February 2023 Bandbits

Winter Field Day, 2023

President’s Report

I want to start off and say a big thank you to everyone involved with Winter Field Day 2023! I think it was a big success. We had 22 people sign the check in sheet. 51 contacts were made.

Thank you to the Morton Knights Of Columbus Hall for letting us use the hall. We very much appreciate it.

I want to remind everyone that in 2 months, at the March 9th Club Meeting at 7 PM, we will be having our National Weather Service Spotter Training event. It’s open to the public so please pass the word along.

Starting in April, we will be moving back to the Red Cross building on downtown Peoria. The American Legion has been good to us. The majority of people I have talked with want to go back to the Red Cross. I am in communication with the Tactical Response Team and they want to work closer with our Club and ARES. More to come on this subject soon.

Thank you again for your participation in Field Day and in any Club event. If really makes the hard work that’s put into planning and running the events worth it.

Justin Flick, N9WX
PAARC President

_____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Board of Directors – January 5, 2023
7:07 p.m. meeting begins with Tom, Matt, Justin, Rob, Deb, John and Adam on Zoom.

Bandbits… Rob makes a motion to accept, John seconds… all in favor
other than Deb, who didn’t read it!

TREASURER’S REPORT:
$357.67 in PayPal
$44.96 x2 for monthly repeater internet, $11.45 for ARRL Field Day
pamphlet material, $238 for Rivermen tickets (We still need reimbursed
for two tickets from the Rivermen game)
$4,132.04 in checking, with about $600 in deposits to be made soon
$10,909.50 in money market
$544.65 in savings
Grand total in club accounts: $16,554.86

***Next week’s meeting includes a demo by Scott on DV Megacast
(multi-mode digital radio)

OLD BIZ:
Did we get out to Bill’s (repeater site) and move what is needing to
be moved? No. We’re going to move the D-Star radio into the rack with
the main repeater. Tom and Matt will work out details and let others
know if help is needed.

We haven’t done anything regarding the 85 repeater yet.

The noise during the ARES net was due to simplex interference from
Winterheat, says Matt.

Trademarks. Tom talked to his daughter about it briefly and she
thought it was very simple and easy… going to look into it. Will go
ahead and update Midwest Superfest logo with TM mark.

For our 501(c)3 application, there will be more hoops and research to
come by our next meeting.

Winter Field Day. Unless someone steps up quickly, we won’t be
participating as a club.

SUPERFEST:
Nothing new. Deb still needs to arrange a meeting with Susan et all.

Deb called a guy at the State’s Attorney’s office in Peoria and hasn’t
gotten a response yet regarding the raffle license for 2023.

Justin asks if we have a flyer for Superfest that we can share to
entice speakers? Deb will work on finalizing that.

Matt has a prize donation letter ready and will start sending it out.

NEW BIZ:

Deb will make sure that all board members have access to Google Drive
shared folder and email inbox.

Deb will also check on a business card template for membership cards.

From Adam: Could we come up with “greetings” email from club to new
AND renewing members, letting them know handy links available on
w9uvi.org, social accounts, etc? Also asking for feedback on what
they’d like to see from the club. Deb will look into any existing
documents and put them together; Adam will help update.

John brings up that some of the nets he participates in opens with a
prayer. Wanted to know if something we’d want to try… but consensus
was that it’s better to leave religion out of the club to avoid
causing debate or division.

Winterheat competition. John asks if anyone else is participating…
Deb thinks that Mark is.

7:44 p.m. Tom moves to adjourn, Deb seconds. We’re out!

__________________

Membership Meeting – January 12, 2023
7:02 p.m., our meeting begins at the American Legion in Bartonville.

From Justin: A big thank you to all who paid their dues. If you
haven’t renewed yet, please do so by March.

Winter Field Day is happening!… Justin is taking the day off work on
Saturday, January 28. Location is TBD: May be here at Bartonville
Legion or in the community center in Hopedale, 12 p.m. until 10
p.m./midnight-ish. Details will be posted on w9uvi.org and our
Facebook page. We plan to have one or two stations set up; if
interested in helping or coming out (likely ordering pizza!), let
Justin know.

The next SuperFest meeting will be in two weeks… January 23 on Zoom,
with the possibility that it’ll be in-person at the Red Cross (check
our website and social.)

We still haven’t gotten our bill from Expo Gardens for the 2022 SuperFest.

Treasurer’s report via Justin (since John isn’t at meeting):
Savings = $544.65
Checking = $4,743.04
PayPal = $500.45
Money market = $10,909.50

Tom makes a motion to accept, Jim seconds. All in favor, and it passes.

Repeater committee update:

  • Still need to get equipment moved between racks. We still don’t have
    a bill for our tower rent, but it will be coming due soon.
  • Justin was talking to ETSB in Peoria County about moving to the
    Peoria Heights tower where the .61 repeater is located, but it isn’t
    looking promising due to logistics.
  • We can stay where we’re at, too. Not sure if rent will remain stable
    or go up, though. (Last we checked, tower rent was $1,130 for six
    months for two antennas.)
  • Also need to address our antenna connection issues on W9UVI (075)…
    but waiting to piggyback on other tower work to save the club money.

Other business:

  • We need to decide whether we’re officially staying at the Red Cross
    or making the American Legion our new permanent home.
  • We already have a memorandum of understanding with the Red Cross and
    antennas on a tower. But we need to make sure that we have reliable
    access.
  • Rich will get Justin contact info for the Red Cross to make sure
    that access problems are solved.
  • Group consensus seems to be that we’d prefer to have both as our locations.

Bandbits:

  • Jim makes a motion to accept, George seconds. All in favor, and it passes.

Jim makes a motion to adjourn, Rich seconds…. the regular meeting is
over before 7:30 and Scott starts his digital radio presentation on
DVMEGA Cast.

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Feb 1, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Feb 8, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Feb 15, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Storm Spotter Training, Simplex Exercises, Winlink, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272

_________________________________________________________

Superfest

Superfest activities are gearing up more and more, please make sure you have the dates blocked off on your calendars Thursday Sept. 14 through Sunday Sept 17 and plan on helping that weekend. We are so excited about our new home and while it is going to be challenging it is also going to be great for the club. The next Superfest meeting will be on Thursday 2/26 at 7pm via the Zoom link on the Club Meetings page.

Deb WD9EB
Superfest Chair

____________________________________________________

January Net Logs

1/1
W8NWG KD9ANU K9XJT W9WGN N9WX KD9ERS K9TNT KD9PXZ N9NDF NM0O N9GUE KD9JXR KD9AER KD9IVV K9RCS N9WFT KD9NYE W9WTF KB9SF KB9ATO KB9OGS KD9QQU KD9MPI KD9STL KD9RJH KT9TB KD9RYH K9CEW W9JDP NP2WJ K9UQF WW9DLM WF9E KD9QQT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/8
KD9ANU W8NWG W9WGN KG9DW N9GUE KD9TEG KC9IH W9JDP W9WTF KD9PXZ NM0O KD9AER N9WFT KB9SF KB9OGS KD9NYE KB9ATO KD9IBC N9NDF K9TNT KD9JXR WF9E KD9STL KD9RJH KD9QQU NP2WJ KT9Y WW9DLM KB9TNZ KD9RYH K9UQF KD9SPJ KD9VIN W9GLO KT9TB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/15
K9XJT KD9ANU W8NWG N9WX KD9VYM K9HJZ W9WGN KC9IH W9TTX N9GUE K9TNT W9JDP KD9IVV NM0O KD9PXZ KD9JXR KD9AER KD9IBC N9NDF N9WFT W9WTF KB9ATO KD9ERS KD9VIN KD9WHE KC9YTT KD9QQU WF9E NP2WJ KD9RYH KD9STL K9RCS KB9TNZ W9SEB N9SJZ KB9OGS KB9SF K9UQF KD9TEG Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/22
KD9ANU N9WX W8NWG W9SEB N9GUE W9WGN K9HJZ KC9YTT KC9IH KD9VYM KD9IBC K9XJT KD9PXZ KD9SZZ W9JDP N9NDF KD9QQU KD9NYE KD9JXR KD9AER N9WFT KD9STL K9RCS KD9RYH KD9IVV KB9SF KD9TEG KD9RJH K9TNT WF9E NP2WJ WW9DLM KD9ERS NA9LE KB9TNZ KD9LQL KB9OGS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

1/29
KD9ANU N9WX WD9EB W9WGN W9SEB K9HJZ KD9VYM KC9IH KB9SF NM0O W9JDP KD9SZZ W9TTX KD9NYE W8NWG KD9PXZ NP2WJ KD9JXR N9WFT KD9IBC KB9ATO KD9IVV KD9ERS K9RCS KD9AER KD9VIN N9NDF KD9RJH KD9RYH KD9STL K9UQF KB9OGS WW9DLM N9GUE Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

February Club Events

February 1 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

February 2 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors via Zoom

February 8 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

February 9 – Club Meeting – Demonstration of the RFinder radio/phone – Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville: Details to Be Announced.

February 15 – ARES Meeting: via Zoom. Zoom credentials will be emailed to ARES participants.

February 18 – 12:00 noon – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

February 23 – Superfest Meeting – Zoom

January 2023 BandBits

President’s Message

(Updated 1/13/23)

It’s a New Year! Wow, 2023. For this new year, I hope to have the membership be more involved. For starters, join us for Winter Field Day at the American Red Cross building, 311 W. John H Gwynn, Jr. Ave., Peoria. This is a ONE DAY Only event. Come for Radio and Pizza! Hope to see you there

I need your ideas, wants, likes and dislikes. I want our Club to have a lot of fun this year. POTA activations, camping trips, satellite communications, a high altitude balloon launch… These are suggestions.

