Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                         Monday June 7, 2010                             Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, WI  53511

President Carl W9BJ called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. He had everyone introduce themselves and tell what special DX they everworked.    Cuba and PSK 31 were mentioned.  W9PN Doug had a lot of P5’s.

Minutes by Carl W9BJ: were read and approved for the May meeting.

Treasurer Report by Doug W9PN was read and approved.  We are in good shape to pay the expenses of Field Day.

Dave N9GQ talked about June 19, MDA Tub Run.   He wants hams to be in communication with our own net control providing the coming and goings of the parade. When notified, we will inform the Road Guards when the main body of motorcycles is coming.   Then the Road Guards will close the intersections to traffic.   Not all intersections have police and communications at them.   We will be using the Janesville repeater 145.450 MHz.   Instruction sheets along with maps were passed out at the meeting.   Intersection assignment will be e-mailed by Dave N9GQ.

Program:   Carl W9BJ showed pictures of Greg's K9GJN, tilt over base for his tower on the overhead.   Greg and Doug, W9PN have the same tower and setups.   N9GQ, Dave talked about the Dayton Hamvention.    Five club members went.   Kits and handout were passed around.   Several books CQ, Electric Radio, HF digital and others were passed around.

Larry Reimer of Janesville gave the club an IC-701 HF Transceiver Ham Radio to be used by a club member who might not have a HF radio.  The transceiver was cleaned, lubricated, and electrically adjusted by W9BJ.   The transceiver and matching power supply was taken home by Al, KC9QQO.

Field Day is always the last full weekend in June.  The event is June 26 and 27, 2010.   People in charge are Greg K9GJN, Al KC9QQO, and Kevin KC9PZI.   Rich, K9RJF, and Jim KA9VHG are in charge of the dinner on Saturday night.  The details are "a work in progress."  The site is the Janesville Fire Department Training Center on the north edge of Janesville.

Number attending were 16.

Beloit Amateur Radio Club web page is www.rockhamradio.com

Our next club meeting is Monday, September 13, 2010.  We have a summer recess until then.  Happy Communicating!

Recording Secretary:   Conrad W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                         Monday, May 3, 2010                             Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, WI  53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  Self introductions were given; and the question of the evening was, "Have you been doing any antenna work this Spring?"  Eleven members were in attendance.

Minutes of the April club meeting were read, corrected, and approved.  The treasury hasn't changed since the April meeting, so no specific report was given.

Field Day 2010  Greg Niles, K9GJN, Al Homan, KC9QQO, and Keven Christ, KC9PZI, lead the discussion of Field Day preparations.  A number of early tasks have been completed.  The site will be the Janesville Fire DepartmentTraining Center. An emphasis this year will be to increase our point count.  Of course, we will be making many radio contacts on the air but a strong effort to earn points by utilizing area media for publicity, etc., will be attempted.  The electrical generator for all stations will be ready. 

Greg, K9GJN, discussed his project on constructing a steel tilt-over mechanism for his tower arrangement.  Photos were shown.  (See project photos on this web site.)

Bob, K9RIJ, shared some challenges that have been experienced in working with the two-meter repeaters.  Also, the 440 MHz repeated will be linked to a larger network of repeaters.

Dave, N9GQ, discussed the receiving of a donation to the club of an Icom 701 HF Transceiver (1970's) and its matching power supply and speaker. 

The unit was from Larry Reimer of Janesville.  It was decided to recondition the unit and use it to loan to new hams in the club that need HF capabilities.

Dave, N9GQ, discussed the Saturday, June 19 "Tub Run" motocycle activity.  We would like 15 to 20 ham volunteers to help with communications during the afternoon ride around Rock county.  Net control activity and mobile units are planned for 2-meter FM.   More detail at the June 7th meeting.

A general discussion on a variety of topics concluded the meeting.

Our next club meeting will be Monday, June 7th.                                                                                 Acting Recording Secretary, Carl F. Cramer, W9BJ

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                         Monday, April 5, 2010                         Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, Wi  53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  The question of the evening was, "Have you ever had the opportunity to be a coordinator for Field Day?".    Five members had that experience of the sixteen attendees.

Minutes of the March club meeting, provided by Secretary Conrad Herald, W9DL, were read by Carl, W9BJ, and approved.

Treasurer, Doug Speer, W9PN, gave the financial report with a excellent balance in the checking account.  This gives us a good working fund for use

at the June Field Day activity.  The total funds are more than usual due to the club incorporation last year.  This lowered our yearly expenses.

Doug Speer, W9PN, led a discussion on organizing for the June Field Day.  Using the survery of members "likes and dislikes" on Field Day, it was decided to request the same location as the last two years; this is the Janesville Fire training Center.  Co-Chairmen for this years Field Day activity are Greg Niles, K9GJN, and Al Homan, KC9QQO.  A notebook of last years organizing activities was passed on to the new chairmen.  Field Day is a time

that everyone can contribute in one way or another.  Let's get behind Greg and Al by volunteering to help out as we can.

Dave Wendt, N9GQ, led a discussion of the PSK-31 club kit project.  Three completed units were shown and passed around.  Greg, K9GJN was prepared to demonstrate on-the-air operation using his commercial PSK-31 station.  But due to the rain, plans to install an outside antenna for the demonstration were cancelled.

A couple of short movie clips of amateur radio topics were shown.

Our next club meeting will be Monday, May 5 th.                                                                               Acting Recording Secretary, Carl F. Cramer, W9BJ 

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                          Monday, March 1, 2010                          Main Fire Station 1111 Church St. Beloit WI. 53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.   A motion was made to table the minutes and the treasures report and proceed to the program.   The motion carried.
Two things were mentioned:   Field Day is coming soon and Doug, W9PN, discussed our survey for 2010 Field Day; and a package deal of a tower, rotor and antenna will be posted on the club WEB page soon.

Greg, K9GJN, introduced Don Norwood, K9DN, to present his program on Enhanced SSB (eSSB).  Don’s ham station is one of those eSSB stations. This is Don’s K9DN program on eSSB:

*“Extended” vs “Enhanced”   (Enhanced is Hi-Fi, but not necessarily audio frequency extended.)

*Standard SSB Characteristics     *Narrow Tx bandwidth: approx. 2K-2.9 kHz      *Narrow audio response: approx. 200-2900 Hertz, or less

*Enhanded SSB Characteristics     *Wide Tx bandwidth: 3K-6 kHz     *Wide audio frequency response: 50-4000+ Hertz    *Smooth audio response curve

      *Low IMD, harmonic distortion, hum, etc.

*Signal” Processing” and Shaping     *Basic EQ (audio frequency equalization)      *Downward expansion (noise gating)     *Compression and limiting

      *Parametric EQ     *Dynamic EQ

*Hardware Requirements     *Rig with Rx and Tx bandwidth     *Wide frequency range microphone-condenser/dynamic     *Mixer to feed ACC Input jack

      *RFI issues      *Good cabling-balanced audio with XLR connections      *Good grounding, toroids, isolation transformer (avoiding ground loops)
*Simple Processing     *W2IHY boxes: 8-Band EQ and EQ plus

*Complex Processing-DSP     *The Behringer DEQ 2496 Ultra-Curve Pro audio processor (31 bands of equalization, etc.)

