The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held 7:00 PM, Monday, July 13, 2020 via the ZOOM app.  This virtual meeting was necessary due to the Covid-19 pandemic which required the closure of public buildings and social distancing.  15 members and guests were checked in.  The meeting was opened by PARA Treasurer, Roger Good (KC4WPS).

Club Business Items

• Both the Secretary and the Treasurer’s reports were were read by Secretary, Ron Cowherd and Treasurer, Roger Good.  A call for motions to accept reports were made, and subsequently both were voted to accept.
• Secretary Cowherd read excerpts from a letter to PARA from Tina Clark, Administrative Assistant at WKCTC, which listed requirements that are in place for the use of meeting rooms ETC 141 and ETC 140.  For example, 6 ft social distancing, no more than 15 people + instructor, a list of those attending to be submitted in advance to security.  Those not listed will not be able able to enter the building.   We just assumed we would continue with Zoom until further notice.
• Logan Blewett (KG4VKB) invited PARA to meet at his home/business on the next August 10th meeting date.  Logan explained that he had plenty of room because the building was originally constructed as a Methodist Church with ample meeting space in the sanctuary and examinations in fellowship hall.  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.
• Richard Odell Perry, 89, Father of fellow ham, Dave Perry, N4QS, passed from this life July 7, 2020.  It was moved and voted to make a monetary donation in Richard Perry’s name to the Mayo Clinic in keeping with the family’s wishes.
• There was much discussion about whether anything had been done about plaques for the last QSO Party.  No one present knew for sure, so the only decision made was that it was time to do something about it.  After the meeting, Ron Cowherd talked with Wallace Shankle (W4KU) who has been our contact person for the construction of the plaques in past years.  He said that all he needed was to get the official go-ahead from the club and he will put it into motion.  He needs to know how many plaques we will be needed.  It was discussed in the June meeting that due to the success with numbers of entries in the 2020 KYQSO Party, perhaps more plaques may be needed, but nothing definite was decided.

Remember:

• PARA meetings are 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December.  The next meeting (August 10) will be 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.
• New License and upgrade exams will offered now that we have Logan Blewett’s facility.  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 July 23rd, 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

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held 7:00 PM, Monday, June 8, 2020 via the ZOOM app.  This virtual meeting was necessary due to the Covid-19 pandemic which required the closure of public buildings and social distancing.  17 members and guests were checked in.  The meeting was opened by PARA President, Jeff Wielgos, KB9BVL.  The meeting had elements of both an emergency net and a formal club meeting.

PARA Lunch Bunch@Michael’s Pizza (6/11/2020)  L to R:  Ron Cowherd (K4GYD)  Garry Wheatley (KD4GCY)   Jeff Wielgos,  (KB9BVL)  Ed Sobkowiak (AC9OO)  Ed Pflueger (AB4IQ)   Roger Good (KC4WPS)  Wallace Shankle (W4KU)  Paul Smith (ND4X)  Don Fuller (KC4DR)  Guest grandson & John Hudson(KO4XJ)

Club Business Items

• The Treasurer’s report was given by Treasurer Roger Good.  Roger reminded us there are 10 club members who have not paid their dues for this year.
• President Jeff Wielgos read the Secretary’s report prepared by Sec. Ron Cowherd.  The minutes reviewed the business items of the May 11th virtual meeting which was concerned primarily with the KY QSO Party and Field Day.
• Motion made and 2nd to accept the Secretary and Treasure report.
• The June 8th meeting continued the discussion of the previous month but nothing was discussed concerning the location of a 2020 Field Day site.  Jeff reviewed the ARRL’s decision to allow a change of rules concerning item 1D.
• Many comments were made concerning the interpretation of 1D rules, logging of contacts and how ARRL will score 1D contacts this year.
• Jeff proposed that we take advantage of this years 1D ruling.  Of those commenting it appeared that all were planning to operate from home stations, several with generators for additional bonus points.
• Secretary Cowherd commented that he he would take care of the publicity.  However, as it turned out, The Paducah Sun did not respond as it has done in past years.
• The balance of the meeting concerned the success of the Kentucky QSO Party which was held on June 6-7.

Important message from Roger Good (KC4WPS):  Regularly scheduled PARA club meetings will be ZOOM produced until further notice each 2nd Monday of the month@7 pm until further notice.  Please sign up as a user prior to the meeting!  