We have the National Weather Service Lincoln coming in March for our Weather Spotter class. This is open to the public and will be at the American Legion in Bartonville. It’s going to be at the normal date and time as our club meeting. The bar and grill will be open. Spread the word!

It’s time for our annual dues. Without them, we won’t have funds for many things. We have tower rent, monthly internet and other costs. Please consider donating as well. Every little bit helps our club.

This year is also the year of Midwest Superfest at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe! Join the committee and get your ideas heard. We can always use the help!

Justin Flick – N9WX

Meeting Minutes

7:05 p.m. Dec. 1, meeting begins

Bandbits:
Deb makes motion to approve. Matt seconds. Approved!

Treasurer’s report:
Nothing much has changed, since John is away.

Repeater committee:

  • Matt plans to get to repeater site to reinstall TeamViewer on the
    machine or install AnyDesk
  • Will also move equipment as needed
  • Justin talked to Bill… we’re not certain when the next tower
    rental bill will be – but he will send an invoice.
  • Will do two more 6-month contracts for 2023; also specifically said
    that he would not be kicking us off unless we want to go. We still
    need to get a longer contract to lock in a decent price.
  • Need to fix the Brimfield repeater site by getting an old computer
    in place for Wires-X.

Superfest committee:

  • Deb called and left a message for a guy at the state’s attorney’s
    office, then learned the courthouse was closed due to water main
    break. She did go by the post office and we still do not have a bill
    from Expo.
  • Will need to pay the rest of the deposit for Three Sisters Park
    after the first of the year.
  • Deb has a certificate made for Rich to start sending flyers to
    different ham fests. Instead of getting tickets, they will get a
    certificate to mail back for tickets.

Other business:

  • 14 people have signed up for the Rivermen game so far
  • There’s an ARRL grant we might qualify for:
    https://www.arrl.org/club-grant-program

____________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Jan 4, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Jan 11, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Jan 18, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info). Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training Documentation, Winterheat Event, Storm Spotter Training, Simplex Exercises, Winlink, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272

Winterheat: Open to all Licensed Amateur Radio Operators. This is a Technician-friendly event. Get-on-the-air!

The goal and purpose is to make as many FM voice contacts as possible over a month-long period of time using only designated simplex frequencies. Repeat those same contacts and more the next day.

This will be the fourth year for this event. Runs from January 1st to the 31st (UTC time).

Online QSO Logging system on the web is easy to use. Logs contacts instantaneously and displays data in real time. Participant list, leaderboard statistics, map showing your contacts, link to propagation stats, & more resources.

Go to https://hamactive.com to learn more and sign-up. Check out the logging system and resources provided.

Some Peoria area operators plan to gather daily on Simplex frequency 145.570 MHz at 7:00 PM starting December 31st to get regular local contacts quickly completed, and move on to concentrate on distant contacts. We realize that not everyone may join in at that time every day, and may change the time to optimize as we hear from more Peoria area Winterheat operators. Please join us there.

____________________________________________________

December Net Logs

12/4
KD9ANU KC9IH KD9VYM N9GUE K9HJZ W9WGN K9XJT NP2WJ KD9IBC W9JDP K9TNT KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9JXR KD9SZZ KD9IVV KD9AER N9WFT K9RCS KB9OGS WF9E KD9RJH KD9STL KD9HZZ W8NWG KD9ERS KB9ATO KD9SPJ K8UQF KD9NYE KD9RYH WB9RJY KA3BQE K9CEW KT9TB KD9VIN Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

12/11
W9WTF K9XJT KC9IH NM0O KD9IBC W9WGN K9HJZ N9GUE KD9VYM KD9PXZ N9NDF KB9SF W9JDP KD9AER W8NWG KD9IVV KD9JXR N9WFT K9RCS K9TNT KB9ATO KD9NYE KD9QQU WF9E KA3BQE KD9RYH K9UQF KB9TNZ WB9RJY KD9STL KD9TEG KD9SPJ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

12/18
KD9QQU, W9WTF, KD9ANU, KC9IH, WD9EB, KD9IEC, W9WGN, N9GUE, W9JDP, KD9PXZ, KD9VIN, KD9JXR, W8NWG, NP2WJ, KD9AER, K9TNT, KD9VYO, N8WFT, WFDDE, KD9VYM, KD9STL, WW9DLM, KC9AET, K9UQF, KD9RYH, K9TNZ, TB9OGS, N9NDF, K9XJT, KD9DBQ, KB9ATO, KB9TNZ Submitted by KD9QQU

12/25 – No Net

____________________________________________________

January Club Events

January 4 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

January 5 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

January 11 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

January 12 – 7:00 pm – Club Meeting: Demonstration of DVMEGA Cast Multimode IP radio for DMR, D-Star, and Fusion. Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S Airport Rd, Bartonville

January 18 – 7:00 pm – ARES Meeting: Details to Be Announced

January 26 – 7:00 pm – Superfest Meeting – Details to be announced

January 28 – Noon – 11:00 p.m. Winter Field Day: NEW LOCATION: Morton Knights of Columbus Hall, 616 W. David St, Morton. This is a ONE DAY Only event. Get on the air and meet other hams! Food and Drink available for purchase. For information, contact Justin, N9WX.

Check Upcoming Club Events/Meetings on w9uvi.org for updates.

December 2022 Bandbits

President’s Report

One more month before the end of the year. Normally we get together for dinner in December, but this year we are going to a Rivermen game! Thanks to VP Scott, we are getting discounted tickets at $17 each. This will be on Friday, the day after our normal meeting day. More information can be found on the website or on Facebook. The reservation deadline is December 1. You can email your reservation to [email protected]

Elections for next year: Everybody remains in the same position.

I want to personally think Vice President Scott for his hard work and dedication this past year. He has come up with some really interesting ideas and presentations for the club. I can’t wait to see what happens next year!

Planning for the Fritz Bock Memorial Balloon Launch is in progress. Please contact Rich Holtman (KD9ANU) with any questions you may have. There are a lot of things that need to be planned for with this launch and any help is much appreciated!

The radio room cleanup is in process and well underway. Rich is updating the computers and I will be reorganizing the room a bit. If anyone wants to ever use the radio room to get on HF, contact myself or a Board member. We are hoping that members, old and new, will start taking advantage of this room again.

Thank you for everyone’s participation in the club. Without you and your hard work, we wouldn’t exist. As a reminder, dues are requested to be in by January 1st. You can pay online (small convenience fee) on our website or via check and snail mail.

I want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and I hope you have a great holiday season!

Justin Flick – N9WX
309-830-1967
[email protected]

_________________________________________________________

Silent Key

Lisa Offutt, KB9YYC, of Mossville passed away in late November from ALS. Lisa and her husband Peter, KB9YYD were former members of the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club.

______________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

7:01 p.m. on Nov. 10, the regular PAARC meeting begins with introductions

Bandbits approval… a motion by Jim (W9JDP), Jon (NM0O) seconds. All are in favor.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
$16,104.80 total in all accounts
$10,901.03 in money market
$535.44 in savings
$196.94 PayPal
$4,471.39 in checking
(For November, had some withdrawals for tower rental, internet and Expo Gardens rental.)

Tom makes a motion to accept the report, Brett (KD9PXZ) seconds. All are in favor.

SuperFest meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom this Thursday.

Nothing new from the repeater committee. But…

  • Jon brought up maybe having a fundraiser idea for our potential tower move. But we need to figure out if we actually want to still move towers.
  • We’re still having issues with the .075 antenna, but will have a tower climber look at it when they’re up for other business.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • At next month’s meeting, Scott will lead discussion on two different types of digital radios (one with no RF, one that does DMR with no code plugs)
  • Scott might get the group free Rivermen tickets for our yearly social event (will check… had 41 people last year for social event)
  • Fritz Bock Memorial Balloon Launch sometime in Spring 2023 to honor a former member of our club who died in 2019. Planning will begin with some upcoming Zoom meetings, then face-to-face to start building the kit. Let Rich (KD9ANU) know if interested in helping. $640 was donated in Fritz’s name to do this launch, but we will need to budget out the rest of the gear we will need.

Mark (W9WGN) makes a motion to adjourn the regular meeting, Jon seconds. All are in favor and we’re done.

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Dec 7, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Dec 14, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Dec 21, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, Training, Winterheat Simplex Event, Winlink, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272

_________________________________________________________

Superfest

The December meeting will be Thursday Dec 22 at 7pm on Zoom. You can join the meeting by clicking on the Superfest link on the Club Meetings page.

We are beginning the process to trademark Midwest SuperfestTM if anyone has any experience with trademarks, your assistance would be welcome. If you can assist, please contact Deb, [email protected].

