NTSC analog video signals with FM audio sub-carriers, digital television is taking over. In the United States, both the ATSC and European-based DVB-T formats are in use by hams. ATSC is handy since that is the current US digital standard while the DVB-T format captures weaker signals and is less impacted by interference caused by structures.

ATV activity is essentially ham-to-ham communications with the benefit of video. That old saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words” remains true. Typical viewed signals include still pictures, motion video, and video clips. Some ATV repeaters carry NASA television feeds such as space launches. Analog signals are rated by the P-scale where P0 is the weakest , showing just sync bars and P5 represents a perfectly clear picture. Digital signals are either there are they aren’t; can’t be simpler than that. As seen with home television, ATV has benefited greatly from digital formats. Further, area tests have shown increased range using digital ATV over analog ATV.

All are welcome to check into (or just listen) the weekly CATS nets with voice on 146.67-. Video capability is not required. Of course, ATV activity is not on all the time, just like 2-meter activity. If one lives in the general Towson area, a cable-ready analog television set tuned to cable channel 57, but with an external antenna used in place, can receive the CATS Towson ATV repeater directly. In addition, the British Amateur Television Club website features streaming of various world-wide Amateur Television repeaters. CATS is streamed at https://batc.org.uk/live/w3bab?forcehtml5=true . CATS https://www.qsl.net/w3bab/index.html

Neil W3ZQI