*A spectrum analyzer is a great tool to improve you signal.   Don uses the Spectra-Plus program.  (Computer software, expensive $400+)
*A separate SSB receiver is best used to monitor your own signal.  The built-in monitor circuits of some transceiver are not accurate in their response.

*Some good Web sites     *www.nu9n.com/essb.html     *www.essb.us     *www.k6jrf.com (for Yaesu FT-2000, which Don uses.)

Don, K9DN, was flattered when he received a phone call from Dave, N9JDQ, about his quality eSSB signal.   K9GJN, Greg ,invited him to speak at the club meeting.   He wanted to thank them.

To hear eSSB signals, listen on 14.178 MHz at 5 PM. You could hear Don ,K9DN, and KA7GKN, Marty, along with others.  Then there was a question and answer session.

We had 18 sign the attendance sheet.  The question was:  Do you read club minutes on the WEB before the meeting? The answer was 9 Yes and 8 No.

Our website is:  www.Rockhamradio.com

On Saturday, March 6 th , Dave, N9GQ, will have the PSK31 Warbler kit-group meet at the Red Cross Building in Janesville to build their kits.

Next meeting will be April 5 th .

Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club                                       Monday, February 1, 2010                Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, WI 53511

President Carl Cramer W9BJ called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.  When introducing yourself please talk about what you are up to in ham radio. Comments were:  two meter antenna problem solving, using PSK31, using Olivea, building a interface using old computer parts, receiving special QSL card, when using the Yaesu TS-950 how the new menu driver radio works and performs compared his other radio, two meter mobile radio is picking

up a noise, and new antennas to be put up in the spring.   Everyone had something to say including trying to solve the problems.

Minutes for January 4, 2010 meeting by Conrad W9DL were approved as read.

Treasurer Reports for December and January by Doug W9PN were read and approved.  It was decided that Carl Cramer would get his signature on the club checking account at Blackhawk Bank.  This is in addition to the club Treasurer, Doug Speer.  Two signatures on the account is a recommended procedure for all groups.

ARES/Races, Dave N9GQ: We will have a meeting the 4 th Monday of February at 7:30 p.m at the Red Cross building in Janesville. If you would like to support our ARES repeaters on 2 meters and 440 in Janesville and Clinton, (Rock County Repeater Association) a donation of $20 a year is requested. The antenna on the big tower west of Janesville was lost in the recent snowstorm.

Kit Project, Dave N9GQ and Doug W9PN: Participating members will be doing the Warbler PSK 31 Transceiver for 80 meters. This could be a Saturday project. The club will place the order for the kits to receive the best price. This will be a new mode of operating for many.

Program, Carl W9BJ: Carl led a discussion on voice modulation for amateurs.  He stressed the audio bandpass that is transmitted and received.  Most amateur equipment severely limits the frequency response of the audio information.  This is helpful for DX operations but unnatural and annoying for other contacts.  Carl talked about YouTube and ham radio. He showed programs on audio filtering and PSK 31.  Using your computer with YouTube you will be able to see several hundred subjects and programs about ham radio. You just need to pick the subject.

Several items and books were passed around including a 1969 Allied Radio catalog and a Shure 1965 microphone manual. The "freebees" were several transistor books, an electrical code book, and tube sockets.

There were 15 in attendance and the question was: "What would be an interesting programs in the coming months." Several had no preference, Noise problem solving in mobiles, direction finding, antennas (small loop) and correct way of putting up a tower and what is needed.

Next meeting will be March 1 st . The program will be on good audio quality for Extended SSB. Our guest speaker will be Don Norwood, K9DN. Bring a guest.

Recording Secretary Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                                   Monday, January 4, 2010          Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Carl Cramer W9BJ called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. He asked everyone to introduce themselves and what they were up to in regard

to ham radio. Comments were working on a PSK 31 kit, assembling parts to build an amplifier; several have antenna problems with his G5RV and quad, working QRP on CW with an old Heath kit, looking for an antenna tuner and an audio tuner.

Minutes Report: Conrad W9DL read the minutes of December 7, 2009.   They were approved as read.

Treasurer Report: Doug W9PN was out of town on company business.

ARES/RACES: Dave N9GQ no meeting is planned for January 2010.  Rock County Repeater Association membership dues for 2010 are due to Dave.

Kit Building Club Project by Dave N9GQ:   He proposed four kits that have been posted on our WEB page and talked about at several meetings. The names are Sudden Storm Receiver, VXR-1 Receiver, PSK Warbler transceiver and Scout Regen Receiver.   Several were interested in doing more than one project.  A sign-up sheet was passed around on a kit preference.   This could be a Saturday building project.   Ed KC9GTB has built a PSK31 kit.  He showed and talked about his project.

Beloit Repeater was discussed. The club wants to reactivate and maintain the Two Meter repeater on the hospital as part of the Beloit Amateur Radio Club.   Greg K9GJN will pursue this with the owner.

Club is looking at a club call sign.   Maybe a 1x1 call sign for special events.  Many years ago the club’s call sign was WB9AMF.

Club dues were collected.

January 4, 2010 attendance sheet was 17 . The question on the sign-in sheet was:  Do you have any stuff you would like to pass on or pawn off to club members at a club meeting?  Several said yes. Conrad W9DL will schedule the distribution of the stuff with the member.

The next meeting is February 1, 2010.   Voice modulation techniques will be featured.   Members can present for 5 or 10 minutes on the topic.
Greg K9GJN will inviting a guest to attend and speak on "Enhanced Audio SSB" 

Recording Secretary, Conrad W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club meeting                               December 7, 2009                              Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit WI 53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.    He asked everyone to introduce themselves and comment on what type of contest they work for amateur radio.  Many were Wisconsin QSO party with one working 23 states in 3 hours. ARRL Sweepstake November SSB and others.

Secretary Report by Conrad W9DL for October and November was read and approved
No Treasurer report was given due to the absence of our treasurer.  Dues for club membership for the 2010 calendar year were collected. We will also collect dues at the January 2010 club meeting.

We had 13 presidents at the meeting.   The sign-in sheet asked if you have ever worked any of the new bands?

Most all worked 17 meters, five worked 30 meters and one worked 60 meters.

UHF/VHF, N9JDQ Dave said the BARC 2 meter net on 146.715 on Wednesday night checkins are picking up.

Dave N9GQ talked about an individual building project we could do. He passed out a sheet showing 4 kits that can be built. This could be a Saturday project, possibly at the Red Cross Building. These kits are posted on our WEB page.

Program:  Carl, W9BJ, showed a 30-minute video he made of ham activities.  It included the BARC participants of the ARRL 2007 Field Day. The comments were the operators were using 300 and 450-ohm open wire feed line and a lot of PSK31.   Most of us just assume we used normal phone and CW.

We were asked to bring a gift to exchange, not wrapped, and not to exceed $5.  Not sure what it was called, but someone said it was a "goodie-box" night.  Then if you saw something you liked you could take it.  One guy brought five hammers and a crow bar.  Other goodies were a SWR bridge, printer and other stuff.

