January 2024, 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 January go out to Keith Samrow KF5VLX, Larry Rogers WD5HLE, Peter Liuzza WB5ERM
If we missed your birthday, then please let us know.

SELARC Meeting Minutes

(Meeting Type: In-Person)

(Middendorf’s Manchac, LA)

December 13th, 2023

Call to order: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) at 6:00 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 Tyrone Burns (N5XES)
• 2nd motion by Ernie Bush (N5NIB)
• All Approved

Members present: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD), Mike Jackson (KI5GGP), William Harris (KF5YBY), Mark Lacey (WX5RN), Terry Williams (N5TDW), Ernie Bush (N5NIB), Tyrone Burns (N5XES), Bob Spahn (WD5BJW), Ryan Dellucky (KI5NMJ), Mary Melancon (KG5ITF), Dean Melancon (KG5AAE), David Muller (W5NPV), Louis White (KG5EFO), David Catania (N5QOX), Timothy Lynch Jr. (AG5XK), Timothy Lynch III (KJ5BRD), Ryan Plyler (KI5FMA), Louis Skoglund (KI5FMA), Joseph St Amant (N4TSU), Robert Jaeger (KI5TYD)

Guest present: Kaitlyn Dellucky, Videt Catania, Deborah Young, Melanie Spahn (WD5MEL),

Treasurers’ report: Mike Jackson (KI5GGP)

• 1st motion to accept the treasurer's Tyrone Burns (N5XES)
• 2nd motion by Louis White (KG5EFQ)
• All Approved

Bills / Correspondence:

• Ernie Bush (N5NIB) purchased the wristbands for the hamfest.

New member applications / renewals: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• None
• 1st motion to accept by Name (Callsign)
• 2nd motion to accept by Name (Callsign)
• All Approved.

Health and Welfare:

• (SK) William “Bill” Freeland K5HIZ from Covington, LA
  • He passed away in October from a fall in the house.
• (SK) Joseph Crocker “Slow Motion Joe” (KB0GLN)

ARES report: Pat Mason (KE5KMN)

• Average check-ins have been running around 20.

Hamfest Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES)

• Ponchatoula Community Center
  • Confirmed
• Confirmed Vendors
  • The SignMan on 7/10
  • Connector Guy - Richard East N5IAW
• Prizes (Other)
  • Flex Radio
    • Some “SWAG” for door prizes. (T-Shirts, Caps, Decals, and Flyers)
  • Wireman
    • Provided some gift certificates.
• Prizes (Main)
  • 1st ICOM IC-7300
  • 2nd RigExpert AA-650
  • 3rd Yaesu FT-70DR
  • 4th Yaesu FT-65R
• Tickets
  • Time to sell tickets.
• Wrist Bands
  • Ernie Bush (N5NIB) purchased wristbands for the hamfest.
• Food Vendor
  • Boss Hog is confirmed. Same as last year. Tyrone to see if he will make 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.
  • Future 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.
    • 110 power wall sockets 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.
  • Future Steps
    • Power distribution in the cabinet.

Packet:

• HMU (Hammond, LA, North Oaks Hospital)
  • Operational
• PCC (Ponchatoula Community Center)
  • Operational
• NEW: W5TEO is back online in Hammond
  • W5TEO-2 = Mail
  • W5TEO-8 = NODE
  • DOTD = Digi Alias

Old Business:

• Ernie Bush (N5NIB), Michael Jackson (KI5GGP), and Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) started the remodel on the club's radio station. Looking to have 2 separate stations so that the radios are more accessible and allow for mentoring of new members or operations.

Field Day: Mark Lacey (WX5RN)

• Winter Field Day The weekend after the Hamfest.
• June 22nd is the next Field Day.

Training

• QRP- George Carr (KB5ILL) January
• EMP Protection / Dave with OZONE on LRS (Lightning Rig Saver) Russ WI5ARD to contact Dave.

New Business:

• Congratulations on the new licenses and/or upgrades from the VE Session of the Florida Parishes VE Group.
  • Technician
    • Nancy J. Adams - Covington, La. <[email protected]>
    • Paul P. Corban - Covington, La. - <[email protected]>
  • General
    • Chris Obel / KE5GGF - Hammond, La. <[email protected]>
  • Extra
    • N/A

• January Meet & Greet (5 PM to 7 PM)
  • Roux and Brew
• 135 SW Railroad Ave, Ponchatoula, LA 70454
• January Meeting (8 PM to 9 PM)

○ Ponchatoula Community Center

■ 300 N 5th St., Ponchatoula, LA 70454

Upcoming events / Hamfest / Cancellations:

• SELARC Hamfest
  • Date: January 20th, 2024
  • We are still in need of volunteers. Please email Tyrone Burns (N5XES).

General discussion, presentation, or training:

Motion to adjourn:

• 1st motion to adjourn meeting by Dean Melancon (KG5AAE)
• 2nd motion by Terry Williams (N5TDW)
• All Approved.