____________________________________________________

November Net Logs

11/6
K9XJT KC9IH W9WGN NM0O K9HJZ KD0SZZ KD9ANU N9GUE N9SJZ KB9ATO KB9SF KD9IVV KD9AER N9WFT K9TNT W8NWG KD9JXR NP2WJ KD9VYM K9RCS WF9E KC9YTT N9NDF KD9PXZ KD9RYH KD9STL K9UQF KB9OGS KD9QQU Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

11/13
KD9ANU WD9EB W9WGN W9JDP K9TNT KD9PXZ NM0O W8NWG N9NDF KD9JXR KB9ATO KD9AER KD9IVV KD9NYE W9WTF K9XJT NP2WJ KD9IBC KD9STL K9RCS KC9IH KD9MOA KD9TEG KB9TNZ N9SJZ N9WFT WD9EGV WW9DLM KD9RYH K9UQF WF9E KC9YTT KD9VYM KT9TB KB9OGS Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

11/20
KD9ANU WD9EB K9XJT KD9QQU KC9IH W8NWG NM0O W9WGN N9GUE K9HJZ N9WX KD9VYM KB9OGS KD9TEG KD9IVV KB9TNZ W9JDP K9TNT KD9AER KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9JXR N9WFT K9RCS KD9ERS KD9IBC WW9DLM WF9E NP2WJ KD9RYH K9CEW K9UQF N9SJZ KT9TB KD9VIN KD9NYE KD9STL Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

11/27
WD9EB, W8NWG, KD9VYM, NM0O, N9GUE, K9XJT, K9HJZ, KC9IH, W9WGN, KD9DBQ, K9TNT, KD9PXZ, KD9IVV, KD9JXR, KD9AER, W9JDP, N9WFT, K9RCS, W9WTF, KB9ATO, N9NDF, KD9QQU, KD9STL, KB9OGS, KD9SPJ, K9CEW, KD9ANU, WW9DLM, KD9RYH, KC9YTT, K9UQF, KB9TNZ, KD9TEG, KD9ERS Submitted by WF9E 73

____________________________________________________

December Club Events

December 1 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

December 7 – 7:00 pm ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

December 9 – FRIDAY – 7:00 pm: Club Meeting Social Event: Peoria Rivermen Hockey (vs. Huntsville Havoc) at Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center. Spouses welcome! Tickets are $17 each. Please reserve your tickets by email: [email protected] by December 1.

December 14 – 7:00 pm ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

December 17 – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

December 18 – Happy Hanukkah!

December 21 – ARES Meeting – details to be announced

December 22 – Superfest Meeting – via ZOOM

December 25 – Merry Christmas!

November 2022 Bandbits

President’s Report

I would like to start off by reminding everyone that elections for the Board of Directors are coming up quickly. I do plan to run for President again for 2023. That being said, I welcome anyone to run against me. There will soon be a list of available positions posted. Please consider running for a position. If you are currently on the BOD and do not wish to run for next year, please inform me ASAP so we can list your spot as open.

We have a great Club. Let’s keep it going with participation! I welcome any and all ideas for classes and events. Even if you don’t think your idea is a good one, please tell me about it! I love learning and doing new things. Even going back to the roots of becoming a ham for the first time. Someone may have the same question that you do, speak up!

Justin Flick N9WX

_________________________________________________________

Many thanks to the club members participating in the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive special event in October.

We activated special event station N9S, and made a lot of contacts.

_________________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Board of Directors

No meeting due to lack of a quorum

Membership

6:58 p.m. meeting begins

Introductions around the room for those who have joined us tonight…

Time to approve the last meeting’s minutes in Band Bits… Tom moves,
Deb seconds. All in favor and it passes.

Club elections are coming up… so if you want to join the board, put
your name in the hat. (President, VP, secretary, treasurer will be up)
Let Justin or any board member know if you want to run – same for
current board members who want to stay in their positions.

Treasurer’s report:
$135.37 savings
$7,100.23 checking
$8,398.63 money market
$100 PayPal

Justin moves $400 from checking to savings, $2500 from checking into
our money market account.

New balances:
$535.37 savings
$4,200.23 checking
$10,898.63 money market

Mark accepts the report, Jim seconds. All are in favor and it passes.

Repeater committee update:

  • Now operating on our 160-ft tower position, which was originally our
    D-Star antenna. (1.5 SWR)
  • 180-ft original position has high SWR (6 to 1 with 100 ohm impedance)
  • Need to get original position looked at when other tower work is being done.
  • Still sounds good and has decent coverage.
  • Have had recent trouble on Sunday nets due to tropo ducting.
  • Other work on repeaters to come…

Superfest:

  • We still haven’t gotten the bill from Expo Gardens.
  • We did a lot better than Deb expected at the 2022 Superfest. Around
    $3500 from Superfest once we get money back from the East Peoria site.
  • The W9UVI website has been updated with the main Superfest page
    looking different than the rest of the site.
  • There is a price change for 2023. Tickets will be $8 in advance for
    two raffle stubs, $10 at gate for one stub. If wanting two stubs at
    the gate, will be $15. (Two stub option at the gate was an experiment
    this year that actually worked!) Tables will be $25 like they have
    been, but only up until July 1, 2023 – then $35/table.
  • We’re not going to charge for site electricity because we aren’t
    going to be charged as a club (we were at Expo for 2022)
  • Flea market will be $10 for first space, $5 for each additional
    space until July 1, 2023. Then just $10 for any spot.
  • Tower Electronics is a lock for 2023!
  • Anybody who wants to join us in camping for 2023 fest, Deb is
    renting an RV, Tom and Justin are bringing theirs… There’s a
    campground in a wooded area that will be the club’s area.
  • Tom, Rich and Deb have worked on a vendor letter for 2023 that
    mentions electrical hookups for people on-site, along with off-site
    accommodations.
  • Next Superfest meeting is in two weeks.

Spoon River Drive report:

  • The special event station was during the first and second weekends
    of October… Justin and Ben the first weekend. Tom, Mark, Deb, Rich
    on the second weekend.
  • We had QSOs with 37 people the first weekend, with 10 the second weekend.
  • The director of Spoon River Drive was real happy that we participated.
  • We had a lot of people that stopped by our table, including some lapsed hams.

Event coming up…

  • Saturday, October 22: PAWS Giving walk/run. Bring your HT to help
    run the race at Junction City. 4pm, done by 6:30 in the evening. Can
    email Rich (KD9ANU) if you have questions.

JOTA is on Saturday.

Rich and Jim move to adjourn, Deb seconds… the meeting ends at 7:23 p.m.

Scott gives a presentation on mesh nets.

__________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Nov 2, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Nov 9, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
Nov 16, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, PAWS Event on 10/22 – Review, Training Documentation, Economy Windows Computers for Hams – Update, Using GPS Position Reports in Winlink, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

October Net Logs

10/2
Thanks to the W9BFD group this week!
KD9ANU W8NWG KB9ATO KB9SF KD9AER KD9PXZ WW9DLM KD9IVV KD9ERS N9NDF NM0O K9XJT N9GUE N9WX KC9IH K9HJZ KD9JXR N9WFT KD9QQU KD9STL KD9SZZ KB9TNZ WD9EB W9WGN KD9RYH K9UQF KD9RJH KD9NYE K9TNT KD9VSG Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

10/9
WD9EB KD9ANU KD9QQU W8NWG KC9IH NM0O KB9SF KD9AER K9HJZ N9GUE KD9HZZ W9JDP W9WGN N9NDF KD9NYE K9TNT KB9ATO WW9DLM KD9JXR N9WFT K9RCS KD9PXZ K9UQF NP2WJ KD9IVV WF9E KD9ERS KD9RYH KD9STL KD9TEG K9CEW KD9RJH K9XJT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

10/16
W9WTF KD9ANU KC9IH KD9QQU NM0O K9RCS K9HJZ W9JDP K9TNT N9SJZ N0XOH KD9IVV KD9AER W8NWG KD9PXZ KD9JXR KD9ERS WD9EGV W9YES N9NDF KD9NYE W9WGN N9WFT WF9E KD9RYH KD9STL KD9SZZ NP2WJ KB9OGS KD9MPI K9XJT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

10/23
KD9ANU WD9EB KC9IH KE8UIB NM0O K9XJT KD9TEG KB9SF N9GUE K9HJZ KD9SZZ W9JDP N9SJZ KD9AER KD9IVV KDPXZ KD9NYE KD9JXR K9TNT K9UQF N9NDF K9RCS KD9RYH KD9QQU KD9MPI WB9RJY KB9ATO W8NWG KB9OGS N9WFT KD9STL W9WGN N0XOH Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

10/30
KD9ANU KC9IH K9XJT W9WGN N9GUE KD9TEG K9HJZ W9JDP N9SJZ KB9ATO KD9AER KD9IVV W8NWG NM0O KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9JXR KD9SZZ KD9RYH K9RCS KD9NYE WF9E N9WFT WW9DLM KB9OGS WB9RJY KD9ERS KD9STL KD9VYM K9CEW Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

November Club Events

November 2 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

November 3 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

November 9 – 7:00 pm ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

November 10 – 7:00 pm Club Membership Meeting – Traditional shortwave radio and the RTL-SDR (Software Defined Radio). Bartonville American Legion.

November 16 – 7:00 pm ARES Meeting – Zoom

November 17 – 7:00 pm Superfest Meeting via Zoom. This meeting has been moved up one week due to Thanksgiving.

November 24 – Happy Thanksgiving!

October 2022 BandBits

President’s Report

It’s been quite a year for our club, and despite the challenges, we’re doing very well.

Again this year we had to relocate Superfest due to weather, but it was s success. We generated enough revenue to meet our expenses for the year. I can’t thank our volunteers and Board members enough for their guidance and hard work.  Most of all, thanks to the vendors and the flea market tailgaters for making this a great event.

The best is yet to come! We are looking forward to next year’s event at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe.

This fall things will be busy and exciting. We hope you will join us for our Special Event Station activation, N9S, where we will be promoting the history of Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive. We will be operating from the Fulton County Fair on the first and second Saturday and Sunday of October from 9 am to 5 pm. Stop by and say hello!

Later this month, we will be providing communications support for the annual PAWS run Saturday, October 22 at Junction City. We hope to see you there.