To get to the Beloit Amateur Radio Club web page, type this: Rockhamradio.com

The next club meeting will be Monday, January 4, 2010

Recording Secretary,  Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                         Monday, November 2, 2009.                       Main Fire Station 1111 Church St.,  Beloit WI 53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.     He asked everyone to introduce themselves and comment on how many ham clubs you have belonged too.    W9PN Doug 6, K9IMN Ted 8 or 10, W9BJ Carl 4, W9MEH Paul 3, many others said two.   W9AFW Ivan said only one because he and Dan, WA9EZT, started this club.    Carl read part of a letter from Beloit Fire Chief, Bradley Liggett, giving permission to meet at the Central Fire Station.   Carl asked if anyone objected to postponing the minutes to get to the program for the evening.

Program:   Ted Gisske, K9IMM, presented a slide show about the trip he and about 6 others made to Swan Island.    It was called an Islands on the Air (IOTA) DXpedition to Swan Island, Honduras.  (Swan Island is in the Caribbean Sea.)  Ted described the trip with getting the program going from assembling the gear, loading four pickup trucks full (like going out to field day with no going back home to get what you forgot). His slide show showed loading and unloading of the contents, and what they endured to do this DXpedition.  Before they could get their transportation going to the Island, they had to repair the electrical system that steers the ship.  The boat was a confiscated drug runner named FREEDOM.  It was about 85 feet long.  The 30-hour trip only seemed bad because they had no seating and had to lie on deck.  When they arrived at the Island they had two small puddle jumpers to transport the gear to shore.  No nice long shore man dock to pull up to.   It was like, stop where the big rock is on land, pull the gear up at least 6 foot (including the four generators) and go from there.   They made some 8000 QSO on cw and phone.   The event cost about $4000; which they paid out of pocket.   Ted, K9IMM, said this was his 6th DX trip. They had no electrical power on the Island.   Swan Island is about one mile long and 3/10 mile wide.   The web page has been taken down for this event.

The next meet will be Monday, December 7 th .

Recording Secretary, W9DL, Conrad

The following 20 hams were in attendances:

W9BJ Carl, Janesville.  K9DVB Dave, Beloit.  N9JDQ Dave, Janesville.  N9HMB Rollie, Janesville.  W9MEH Paul, Janesville.  John Schicles, Beloit. W9AFW Ivan, Beloit.  K9IMM Ted, Daleyville.  KA9SFT Dave, Beloit.  K9GJN Greg, Janesville.

KC9OAH Rich, Janesville.  W9DL Conrad, Clinton.  KC9GTB Ed, Milton.  W9PN Doug, Janesville.  N9BUL Tom, Beloit.  KC9QQO Al, Janesville.   KC9PZI Kevin, Janesville.  N9GQ Dave, Janesville.  KC9LGS Bob, Whitewater.  KC9LCR Dan, Whitewater

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                       Monday, October 5, 2009                       Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, Wi  53511

A short business session was held.  We then engaged in a general discussion of possible club activities.  A list follows.

License classes, group home brew projects, multi-Operator contests, plan a county roamer for the 2010 Wisconsin QSO party, field day entry into a VHF/UHF contest,  field day improvements, future club programs, social activities, recruit more members, monthly news letter, December ham gift exchange.

Acting Recording Secretary,

Doug Speer, W9PN

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                       Monday, September 14, 2009               Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, Wi  53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm, after some delay with the large screen projector for the computer.

Minutes of the June 1, 2009 meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer Report was not available.  Expenses for Field Day were within our guidelines.

Self-Introductions were given along with comments about summer ham activities.  The latest amateur radio publications were circulated.

A discussion was held about the Chicago FM Club's Hamfest at Belvidere, Illinois last Saturday and Sunday.  Some photos of the "happenings" were shown.  Carl, W9BJ, presented "Flea-Speak"; this was a translation of what sellers at the flea market say about their used equipment and what we are to actually understand.  It tended to be humorous.

Paul Monroe, W9MEH, discussed a variable attenuator using the principle of a wave guide beyond cutoff.  This was a quality flea market special.  Also, his newly acquired book, 200 meters and Down was discussed.  It was a historical presentation of early amateur radio and the ARRL.

Bob Barker, K9RIJ, handed out a multitude of "goodies" of used equipment consisting of a multitude of cables and connectors, etc.  This was appreciated.

Some video presentations were given on a short clip of Hiram Percy Maxim, the founder of the ARRL and President until 1936.  He was attending an open house of George Eastman on the occasion of the first Kodak movie camera and motion picture color film.   Also, a presentation from the ARRL on Amateur Radio featuring Walter Cronkite (SK), was shown.

Acting Recording Secretary:  Carl Cramer, W9BJ

The next club meeting will be in three weeks on Monday, October 5, 2009.

17 Hams were present.  Beloit:  Ivan-W9AFW, Frank-KB9MG, Dave-KA9SFT, Tom-N9BUL, Dave-K9DVB, Timm-KC9NMW

Janesville:  Dave-N9JDQ, Donn-K9DA, Paul-W9MEH, Dave-N9GQ, Rich-KC9OAH, Greg-K9GJN, Carl-W9BJ

Milton:  Bob-K9RIJ, Ed-KC9GTB                         Whitewater:  Dan-KC9LGR, Rob-KC9LGS

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                           June 1, 2009                                         Main Fire Station 1111 Church St Beloit WI 53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.

Minutes by Conrad, W9DL, for the May 4, 2009 meeting were approved with correction of Tub Run date.

Treasurers Report by Doug, W9PN, for the May meeting was read and approved.

Articles of Incorporation: The Club (Greater Beloit ARC INC.) is a nonstock corporation, filed May 8, 2009.   Doug, W9PN, is the registered agent.

ARES/RACES and the Club.    Dave, N9GQ, is coordinating communication for the Tub Run (Muscular Dystrophy) event again this year and needs 24 hams for checkpoints and net controls for the event.    He also is helping coordinate the program where hospitals communicate with the Rock County EOC.    Bob, K9RIJ, will be at the 911 communication center, Dave, N9GQ, is at the Edgerton Hospital, Ed, KC9GTB, at Mercy Hospital, John, KC9CDY, at Beloit Hospital and Conrad, W9DL, will be at Rock County EOC with Shirley Connors the coordinator for the county.   The exercise will be Thursday, June 25th.

Field Day event for 2009 is the weekend of June 27 & 28.   The Club will use Carl’s call, W9BJ.   The Janesville Fire Station Training Center (same place as last year) will be the location.   The club will have a dinner on Saturday night; Rich, KC9OAH, will be the cook.    A discussion was held on who will work what bands, who will bring what equipment as needed (radios, tents, antennas, etc.).   WA9JLD, Lyndon, will make the club AC generator available for the event.

Were you at theDayton, Ohio HamVention?   Several hams from the club were.   Dave, N9GQ, passed out to everyone at the meeting a free CD.   It is a Morse Code Course guaranteeing to double your code speed or your money back.    They thought the attendance at Dayton was 20,000.

Next Meeting for the club will be September 14, 2009.