Join Zoom Meeting by clicking on link below and enter ID and Password below.

https://zoom.us/j/95273713934?pwd=aGdyUlcyS3c0MVNFVFh4ME5zUlp3QT09

 Meeting ID: 952 7371 3934             Password: w4nja

Net Control Operators

June 14         Frank KY4LDS      8 PARA Ck-ins

June 21         Roger KC4WPS   14 PARA Ck-ins

June 28         Frank KY4LDS    13 PARA Ck-ins

July 5            Logan KG4VKB    15 PARA Ck-ins

July 5            Logan KG4VKB    10 ARES Ck-ins

July 12          Dave W4WKN      15 PARA Ck-ins

Remember:

• When Covid19 restrictions are cancelled PARA will resume meeting at the Emerging Technology Center, WKCTC on 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December.  Prospective hams in search of general info concerning the hobby may Google ARRL.com and click on relevant headings.
• New License and upgrade exams will not be offered until we get back in the WKCTC facility.  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.
• 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 held at 7:00 pm on 3rd Thursdays, 3700 Coleman Road EOC building in the Jack Johnston meeting room.
• 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

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held 7:00 PM, Monday, May 11, 2020 via the W4NJA repeater in Paducah, KY.  This virtual meeting was necessary due to the Covid-19 pandemic which required the closure of public buildings and social distancing.

22 members and guests were checked in.  The meeting was opened by PARA President, Jeff Wielgos, KB9BVL.  The meeting had elements of both an emergency net and a formal club meeting.  Jeff welcomed us and then asked each attendee to check-in by the order of the first letter of their call sign suffix

Club Business Items

• The Treasurer’s report was given by Treasurer Roger Good.  Roger announced that two generators had been purchased by the club and would probably be stored at Dave Perry’s Amateur Radio Ranch until needed.
• Secretary Ron Cowherd read the minutes which reviewed the business items of the April 13th meeting which was concerned primarily with the KY QSO Party and Field Day.
• The May 11 meeting continued the discussion of the previous month but nothing was settled concerning the location of a 2020 Field Day site.
• Fortunately, the KYQSO Party and Field Day particulars can follow the procedures established in past years, although a Field Day location is yet to be determined.

Items of interest being discussed on the W4NJA repeater since last virtual meeting.

• Garry Wheatley, KD4GCY, has been doing a fine job of leading the local hams on the exploration of the best simplex frequencies that could be used in case the repeaters were to become unusable.  In addition to providing an hour or so of entertainment, it gave us the opportunity to test our individual station’s ground wave communication abilities.  Garry is planning another evening of simplex exploration on Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 pm.  As before, he will meet us on the W4NJA repeater for instructions.
• Paul Smith ND4X, reminds us that the Kentucky QSO Party will happen June 6-7, 2020. 14:00 UTC June 6 until 02:00 UTC, June 7 (09:00 AM CDST) – (9:00 Pm CDST) Saturday, June 6.  See www.kyqsoparty.org for additional information.
• The National Weather Service Office in Paducah will be giving a free webinar mini course covering subjects such as “Tornado Extreme Risks” and “A Guide to Basic Radar Products using RadarApps.”  Click on the following link for more info:  https://www.weather.gov/pah/NWSMiniCourses
• It was suggested that we try a ZOOM virtual June 8th PARA monthly club meeting.  In order to prepare for that  meeting.  Garry Wheatley and President Jeff Wielgos will host a practice session on Tuesday, 7:00pm, June 2nd.   The purpose of the “dry run” session will be to help everyone get acclimated to the Zoom app.  Everyone should download the Zoom app for their respective devices before the practice session.  Hopefully this session will help us quickly get down to business on June 8th with everyone on board.  The Zoom allotted session time is only 45 minutes or so.  Please watch for further email, text, and Facebook announcements stating meeting ID number and password as we approach the Tuesday, June 2nd practice session.  Also pertinent PARA announcements will be included in the Sunday Night PARA Emergency Net.  (more details below in Remember info)
• Jeff noted that there was some confusion about where to find the correct, up-to-date W4NJA Facebook page.  The following link should take you there:
• https://www.facebook.com/W4NJA-Paducah-Amateur-Radio-Association-1655765178031645
• Please subscribe to the (free) W4NJA Webpage.  Just fill in the blank on the webpage right sidebar for automatic delivery of the webpage each month.

