November 2004 Meeting Minutes
November 17, 04 by Iroquois County Amateur Radio ClubIroquois Co Amateur Radio Meeting Nov 3, 2004
Pres Jerry called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. The meeting was held at
Jerry’s farm and contest shack.
Old Business
Sam read the minutes of the Oct 6 meeting. Steve make motion to approve
the minutes and Jerry seconded. Motion was approved.
Sam gave a Treasurers report that showed an addition of $30 dues from Kyle.
We now have a balance of $514.31. All members present voted to return to
Tim Focken $200 to reimburse for cost of coax. The Tres will write the
check and pay to Tim.
A discussion of the range of 03 repeater followed with agreement that the
only problem is HT coverage in Watseka. Range to most directions is good.
A discussion on the progress of the GMRS repeater at IPC is very good
coverage with the test set up but this project needs to have a final install
of the coax (donated by Steve) go from the 7/8 hard line to inside the
building. We decided to place a waterproof box at the end of the 7/8. Then
join the 7/8 and ½ with lightning protection Poly Phaser. IPC will drill a
hole in the building for us. The ½ coax needs to be protected by a 2×4 wood
channel to the building.
Benny Marcier (former WN9DHY) reported that there is a chance for the 440
repeater to be on the new Cingular tower in Watseka. This would have to be
approved by the Cingular management all the way up the ladder. We would
have to provide all our own coax, repeater, antenna, and installation.
However I think we have all the materials ready to go. We will wait to see
what Benny can find out.
New Business
Steve K9TA was able to provide a show and tell of the ILRP. He was able to
talk to Lynn WA4LNQ in Wilmington NC on a handheld. Sounds like we might
have this ability for emergency comms or for just for fun on 03 repeater
some day.
Jerry WB9Z provided a demo of the power of the beverage antenna and the
improvement in rx over a transmitting antenna. Jerry went to a lot of work
to put up the antennas for our demo and mostly for contesting later in the
season.
Red Cross communications still being worked on—antenna for 47.42 still not
connected with coax. Red Cross base at Jerry’s not working.
We still need to collect dues from some people and still open for coax
donations and repeater costs.
Carl K9CS (our local ARRL test person will have the next test session on
Wednesday November 17 at 6:00PM at St John’s United Church of Christ at 1045
W River Street in Kankakee.
For those not familiar with the area, the simplest way to get there is:
I-57 to Exit 312, Court St. (Rt 17)
Take Court St west to Wall St
(Wall is the first traffic light after the Kankakee
River bridge)
Turn left (south) on Wall
Go about 3 blocks to River St
Turn right (west) on River St
Go 2 blocks; St John’s is on the right.
For more information on testing, see www.arrl.org/arrlvec/
At about 9:00 Jerry had delivered 2 piping hot Monical’s pizza and all the
cold pop you could drink. We all enjoyed the food and fellowship and around
10:00pm members all went home happy.
Jerry, Steve and Sam held an officers meeting until about 11:30.
Members at meeting
Jerry WB9Z
Steve K9TA
Sam W9QKF
Carl K9CS
Justin KC9GNH
Ron KC6FJO
Benny Former WN9DHY