Recording Secretary:   Conrad, W9DL

The following were in attendance:  W9BJ, Carl, Mike from Seattle, WA son-in-law of Carl, N9JDQ, Dave, KC9GTB, Ed, W9AFW, Ivan, KA9SFT, Dave, N9BUL, Tom, KC9OAH, Rich, K9GLN, Greg, K9RIJ, Bob, K9DA, Donn, KC9NMW, Timm, KC9NMV, Vince, N9GQ, Dave, W9PN, Doug, W9DL, Conrad

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                         May 4, 2009                                                  Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Carl Cramer, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.   He asked when introducing yourself comment on what you use a computer for at your ham station.   Many use a computer for logging stations, several have more than one logging program they use and some don’t use a computer at all.

Minutes by Conrad, W9DL, for April 6th, 2009 was read and approved

Treasurer Report by Doug, W9PN, for April was read and approved.

Field Day Update  Carl, W9BJ.   The club will hold the event at the Janesville Fire Station Training Center on Hwy 14 and 51 in Janesville WI on June 27th & 28th.   It will be the same location as last year.    See web site for further details.

ARES/RACES and the club will again provide communications for the South Central Wisconsin Janesville Chapter Harley Owners, Tub Run, on Saturday, June 13, 2009.   See details on the club web site under ARES/RACES;  or attend the June 8th meeting at the Red Cross Building in Janesville at 7:30 pm.

Repeater 145.45   Bob, K9RIJ, talked about a fellow ham helping on the repeater tower.    He was here on two separate occasions working to solve our repeater problems.   Bob said he should be thanked immensely.

Program: Carl, W9BJ, showed how the WEB page of the Club is working.   Pictures of officers and members are posted, the Minutes of the club over the last couple years and old field day pictures.   Most all have seen the WEB page and Carl asked for suggestions, comments and input from the members.   Carl, W9BJ, talked about attending the Madison Hamfest and made four purchases for $1 each.   One was a Kenwood antenna tuner for two meters, a very nice SWR bridge, and bench power supplies.

Beloit Amateur Radio Club Web Site address is:   www.rockhamradio.com

The next meeting will be Monday, June 1st, at the main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI at 7:30pm.

The Question on the sign in sheet was:  Do you plan to attend Field Day this year?

Ten said yes, three had ?, one was a maybe, one said depends, and one was a no.

Attending were N9JDQ, K9DA, W9PN, KC9GTB, K9DVB, W9AFW, KC9NNW, KC9OAH, KC9NMV, N9BUL, K9GJN, K9GLD, N9GQ, K9RIJ, W9BJ, W9DL

Recording Secretary:  Conrad, W9DL
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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                                April 6, 2009                                      Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Carl, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm .  He asked when introducing yourselves, to comment on performing maintenance on your station, how do you handle it.  The comments were when setting up their station, they do fine.  When it comes to repairing a radio, most could use help.  As far as antenna work, we seem to build, fix and install it ourselves.   

Beloit Amateur Radio Club Web Site is:  www.rockhamradio.com

Treasurer report by Doug, W9PN, for March 2009 was read and approved.

Minutes by Conrad, W9DL , for March 2009 were read and approved.

ARES/RACES Dave, N9GQ:  Next meeting is the 4 th Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Red Cross Building, 211 N. Parker Drive, Janesville, WI at 7:30 pm.    We can sign up for the Tub Run for Muscular Dystrophy.

Field Day Up Date:   Carl, W9BJ, will be chairman of Field Day this year and said we hope to have the event at the same place as last year.    It will be at the Janesville Fire Department Training Center.   See web site for a map.

Program By Paul, W9MEH, on types of antenna tuners .  His slide show and program had several old tuners dating to WW11.  Plus he explained the Collins Radio Company invention of the pi network in 1933.  He showed the T match and the L network matching of tuners.  In the 1950’s several companies like E.F. Johnson and Millen had external commercial antenna tuners.  W9PN displayed his Ten-Tex 238 B tuner.  Paul also displayed his homebrew tuner, an LDG AT-1000 600 watt auto tuner, a Heath HA-2040 "Ultimate Transmatch", and a high power Harvey Wells tuner, and an Yaesu automatic tuner.   He said the automatic antenna tuners are fine and the new radios with automatic antenna tuners that are built in are great.  We had a chance to touch, pick them up and handle them.

There will be an area Hamfest at Stoughton , Wisconsin Saturday, April 18th.  It is sponsored by the Madison Area Repeater Association (MARA).   All are welcome.

Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

Seventeen in attendance at the meeting: W9PN, K9RIJ, N9GQ, N9JDQ, KC9GTB, KA9SFT, N9BUL, K9GJN, W9AFW, K9EP, K9GLD, K9DA, KC9NMV, K9DVB, KC9MJQ, W9BJ, W9DL.

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                 March 2, 2009                                       Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St. , Beloit , WI

President: Carl, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.  He asked everyone to introduce themselves and what they did or plan to do in the form of ham radio, soon.  The comments were that they installed an antenna on the top of their truck, get the sound card going in the computer, get the new repeater 145.450 MHz installed in the new building site, order new QSL Cards, install radio for bicycle mobile, take down tilt over tower and install two HF antennas, and investigate two way communications for nursing home. 

Treasurer Report by Doug, W9PN, was read and approved.

Minutes by Conrad, W9DL, for the February 2009 club meeting were read and approved. 

Old Business:   Doug, W9PN, commented on Club By Laws Review/Changes and Club incorporation papers. 

Field Day:   Carl, W9BJ, will head-up Field Day planning for June 27-28 this year.  

RACES/ARES and the Club: Dave, N9GQ, reported the 15th annual Tub Run for Muscular Dystrophy (South Central Wisconsin Janesville Chapter Harley Owners) would be coming up in June.  Please keep this in mind.  We had 15 participating with new communication jackets last year.  

Elecraft K3/100 Transceiver owners, KC9GTB, Ed, and N9GQ, Dave, have been working on the up-grades for their radios. They say they are experts on sucking solder.  Cool!

Program: W9BJ, Carl, showed what our club web site looked like on his laptop computer.  With the Fire Station overhead projector, you could read and see it all.  He asked for our comments on how it looked.  Carl said this is a work in progress.  He has all the officers and paid members of the club pictures posted.  Minutes for the last couple years are also posted.  Carl ,W9BJ , is the club web master.  Take a look at it and then send him your pictures, articles about your ham station, suggestions for improvements, and the big DX QSL card you received, to W9BJ@ arrl.net. 

Also, a video about the making of a triode vacuum tube was viewed.

Wisconsin QSO Party on March 15, 1800Z - March 16, 0100Z, 3.5-28 MHz.  For more data:  www.warac.org     Armed Forces Day is May 9 and 10.  Ed, KC9GTB, said we would have to use the A/B VFO setting (split-frequency) for this operation because the MARS stations are not on our ham bands.  Any questions, contact Ed, KC9GTB, as he monitors the 145.450 MHz Janesville repeater.   

Hamfest coming up in Sterling , IL on Sunday, March 8, 2009 and Tri-County Hamfest in Jefferson , WI is Sunday, March 15, 2009 .

Also, Amateur Radio Supply, (AES), Milwaukee is sponsoring "AES Superfest 2009 on April 3-4; Friday 2-6 P.M. and Saturday, 8:30 A.M .- 3:00 P.M.   Details in March 2009 QST, P. 100.  