Net Control Operators

Sunday night nets are at 9:00 PM on 147.060 MHZ. PL 179.9

May 17       Jeff KB9BVL           13 PARA ck-ins

May 24       Steve NW9W         14 PARA ck-ins

May 31       Frank KY4LDS       13 PARA ck-ins

June 7         Michael KN4TIP    15 PARA ck-ins

June 7         Logan KG4VKB      10 ARES ck-ins

Remember:

• PARA meets at Emerging Technology Center, WKCTC on 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December.  Prospective hams in search of general info concerning the hobby may Google ARRL.com and click on relevant headings.
• New License and upgrade exams will not be offered until we get back in the WKCTC facility.  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.
• 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 held at 7:00 pm on 3rd Thursdays, 3700 Coleman Road EOC building in the Jack Johnston meeting room.
• 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

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held 7:00 PM, Monday, April 13, 2020 via the W4NJA repeater in Paducah, KY.  This experimental virtual meeting was necessary due to the Covid-19 pandemic which required the closure of public buildings and social distancing.

25 members and guests were checked in.  The meeting was opened by PARA President, Jeff Wielgos KB9BVL.  The historic meeting had elements of both an emergency net and a formal club meeting.  Jeff welcomed us and then asked each attendee to check-in by the order of the first letter of their call sign suffix.

Club Business Items

• The Treasurer’s report was given by President Wielgos due to Treasurer Roger Good’s illness.
• Secretary Ron Cowherd read the minutes which reviewed the business items of the March 9th meeting.
• We found it difficult to make any definite plans concerning the KY QSO Party and Field Day not knowing how long the pandemic restrictions were going to be in place.  There was discussion about how we could proceed with alternate locations.  However, without knowing the future it was decided to wait till next month’s meeting and hope that we would know more by then.

Items of interest being discussed on the W4NJA repeater since last virtual meeting.

• Garry Wheatley, KD4GCY, on behalf of the club, is trying to determine the best frequency for local ops to meet simplex.   For those who are interested, Garry will host the next meeting at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 12 with other bands and modes to explore.  Tune in to the W4NJA repeater for instructions at 7:00 pm.
• Paul Smith ND4X, reminds us that the Kentucky QSO Party will happen June 6-7, 2020. 14:00 UTC June 6 until 02:00 UTC, June 7 (09:00 AM CDST) – (9:00 Pm CDST) Saturday, June 6.  See www.kyqsoparty.org for additional information.
• The National Weather Service Office in Paducah will be giving a free webinar mini course covering subjects such as “Tornado Extreme Risks” and “A Guide to Basic Radar Products using RadarApps.”  Click on the following link for more info:  https://www.weather.gov/pah/NWSMiniCourses
• Paducah Amateur Radio Association virtual meeting will be held 7:00 PM, Monday, May 11, 2020 via the W4NJA repeater in Paducah, KY.

NET CONTROL OPERATORS

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held Monday, February 10, 2020 at the WKCTC Emerging Technology Center, Room 140, in Paducah, KY.  There were 26 members and guests present.  Five came for FCC VE testing.  (See results below) The meeting was opened by PARA President, Jeff Wielgos KB9BVL.  Jeff welcomed us and asked each attendee around the room to give their name and amateur call.

Club Business Items

• Secretary Ron Cowherd read the minutes from the January meeting.   A motion to accept minutes was made, seconded and passed.
• Treasurer Roger Good brought us up to date with the club’s finances.  Roger asked us to OK the payment of $250 for Field Day liability insurance.  It was further brought to our attention that our Field Day liability insurance may have not been reviewed in several years.  President Wielgos suggested a motion to check with City Hall to see if our policy still meets city standards for such event and, if not, our policy be upgraded to meet current regulations.  Mike Newman suggested that if the cost of upgrading was too much, we could change the location to another site off city property.  There was much discussion about the pros and cons of moving to another location.  Roger will look into city park use requirements.  A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made, sec.  seconded and passed.
• Jeff announced the PARA Vice President office was open and asked for any nominations or anyone that would volunteer to be considered for the position.  Mike Newman finally volunteered and subsequently a motion was made, passed and voted to select Mike for the position.
• It was suggested that a letter of thanks be sent to Kevin O’Neill who oversees the use of the Emerging Technology Center building.  A letter has been mailed.
• Regarding the KYQSO Party, Paul Smith stated that all the logging program people have been notified that there are no changes this year, all the contest calendar people have been notified of the new date, the webpage changes have been made, so right now we are pretty much on auto pilot.  We need to find out if any other clubs would like to operate a bonus station so we can get them listed.  It was also suggested we try to encourage more stations to become bonus stations since we only had two last year.
• It was discussed that we look into PARA logo polo shirts for the club.

NET CONTROL OPERATORS

Sunday night nets are at 9:00 PM on 147.060 MHZ. PL 179.9

February 16     Jeff KB9BVL       19 PARA  ck-ins

February 23     W4NJA repeater inoperative.  No count avail.