We’re hoping to have another POTA (Parks on the Air) event in the near future. It will be in the area, but at a different location than Jubilee College. I’m still hopeful that the weather will hold out a bit longer. It would be a one day weekend event. Send me suggestions for dates, times and locations: [email protected].

Also on October 15 we will hold a license exam session at the Morton Knights of Columbus hall. Here is your chance to earn a new or upgraded license. All newly licensed hams will be given a complimentary one year membership in the club!

As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to think about election of club officers. Here is your opportunity to get involved in the direction of the Club. Let me know if you have any questions and if you are interested. After all, this is YOUR club!

A lot has been happening lately. That’s what our club is all about. The key to making good things happen is PARTICIPATION. Participation in events and activities, on the Sunday net, and of course renewing your membership.

Thanks for being an active member!

Justin, N9WX

____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes:

Board of Directors , September 8:

6:18 p.m. call to order

Bandbits approval? Tom motions, John seconds…. all are in favor.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
Savings = $235.34
Checking = $2,582.20 (Three Sisters has not yet cashed their check;
also waiting on refund from East Peoria)
Money market = $8,396.78
$100 left in PayPal ($222.07 just transferred from it)

Grand total = $11,214.32

Pending expenses:
Darren getting signs at $22 a sign (x8), so $176 + $300 for banner
$150-200 ($15 each or so) for volunteer T-shirts

Deb makes motion, Darren seconds. All are in favor.

REPEATER COMMITTEE: Nothing new to share.
– Tom and Justin have been hearing a Windows tone going out over
repeater… need to investigate.
– Still need to maybe have the transmission line inspected and our UHF
D-Star antenna removed (before snow flies.) Scott has volunteered to
host UHF at his place on a 40ft tower.

OTHER BUSINESS:
– Need to find out more about annual JOTA with Scouts… October 22
and 23. Is it a club event? If so, we need to be more involved.

SUPERFEST:
– Dwight was able to overprint tickets that haven’t been mailed yet…
will have new raffle stickers for tickets that have already been
issued.
– New map and revised info are live on w9uvi.org
– Will we need cones for parking, asks John? Deb says we’ll use them
for the flea market area and will probably need people to help direct
parking.
– John will bring 50 cones on Thursday… if we need more, he can
bring additional ones on Friday.
– Will we do golf carts, asks Justin? Deb is looking into getting two
of them from the fine residents of Hopedale.
– Justin won’t be able to be there Thursday, but will be there Friday-Sunday.
– Justin is bringing a camper with AC, Darren is bringing a trailer to
transport golf carts.
– For security, Justin will be there Friday and Saturday night… but
will need more volunteers so Justin isn’t alone.
– There is no football game at Richwoods Superfest weekend, so we’ll
have the place alone.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

Motion to adjourn… Tom makes motion, Deb seconds. 6:49 p.m. and we are done!

Membership, September 8:

7:05pm call to order

Motion to approve Bandbits? Mark makes motion, Scott seconds… all
are in favor.

Adam will set up a feature on our website so people can be alerted by
email when there’s a new post like Bandbits.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
Checking = $2,582.20
Savings = $235.34
Checking = $2,582.20 (Three Sisters has not yet cashed their check;
also waiting on refund from East Peoria)
About $700 in expenses still out for Superfest ($176 for signs, $300
for banner, $200 for volunteer T-shirts)
Dumpster is $300-350 additional

$11,214.33 total

Scott makes a motion, Darren seconds. All are in favor.

_____

SUPERFEST:
– We need volunteers!!!
– Deb will turn on signup sheets on site tonight. (gates, flea market,
Thursday setup, Friday afternoon, security, someone in EP in case
people go to the wrong place, etc.)
– John volunteers to make a sign for the original East Peoria
location. Darren will work on it as well.
– For on-site simplex, 146.43 MHz. W9UVI will be talk-in repeater.
– Rich has a projector and screen for classes; Scott will bring a
wireless mic and powered speakers
– Will have to go with Expo food instead of originally-planned food trucks.
– Peoria Fire Department is having training the week of SuperFest at
Expo Gardens, so supposed to get in to site at noon Friday.
– Banquet tables will be $4.50.. cheaper than other places we’ve
gotten in the past at least.
– We have 10×10 portable awning, 10×20 as well. Scott also has
another. Bring extra awnings if you have one!
– For security, Justin would like one other person with him as well.
John says he can help with one of the nights.
– Only Deb is allowed to sell flea market spots… 7 a.m. gate opens.
No selling from general parking spots!
– Justin will be running testing this year… Bob won’t be there. If
you have VE credentials, bring them so we make sure we’re official.
– If someone shows up at the gate and is only there to test, they can
be escorted for free. Scott may bring wristbands to designate. If they
pass their exam, we write on band so they will get full free
admission. They also get a membership to the club (will make sure we
have membership forms on site.)

Tabling rest of business for Scott’s Echolink presentation… 7:49 p.m.

____________________________________________________

SuperFest

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH SUPERFEST!!!

Midwest Superfest 2022 is over, still getting some of the bills so don’t have the final totals, but the club did make money.

Planning and work for Midwest Superfest 2023 has already begun, if you were not able to attend the September Superfest meeting but want to be included on the Superfest committee, please contact Deb, WD9EB

The next Midwest Superfest meeting will be at 7pm on Thursday Oct. 27th via Zoom. Please use the link on the club meetings page.

____________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Oct 5, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

Oct 12, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

Oct 19, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, PAWS Event on 10/22, Training Documentation, Very Economical Windows Computers for Digital Modes, Using GPS Position Reports in Winlink, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES

email: [email protected]

Winlink: kd9anu@winli

September Net Logs

9/4
W9WGN KD9ANU WD9EB K9XJT KC9IH KD9IBC N9GUE KB9ATO K9TNT W8NWG N9NDF KD9PXZ KD9JXR KD9IVV WF9E KD9SZZ NM0O KD9AER N9WFT WW9DLM KB9TNZ KD9STL K9QZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

9/11
WD9EB KD9ANU N9WX K9XJT KD9ERS WF9E KB9TNZ KC9IH KD9QQU W9JDP WD9EGV N9GUE KD9SZZ K9RCS KB9OGS N9SJZ W9WGN NM0O KD9PXZ KD9JXR NP2WJ KD9AER KD9NYE KD9VSJ KD9IVV W9WTF KB8ATO N9NDF W8NWG KD9STL KD9RYH KD9MPI WW9DLM KT9TB K9HJZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

9/18
W9WTF WD9EB KD9ANU KC9IH KD9IBC W9JDP N9GUE KD9LIE K9RCS KD9HZZ N9SJZ N9NDF KD9IVV NM0O KD9PXZ W9WGN KB9ATO KD9NYE KD9JXR WW9DLM N9WFT WF9E KD9QQU WD9EGV NP2WJ KB9SF KC9PZQ KD9ERS KD9STL K9CEW KB9OGS KD9AER W8NWG KD9VSJ K9HJZ KD9RYH KD9SZZ KD9TEG K9XJT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

9/25
KD9ANU WF9E W9WTF KC9IH W8NWG K9HJZ N9GUE K9TNT N9NDF KD9JXR KD9AER KD9QQU KD9PXZ KD9VSJ VP2WJ WD9EGV KD9STL N9SJZ KD9IVV W9WGN NM0O KD9RJH W9JDP KB9ATO K9XJT KT9TB KD9ERS KD9MPI WW9DLM KB9TNZ KD9RYH WD9EB KD9ERT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

October Club Events

October 5 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net – 147.075 Repeater

October 6 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

October 8 – 9 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – N9S Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Special Event Station activation. Fulton County Fairgrounds, Lewistown, IL. All are welcome!

October 12 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater

October 13 – 7:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting: Ham Radio Mesh Net, American Legion, Bartonville

October 15 – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

October 18 (TUESDAY) – 7:00 pm – ARES Zoom Meeting – Watch your email for Zoom login information.

October 27-7:00 pm – Superfest Meeting – Zoom

September 2022 BandBits

President’s Report

As we all know, Midwest Superfest is just a short time away! We desperately need your help to pull this off. We have had some setbacks, but I know that we will succeed! We had to change our location due to weather damage at the East Peoria Event Center, so Midwest Superfest 2022 is going to be held at Expo Gardens in Peoria, IL.

Again, I am asking for your help and support. Volunteers are needed from Thursday the 15th through Sunday the 18th. I will be working Security overnight on Friday and Saturday, but I would like to have at least one more person dedicated to this position. We need help with marking the flea market spots on Thursday. We need help at the front gate checking and selling tickets. We will have the logo stickers and magnets for sale at the Club Table and will need someone for that. These are just a few of the positions available. If you (or know anyone who) are willing and able to help in any position… Please contact Deb Suhs at [email protected] ASAP!

I want to thank all of you who have supported the club and Superfest. Without you, we would not exist.

Justin Flick, N9WX President, PAARC

____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes: Membership

7:09 p.m.: meeting begins

Welcome to new member Adam (KD9SBI). Introductions all around.

Deb makes a motion to approve Bandbits, Jim seconds. Unanimous approval.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Savings: 235.32
Checking: 1423.85
Money market: 8395.91
PayPal: 280.37
470 in checks that deb has for Superfest tickets

Dion makes motion to approve, Jim seconds. It’s approved.