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.   Next meeting is Monday, April 6 th 2009 at 7:30 P.M. .

Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club meeting          February 2, 2009                                 Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Carl, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and asked:  When introducing yourself, to comment on what you do in the winter time in the form of Ham Radio.  Some of the comments were:   repair my ham radio equipment that I have been putting off, when in need, work on my antenna, even go outside to do it, read more of my ham publications, reread my operator manuals, work more 160 meters, and keep my Mars net going even with small turnouts.

Treasurer Report by Doug, W9PN, was read and then approved.

Minutes By Conrad, W9DL, for the January 2008 meeting were read and approved.

Old Business:  Doug, W9PN, is working on the constitution for the club and getting the club incorporated.

Silent Key:  Dan Hammell, WA9EZT, died January 24, 2009. He was 87.   Dan and Ivan, W9AFW, were among the starters of the club in the mid 1960's.

New Business: Doug, W9PN, talked about the 160 meter band and working DX.   Check out DXER.org There are other links to help you.

Bob, K9RIJ, talked about someone that tried to scam him at self-service gas station on his credit card.  Inserting your credit card outside was the problem.  The same scam happened to a Clinton police officer.  He says go inside and pay your gas bill.

At the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) meeting last Monday, about ten 2-Meter J-Pole antennas were built.  They are 18½-inches long, 300-ohm twin lead with 7 foot of RG-58 coax and a BNC connector for your handy talky radio.  It could be used in the woods in place of your rubber duck antenna on your handy talky to greatly extend its range.  Also in February 2009, QST, page 79, it showed how to build a hook using a coat hanger to support the antenna in a high spot for better reception.  There were four antenna analyzers at the workshop that night.  Hams come prepared.

Program: Carl, W9BJ, talked about ham publications you can get to enhance our hobby.  They are QST, CQ, QEX, and Electric Radio.  He passed copies around.  Carl talked about working J79WWW, Gaynell, in the island of Dominca.  Finding the station on the map was a challenge at first.  You have to look southwest past Cuba, to locate it.  The Island is only 40 miles long and 16 miles wide.  The other amazing part was that he found that station on YOU TUBE.  Carl showed us a video of the station working other US stations and other stations around the world.  He asked us to ID some of the equipment and the antenna on the videos.  We got an A.  He told and showed there are a lot more videos available to see on YOU TUBE.

Ed, KC9GTB, brought a 2-meter radio with a remote head and speaker (all Midland) mounted on an 11 ½ X 22 inch board to the meeting to give away.  The new home is at W9DL's shack.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.   Next meeting is March 2, 2009.

Recording Secretary Conrad, W9DL

14 attended the meeting.

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                     January 5, 2009      Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, Wisconsin  53511

New President Carl, W9BJ, called the meeting to order and asked when introducing ourselves, to comment on our most memorable contact on ham radio.  Several talked about a first six-meter contact.  Two mentioned their first contact as a novice on CW.  Greg, KC9MIZ, worked his neighbor Carl, W9BJ on phone.  Donn, K9DA, talked about working a ham on CW who was both blind and deaf.  He told how the contact was made (receiving morse code with fingertips on a vibrating speaker cone.).

Treasurer Report by Doug, W9PN, was read and approved.

Minutes by Conrad, W9DL, for December 5, 2008 were read, corrected, and then approved.

Old Business:  Doug, W9PN said that the club insurance policy was officially cancelled and we are looking for a single coverage policy for Field Day only.  Doug is also working on incorporating the club.

New Business:  A new slate of officers for the year 2009 are:  President:  Carl Cramer, W9BJ, Vice-President:  Donn Ambrose, K9DA, Treasurer:  Doug Speer, W9PN, and Recording Secretary:  Conrad Herold, W9DL.

A motion by Ed Green, KC9GTB, was made to approve the slate of officers.  It was seconded by Carl, W9BJ.  The motion passed.

Program:  Carl, W9BJ talked about the old WWII Command Sets (Articles in January 2009, QST).  He displayed his three sets, one receiver and two transmitters.  These types of radios were used in WWII airplanes to communicate between planes.  With a quick disconnect, they were easily changed when shot up and failed in service.  The transmitter had two 75-watt tubes that ran only 20 watts when operating.  Carl use them for Novice CW when he first got started.

Program:  Dave, N9GQ, showed what a CW signal on 40 meters looked like when using a computer with software.  The spectrum he showed, you could see the actual dits and das.  He also pointed out if the signal wasn't a clean CW signal, the picture would show the clicking and chirping on the monitor.  He also talked about the CW Skimmer program of frequency.  You can review programs like this on the Internet called YOU Tube.

Bob, K9RIJ, brought some of his extra shack and garage stuff which included:  an MFJ antenna tuner, an extra class ham studies book, a mobile mounting bracket, and a two meter FM commercial 40 watt transceiver.

Next meeting is February 2, 2009.

Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting           December 1, 2008                          Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Dave, N9GQ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  He had everyone introduce themselves and what they would like for Christmas in the form of ham radio.  Some of the wants are: a headset with a boom mic, an antenna mount for the car as the last one flew off, and an Icom 7700.  One commented his XYL said he had too much ham gear and should downsize but that won’t ever happen.  The rest of us just kept quiet.

Treasurer Report by Doug, W9PN:  We had no income or expenses.

Minutes by Conrad, W9DL:   Were read and approved.

Old Business: Club Insurance:   Dave, N9GQ, asks do we need this costly insurance policy because we only have the tower on the hospital (which is going to be taken down) and field day.  Tom, N9BUL, said reason for the policy was because the club had many activities, scouting, parade, field day and the repeater.  Today we don’t have these activities. A motion by Paul, W9MEH, was made not to pay for this policy.  2 nd by Doug, W9PN.   Then Doug, W9PN, made a motion to get the club incorporated again as a non-profit, it was seconded by Carl, W9BJ.  The Club is to look at a single coverage policy for field day.

Contesting:   The ARRL November Sweepstake.  The object of the stations in the United States, Canada (including territories and possession) to have to work as many hams on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 meters.   A "Clean Sweep" is working all 80 ARRL/RAC sections.  Congratulations to Donn, K9DA, for having a "Clean Sweep" by working all 80.  Donn, we want to see your "whisk broom" award.  Congratulations to Doug, W9PN, for working 79 of 80 sections.  Other contests coming up are December 7, ARRL 160-meter contest, December 13, ARRL 10 meter contest, and Straight Key night 0000- 2359, UTC on January 1, 2009.  See December QST page 68, for more contests.

Bob, K9RIJ, passed out an information sheet about the Rock County Repeater Association.  We are looking for more new members to help support our area repeaters.  The VHF repeater frequencies are 145.450 and 146.715 MHz on the 2 meter band and the UHF frequencies are 443.175 and 444.750 MHz on the 70 cm band. This will be talked about on our local nets. The consensus was that if we use the repeaters, we should pay.  The asking amount is $20 a year.  The repeaters ham call is WB9SHS.  This was Hap Littles call, a long time supporter of the Beloit club and repeater, who now is a SK.

