opened

20:00

closed

20:30

Check-ins (27)

• Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
• Bill Rose (K5WTR)
• Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)
• Avery McIntosh (N7ALM)
• Garrett Martin (W5HVS)
• Brad Snyder (W5BLS)
• Larry Shiver (KJ5KFU)
• Ron Hambric (N5SBN)
• Joe Napoli (KG5SDF)
• Patrick Zapalac (KJ5ATR)
• John Graesser (KC5DWD)
• Don Ling (WB5CKO)
• Kevin Walton (N4RMF)
• Dick Zimmer (W5DZ)
• Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
• David Bailey (K5DKB)
• Mike Wisby (KA5HIA)
• Ron Estes (KJ5EFO)
• Robert Carter (NC5R)
• Harold Turbyfill (KG5SDG)
• Rick Pfeil (W4RDP)
• Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
• Jon Edwards (KI5YZR)
• Matt Robinson (W5XMR)
• Phil Gates (N5ZKF)
• Pierre Catala (WA1UAT)
• Rich Rychetsky (W5SON)

Officer Reports

President

David Bailey (K5DKB)

• Nothing to report; great to hear everyone!

Vice-President

Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)

• ARRL Field Day is approaching 2025-06-28/29
  • looking for suggestions for our program
  • Also looking for Volunteers
  • Will set up a Zoom meeting schedule to start planning for Field Day
  • Contact me at tomdj56@yahoo.com with any suggestions or if you would like to help make Field Day happen

Secretary

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

• Minutes will be sent out after the net.

Treasurer

Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)

• Bank balance: $10,521.58
• 73 members
• Next Ham License Exam
• 2025-05-17 11:00
• American Legion Post 159

Announcements / Comments

Question #221 for conversation: If you have a handheld radio, do you use an aftermarket antenna with it?

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

Ron Hambric (N5SBN)

• CEOC meeting this Friday, 2025-05-02 09:00
  • Meet a little early, then go in
  • If you’re late, just call (979) 821-1012 or on the 443.425 MHz FM (KD5DLW) repeater, and we’ll let you in

Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)

• Yaesu FT-1DR with SMA to BNC adapter
• Comet Dual-band BNC-24 Antenna
• Easy to swap to my car antenna

David Bailey (K5DKB)

• I have a BNC adapter on my radio as well!
  • Got the idea from Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)
• Flexible Signal Stick by SignalStuff
  • I got the “boring” black one so it matches the radio
  • Nearly indestructible
  • Proceeds go to help https://hamstudy.org

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

• Baofeng with stock antenna, but I’ll often use a Nagoya 14-inch whip for the extra gain
• I also have ladder-line J-Pole at home that I swap out with my desktop rig (using right now)
• Can also will use mag-mount Tram antenna on my mobile rig

John Graesser (KC5DWD)

• Two baofengs with several after-market antennas:
  • Nagoya “super-stubby”
  • Tri-band whip for 2 m, 1.25 m, and 70 cm
  • DMR radio in the car that connects to roof-mounted antenna

Phil Gates (N5ZKF)

• Generally use manufacturer antenna
  • Have to be careful about stressing the antenna connector
• Exceptions:
  • OPEK brand whip, similar to Signal Stick
  • Also have 2 m ladder-line J-Pole

Buy / Sell

Bill Rose (K5WTR)

• Reminder that Henry Menefee (W5RAS) is downsizing.
• Allen Menefee (KD5MMH), his son, is helping to sell his dad’s HF equipment, including:
  • 4-element HF antenna
  • Two 2 m antennas
  • Hazer and tower
• If interested in viewing or purchasing, contact kd5mmh@mail.com

Closing Remarks

• Visit us online at w5bcs.radio.