SUPERFEST UPDATE FROM DEB (Note that this report was made to the membership prior to the storm damage that forced us to move Superfest):

  • All club members should have 10 tickets to buy or sell.
  • Need to talk to Aaron about what’s going on at the Superfest site…
    will make sure things are ready.
  • Justin says that air conditioning looks to be working because
    condensation is gone from windows. Deb also noticed that the roof has
    been redone.
  • Our contract with Three Sisters Park has been signed. Half of the
    deposit has been sent to them (why our checking account is so flush.)
    $750. Guaranteed price from 2023-2028. Then, the price will be
    renegotiated for the next five years after that. As long as we want
    Three Sisters on the third weekend of September, it’s ours.
  • Will use every building out there except the barn. If we need it, we
    can add it as well.
    Flea market will be in the campground area, which means some spots
    will have guaranteed electric hookups. Will have room to expand, even.
    Chapel will be used for forums. Meeting rooms for testing.
  • 50 amp service by the museum is for big vendor RVs
  • Susan at Three Sisters has been real good to us, with nice breaks:
    Only paying $3,500 for the weekend. And vendors won’t have to rush
    out… they can even leave the next day. She’ll be at this year’s
    event in East Peoria to check out how we have it set up.
  • Deb is getting pictures of Three Sisters in advance so we can have
    flyers available THIS year for next year’s first event out there.
  • Deb has signup sheets on our website… Deb will work with Adam on
    activating. Everything info-wise on Superfest is live and active (flea
    market map, vendor letter, tickets, etc.)
  • We’ll have a simplex frequency for people there, so bring your HTs.
  • Tables will be coming from just Pekin instead of two places. Rich
    has a trailer lined up.
  • We have two food trucks reserved.
  • If anybody is volunteering, they get a bright yellow shirt so people
    know you’re there to help. Send Justin email ASAP with size
    ([email protected])
  • 2019 was 60 years of Superfest at Expo, so at least that old.
    Jobs needed for SuperFest:
  • Talk-on for people who are lost.
  • Ticket sales at the gate.
  • Helping people to flea market spots
  • Making announcements
  • Meet Jim or Todd at Expo to get sound equipment we need

Two weeks from tonight, Superfest meeting is at the Red Cross.

REPEATER UPDATE FROM TOM:

  • Echolink is up and running. It turns out that the router just needed rebooted.
  • Suggests that Scott may want to train again on Echolink for membership.
  • UHF D-STAR repeater is now shut down.
  • We were hoping to move the 075 repeater to a taller tower, but
    prices came in much higher and tower climbers were in short supply…
    so postponing that move for now.
  • So now, Midwest is only charging for antennas in use instead of
    what’s actually on the old tower.
  • Midwest is having another tower climber out for another client, so
    we’re going to try to piggyback to have things checked on our setup
    (we have some remaining issues with noise on the repeater.)
  • 075 is at 180ft and VHF DSTAR is at 160.
  • Next job is getting out to Timber Hollis repeater and getting Fusion
    back up (was an bad internet connection that has allegedly been
    fixed.) Need to get there before the current fire chief is gone.
  • Moving things to the Proctor repeater site is probably dead.
  • 61 is leased to the end of the year.
  • Tower rent is $1,130 for six months for two antennas.

Any old business? No.

ARES from Rich:

  • Has been slow because of no severe weather.
  • Second WinLink set up at the bunker. Good opportunity to practice
    sending from one radio to another.
  • Going through training.
  • Will have a monthly meeting on Wednesday night at the bunker for a
    tour. (Kickapoo)

Jim makes a motion to end meeting, Mark seconds. We
adjourn to Scott’s presentation on satellite work.

Additional item….

  • Rich wants to start planning for a spring balloon launch in honor of
    Fritz. If interested in planning, let him know. Unfortunately, very
    little equipment survived the last few balloon launches. Got a bunch
    of records from Fritz’s wife Susan but can’t even figure out what
    model of balloon we were using. (NWS in Lincoln may know
    manufacturers, though.)

____________________________________________________

SuperFest

By now you know that we have had to move Midwest Superfest 2022 from the East Peoria Event Center to Exposition Gardens in Peoria due to storm damage to the front of the EP Event Center where our indoor vendors would be setting up. As Justin talked about in his President’s Message there are several jobs we need help with. Please keep an eye on the website, we will soon have a Midwest Superfest Jobs page that we are asking everyone to please help with. We will be discussing Midwest Superfest, what still needs to be done before hand and what we have to do during it at the monthly club meeting. If you have any questions before hand, please contact Deb [email protected].

____________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

Sept 7, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater 

Sept 14, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater 

Sept 21, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CST (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes: Infrastructure Activities, PAWS Event on 10/22, Training Documentation, How to reply to Winlink ICS 213 messages, and more.

Please submit your Training Documentation form.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

____________________________________________________

August Net Logs

8/7
WD9EB KD9ANU N9WX NM0O N9GUE KC9IH KD9IBC K9HJZ W9JDP K9HJZ W9JDP N9SJZ KB9ATO K9TNT KD9PXZ KD9JXR W8NWG KD9AER W9WGN KD9ERS K9RCS WD9EGV WF9E KD9RYH N9WFT NP2WJ W9TTX N9NDF KD9HZZ KD9NYE WW9DLM KD9RJH NA9LE KB9TNZ KD9STL KD9SZZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

8/14
KD9ANU K9XJT W9WGN W8NWG WF9E K8HJZ KC9IH N9GUE W9JDP KD9ERS K9RCS KB9ATO N9NDF KD9PXZ KD9VAM NM0O KD9SPI KD9AER K9TNT KD9VLQ KB9TNZ KD9RYH KD9IVV N9WFT KD9JXR KD9STL KD9QQU KB9SF KD9MPI Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

8/21
WD9EB K9XJT N9WX KD9ANU KC9IH W8NWG WD9EGV N9GUE KD9ERS KD9IVV KB9OGS KD9PXZ W9JDP KD9TAE NM0O
W9WGN K9TNT K9RCS KD9AER WW9DLM N9WFT KD9RJH KD9QQU K9UQF WF9E KD9RYH KD9QQT KD9JXR KD9STL KB9TNZ N9NDF KB9ATO KD9TEG KT9TB KD8NYE KB9SF KD9SPI Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

8/28
KC9IH K9HJZ WD9EGV KD9IVC N9GUE W8NWG W9JDP N9WX K9RCS KB9OGS KB9ASO NM0O KD9PXZ K9TNT KD9ERS K9XJT KD9NYE N9NDF K9MOA KD9AER KD9JXR K9TLZ KD9RHY WW9DLM
KD9STL W9NDG Submitted by KD9QQU 73

____________________________________________________

September Club Events

September 1 – 7:00 pm – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

September 7 – 7:00 pm – ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

September 8 – 7:00 pm -Membership Meeting – Bartonville American Legion: Setting up and using EchoLink. Please install EchoLink on your laptop and/or phone before the meeting. Click here for information on how to install EchoLink.

September 15 – 7:00 pm – ARES Meeting

September 17 – 18, 2022  MIDWEST SUPERFEST – NEW LOCATION: EXPO GARDENS, 1601 W Northmoor Rd. Peoria – All (pink) tickets issued for the East Peoria location will be honored. Flea Market, Indoor Vendors, License Testing, Learn about DMR, Satellite Demo, Learn about Winlink, DXCC Card checking and more. –  Purchase Tickets

September 29 – 7:00 pm -Superfest Meeting

August 2022 BandBits

President’s Report

All,

As summer winds down, it means that our club’s main event of the year is just around the corner. Midwest Superfest 2022 is set for Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18th at the East Peoria Event Center, 4200 Washington Road. We look forward to seeing you next month, and hope to sign you up as a volunteer for an hour or two to make this one of the best hamfests in the area.

Volunteers make the difference: Putting on a hamfest is a major undertaking for any organization. Volunteers are the backbone of this event. We appreciate the long hours they put in not only on the weekend of the event, but in the planning and logistics process. They give of their time and purchase their own tickets to insure our success. We can’t thank them enough for their time and effort. To show our appreciation, all Superfest volunteers will get a free tee shirt. Volunteer sign up sheets will be available on line soon, but to make sure you get yours, please send you name and shirt size to me ASAP:  [email protected] 

Likewise, a special thanks to our Board of Directors, also volunteers, who oversee ther club’s operations, from Superfest, to Field Day, to educational and informative meetings, to license examinations and the day to day operations of our repeaters. Volunteers make the difference.

Repeaters: D-Star, Fusion and EchoLink require internet connectivity. We had an issue with our internet over the summer that was recently resolved. We are happy to report that EchoLink and D-Star are fully functional. Full Fusion operation will be coming soon.

Our repeaters are used a lot, and we want to make sure that they stay on the air to provide reliable service to the area. We made a couple of important decisions in order to insure our repeaters are there for you. We had hoped to move our repeaters this summer in order to improve service. To do it properly, we have to use experienced, insured tower climbers. Unfortunately, their availability is limited, and their prices are higher than we anticipated, so the Board decided to postpone this project for the time being. Because we rent tower space for each of our repeater antennas, we evaluated repeater usage and found that of our 2 D-Star repeaters, the UHF repeater had very little use, so we shut it down. This will reduce or total tower rent costs. The VHF D-Star repeater on 145.1050 will remain on the air.

I realize that we have talked about a lot of change here. Sometimes life is about change, and in this case it is positive change that will keep the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club alive and well.

73,

Justin Flick, N9WX

____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes: Board of Directors

In attendance: Justin, Adam, Darren, Rob, Deb, Matt

7:07 p.m. July 7, 2022: meeting begins

Deb makes a motion to approve July Band Bits. Rob seconds. It
unanimously passes.

Darren bought 100 more stickers for the club.

