The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held 7:00 PM, Monday, September 14, 2020 at the home/business of Amy and Logan Blewett (KG4VKB).  There were 9 present in the auditorium and 5 on Zoom.  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.

Masks and social distancing, as per the Governor’s edict, was observed.  Garry Wheatley (KD4GCY) hosted a ZOOM link for members who could not be present. The meeting was opened and hosted by PARA President, Jeff Wielgos (KB9BVL).

Club Business Items

The Secretary’s report was given by Ron Cowherd (K4GYD).  In addition to a review of the past month’s business Logan and Amy were thanked for their kindness, allowing us to meet at their home/business for the last two meetings.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Secretary Cowherd in place of Treasurer Roger Good who was home recuperating from surgery.  Both the Secretary and Treasurer reports were moved to a vote and accepted.

Old Business:

• Meeting location was discussed and the need for getting back together again. Secretary Cowherd related a phone call from the office of WKCTC Workforce Solutions stating that the rooms we usually use for monthly meetings would not be available through the end of September.  However, they will call us back before October 1st to report the status of the facilities depending on state pandemic rules which may be less strict by then.  Fortunately, again Logan offered his facilities until we can move back to the college.
• Logan reminded us that we should have a signup sheet for those who are present as per the Covid-19 Pandemic requirements. It is normal that we do this at all meetings but it is just another item that is overlooked because of the Covid-19 disruption.
• A lot of time was devoted to the need for two volunteers to oversee the upcoming PARA KY QSO Party. The planning for award plaques has been discussed with a positive vote from club at the last meeting, but at this time we have no facilitators. Dave Perry and Paul Smith have served in this capacity and have done a masterful job with the past two year’s events. However, they have asked that they be relieved of the job with the coming QSO Party. It was brought up that it might be time to turn over the event to another club. It was also suggested that if we want to turn it over, it should be done before January 1st. Several clubs and organizations were suggested to be contacted.

NET CONTROL OPERATORS

Sunday night nets are at 9:00 PM on 147.060 MHZ. PL 179.9 ARES net follows Sunday PARA net,  same frequency, 1st Sunday of the month.

September 20 – Jeff KB9BVL 15 ck-ins

September 27 – Frank KY4LDS 17 ck-ins

October 4 – Jeff KM4LDP               16 PARA ck-ins                

October 4 – Logan KG4VKB 12 ARES ck-ins

October 11 – Jeff KB9BVL           21 ck-ins                                              

Remember:

PARA meetings are 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December.  The next meeting place (October 12) is undetermined at this time. We are waiting for a call from WKCTC concerning the use of two classrooms in the Emerging Technologies building. If the WKCTC facility is not available, we will meet again 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.  Covid-19 masks and distance rules observed.

New License and upgrade exams will be offered.  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 October 22nd, 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

Metropolis Ham Study Class: October 3rd, 0900 TO 1400, Grace Church,  10th street,  Study.org.     Review session with test to follow.  90% pass rate, email Charlie Richey (K9DUE) or call (618) 309-6911 to preregister. Questions same number.

Metropolis ARES Earthquake presentation 6:30 on Oct. 15th. West 10th Street Community Center.

Wickliffe, recently put a new repeater (KA9SKT) on line, using the same machine that was formally located at Cairo, IL, using the same freq. (147.180 mh.), and tone (88.5 PL).

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Paducah Amateur Radio Association was held 7:00 PM, Monday, August 10, 2020 at the home/business of Amy and Logan Blewett (KG4VKB).  There were 11 present in the auditorium and 7 on Zoom.  The location provided ample room because the building was originally constructed as a Methodist Church with available meeting space in the sanctuary and 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.

Masks and social distancing, as per the Governor’s edicts, was observed.  Garry Wheatley (KD4GCY) hosted a ZOOM link for members who could not be present.

The meeting was opened and hosted by PARA Treasurer, Roger Good (KC4WPS).

Club Business Items

The Secretary’s report was given by Ron Cowherd (K4GYD).  In addition to a review of the past month’s business Ron related a phone call from the office of WKCTC Workforce Solutions stating that the rooms we usually use for monthly meetings would not be available through the end of September.  They will call us back before October 1st to report the status of the facilities depending on state pandemic rules which may be less strict by then.  Fortunately, Logan offered his facilities until we can move back to the college.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Roger Good.  Both the Secretary and Treasurer reports were moved to a vote and accepted.

New Business:

• A good bit of time was spent discussing KY QSO matters.  The last two years we have awarded 10 wooden plaques to the winners of the KY QSO party.  This year, the coordinators felt we should expand it to 15 winners.  Roger made a motion to increase the number of winners from 10 to 15.  The motion passed.
• This year we have two sources of wooden plaques.  The wood blanks in the shape of the state of KY as used last year were very labor intensive due to sanding, staining and sealing and required acquisition of engraved plates before mailing out.  The new source was less expensive and would come to us ready to be mailed. A motion was made by Roger to accept the second source of 15 red oak, laser engraved, ready to drop in the mail plaques.  The motion was passed.
• We’ve had sponsors for the 10 plaques awarded for the last two years. A motion by Roger was made to hold the price of sponsorship of the plaques at $50.  The motion was voted on and passed.
• A motion was made by Paul Smith to add a line item to the Treasurer’s report to keep income from the KY QSO Party as a separate fund from the general fund – Passed.

Bruce, KS4V, gave the program for the night.  He has been building projects from kits over the covid-19 lock down and shared his success with us.  

Motion to adjourn, Passed, next month meeting will again be held at Logan’s home/business.  See Remember below for street address and time.

Ron Cowherd, W4NJA website administrator, expresses his appreciation to Roger Good for assisting with web page information for the August Monthly Meeting.

From Dave (N4QS) The KYQP and PARA were recognized in this week’s addition of the ARRL Contest Update.  Scroll down and click on the link for Results (about half way in the list of links below).  This extra publicity about this year’s results will help to build participation for next year!  See link below:

• Results: NAQP RTTY, KyQP, Summer Stew

Important info from Charlie Richey (K9DUE):  Notes from living in ground zero of a derecho.    https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/comments/idulfz/notes_from_living_in_ground_zero_of_a_derecho/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

August 16 – Jeff KM4LDP               14 ck-ins

August 23 – Jeff KB9BVL                  15 ck-ins

August 30 – Frank KY4LDS              11 ck-ins

September 6 – Logan KG4VKB       16 PARA ck-ins

September 6 – Logan KG4VKB        16  ARES ck-ins

September 13 – Michael KN4TIP    17  ck-ins

Remember:

• PARA meetings are 2nd Monday, 7 pm, each month except December.  The next meeting (September 14) 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.  Covid-19 masks and distance rules observed.
• 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 Sept. 17th, 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, 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