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 September go out to Brenda Ricks KG5KBS, David Oehler K4BHY, Sue Muller WD5BVC
If we missed your birthday, then please let us know.

SELARC Meeting Minutes

(Meeting Type: In-Person)

(Ponchatoula, LA)

August 13th, 2024

Call to order: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) at 7:02 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 (KG5AAE)
• 2nd motion by Ed Mason (KE5GMN)
• All Approved

Members present: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD), Terry Williams (N5TDW), Tyrone Burns (N5XES), Timothy Lynch Jr. (AG5XK), Timothy Lynch III (KJ5BRD), Pat Mason (KE5KMM), Ed Mason (KE5GMN), Keith Samrow (KF5VLX), Aaron Davis (N5OMM), Bob Spahn (WD5BTW), Robert Jaeger (KI5TYD), Mark Lacey (WX5RN), Mark Kuncan (KJ5DKD), Dean Melancon (KG5AAE), Mary Melancon (KG5ITF), Louis White (KG5EFQ), George Carr (KB5ILL), Larry Lima (KI5JVY), Sumana Disimone (KI5WNV), Ricky Cutrer (KF5TQT), Greg Nothacker (W5IDD), Tim Desmond (N5TPD), Scott Hernandez (KD5PCK)

Guest present: Shannon Robertson, Brian Marsolan (KJ5HLO)

Treasurers’ report: Mike Jackson (KI5GGP) Recovering from Covid

• Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) presented the treasure report in Mike’s absence.
• 1st motion to accept the treasurer's Tyrone Burns (KG5AAE)
• 2nd motion by Ed Mason (KE5GMN)
• All Approved

Bills / Correspondence:

• N/A

New member applications / renewals: Russ Plyler (WI5ARD)

• Chip Fornaris (W2CHI) Mandeville, LA
• Steve London (NO3G) Covington, LA
• Kurvy Marsolan (KJ5HLO) Mandeville
• 1st motion to accept by Tyrone Burns (KG5AAE)
• 2nd motion to accept by George Carr (KB5ILL)
• All Approved.

Health and Welfare:

• Allen Pierson (W5EGG) became SK on 8/2/2024 Charter Member of SELARC. Obituary <link>
• Mike Jackson (KI5GGP) recovering from COVID.
• Joe Dick (K5HS) became SK on 5/11/2024. Obituary <link>

ARES report: Pat Mason (KE5KMM)

• 5 nets for the month with 157 total check-ins leaving us with an average of 34 per net..
• The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Emergency Communications Plan for the Louisiana Section is under review by Jim Coleman (AI5B) our Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)
• Our backup repeater for the 147.000 is moving from the 146.61 to the 145.130 machine since it has a better backup system along with some testing that is ongoing with the 146.61 machine.

Hamfest Committee: Tyrone Burns (N5XES)

• Speaker System
  • The issues with the speaker system in PCC have been identified. Tyrone will be replacing the 90 degree plug when available.

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.

• Hammond
  • Henry Amplifier came in and was not working correctly and went through a smoke test. The manufacturer offered to send the capacitor to Mike to fix ourselves. Mike will be sending back to Henry to make repairs. During his discussion it was commented that they had a bad batch of capacitors that could have been the problem.
  • Waiting on Pete to complete the work on the 6 meter repeater.
  • Future Steps
    • Install new Kenwood repeater donated by Pete Liuzza (WB5ERM). Output power set to 15 watts.
    • Duplexer needs to be tuned. Noticed more loss than desired.
    • The Henry Amplifier was received but needed to be returned since it was not working correctly and let out some smoke during testing.
    • Power distribution in the cabinet.
    • Install power supply which has been ordered.

Packet:

• HMU (Hammond, LA, North Oaks Hospital)
  • Operational
• PCC (Ponchatoula Community Center)
  • Operational
• W5TEO (Hammond)
  • Operational
  • Power supply was replaced.

Old Business:

• Still need to do work on top of PCC with HF radios and coax.

Field Day: Mark Lacey (WX5RN)

• Need someone else to step up since Mark will probably be moving to AR in February. This also means we need a new trustee for the club.

Swapshop

• N/A

Training - Russ Plyler (WI5ARD) & George Carr (KB5ILL)

• (AUGUST) Logging Programs
  • LOG4OM (Logbook for Old Men) by WI5ARD
    • FREE / Donations
  • N3JFP (Amateur Contact Log) by KB5ILL
    • Amateur Contact Log - $39.99
    • N3FJP’s Software Package - $59.99 (Includes all programs)
  • NOTE: Both programs like other logging programs once setup will upload to the various websites like QRZ, LoTW, and others.
    • (SEPTEMBER) Heat shrink solder for sizes 22-10 stranded gauge. Keith/Ryan.
    • (FUTURE) Morse Code study options.

New Business:

• Congratulations on the new licenses and/or upgrades from the VE Session of the Florida Parishes VE Group.
  • Technician
    • Brian Marsolan from Mandeville, LA (KJ5HLO) who also became a member tonight.
  • General
    • ???
  • Extra
    • ???
• Christmas Party Ideas
  • Pot Luck - Wins out by vote
  • Who would like to coordinate the event? We are looking for volunteers.
  • Sign-up Genius has been used in the past.
• Fox Hunt
  • Please reach out to Ryan Delkucky (KI5NMJ) if you are interested in doing a Fox Hunt.

• September Meet & Greet (5 PM to 7 PM)
  • La Carreta
    • 122 SW Central Ave., Amite City, LA 70422
• September Meeting (7 PM to 8 PM)

○ Amite Emergency Operations Center

• 114 N Laurel St., Amite City, LA 70422

Upcoming events / Hamfest / Cancellations:

• Huntsville is in August 17th & 18th
• Ocean Springs September 7th
• Slidell is in September 13th & 14th

General discussion, presentation, or training:

• Newsletter delivery needs to be earlier vs just before the meetings. The minutes need to be distributed to the community within a week so everyone can add to their calendars. Scott Hernandez (KD5PCK) offered to help in any way possible to get the word out.
• There was a bit of an energy packed discussion around repeater use. Please be cautious about discussions over the air that may encourage illegal operations of amateur radios out of band. When you find yourself talking to an unlicensed operator it's best to eliminate any response to them from that point going forward. At most I (WI5ARD) comment their activities are illegal and require a FCC license.

Motion to adjourn:

• 1st motion to adjourn meeting by Tyrone Burns (KG5AAE)
• 2nd motion by Ed Mason (KE5GMN)
• All Approved.