PARA Meeting Minutes 7/9/2018

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held Monday, JULY 9, 2018 at the WKCTC Emerging Technology Center, Room 140, in Paducah, KY.  There were 18 present.  No one came for FCC VE testing.

The meeting was opened by PARA Vice President, Ken Wontor.  Ken welcomed us and asked each attendee around the room to give their name, amateur call and relate any interesting amateur radio activities that we may had in the last month.

Items Discussed and Passed

• 2018 Field Day Photos were viewed via the very convenient overhead projector and screen.  All photos were made by Ken Wontor and Ron Cowherd.  Anyone that may have taken FD pictures are welcome to send them to roncowherd@comcast.net.  They will be added to the 2018 FD page.
• The Treasurer’s report was given by Ken Wontor in absence of Bruce Huyck who was absent.  Ron Cowherd gave the Secretary’s report which was followed by a motion to accept the two reports, seconded and passed.
• A motion was made to authorize Ed Pflueger to purchase 2 DX Engineering 4-1 baluns (approx. $190 ea.) for the next year’s Field Day RTTY and SSB stations.  The motion was seconded and passed.
• Field Day score summary:  QSOs: CW 793; Digital 36; phone 817.  Total Points:  CW 1586; Digital 73; Phone 817.  Total Score = 4,950.
• Dave Perry discussed KY QSO Party award details.  Decisions about plaques and certificates awards were discussed but not finalized at this time.  Shane Martin, with graphics training, volunteered to create the certificates.  Additional information will  be available at http://www.kyqsoparty.org

Net Control Operators for Late July/Early August

PARA Meeting Minutes 5/14/2018

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held  Monday, May 14, 2018 at the WKCTC Emerging Technology Center, Room 140, in Paducah, KY.  There were 24 present, including three FCC Amateur License examinees.

The meeting was opened by Club Vice President Ken Wontor.  VP Wontor asked each attendee to give their name, amateur call and a report of their amateur activities during past month.

Items Discussed and Passed

The business portion of the meeting was as follows:

• Treasurer Bruce Huyck was not present and no formal report was made, however, VP Wontor reported that Keilor Park reservations had been made and the $50 fee paid.
• Ron Cowherd gave the Secretary’s summary report of the April meeting proceedings.  Almost all of April business involved KYQP.
• Paul Smith led a question and answer session including comments on the set-up and operation of the N1MM logging program in reference to the KY QSO Party.  Jeff Wielgos made a list of those who were planning to operate fixed, roving or portable stations, modes and counties.
• Regarding Field Day 2018:  It was brought up that the mobile unit for Field Day had not been reserved yet.  Ed Pflueger volunteered to contact Paducah/McCracken Co. Office of Emergency Management to reserve their Mobile Command Post facility and generators.

Net Control Operators for Late May/Early June

(ARRL Leaderboard Results shows Ky position and Total Grid count as of  6/9/2018)  7 club members in top 25.                                                                  

1.  N4QS Dave Perry, 3953 grids;  9.  AI4EY Fred Carter, 1934 grids;  14. K4GYD Ron Cowherd, 1319 grids;  15. KC4WPS Roger Good, 1268 grids;  21.  KO4XJ John Hudson, 1091 grids;  24. KS4V Bruce Huyck, 975 grids;  25. W4WWS  Steve Parmley, 940 grids;  45. KB9BVL Jeff Wielgos, 504 grids; 49. AB4IQ Ed Pflueger, 450 grids;  55.  W4KU, Wallace Shankle, 428 grids;  57. KW4DI Ken Wontor, 412 grids;  59. ND4X Paul Smith, 392 grids;  60. NU4N Dave Tucker 392 grids;  66. KJ4CO John Chandler, 346 grids.

Current grid contest results may be found at:  https://igc.arrl.org/leader-board.php

New License and Upgrade Successes

We are happy to report that three individuals successfully passed their FCC Amateur Radio license exams at the close of the May meeting.  Pictured (LtoR):  John Harrison and Shane Martin, both new Techs and Wayne Reid upgraded to Extra.   Congratulations to all three.  We cordially invite you to enjoy your new license status and join us at future monthly meetings.

Remember:

• PARA meets at Emerging Technology Center, WKCTC on 2nd Monday, 7 pm of each month except December.
• New License and upgrades exams are offered at the close of each meeting night throughout the year.  See W4NJA web site at w4nja.org.  For info click at the top of the page on About Us, then VE License Testing.
• The Sunday Night Net meets each Sunday night at 9 PM. All amateur radio operators are invited to check in. 147.060 PL 179.9
• KY QSO Party sponsored by PARA W4NJA, June 2nd, 2018, 9 am to 9:00 pm.
• Field Day, Kyler Park, Paducah, June 23 & 24.
•  PARA membership fees ($20) are due and payable at a future meeting.

PARA Meeting Minutes 4/9/2018

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held  Monday, April 9, 2018 at the WKCTC Emerging Technology Center, Room 140, in Paducah, KY.  There were 26 present, including two FCC Amateur License examinees.

The meeting was opened by Club President, Jeff Wielgos followed by each attendee giving their name and amateur call.