Dave, N9GQ, passed out a Calrad 60-188 Battery Meters and asked us to build them into something.  Ivan, W9AFW, built an RF detector consisting of a wire loop and other components.  Carl, W9BJ, built an RF “Sniffer” for wire and cable.  It is useful for RFI testing.  Carl says it is valuable to test the quality of your RF ground for your station.  It clamps on a cable and the meter indicates the RF present.

Numbers attended 16.  The Club web page is www.rockhamradio.com

Next Meeting is January 5 th.  This will be a business meeting, with the election of Officers and dues for 2009 will be collected.

Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting          November 3, 2008                              Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

Vice President Carl, W9BJ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.   He had everyone introduce themselves and tell what band they liked using and how they used it.  Most used 20 meters, with some 17 meters.  The bands mentioned were 160, 80, 60, 40, 20, 17, 15, 10, 6, and 2.  Two talked about PSK, with one uses 40 meters CW.  No one said 30 meters.

Recording Secretary Minutes by Conrad, W9DL, were read and approved

Treasures Report by Doug, W9PN, was read and approved.

Carl, W9PN, talked about Amateur Radio magazines that people can subscribe to.  They are CQ and QST. The results that our club had at field day is posted in QST.

Doug, W9PN: The program for the meeting was on Logbook of the World.  He describes it as a very good logging program.  He gave his insight how and why he likes it.   To view this program on your computer, type in ARRL LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD.  This program was developed by the ARRL.  It has system boxes you can bring up to understand the workings.

Meeting ended at 9:15 P.M.  Number attending was 18.

Beloit Amateur Radio Club web page is www.rockhamradio.com

Next meeting is December 1, 2008

Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club                                 October 6, 2008             Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, Wisconsin  53511

(Regular meeting was held but minutes of the meeting are unavailable.)

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club                                     September 8, 2008         Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, Wisconsin  53511

President Dave Wendt, N9GQ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  Everyone was to introduce themselves and tell what their activities this summer were in regard to ham radio.  N9JDQ, Dave, replaced his rotor on the tower; W9BJ, Carl, got his beam and rotor down for repairs; KA9SFT, Dave, wanted to do tower work but no progress yet; and K9EP, Jerry spent time on 3.9825 MHz.  His group moved from 3.985 MHz to accommodate the AM hams.  KA9GTB, Ed, spent time on his digital receiver; K9DA, Donn, worked on special events; K9RIJ, Bob, relocated his shack and nothing is working, Hi Hi; and W9AFW, Ivan, was also busy in his shack.

Guests from Whitewater, WI were KC9LGS, Rob, and KC9LGR, Dan.  We hope to see them at our future meetings.  We thank them for their show and tell (surface-mount electronics).

Treasurer Report by W9PN.  It was read and approved.

Recording Secretary Report by W9DL, Conrad.  After corrections, minutes were approved.

Beloit Amateur Radio Club Web site has an address of:  www.rockhamradio.com       Sign in, join up, and be informed.

Field Day:   W9PN, Doug, filed the Field Day results via email and we received extra points.  K9RIJ, Bob, has photos on disk of Field Day.  To obtain a copy, see him.

Beloit Amateur Radio Club Wednesday Net.  N9JDQ, Dave, is concerned because no one is checking in.  Members are not overly concerned because of other summer activities.

ARES/RACES testing with on-the-air activities on Saturday, October 4, 2008.  You could be part of this national Emergency Simulating Testing/Training, (Simulated Emergency Test, SET).

Our next club meeting will be October 6, 2008.

Recording Secretary,

W9DL, Conrad                E-mail:  W9DL@ARRL.net

Fourteen people in attendance at the meeting.

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club                                June 2, 2008                                         Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Dave Wendt, N9GQ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.   He asked the attendees to introduce themselves and tell how many calls they had over the years.  They range from only one to six and that was Doug Speers, W9PN.

The next meeting will be September 8, 2008.  The club does not meet in July & August.

Beloit Amateur Radio Club WEB Page:  www.rockhamradio.com.   Sign in, join up and be informed.

Treasurer Report by Doug, W9PN:   Start out the month of May with $459.54.    Income was from the April raffle $31.00. No expenditures for the month leaving a balance of $490.54

Recording Secretary Report by Conrad W9DL:   Was read and approved.

Challenge for club members:   Dave N9GQ passed out small battery meter.  They are to use in a project of your choice or build something the meter would fit into.  Your project is for show and tell at the September meeting.    Dave will have a prize for the winner.

Field Day 2008 Chairman:  Doug Speers, W9PN

The club will hold the annual event at the Janesville Fire Station Training Center on Hwys 14 & 51 in Janesville WI.  This event starts at 1 PM Saturday and ends Sunday at 1 PM.   It runs for 24 hours.   Stations will consist of tower with a 20-meter beam; 40-meter station will have an inverted V antenna, and an 80-meter setup with the same.  There will also be a digital ham radio station and a GOTA station.  Club members will provide their own ham radio equipment. The club’s generator will provide the stations power for the 24 hour event.   WA9JLD, Lyndon, is in charge of the generator.

Newspapers will be provided information of the event by Conrad, W9DL, to the Beloit Daily News and Dave N9GQ for the Janesville Gazette.

KA9VHG, Jim, is in charge of the club meal on Saturday evening and maybe the Sunday breakfast.

Remember the next meeting is September 8, 2008 at the Main Fire Station.

Respectfully submitted,

Recording Secretary, Conrad W9DL

Fifteen people were in attendance at the meeting.

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                  May 5, 2008                                        Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, WI

President Dave Wendt, N9GQ, called the meeting to order.  With the members introducing themselves and answering the question, "Have you ever been QRM and explain".  The following answers were:  XYL on the treadmill, streetlights in the area, turn on the lights in the upstairs bedroom, a motor running in the area and Charter cable.

Treasurer Report by Doug, W9PN:  No expenses for the month of April 2008 with a balance of $459.54.  We have 18 paid members for 2008.

Recording Secretary Report by Conrad, W9DL:  Minutes were read and approved.

Field Day:  Doug, W9DL, has been in contact with club members to address the band assignments.  Stations planned are:

                20 meters CW/SSB, 40 meter CW - Doug Speer, W9PN

                40 meters SSB - Dave Fisher, N9JDQ

                75/80 meters CW/SSB - Carl Cramer, W9BJ

Field day is June 28th and 29th, Saturday and Sunday.

The club is paying for the Saturday evening meal and volunteers are needed for serving.

The ARES/RACES and this club will provide communication for the South Central Wisconsin, Janesville Chapter of the Harley Owners, June 14th, TUB Run.  The intersection assignments will be assigned at the ARES/RACES meeting in May.  If interested, call Dave, N9GQ.

Get connected to the Internet.  Dave, N9GQ, is working on putting the club on the internet.  (Yahoo Group)  This way, club information such as: bulletins, minutes, and current activities can be monitored by you at home.  Other clubs do this.  We need your correct e-mail address.

Beloit Amateur Radio Club website is:    www.rockhamradio.com

The next meeting will be Monday, June 2nd at the Main Fire Station.

Respectfully submitted,  Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

Fourteen people were in attendance at the meeting.