TREASURER REPORT:
Savings: $235.31
Checking: $2,251.11 (had to pay Noize Communications,
equipment/liability insurance $723.38, Field Day $40.23, $12.04
refunded)
Money market: $8,395.27
Paypal: $147.14

SUPERFEST COMMITTEE:

  • Deb picked up tickets last Friday and will invoice to John. Deb will
    bring tickets to the regular membership meeting for July. Adam will
    get Deb an updated copy of our membership list. People who aren’t at
    the meeting will have tickets mailed to them or will meet up with them
    later. Deb is also getting the raffle license signed and notarized.
  • We got the contract from Three Sisters Park and they’d like us to
    pay the full deposit. Deb will ask if we can pay half of it now and
    the other half after SuperFest ($650-700 each time)
  • For this year’s SuperFest, the A/C at our East Peoria location was
    supposed to be fixed this summer. Deb will check on if it actually
    happened.
  • Deb will also follow up on our food truck situation. We should have
    permission, but will get it in writing. Scott was getting two food
    trucks AND a coffee truck reserved.
  • Deb is working on getting our website opened for ticket sales and
    will have it done by the end of the weekend.

REPEATER COMMITTEE:

  • Justin is waiting on a climbing quote for our repeater tower move.
    It’ll probably be around $4,000 for the job.
  • We’re still not able to get Echolink back up because we can’t get
    access to the router that needs a firewall exception.
  • But we’re ready to move our D-Star machine to Proctor once we have
    the tower climb completed.
  • What are we paying Noize Communications for? Not sure! Will try to
    find out and see if that’s our obstacle with getting Echolink working
    again. (Will also see if we need to remove the Noize antenna during
    the tower work as well)
  • Matt picked up a used laptop to get Fusion/Wires-X going at the fire
    station site.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Giant spool of coax was picked up from Neil and is being stored.
  • Will check if we got registration taken care of…

Darren motions to finish, Deb seconds… meeting adjourns at 7:40 p.m.

____________________________________________________

SuperFest

All club members have been mailed their tickets to buy or sell. If you do not receive your tickets by Friday August 5th, email Deb at [email protected] because either we don’t have an address listed for you or we don’t have you listed as paid for this year.

The next Superfest meeting will be on Thursday August 25th at 7:00pm. Location will be posted on our Facebook page.

____________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

A good sized crowd enjoyed this year’s Emergency Expo at Grand Prairie.
– Photo by KD9DBQ

August 3, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
August 10, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
August 17, Monthly Meeting at the Bunker @ 7:00 PM CDT

For those who have never seen the Bunker, here is your chance. This is a cold war era facility now equipped with a variety of public service radios and antennas. Call or email Rich if you need info on how to get to the Bunker. The tour will focus on our gear as-well-as that used for weather spotting, with a shorter than normal presentation.

Please submit your Training Documentation form – bringing to the meeting is an option.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]
Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

July Net Logs

7/3
KD9ERS KD9PXZ K9FIT NM0O KD9JXR N9NDF W9WGN KB9ATO KD9IVV KD9AER N9GUE KB9TNZ KD9STL WW9DLM KD9RYH K9UQF WD9EGV N9GZ N9WFT K9HJZ K9TNT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/10
K9XJT KD9ANU W9JDP KB9ATO K9TNT N9NDF KD9IBC W9WGN KD9AER KD9JXR KD9IVV KD9PXZ AA9MK W9SEB N9WFT WF9E N9GUE K9UQF N9SJZ K9FIT NM0O KB9TNZ KT9TB KD9RYH KD9QQU KD9SZZ W9WTF KD9NYE KD9STL Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/17
KD9ANU K9XJT W9JDP K9RCS W9WGN N9NDF W8NWG KD9JXR N9WFT NM0O W9SEB KD9IBC WW9DLM KD9AER N9GUE K9UQF KD9ERS WF9E K9HJZ KD9RYH KD9PXZ KB9TNZ KD9STL KB9ATO K9TNT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/24
K9XJT KD9ERS W9JDP K9TNT W9TTX NM0O N9NDF KD9IBC KD9IVV W8NWG KD9PXZ K9RCS KD9AER W9WGN N9WFT KD9QQU N9GUE KD9JXR KD9MPI KT9TB K9UQF WD9EB KD9RYH KB9TNZ KB9ATO K9HJZ N0XOH Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

7/31
WD9EB KD9ANU NA9LE W9WTF KD9ERS N9GUE KC9IH KD9IBC N9NDF WF9E KD9JXR K9RCS W9WGN KD9IVV W8NWG KD9PXZ N9WFT KB9ATO K9HJZ KD9AER KD9QQU KD9RYH KD9NYE KB9TNZ K9UQF KD9STL KT9TB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

August Club Events

August 3 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

August 4 – Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom

August 10 – ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

August 11 – Membership Meeting – Satellite Communication using the Arrow antenna – Bartonville American Legion.

August 17 – 7:00 p.m. ARES Meeting at the Bunker

August 20 – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

August 25 – Superfest Meeting

July 2022 BandBits

President’s Report

Even though we got rained out and the gnats were bad, it was still a fun time at Field Day 2022. We had several people from a far away as Ohio stop and say hi. We even received a $20 donation from a non club ham just for thanking us for doing what we do.

Young Toni, K0TYT, Seth’s daughter made several contacts (click on the video link below). She even made one to Puerto Rico! Her mother got to get on the air for the first time in 8 years, she said.

Again, I want to thank those who helped set up and especially those who stuck it out during the rain to tear down.

Sorry to all those who wanted to come out Sunday, but it was just too much work to have to come back and set up again with the little sleep.

73! Justin N9WX

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=812904249589355

____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes: Membership

Justin introduces himself and Scott… other attendees take turns.

Motion to approve Bandbits … Tom first, Mark seconds. Unanimous approval

TREASURER’S REPORT:
$235.30 in savings
$3,072.09 in checking
$8,394.63 in money market
$98.75 in PayPal

Looking to move W9UVI repeater (075) from current location to Supreme
Radio tower in East Peoria. It’ll be at 300 feet in height, with
hopefully a better footprint. The owner of Midwest 2-way doesn’t want
to renew our lease and was going to raise our rent, so this is our
best option.

We’re permanently taking down the UHF D-Star repeater. Neither D-Star
system gets much use. Matt has set up an agreement to place the VHF
D-Star repeater on the top of Proctor Hospital. No tower rent! And
there’s already an antenna and internet access ($25/month).

At the Midwest site, we have intermod issues due to others on the
tower. And our antenna is only at 180 feet. The Proctor site is the
highest point on this side of the river in Peoria, says Tom. We’ve
also been having issues with network firewall problems that prevent
Echolink use.

The cost? $2,520 a year for five years at Supreme. After five years,
we have an option to renew at a 3% rate increase. Supreme Radio was
originally going to charge $3500/year for tower space, but we got that
down quite a bit.

Justin says we’re waiting to sign the contract because we don’t have a
climber available just yet… our first climber dropped out, this
second one is just busy. He was recommended by Craig Thompson – we
can’t just have any climber, as they must be insured and bonded. The
rate for a climber is usually $100/man/hr, but dropped to $85/man/hr
to help us out.

The new tower site is on Cole Hollow Road, near a church. We’ll have
24/7 access to the site, secured by a gate. There’s also a generator
there, although we already have battery backup. Internet access is
already out there.

Other towers we looked at were super expensive. The new site has been
approved by the board and some members, but Justin wanted to bring it
to all membership because of the time crunch: Our current lease is up
July 1 with Midwest. We may need volunteers to help move the repeater
when it’s time. We’ll only have 3 or 4 days notice to Supreme when a
tower climber is finally free.

We’re still okay with Bill, owner of Midwest 2-way… this is just a
financial decision. If we can’t get the repeaters moved, we’ll be able to work
month-to-month with Midwest.

Finally, there’s nothing 100 feet above or below on Supreme tower
that’s anywhere near the frequency range of our needs.

Any old or unfinished business? No.

FIELD DAY 2022:

  • June 25/26 at Bartonville VFW in the back lot that we reserved
  • Justin is bringing a generator and battery.
  • We’re not going to contest seriously, but just out to have fun.
    Bring out your go rig. Bring chairs, drinks, etc.
  • Not just about being on the air, either.. also about getting things
    set up and learning.
  • Justin will be there 11:30ish on the day and will stay there the whole time.
  • Will set up a couple of club stations (including a GOTA station),
    but feel free to bring your own.
  • Don’t need to be licensed to come play
  • 10×20 canopy for shade
  • Will have access to restrooms out back

Scott says that this was going to be his last day as VP of the club.
When he does training, 3 or 4 people show up… just want to know that
people are interested in this stuff. He’s been frustrated with a lack
of interest. If wanting to do/learn something, please do let Scott
know! He’s trying to expand learning beyond voice-only ham activities.

If new to the hobby, we can help get you on the air! We have access to
our radio room at the Red Cross in Peoria and the equipment within.
Scott will meet anyone out at Jubilee State Park to do Parks on the
Air, etc.

There’s a suggestion from someone at the meeting to do a better job
promoting a willingness to train/teach/have fun during the Sunday
night nets. Or even announcing a single topic in advance that we’ll
talk about after the net. The audience is there.

7:45pm: Jim (KD9JDP) motions to end meeting, Jon (NM0O) seconds. All
in favor… the meeting has ended.

____________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

July 6, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
July 12, Emergency Expo from 4-7 pm at the Grand Prairie Shopping Center
July 13, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
July 20, Monthly Meeting On-line @ 7:00 PM CDT (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

Monthly Meeting will include a short update on Infrastructure activities but will focus on Training. Please submit your Training Documentation in advance of the meeting.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Help promote aARES and Amateur Radio at the Emergency Expo. Contact Rich, KD9ANU for more information.

