November 2023, Monthly Newsletter

Florida Parishes VE Group - Testing sessions are scheduled for the last Sunday of each month [with the exception of holiday conflicts] at AmVets Post #68; 26890 Hwy 42 (jct. of Hwys 42 and 43) - Springfield, La. 70462 (approximately 3 miles south of I-12 at exit 32) at 2pm with $15 testing fee. Bring photo ID and any appropriate CSCE. For more information contact [email protected] or Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area.

Birthday Wishes for November go out to Kathryn Martin N4USW
If we missed your birthday, then please let us know.

SELARC Meeting Minutes

(Meeting Type: In-Person)

(Ponchatoula Community Center)

October 10th, 2023

Call to order: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) at 7:00 pm

Pledge of Allegiance: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

Introductions: Done

Minutes of previous meetings: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• 1st motion to accept meeting minutes as posted by Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
• 2nd motion by Ralph Shaw (K5CAV)
• All Approved

Members present: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD), Mike Jackson (KI5GGP), William Harris (KF5YBY), Ralph Shaw (K5CAV), Robert Jaeger (KI5TYD), Mark Lacey (WX5RN), Terry Williams (N5TDW), Ernie Bush (N5NIB), Tyrone Burns (N5XES), Bob Spahn (WD5BJW), Sumana Disimone (KI5WNV), Ricky Cutrer (KF5TQT), Dean Melancon (KG5AAE), Larry Lima (KI5JVY), Joel Colman (NO5FD), George Carr (KB5ILL), Jerry Burg (W5TE)

Guest present: Rung W. Lima

Treasurers’ report: Mike Jackson (KI5GGP)

• The Checking and Savings accounts have been moved over to Hancock Whitney.
• 1st motion to accept the treasurer's Mark Lacey (WX5RN)
• 2nd motion by Ralph Shaw (K5CAV)
• All Approved

Bills / Correspondence:

• $2237.20 - Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)
  • Hamfest Expenses
  • 1st - 4th Prizes
  • Raffle Tickets
  • 3 Tables at the OZONE Hamfest
• $900.00 - Crown Castle Tower
  • Tower REnt
  • Pete is going to reach out to his contact at Crown to get permission / specifics on grounding that may be applied to the tower.
• $2000.00 - Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)
  • Reimbursement of the Estate of Mark Luckinovich (KW1O)

New member applications / renewals: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• Ken Nieto (KF5UHM)
• George Carr (KB5ILL)
• 1st motion to accept by Terry Williams (N5TDW)
• 2nd motion to accept by Dean Melancon (KG5AAE)
• All Approved.

Health and Welfare:

• Bill KB5OBW is still struggling to talk with his jaw.

ARES report: Pat Mason (WI5ARD)

• Average is 21
• Highest is 27
• Lowest is 14
• Monday night football playing with folks.

Hamfest Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES)

• Ponchatoula Community Center
  • Confirmed
• Confirmed Vendors
  • The SignMan on 7/10
  • Connector Guy - Richard East N5IAW
• Prizes
  • $3K approved in June towards prizes.
  • Need to look into ICOM discounts - None Given
  • Flex Radio
    • Some “SWAG” for door prizes. (T-Shirts, Caps, Decals, and Flyers)
  • Wireman
    • Sent some gift certificates
• Prizes
  • 1st ICOM IC-7300
  • 2nd RigExpert AA-650
  • 3rd Yaesu FT-70DR
  • 4th Yaesu FT-65R
• Tickets
  • 3000 tickets were ordered last year.
• Food Vendor
  • Boss Hog is confirmed. Same as last year. Tyrone to see if he will do coffee?
• Member Volunteers
  • Ticket Sales
  • Security
  • Kids 12 and under are free.

Repeater Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES) & Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• Tickfaw
  • Waiting to see when the grounding is down at the tower.
  • Next Steps
    • Insulation is on location and needs to be installed on the ceiling.
    • Wall outlets have exposed wiring and burnt plugs that need to be corrected.
    • Power distribution in the cabinet.
    • End of July for 110 power within the building.
  • Thanks to Terry N5TDW just prior to OZONE Hamfest he swung by the Tickfaw site and picked up the Commander Technologies Repeater antenna and brought it to the club house in Ponchatoula.

• Hammond
  • Tyrone programmed the 6 meter repeater of Pete’s. Waiting to see when to install. Still a question on the repeater controller needed.
  • Next Steps
    • Power distribution in the cabinet.

Packet:

• HMU (Hammond, LA, North Oaks Hospital)
  • Existing ICOM radio TX was off by 5Hz. KPC3+ lost its mind and was reconfigured.
• PCC (Ponchatoula Community Center)
  • Was used at North Oaks for a bit until configuration was completed on the HMU TNC. Once HMU was installed back at the hospital the PCC TNC got updates to its configuration to match HMU.
• Spare Alinco DR-135 donated to SELARC by Matt Anderson (KD5KNZ) for our packet stuff.

Old Business:

• N/A

Field Day: Mark Lacey (WX5RN)

• June 22nd is the next Field Day.

Training

• Packet Demo (Terry/Russ) November
• December: Christmas Party
• EMP Protection / Dave with OZONE on LRS (Lightning Rig Saver) Russ WI5ARD to contact Dave.

New Business:

• Christmas Party (Middendorph’s on Wednesday 13th, 2023)
  • Middendorph’s Manchac (Closed Monday / Tuesdays) Wednesday Wins Out…
    • 30160 US-51, Akers, LA 70421
    • (985) 386-6666

• Congratulations to the new upgrade from the VE Session of the Florida Parishes VE Group.
  • Technician
    • James T. Raborn - Livingston, La. <[email protected]>
  • General
    • Hyson M. LeBlanc / KI5ZXF - Ponchatoula, La. <[email protected]>
  • Extra
    • Brian A. Salcedo / K5NWO - Ridgeland, Ms. <[email protected]>

• November Meet & Greet (5 PM to 7 PM)
  • Bar-B-Que Station #3
    • 18539 LA-22, Suite M, Ponchatoula, LA
    • (985) 328-7427
      • November Meeting (7 PM to 8:30)
        • Ponchatoula Community Center
          • 300 N 5th St., Ponchatoula, LA 70454

Upcoming events / Hamfest / Cancellations:

• OZONE (Slidell, LA)
  • Who all went?
• SELARC Hamfest
  • Date: January 20th, 2024

General discussion, presentation, or training:

• N/A

Motion to adjourn:

• 1st motion to adjourn meeting by Ralph Shaw (K5CAV)
• 2nd motion by Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
• All Approved.