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                     April 7, 2008                           Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, Wi    53511

President Dave, N9GQ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  He had everyone introduce themselves and answer the question "Have you ever had a temporary shack?"    We had several who had a ham station when they were in college, two retired school teacher had portable stations at school, several more took a radio on vacation and put up an antenna in the woods, plus one had a station at a boy scout camp.  We had 17 people at the meeting including two from Beloit College.

Treasurers Report:    Doug, W9PN was on work assignment but Carl, W9BJ, gave his report.

Recording Secretary Report:  Minutes were read by Conrad, W9DL.  They were approved as read.

New/Old Business:

Field Day was discussed.  On possible location was behind the Fire Station on Cranston Road in Beloit; and the other location was at the Blackhawk Technical College campus on Prairie Avenue.   It is alittle out in the country but everyone knows the location.

Beloit Repeater:  Lyndon, WA9JLD, the owner and man-in-charge of the Beloit repeater, 146.600 MHz, for the last 37 years is looking at a different direction in keeping the machine going.  The repeater is located at the Beloit Memorial Hospital on Prairie Avenue.  Lyndon stated that there have been so many changes in the laws, new rules and regulations by Homeland Security, and building changes that require that the repeater site be addressed.   Larry Fry, K9FRY, a repeater owner himself, wanted to make sure it wasn't going silent.  Lyndon said that it wasn't going to happen.  Other solutions are being explored.

Pictures of Your Shack:  Several members had memory sticks with lots of pictures.  A couple of CD's were also shown on a screen and several pictures were passed around.

Dave, N9GQ, asked if we knew about Yahoo Groups.  He is looking into setting up a web site information page.  Ron, N9SZV has resigned as our club web master.

The next meeting is May 5th, 2008.  The program will be on WIN Link.

Recording Secretary, Conrad, W9DL

Present at the meeting:  Ivan, W9AFW; Scott, N9FRY; Larry, K9FRY; Dave, K9DVB, Jim, KC9MJQ; Carl, W9BJ; Dave, KA9SFT; Jerry, K9EP; Ed, KC9GTB; Dave, N9JDQ; Donn, K9DA; Dave, K9DA; Davem B9GQ; Paul, W9MEH; Lyndon, WA9JLD, Robin, KC9KHC; Dan Murphy; Conrad, W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                                              March 3, 2008

Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Dave, N9GQ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM .  He had everyone introduce themselves and answer the question, what did you solder last?  The answers were:  solder a PL259 on my coax, solder a high-voltage capacitor, solder my water pipe for a water softner, building a PSK31 for the transmitter, assembled and built a Elecraft transceiver and several other items.

New Business/Old Business

N9GQ, Dave, nominated W9PN, Doug, to be the new club treasurer.   The motion was made and was passed.  W9PN accepted.  No treasurer report was given at this meeting.

W9PN, Doug, and W9DL, Conrad, sent out 201 informational letters to area hams inviting them to the club meetings and to participate in club activities.  

N9GQ, Dave, talked about the Wisconsin QSO party, March 9-10, 2008.  You are the DX and the rest of the world wants to work you, Dave said. The frequencies are 3.5–28 and 50 and up.  The modes are phone, cw and digital. Wisconsin has 72 counties.

The Jefferson ham fest is March 16^{th, 2008} .   Try this one, it’s not far. 

Ron, N9SZV, is the club WEB master.   Send your articles, pictures, wanted to buy, sell or trade items to him at rcalla706@charter.net.   We have one of the most informative WEB pages around.   The club WEB page is www.rockhamradio.com

Members to decide on Field Day site.   No decision was made as to the location.  Members seemed to like it being accessible to the public, but it lacks supports for antennas.  W9PN, Doug, is in charge of Field Day.  He would like to have a concerted effort keeping several stations on the air with multiple operators to keep everything going.  What type of a station would you like?  What frequency and mode.    Do you want to be in charge of a station and whom do you want on your team.   Now is the time to get it organized. 

N9GQ, Dave, showed about 10 programs that came off the Internet.  www.YouTube.com. How-to-make-a-vacuum-tube. This program showed you how to bend the wire making your filament, making the glass tube round and shaping the glass, inserting all the components in the glass tube and how to vacuum seal it.  Another segment was how to fine-tune a PSK31 and how to hook it up and see the signal on the screen.  We have several club members using PSK31.

President N9GQ, Dave: Ask about GOTA.  What is GOTA?  It means Get On The Air.  Do you need help to get going on the air?  That’s what the club is for.  Members who can help you with your questions, antennas, how to set up a station and how to operate it.  We want to help.

N9GQ, Dave, asked us to bring a CD with pictures of our ham shack to the next club meeting.  You have a chance to show and tell.

Meeting ended at 9:15 PM , next meeting April 7, 2008.

Recording Secretary, W9DL, Conrad Herold

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club                        February 4, 2008                     Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, Wisconsin  53511

President Dave Wendt, N9GQ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.  He asked everyone to introduce themselves and to tell how many working radios they had.  The amount ran from 2 to over 9; that included HF, VHF, UHF, mobile, and handy talkies.

Treasurer Report by N9GQ.  $409 plus the income from dues paid at the last meeting.  No final amount was given.

Recording Secretary Report by Conrad, W9DL:  minutes were read and approved.

Announcements:  KB9DVB, Dave came with treats to celebrate his upgrade at the last FCC license testing session.  Also upgraded were k9GLD, Glen and KC9AGR, Jennifer.

Membership Project:  N9GQ, Dave composed an informational mailing to be sent out to all the hams in the S. Beloit, Beloit, Clinton, and Janesville area.  This flyer invites the hams to our next club meeting.  The flyer told what activities the club was involved with, how to check our club web site, and dates and times of our meetings and directions to the meetings.  A special rate of $12 to those that sign up through April 2008.  The normal yearly dues are $15.  W9PN, Doug, will make the labels and get the flyers printed.  W9DL, Conrad, will put the labels on and mail them out.

N9GQ, Dave, talked about the new Rock County Repeater Association.  It's purpose is to maintain and support the area repeaters.  A discussion ensued.  All these years, we have never been asked to support something like this and remember that there is "no free lunch".  Someone has to contribute.  The cost per year will be $20.  There will be more information later.

KA9SFT, Dave, passed out a HF Half-Sloper antenna paper that he thought was interesting to the members.

Meeting ended at 8:50 P.M.

The next meeting will be Monday, March 3, 2008.

Recording Secretary, W9DL, Conrad Herold

In attendance:  N9GQ, Dave; K9DBV, Dave, N9JDQ, Dave; K9DA, Donn; KA9SFT, Dave; W9MEH, Paul; W9BJ, Carl; W9AFW, Ivan; WB9ITB, Ed; W9DL, Conrad 

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting January 7, 2008          Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI 53511

President Dave N9GQ called the meeting to order at 7:30pm

Treasurer Report: Dave N9GQ announces that WD9BB Chuck resigned as treasurer.  At election time the post will be filled.  The liability insurance has been paid for the coming year. 

Recording Secretary Report by W9DL Conrad: Minutes were read and approved.

N9GQ Dave said we will be looking at the bylaws in the coming months.    We are not following them and maybe cleaning them up will help.