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES
email: [email protected]
Winlink: [email protected]

____________________________________________________

June Net Logs

6/5
K9XJT KD9ANU W9JDP N9SJZ KB9ATO W9WGN W8NWG KD9JXR NK0O KD9IVV KD9AER N9WFT K9RCS KD9ERS K9UQF KD9QQU NA9LE K9HJZ KD9IBC WF9E KD9RYH KD9PXZ WW9DLM N9GUE K9TNT KB9TNZ KD9SZZ KD9STL Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/12
KD9ANU W9WTF W9JDP K9TNT N9NDF NM0O KD9NYE W9WGN KD9AER KD9IBC KD9PXZ N0XOH KD9JXR N9GUE KD9IVV KD9ERS N9WFT K9RCS NP2JW WF9E K9UQF KT9TB KD9HZZ K9QZ N9GZ KC9YTT KB9YVN KD9RYH KD9HZZ KB9ATO WW9DLM K9HJZ KD9STL KB9TNZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/19
K9TNT KD9SZZ W9WTF NM0O KB9ATO KD9NYE N9NDF KD9PXZ W8NWG KD9JXR N9WFT KD9QQU/AG KD9IVV KD9TAE N9GUE KD9MPI W9JDP WF9E K9RCS KB9TNZ K9HJZ KD9RYH NP2WJ K9XJT KD9ERS KD9STL W9SEB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

6/26
N9WX KD9ANU JD9HZZ KD9SZZ K9TNT KB9ATO KD9IVV KD9AER K9RCS KD9PXZ N9WFT KD9IBC KD9VAM N9GUE KD9JXR K9XJT N9NDF NM0O K9HJZ WF9E KC9YTT WW9DLM KB9TNZ KD9QQU KD9STL KT9TB Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

July Club Events

July 6 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

July 7 – Board of Directors – Zoom

July 12 – 4-7 pm: Emergency Expo at the Grand Prairie Shopping Center. Contact Rich, KD9ANU for more information

July 13 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

July 14 – Membership Meeting – details to be announced

July 20 7:00 p,m, ARES Meeting – via Zoom

July 28 – Superfest Meeting

June 2022 BandBits

President’s Report

All,

I think you will all agree that the last couple of years have been challenging. With pandemics, the economy, politics and world events, we have had to deal with uncertainties and change. Some people would say that life is all about change, and change is inevitable.

Our Club has had to deal with change as well. At one time, the W9UVI repeater was located on free tower space. The tower’s ownership changed and we had to move the repeater, resulting in a smaller coverage area and an annual rental fee. This is a challenge, since the 147.075 is one of the most used repeaters in the area.

The PAARC Board is taking positive steps to meet these challenges, among them making dramatic improvements to the 147.075 repeater’s location and coverage. Recognizing that free tower space is a thing of the past, the Board and several members polled have agreed to move the 075 repeater and to relocate and consolidate the D-Star repeaters.

Yes, this is change. In the long run, it will be positive change for the success and future of this club. The repeater will be moved to the Supreme Radio Communications tower in East Peoria. It will nearly double our antenna height to 300 feet (we are currently 180 feet). The move will also help with some internet problems we have had impacting EchoLink and Wires-X. The rent has been locked in for a five year contract which will help our budgeting process.

We currently operate two D-Star repeaters on VHF and UHF. They do not get much use, so we will consolidate and relocate to one repeater.

We will discuss all of this in detail at our upcoming June meeting at the Bartonville American Legion. We hope you attend and that you make your voice heard with your vote. We want to hear from you because this is YOUR CLUB!

Don’t forget Field Day June 25-26 at the Bartonville American Legion. We will post details on the website and Facebook. This month has also been declared “Amateur Radio Month in Illinois” by the Governor.

I hope to see everyone at the next Club Meeting on Thursday, June 9th.

Justin Flick – N9WX President PAARC

____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes: Board of Directors

7:03 p.m. call to order. Deb, Scott, Rob, Justin, Matt, Tom and Adam.

OLD BUSINESS:

Talked at the emergency executive board meeting last week that we need
to get tower climbs going. Craig talked to Supreme and they didn’t get
back; Justin will do as well, along with other places.

BandBits: Tom moves approval, Matt seconds. Motion passes.

TREASURER’S REPORT: The treasurer’s report is not available since John
isn’t in attendance.

REPEATER COMMITTEE: Matt has been sick and hasn’t been out to the
repeater site. May look into getting a second set of keys so Scott or
someone else can help with repeater issues as well.

SUPERFEST: Deb got the contract from Three Sisters for 2023. A few
things need to be discussed with them, but overall very happy with it.
$3500 annually… $1500 non-refundable deposit, with remaining $2000
prior to access. The contract is for five consecutive years through
2027, with an option to renew for another five years at a potentially
new rate. Three Sisters Park retains rights to concessions.

Tickets will go to RapidPrint for printing so we can have tickets by
the end of May.

Tom is still working on the SuperFest logo and details on signs.

NEW BUSINESS:

POTA is this weekend at Starved Rock. Justin is planning to get there
a little later at 6:30 or 7 p.m. Friday due to rain, but Darrin and
Rich will be there a few hours earlier.

7:20 p.m.: Meeting adjourns after Deb motions, everyone seconds.

____________________________________________________

Peoria County ARES

June 1, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater 

June 8, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater 

June 15, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CDT (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes but is not limited to: a presentation on Emergency Communication Readiness.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES

email: [email protected]

Winlink: [email protected]

Cell: 309-256-4272

____________________________________________________

SuperFest

Superfest is fast approaching, we have our forums confirmed and we will soon be distributing tickets for sale. The June Superfest meeting will be held on Thursday June 30th at 7pm. It will be an in person meeting with the location to be announced.

____________________________________________________

May Net Logs

5/1
W8NWG KD9ANU KC9IH K9HJ, K9XJT N9GUE K9TNT KD9SZZ N9NDF KB9ATO NM0O KD9JXR WF9E N9WFT W9JDP N9SJZ KD9XPZ KD9AER K9QZ K9UQF N9SJZ NP2WJ KB9TNZ KD9RYH KD9PXZ W9WGN KD9DBQ Submitted by KD9QQU 73

5/8
KD9ANU KD9AER KD9IVV W8NWG KD9PXZ W9JDP N9WFT KD9JXR K9HJZ N9GUE KD9NYE K9TNT KD9TAE KD9SZZ K9XJT KD9MPI N9GZ WD9EGV KD9ERS AD9DM K9CEW KD9TEG KD9RYH KD9STL KB9TNZ KD9NYI WF9E W9WGN Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/15
KD9ANU N9GUE W8NWG W9JDP W9FYR K9XJT N9NDF KD9IVV W9WGN KD9PXZ KD9JXR KD9IBC W9TTX KD9SZZ KB9ATO N9SJZ KB9ATO N9SJZ N9WFT KD9RYH K9RCS WW9DLM K9HJZ KD9ERS KT9TB KD9NYE NP2WJ KD9STL W9SEB KD9TEG KD9AER K9CEW Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/22
KD9ANU WD9EB W9JDP KD9SZZ NM0O W8NWG KD9PXZ WW9DLM KD9ERS W9WGN KD9JXR KD9AER K9XJT WF9E KD9MPI K9TNT N9GUE NP2WJ KD9STL KD9RYH KB9TNZ K9HJZ KD9IBC Submitted to KD9DBQ 73

5/29
N9WX KD9SZZ N9SJZ W9JDP N9NDF W8NWG KB9ATO WF9E KD9PXZ W9WGN KD9JXR N9GUE K9XJT KD9IVV K9HJZ KD9AER K9UQF KD9QQU K9TNT KD9STL KD9MPI KD9RYH N9CN N9IUA KD9ERS KD9NYE Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

____________________________________________________

June Club Events

June 1 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

June 2 – 7:00 pm: Board of Directors Meeting via Zoom.

June 9 – 7:00 p.m. Club Meeting – Bartonville American Legion – Repeaters.

June 18 – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

June 23 – 7:00 p.m. Superfest Meeting – Location TBA

June 25 – 26: ARRL Field Day – Bartonville American Legion.

May 2022 BandBits

Pink flower clipart may flower pencil and in color pink - Clipartix

President’s Report

April showers bring May Flowers. Let’s hope that we have pleasant weather for our Parks On The Air event that is fast approaching. I know I am excited to actually test my gear past the one-day mark. Again, this is a public event. May 6th through 8th. Check in is at 3pm on Friday and we will be wrapping up by 1pm on Sunday. Bring out your gear and have some fun! If you do not have any gear, there will be a GOTA or Get On The Air station set up. We will be using our own callsigns for the main event and the GOTA will be the Club call. If you want to grill out… There is a grill cover over the fire pit. Please bring all food/drinks/condiments you may want/need. Also, if you want to use charcoal… Bring that as well. There are primitive restrooms near the site.

My personal site is 033. Look for the Club POTA sign. We have a couple of members that have reserved spaces across the path from me and another that is next to me. We are going to be towards the back of the campground so hopefully we will not disrupt anyone. Please, always follow all rules and regulations of the park. I want this to be a magnificent event for everyone, not just us, but the public as well.

In other news: Field Day 2022 is booked at the American Legion in Bartonville! June 25th and 26th from 1200p Saturday to 1p Sunday. We will most likely be in the garaged area and have the back field opem for our antennas. Bathrooms will be open, but we’re unsure about concessions at this time.