March 1            Roger KC9WPS  16 PARA ck-ins on .120 repeater

March 1            Logan KG4VKB  9 ARES ck-ins on .120 repeater

March 8            Jeff KB9BVL      18 PARA  ck-ins

New License Successes

We are happy to report that (pictured L to R) Ronnie Stone and Justin King passed the Technician Exam.  Shane Martin and Christopher Jenson passed both the General. Christopher Jenson also passed the Extra.  Congratulations to all.  We cordially invite all of you to enjoy your new licenses and join us at future monthly meetings.

Ronnie Stone

Justin King

Shane Martin

Christopher Jenson

Remember:

• PARA meets at Emerging Technology Center, WKCTC on 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December.  Prospective hams in search of general info concerning the hobby may Google ARRL.com and click on relevant headings.
• New License and upgrade exams are offered 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.
• 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 held at 7:00 pm on 3rd Thursdays, 3700 Coleman Road EOC building in the Jack Johnston meeting room.
• Metropolis net  Thursdays 8:15, 146.655 PL179.9, 147.225 is old repeater freq.
• Draffenville net Wednesdays 9:00 145.390 PL118.8

The November Monthly Meeting was cancelled due to icey weather conditions.

Sunday night nets are at 9:00 PM on 147.060 MHZ. PL 179.9

November 17   Steve NW9W 18 ck-ins

November 24   Frank KY4LDS 10 ck-ins

December 1      Logan KG4VKB 15 PARA ck-ins

December 1      Logan KG4VKB 10 ARES ck-ins

December 8     Frank KY4LDS   13 ck-ins

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held Monday, October 14, 2019 at the WKCTC Emerging Technology Center, Room 140, in Paducah, KY.  There were 18 members and guests present.  No one came for FCC VE testing.  The meeting was opened by PARA Vice President, Ken Wontor KW4DI.  Ken welcomed us and asked each attendee around the room to give their name, amateur call and tell of their amateur radio activities since the last meeting.  Paul Smith brought to our attention that we should recognize Charlie Richey’s outstanding hard work and leadership with the growth of amateur radio in Metropolis.  A big round of applause from PARA was given.

Club Business Items

• Ron Cowherd gave the Secretary’s Report, It was moved, seconded and voted to accept the Secretary’s  minutes.
• Roger Good, announced that there were $0.00 expenditures and $500 in new revenue since last report which allowed us to fully pay for the new KYQSO plaques.  Roger suggested that our $500 12 month CD is scheduled to mature November 11th.  He suggested that we add an additional $500 to the CD and reinvest for 16 months.  That would leave us with $1,600 cash for club activities.  We were reminded that club membership dues are coming up January 1st that will bring in additional revenue.  After a short discussion, it was  moved and second to accept Roger’s suggestion followed by a vote to accept the Treasurer’s Report. 
• Garry Wheatley told us that the Paducah National Weather Service has a new director.  The new director has commented that he wants to expand the use of amateur radio volunteer resources to improve instantaneous feedback between the NWS and more remote sites during severe weather.  After a lengthy discussion a motion was made for Garry to serve as liaison between PARA and the Paducah NWS.

Ken closed meeting with the following useful info:   Repeater Maps – an app to give repeater location data as you travel.  Google Play Store version 19.10.11  Repeater Book

Internet Youtube:  Antenna Radio Prepper Explaines charts with random wire lengths that do work.   https://udel.edu~mm/ham/randomWire/    or do not work.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zF7bDoqkG4

QRP GUYS WEB Page  Go to devices DSB   qrpguys.com  Go to devices  Qrpguys 40 30 20 DSB Digital Transceiver Kit $40     https://qrpguys.com/digital-transceiver

Net Control Operators

Sunday night nets are at 9:00 PM on 147.060 MHZ. PL 179.9

October 20        Steve NW9W     17 PARA Ck-ins

October 27        Frank KY4LDS   18 PARA Ck-ins

November 3      Roger KC4WPS  13 PARA Ck-ins

November 3      Logan KG4VKB  11 ARES Ck-ins

November 10    Ken KW4DI        14 PARA Ck-ins

Remember:

• PARA meets at Emerging Technology Center, WKCTC on 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December.  Prospective hams in search of general info concerning the hobby may Google ARRL.com and click on relevant headings.
• New License and upgrade exams are offered 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.
• 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 7:00 to get instructions.
• Amateur Radio Emergency Services meetings are held at 7:00 pm on 3rd Thursdays, 3700 Coleman Road EOC building in the Jack Johnston meeting room.
• Metropolis net  Thursdays 8:15, 146.655 PL179.9, 147.225 is old repeater freq.
• Draffenville net Wednesdays 9:00 145.390 PL118.8