Pierre Amateur Radio Club Thursday November 12, 2015

Pierre Amateur Radio Club – WØPIR

Agenda

Thursday November 12, 2015, 7 p. m.

Pierre Fire Station 4

Call to Order – President Tam

Moment of Silence for Departed Hams

Introduction of members – each member

Secretary’s Report – Secretary John

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Greg

Old Business
Report: Storage Trailer on Tower Road (Randy).

Hospital Radio: We will continue discussion of having a “radio room” at the hospital, what we are willing to commit to for time, equipment and personnel. I did meet with hospital staff but have not gotten a reply. I will check for updates.

New Business

Year End Items: Last month we discussed the upcoming November and December meetings. It was decided that we would have the “end of year” elections in November and reserve the December meeting for a Christmas Party celebration.

Jim, KD0S, Shari, N0VFS and Karen, KC0OCH, along with any helpers they might recruit, have generously agreed to be the chief cooks for this shindig. The Club will pay for the main dish and each club member is requested to bring a side dish or other item to pass in potluck fashion. Perhaps a salad or dessert or whatever your specialty is it would probably work. I’m sure they will all be delicious. The festivities will begin at 6:30 pm at Fire Station 4, our usual location. All Central South Dakota hams are invited to attend. In the interest of having sufficient food for all (very important), please email either Jim (KD0S@KD0S.com) or Tam (tgatje@aol.com) with the number of guests you will have coming, including yourself, of course. Let us know the numbers as soon as possible but not later than Saturday, December 5 so we have time to purchase the food items.

Future Presentations: Who would like to do a presentation for next month or later this year? Possible topics: Antennas (on any band), propagation and what it means; Solar Activity and what it means to amateur radio; contesting how and why; anything else ham related that you are interested in supporting. Perhaps some entertainment at the Christmas meeting. Email Tam to tell him which you would like to do.

Other New Business

Adjourn.

Announcements of Ham Happenings:

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
• November 14 — HamJam Convention, Alpharetta, Georgia
• November 14-15 — Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
• November 14 – 15 – Kentucky QSO Party – Rules at http://www.wkdxa.com/mainsite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45:wkdxa&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=63
Upcoming ARRL Contests

• November 21 – 23 – ARRL November Sweepstakes, Phone
• December 4 – 6 – 160 Meter Contest
• December 12 – 13 10 Meter Contest
• December 20 – Rookie Roundup – CW

Florida Radio Amateurs Support Bicycle Festival
10/19/2015
Lake County, Florida, ARES and the Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA) this month again supported radio communication for the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival — something they’ve been doing for almost 25 years. During the October 9-11 event, ham radio volunteers provided communication from each rest area as well as from mobile radio units patrolling the various bicycle routes. The Mount Dora Bicycle Festival is sponsored each year by the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce and attracts cyclists from all over the country.
“Despite a little early morning fog, good weather prevailed for the 3 day event,” said Ted Luebbers, K1AYZ. “Temperatures were moderate with some humidity. For many of the riders this has become an event they look forward to enjoying each year.” Luebbers explained that the festival is not a competitive race but a series of 12 separate bicycle tours of Florida’s scenic Lake County countryside.
“Lake County is blessed with 1400 named lakes and is considered to be Florida’s hill Country,” Luebbers said. “Some of these hills offer a unique challenge for even the most experienced bicycle riders. The longest ride is 100 miles and the shortest is 12 miles. Riders choose which rides they want to take each day.”
This year saw 1325 festival participants. The radio-equipped mobile vehicles the hams provided transported 30 riders and their bicycles back to the starting area over the 3 days, due to mechanical breakdowns, medical issues, or fatigue. The most serious injury was a broken collarbone. Twenty-five Amateur Radio volunteers took part. — Thanks to Ted Luebbers, K1AYZ