As always, be weather aware for the next few months.

Justin Flick, N9WX
President PAARC 2022

____________________________________________________

Meeting Minutes: Board of Directors

Before the meeting…

From Thom Beebe, W9RY, Illinois section manager:

  • will start sending us a new ham report with contact info that we can use to reach out to new possible members
  • confirmed that we’ll host the Illinois division at the 2022 SuperFest and have officially expressed a desire for hosting both Illinois and Central divisions for the 2023 at Three Sisters Park. He’ll get back to us on the Central hosting.

7:15 p.m.: regular meeting portion begins…

We lost the Knights of Columbus testing site, but are now going to have exams in Hopedale at the Winter Field Day site.

Motion to approve April Bandbits… approved unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

  • Deb will meet with John tomorrow to hand off deposits.
  • Deb will email Adam with new members who sent in via snail mail… and Adam will update member roll in Google Drive.
  • $875.15 in PayPal… will move $775 over to checking.
  • CEFCU: $235.28 in savings, $2,683.99 in checking, $8,393.48 in money market
  • Deb makes motion to approve report. John seconds. Motion carries unanimously.
  • Deb asks if we have too much in checking and should move some to savings. Proposes $1000 in checking, $2000 in savings and the rest to money market. No vote taken on this.

Next club meeting is at American Legion in Bartonville. Scott has to join Sons of the American Legion for $40/year to have free use of the facilities during the year. They would also like us to do classes for their members and have testing sessions held there. Justin makes motion to pay Scott’s membership fee of $40. Tom seconds and the membership approves unanimously.

REPEATER COMMITTEE REPORT:

  • Justin will reach out about the third antenna on the tower… will likely have to get it removed ourselves with a climber. (Scott will find out if Civic Center riggers can do the work with proper
    insurance.)
  • Matt reports that they have internet installed for the .85 repeater. He’ll go out and get it set up for Fusion use.

We apparently didn’t send in our not-for-profit paperwork to the Secretary of State’s office last year, so we’ll need to get it reinstated. John asks if we filed our state tax info last year… uncertainty among group if we’ve done that recently. Could be why our corporation was dissolved? Deb will get with John on the letter we received and try to get things squared away.

SUPERFEST REPORT:

  • Deb would like to pay the deposit and sign a contract to make it official where we’ll be for SuperFest in 2022. Thinks deposit is $500? Whole thing at $1450, which is $1000 off from last year due to broken A/C. Motion to do so… approved.
  • Three Sisters is working on our contract for 2023. $2500 was the original spending plan, but haven’t heard if approved yet. They’ll be doing concessions, not us. We’ll be using the chapel for forums. For the museum, we’ll use one room for testing if need be. Campground will
    be for the flea market. The old event manager died of a heart attack, so we have a new one now (his niece.)
  • John suggests a place in Morton that loans out skinny orange cones to help label the different sections for the flea market. Matt says that we have a bunch of the shorter cones. John says that the taller ones are free, but we just need to reserve them… he’ll check and see if any are available that aren’t reserved for Pumpkin Fest.
  • Matt has prize letters ready to go out, so will start on that in the next couple of weeks.
  • Deb will mock up tickets, send out for approval, then give to Rapid Printing for a quote (they beat other options last year by a lot.) John does mention a ticket printing website as an alternative option (raffletickets.com)
  • Trying to figure out where to have the next Super Fest meeting…

Adam mentions that he changed w9uvi.org from HTTP to HTTPS (SSL secure) and did some other behind-the-scenes work to make our website a little faster. Deb mentions wanting to change the website theme, so will plan a time to discuss in the future.

Deb will try to stop by the Red Cross and take the silent key plaque off of a door in the radio room… Fritz and Ron aren’t on there. Will get their names added along with a couple other former members. Will also check on the status of using the building in the future… will table any formal discussion until we have a chance to check out the American Legion facilities. Scott asks for access to the radio room and Justin will make that happen.

Deb asks where we’ll have summer Field Day in two months. If American Legion is available, we’ll book it (motion by John, membership passes.) Beyond our canopy and such, they also have a giant pavilion that could be used on-site.

Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

Meeting Minutes: Membership

4/247:13p meeting begins

Justin makes introductions and everyone attending takes a turn.

Band Bits from last month? Rob motions, Matt seconds. Approved.

On May 3, Matt is meeting Russ at the repeater site; will take a
laptop out to set up WIRES-X.
EchoLink should be working fine on the .075 repeater.

As of April 7, treasury report
$235.28 in savings
$2683.9 in checking
Deb pulled envelopes from our PO BOX, along with several new memberships.
$155/6 years for use of the American Legion
Deb accepts report, Scott seconds. All in favor and it passes.

SuperFest report:
It’s the third weekend in September and has been renamed Midwest
Superfest since it is no longer in Peoria.

Next year will be the first year out at Three Sisters Park.
Deb is meeting tomorrow to hand over a check for $1000 for this year’s
East Peoria site.

She’s still waiting on the contract from Three Sisters for 2023.
This year, the club will host the Illinois ARRL section conference.
Next year, we will do Illinois again AND have asked to host the
Central division.

Matt is working on prizes already.
Scott will do a satellite demonstration at Superfest. And other
members will do sessions as well.

Will host SuperFest meeting at 7pm in two weeks on Zoom. If you have
any ideas for Superfest, let the committee know.

No old business.

New business:
Thinking of having Field Day at American Legion. Just need to check
the date to see if it’s available. There’s a pavilion with garage doors available, bathrooms, and a field out back. John has motion to host it at the Legion, Rob seconds, all approve.

Mother’s Day weekend is Parks on the Air at Starved Rock. Three spots
already booked for camping, maybe more (may be some extra space
available from members). If anybody wants to come for the day, they’re
welcome to join. Details will be on website/social, but Friday 3 pm
until around 3pm on Sunday.

Don’t think alcohol is technically allowed out there… wink wink.

Rich says that if you’re interested in all things emergency, there’s a
big event at Grand Prairie (Emergency Expo) with departments showing off their gear:
July 12 at 4:30pm.

At 7:34pm, Rich moves to adjourn, Jim seconds… the business portion
is over. Scott begins his presentation on OpenSpot.

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Peoria County ARES

May 4, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CST on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
May 11, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CST on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater
May 19, ARES Monthly Meeting @ 7:00 PM CDT – Bartonville American Legion Hall, 4501 S. Airport Road, Bartonville IL, 61607. This is a Thursday, rather than a Wednesday. No Zoom.

If coming from Peoria, continue south through the 4-way stop at Limestone High School. Take the second entrance (near the jet aircraft) for the Legion building, then come inside on the south side of the building.

The monthly meeting agenda is To Be Determined (TBD). Come and find out. I hope to make it interesting and informative.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES

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SuperFest

The May Superfest meeting will be Thursday May 26th, location to be determined. Midwest Superfest 2022 will also be hosting the ARRL Illinois Convention and for our forums we are planning to highlight different contact modes. We have confirmed a satellite demonstration and a WinLink demonstration. We would like to have other modes, like FT8, EchoLink, DMR, RTTY or PSK31. If anyone would like to volunteer to do a presentation on one or more of these modes it would be appreciated, just let Deb ([email protected]) know.

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April Net Logs

4/3
N9WX KD9ANU W9JDP K9QZ KD9IBC K9TNT KD9PXZ N9NDF NM0O KD9JXR KD9NYE KD9SZZ N9GUE W8NWG KD9IVV N9WFT KB9SF KD9ERS W9SEB K9RCS K9CEW KD9STL KD9RYH K9HJZ WF9E K9UQF WW9DLM W9WGN K9XJT WB4GLM W9TTX KB9ATO KD9SPJ KD9QQU N9GZ KT9TB KC9IH Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/10
W9WTF KD9ANU KD9IBC K9RCS K9HJZ W9JDP K9TNT N9SJZ N9NDF KD9PXZ W8NWG KD9SZZ KB9ATO KD9JXR W9TTX N9WFT WW9DLM KD9NYE KD9QQU NM0O KB9SF N9GUE WF9E K9XJT KC9IH K9RYH KD9STL W9SEB N9GZ KD9ERS K9CEW K9QZ KB9TNZ Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/17
W9WTF KD9ANU KC9IH K9HJZ W9JDP W8NWG K9RCS KD9IBC KD9ERS KD9SZZ KD9PXZ KD9NYE KB9ATO NM0O KD9JXR K9XJT W9SEB KD9IVV N9GUE K9TNT WF9E N9NDF WW9DLM KD9AER KD9TEG NP2WJ KD9STL K9CEW KD9RYH Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

4/24
KD9ERS W9JDP KD9IBC KC9IH K9XJT K9HJZ W8NWG N9GUE KD9PXZ N9NDF KD9IVV KD9AER NM0O KD9MPI W9WGN KD9JXR KB9ATO K9QJ N9WFT K9RCS KD9QQU N9SJZ KD9TEG K9UQF WF9E KD9NYE KD9SZZ W9SEB K9TNT Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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May Club Events

May 4 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

May 5 – 7:00 pm: Board of Directors Meeting via Zoom.

May 6-8 – Parks On The Air (POTA) camping trip/activation: Starved Rock State Park. Contact Justin, N9WX (site 33) for details.

May 11 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

May 12 – 7:00 p.m. Club Meeting – CANCELLED

May 19 – THURSDAY: ARES Meeting.  This will be live, in-person, at the Bartonville American Legion, 4501 S. Airport Road, Bartonville IL, 61607

May 26 – 7:00 pm: Superfest Meeting – location TBA