General discussion for the evening

N9GQ Dave asked what we were up to the last month and did we get anything for Christmas in the way of ham radio.  N9JDQ Dave got money for ham radio and after the holidays he was going to AES.   K9DVB Dave is working to get his EXTRA class license and will test after the first of the year. The FCC will have a new set of questions after June 31^st.   N9SZV Ron is working on his WEB page , http://n9szv.webhop.org  and said to stop by and look at it. W9DL Conrad brought a small piece of lead water pipe from WB9YWL, Charle's place for show and tell. WA9JLD, Lyndon works for the Power and Light here in Beloit .  He talked about lead pipes in parts of the city; they are very common to find.  Regarding water towers here in the city he has a lot of knowledge about them, their size and the amount of water they contain.  The members in attendance found his talk very interesting.

Reminder Dues for 2008 are now due.

Meeting ended at 9:05 PM

The next meeting will be February 4, 2008

Recording Secretary , W9DL Conrad Herold

In attendance: Dave N9GQ, Dave KA9SFT, Bob WB9CKE, Ivan W9AFW, Dave K9DVB, Ron N9SZV, Lyndon WA9JLD & Conrad W9DL

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting   December 3, 2007  Main Fire Station,  1111 Church St., ,  Beloit , WI     53511

President, N9GQ, Dave, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM .  Eight members were present.

Treasurer report and Meeting Minutes were not available due to absences.

Old/New Business

¨Recording Secretary, W9DL, Conrad, has the retyped club constitution.

¨Membership lists from March 1997 - 2007 are available.  We also have the 1993 membership list.

¨A motion was presented by Doug Speer, W9PN.  He proposed a Club Membership drive for 2008.  This would involve preparing a flier that promoted joining our club.  It should emphasize fraternalism and fellowship.  It could be printed at Staples,  A mailing list of area Hams would be needed and a club commitment on postage.  The mailing would be done at least two weeks before the March 2008 meeting.  We could offer a special dues rate of $12 for the remainder of 2008.   We would plan and discuss the implementation of the plan during the January and February 2008 meetings.

 The motion was seconded by KA9SFT, David, and was unanimously agreed to.

Program for the Evening "Websites for Amateur Radio" was presented by President David, N9GQ.

Using the high speed internet access available at the club room, a large variety of web sites were visited.  The program used David’s laptop computer and video projector.

AA6Z  (World Directions),  AF4K (finding Ham radio information),  AC6V, W4RNL (for Cebik Antennas), FINDU.com, BSSS.org (Badger Smoke Signals-Online), BAMA (Boat Anchor Archives), beaconsee.htm, eHam, danssmallpartsandkits.net (in Montana), dxing.com, telia.com (Sweden), gqrp.com(British Low Power), heathkit-museum.com, freepatentsonline.com, users.tpg.com.au/use (VK5BR, a good writer), dx.qsl.net/propagation/greyline,html, announceddx, ng3k.com, yugop.com/ver3/stuff/03/fla.html, dxer.org, cccluster(Who is working who?), rigpixs

Announcements:  Wisconsin QSO party is March 9, 2008.  10 Meter Contest is the weekend of December 7-8-9.   Straight Key night is January 1, 2008 (UTC).   Doug, W9PN, worked a KH6 (Hawaii) during the recent 160 Meter contest.    N9GQ signed up for the ARRL Log Book of the World following procedures outlined at our last meeting.

Next meeting will be January 7, 2008.  The meeting ended at 9 PM.

Respectfully submitted by W9BJ, Carl Cramer

Vice-President, acting Recording Secretary

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club Meeting                 November 5, 2007       Main Fire Station, 1111 Church Street, Beloit, Wisconsin  53511

President N9GQ, Dave called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  He asked the group, "How many QSL cards have you sent out for the year?"  W9PN, Doug, had sent out 2000 plus.

Treasurer Report by WD9BB, Chuck.  We started the month with $633.99.  We paid out $25 to the Double D Bees for three honey bears for their efforts of putting on a program for the club on October 1, 2007.  The balance is $608.99.

Recording Secretary Report by W9DL, Conrad, was read and approved.

Old/New Business:

   *  Field Day:  N9GQ, Dave, said that he read the Field Day report on the ARRL web site and we did very well.

   *  Insurance:  The Liability Insurance for the club for Field Day needs to be paid and kept as it is for another year.

   *  Web Site:  The web site is no longer available.  We are looking for a new volunteer to maintain the site for the club.

   *  Club Bylaws:  Update.  N9GQ, Dave, has a 1984 version and will send them to W9BJ, Carl and W9DL, Conrad to

be looked overwith possible revisions.

Program for the Evening:

Display old QSL Cards:  Members who showed their cards were N9GQ, Dave; K9RIJ, Bob; W9BJ, Carl; W9DL, Conrad; and N9JDQ, Dave.

Logbook of the World:  W9PN, Doug, explained what the Logbook of the World is and how it can be found.  You go to the ARRL web site.  Click on Logbook of the World.  The program will tell you about it, how to down load it and answers the most frequently asked questions.  Other club members are using the program.

Winners of the drawing for the Honey Bears were N9JDQ, Dave; K9EP, Jerry, and WD9BB, Chuck.    Conrad, W9DL, was a winner but turned his honey bear back in because he had plenty of honey at home.

Our next meeting will be Monday, December 3, 2007.   Our program:  "What are some of the web sites that you find information about ham radio on?"   Please email Dave at   N9GQ@ARRL.net

Respectfully submitted by W9DL, Conrad, Recording Secretary

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Beloit Amateur Radio Club meeting         October 1, 2007                                        Main Fire Station, 1111 Church St., Beloit, WI

President N9GQ, Dave Wendt, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  He asked everyone what they did in regard to ham radio this month.  W9AFW, Ivan, runs the Senile Net every morning 8 to 9 AM local time on 14.287 MHz.   K9RIJ, Bob, runs the Navy Mars net.  N9GQ, Dave, runs the ARES program for Rock County.  This meets at the Red Cross Building in Janesville on the 4th Monday of each month at 7:30 PM.

N9JDQ, Dave, runs the Beloit Amateur Radio Club 2 meter net on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM.

Treasurer Report By WD9BB, Chuck Bell, was approved.

Recording Secretary Report by Conrad, W9DL, was read and approved

President N9GQ, Dave, will be looking at the by-laws and report back to the club. 

Carl, W9BJ, will look into insurance for Field Day activities for the club.

Club members are to look at the mission statement on the Beloit Amateur Radio Club Web site and report back. 

Program for the evening was on Honey Bees.  N9GQ, Dave, had WD9BB, Chuck, (a bee keeper himself) introduced Dan and Terry Dodge of Double “D” Bees from Beloit.  They had nine different types of honey.  Everyone had a chance to sample them all and discuss the one’s they liked.  Dan & Terry talked about Honeybees, Queen Bees, Killer Bees and more.  They also had popcorn with honey for the club members to sample.  Program for next month is everyone brings old QSL Cards.   W9PN, Doug, will do a computer program on the Book of the World.   Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM. 

Submitted By Recording Secretary, W9DL, Conrad

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