opened

20:00

closed

20:38

Check-ins (26)

• Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
• Avery McIntosh (N7ALM)
• Ron Hambric (N5SBN)
• Ken Wilson (KE5DFR)
• Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)
• Joe Napoli (KG5SDF)
• Garrett Martin (W5HVS)
• Vic Pears (KX8V)
• Paul Bilke (KF5WGJ)
• Bill Rose (K5WTR)
• Brad Snyder (W5BLS)
• Brian Gaskamp (KA5BKG)
• Matt Robinson (W5XMR)
• Don Ling (WB5CKO)
• Dick Zimmer (W5DZ)
• Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
• Mike Wisby (KA5HIA)
• David Bailey (K5DKB)
• Harold Turbyfill (KG5SDG)
• Russ McDonald (KL2PB)
• Jon Edwards (KI5YZR)
• Pierre Catala (WA1UAT)
• Phil Gates (N5ZKF)
• Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
• Ron Estes (KJ5EFO)
• Elizabeth Shutt (KJ5IDP)

Opening Remarks

• Last call: Michael “Doug” Kingman (NS5E)
  • Novice class license in 1986
  • From a family of radio operators
  • Upgraded to Extra at a time when 20 WPM CW was required
  • His great uncle taught him and his father Morse code
  • Lived in Baytown
  • Handled traffic during many events
  • Survived by Marilyn Kingman (KE5VOT)
  • W5BCS club member

Officer Reports

President

David Bailey (K5DKB)

• Next scheduled meeting 2025-01-18 11:00
  • BBQ Luncheon at Cooper’s BBQ, 3055 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station
  • Llano room until 13:00
• Thank you to Paul Bilke (KF5WGJ) for serving as Vice-President!
• Welcome to our new VP, Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)

Vice-President

Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)

• I have big shoes to fill and will do my best to do what I can!

Secretary

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

• Minutes will be sent out after the net.
• Not much from last two weeks
  • Thanks, Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ) for calling nets

Treasurer

Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)

• 46 members
• Bank balance: $8,569.58
• Membership renewals can be paid at Cooper’s or HamClubOnline
• Winter Field Day coming up
  • 2025-01-25/26
  • Schedule of activities:
    • setup begins Saturday 09:00
    • Ham License Exam 13:00
    • Presentation 14:30
    • Kit Builds 16:30
    • Raffle and Supper 18:00
    • Wrap-up on Sunday by 13:00
  • Need volunteers for:
    • equipment and meal setup
    • radio operations
    • cleanup
    • and more!

Announcements / Comments

Question #207 for conversation: What are your amateur radio plans for the new year?

(If interested in submitting a weekly question, email n5zkf@arrl.net)

Ron Hambric (N5SBN)

• Brazos County ARES Net tonight
• 20:30 or after W5BCS net, whichever is later

David Bailey (K5DKB)

• Ham radio plans for the new year
  • Hoping to finish 1000 contacts (“Kilo”) for Parks on the Air
  • Favorite operating spot is El Camino Real National Historic Trail off OSR

Vic Pears (KX8V)

• Plans for the year:
  • To pay my dues :-), but I’ve encountered a problem accessing the form
  • Email: kx8v@rocketmail.com
  • Phone: 295-203-1444

Ron Estes (KJ5EFO)

• Weather update: it’s cold!
• Possible winter storm on Thursday will be the big day
  • Cold rain is most likely
  • Slight chance of mixed sleet
• Be careful with limited visibility, wind chill, and ice
• My goals for 2025:
  • Get HF ready in the house

Matt Robinson (W5XMR)

• Working on HF amplifier retrofit
  • Tuning transformers right now
  • Making 800 W RMS
  • Fun project!

Phil Gates (N5ZKF)

• My plans for the year:
  • Planning to update firmware and code plugs and config for transceivers
  • Making a few AIOC thingies
  • Antenna tuning
  • Learning more about D-STAR
  • Maybe some other things, too.

Information Exchange

Phil Gates (N5ZKF)

• Happened across a company that makes screen protectors: Boxwave
  • Various types:
    • Matte finish anti-glare
    • Crystal clear
    • Privacy protection (small angle viewing)
  • They happen to make screen protectors for some radio equipment.

Closing Remarks

• Check us out online: https://w5bcs.radio/