February 2026, Monthly Newsletter Archive

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 February go out to David Catania N5QOX
If we missed your birthday, then please let us know.

SELARC Meeting Minutes

(Meeting Type: In-Person)

(Ponchatoula Community Center)

January 13th, 2026

Call to order: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) at 7:04pm

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 (N5XES)
• 2nd motion by Ed (KE5GMN)
• All Approved

Members present: Nathan (KF5HXB), Ed (KE5GMN), Pat (KE5KMM), Russ (WI5ARD), Mark (KJ5DKD), Mark (KG5HIT), Joe (KC7MKQ), Sumana (KI5WNV), Dave (KF5UUP), Jerry (W5TE), Ronnie (N5RYA), David (K4BHY), Ryan (KI5NMJ), Bob (WD5BJW), Don (KD5REW), Keith (KF5VLX), Aaron (N5OMM), Nick (N5MUN), Tyrone (N5XES), Joel (NO5FD), Kurvy (KJ5HLO)

Guest present: Rosy, Kirby, Karin

Treasurers’ report: Mike Jackson (KI5GGP)

• 1st motion to accept the treasurer's Tyrone (N5XES)
• 2nd motion by Nick (N5MUN)
• All Approved

Bills / Correspondence:

• N/A

New member applications / renewals: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• 1st motion to accept by Name (Callsign)
• 2nd motion to accept by Name (Callsign)
• All Approved.

Health and Welfare NEW:

• Ralph Shaw is back home from the hospital and doing better

ARES report: Pat Mason (KE5KMM)

• 87 Check-in’s

Hamfest Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES)

• Chatt Radio will be at 2026 Hamfest.
• Working on getting vendors to come. Put the word out to any vendors.
• All the prizes are in with the raffle tickets.
• With Chatt Radio coming we will be open Friday also from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. We definitely need to support vendors that come to our Hamfest.
• Please reach out to Tyrone (N5XES) if you can help during Hamfest on Friday and/or Saturday.
• W1AW/5 Special Event Station for the week.
• Houston sent out message ⅙ for volunteers.
• Food
• Drinks (Cans, Bottles (NO GLASS), and Ice Chest)
• Food (Ryan talking to his folks)

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

• Tickfaw
• Waiting to see when the grounding is down at the tower.
• Future Steps
• The Crescend Amplifier is in and ready to be installed.
• Power distribution in the cabinet.
• Cables came in for the amplifier.
• Tyrone handed out a function sheet on command on the 147.000 repeater.
• We need to check the A/C at Tickfaw.

• Hammond
• Waiting on Pete to complete the work on the 6-meter repeater.
• Future Steps
• Installed new Kenwood repeater donated by Pete Liuzza (WB5ERM). Output power set to 15 watts.
• Duplexer needs to be tuned. Noticing more loss than desired.
• Power distribution in the cabinet.
• Cables came in for the amplifier.
• New Tower
• A tower site has been offered to SELARC at a very reasonable price. With any luck we can go take a look at the site early next week to see what type of condition it is in.

Packet:

• HMU (Hammond, LA, North Oaks Hospital)
• Operational
• PCC (Ponchatoula Community Center)
• Operational
• W5TEO (Hammond)
• Operational

Old Business:

• None

Field Day: Ryan Dellucky (KI5NMJ)

• Saturday, June 27, 2026, through Sunday, June 28, 2026.
• Where do we want to hold it?

Training – Who is next

• Needing some new topics and presenters. If interested, please reach out to Russ (WI5ARD) to be added to the agenda.

New Business:

• Congratulations on the new licenses and/or upgrades from the VE Session of the Florida Parishes VE Group.
• Technician
• N/A
• General
• N/A
• Extra
• N/A

Swap Shop

Next Meeting (Christmas Meeting)

• February Meet & Greet & Meeting (5 PM to 7 PM)
• La Carretas
• 122 SW Central Ave., Amite, LA 70422
• February Meeting
• Amite EOC
• 114 N Laurel St., Amite, LA 70422

Upcoming events / Hamfest / Cancellations:

• Hammond Hamfest
• Chatt Radio will be at our Hamfest. Need volunteers for Friday as well as Saturday.
• 1st - Yaesu FT-710 Field
• 2nd OpenSPOT4 Pro
• AnyTone 878 UVII Plus DMR Radio
• FT-70DR
• New Table Reservation(s)
• ???
• Jackson, MS Capital City Hamfest
• January 30-31, 2026

General discussion, presentation, or training:

• Ryan (KI5NMJ) Fox hunt into?

Motion to adjourn:

• 1st motion to adjourn meeting by Tyrone (N5XES)
• 2nd motion by Ed (KE5GMN)
• All Approved. All