Items Discussed and Passed

The business portion of the meeting was as follows:

• Secretary Cowherd reviewed March meeting minutes including items discussed and passed.  In addition, a report was given on PARA members who are participating the ARRL International Grid Contest.  As of 4/9/2018, six club members are on Kentucky’s top 25 of the leader board with five more members listed on the second page making a total of 11 PARA members in the top 50.
• The treasurer’s report of the club’s finances was given by Bruce Huyck and  subsequently a motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the secretary’s and treasurer’s reports.
• Ed Pflueger and Dave Perry showed and gave information about 10 walnut KY QSO Party award plaques which were laser cut to the outline of the Kentucky border.  The unfinished pieces will be finished, appropriately labeled and awarded to the winners of  the QSO Party.
• It was moved, seconded and passed to reimburse Ed Pflueger for the cost of the wood and labor that has been done on the plaques so far.  Dave Perry spoke of one KY club that has volunteered to sponsor a plaque this year.  Other sponsors will be sought to help pay for the award trophies this year and each new year.
• Dave spent quite a bit of time explaining the contest set-up, in terms of operators, (each band, each mode), base, rover and portable stations, etc.  Efficient contest operating skills were reviewed.
• W4NJA Host stations will be located at:  (SSB) Mike Newman’s station, (CW)  Dave Perry, Bruce and Clint ( RTTY).  One of the goals of the KY QSO Party is to encourage the activation of rare counties and grid squares through rover and portable operation.  Also, several volunteers will operate at home in McCracken and surrounding counties.

Net Control Operators for Late April/Early May

Remember:

• PARA meets at Emerging Technology Center, WKCTC on 2nd Monday, 7 pm of each month except December.
• New License and upgrades are offered at the close of each meeting night throughout the year.  See W4NJA web site at w4nja.org.  For info click at the top of the page on About Us, then VE License Testing.
• The Sunday Night Net meets each Sunday night at 9 PM. All amateur radio operators are invited to check in. 147.060 PL 179.9
• KY QSO Party sponsored by PARA W4NJA, June 2nd, 2018
• Field Day, Keilor Park, Paducah, June 23 & 24.
•  PARA membership fees ($20) are due and payable at a future meeting.

PARA Meeting Minutes 2/12/2018

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held  Monday, February 12, 2018 at the WKCTC Emerging Technology Center, Room 140, in Paducah, KY.  There were 29 present, including 5 FCC Amateur License examinees.  The meeting was opened by Club President, Jeff  Wielgos (KB9BVL).  Jeff invited attendees around the room to introduce themselves with their name and call.

Items Discussed and Passed

The business portion of the meeting was as follows:

• Secretary Cowherd reviewed 2017 end-of- year statistics including club attendance and participation numbers.  In addition, W4NJA.org web usage statistics, provided by WordPress.com, were reviewed.
• President Wielgos gave the Treasurers report in absence of Bruce Huyck.
•  A large portion of the business session was spent in discussion of a motion from Dave Perry (N4QS).  Dave’s motion was:  “that PARA request that it become the new sponsor of the KY QSO Party.”  During the discussion of the motion Dave spoke of the responsibilities and positive outcomes of the project.  Paul Smith continued the discussion with comments on contest software for the event, including Cabrillo log checking.  Mike Newman told of the thrills and great success representing KY at the 2014 ARRL Centennial Celebration held at his QTH.  Dave and Paul volunteered to chair the project with volunteers to take on publicity, award sponsors, etc.  The motion was seconded and later past with the majority of members in favor.
• Club member and insurance agent Beth Gupton (AK4BG) announced that the club’s liability policy payment is due ($254.51)  A motion to pay the bill was made and a vote taken and passed.

Net Control Operators for Late February/Early March

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

February 18         Jay KD9HRH      15 check-ins

February 24    Garry KD4GCY  16 check-ins to called Emergency WX Net

February 25         Eric K4YUS         15 check-ins

March 4                Logan KG4VKB    15 PARA, 12 ARES

March 11               Ken KSW4DI    12 check-ins

ARRL International Grid Contest

(Leaderboard Results shows Ky position and Total Grid count as of  3/12/2018)                                                                    

1.  N4QS Dave Perry, 2278 grids, 48/day;  14. AI4EY Fred Carter, 797 grids, 14/day;  16. K4GYD Ron Cowherd, 750 grids, 14/day;  18. KO4XJ John Hudson, 715 grids, 15/day;  19. W4WWS  Steve Parmley, 560 grids, 9/day;   21. KS4V Bruce Huyck, 508 grids, 8/day.

Current grid contest results may be found at:  https://igc.arrl.org/leader-board.php

Kentucky QSO Party News

The PARA Kentucky QSO Party web site, kyqsoparty.org  is now up and running, thanks to Paul Smith.  Please check the Side Bar link often for latest news.

New License and Upgrade Successes

We are happy to report that five individuals successfully passed their FCC Amateur Radio license exams at the close of the February meeting.  Results are:  Lloyd Watson (KD4DFM) Extra; Mark Thorn (KN4HYV), General;  Michael Hicks (N9ARK) , General;  Eric Jones, Technician; and Michael Keller, (not pictured) Technician.  Congratulations to all.

Remember:

• PARA meets at Emerging Technology Center, WKCTC on 2nd Monday, 7 pm of each month except December.
• New License and upgrades are offered at the close of each meeting night throughout the year.  See W4NJA web site at w4nja.org.  For info click at the top of the page on About Us, then VE License Testing.
• The Sunday Night Net meets each Sunday night at 9 PM. All amateur radio operators are invited to check in. 147.060 PL 179.9
•  DX Engineering Skype presentation scheduled for March 12th meeting.
•  PARA membership fees ($20) are due and payable at a future meeting.