2026-01-13 Net Minutes

Check-ins (32)

David Bailey (K5DKB)

This Saturday is not just our monthly meeting, it’s our annual traditional BBQ luncheon!
- 2026-01-17 11:00/13:00
- Cooper’s BBQ, 3055 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station [Google Maps]
- Mind the construction on Hwy 6
Check your email: I forwarded an email from Brian Gaskamp (N5WCT) on behalf of the Washington County Amateur Radio Club (W5AUM)
- Free Technician License course coming up
- 2026-02-21 09:00/17:00 — instruction
- 2026-02-22 12:00/14:00 instruction, 14:00/17:00 — testing
- Christ Lutheran Day School, 1104 Carlee St, Brenham [Google Maps]
- Attendance is limited to 20 individuals: Register by 2026-02-17

Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)

52 members, including one who snuck in after the net started!
- I will be taking dues at Cooper’s BBQ this weekend
- You can also do so online at HamClubOnline
Bank balance: $13,153.01
Next Ham License Exam
- Winter Field Day
- Sunday 2026-01-25 10:00
- American Legion Post 159, 101 Waco St, Bryan [Google Bryan]
- I need Volunter Examiners for the session
- If you’re taking the Technician exam, you must register for and bring your FCC Registration Number (FRN)

Question #258 for conversation: HF Antennas: What is your favorite HF antenna?

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

First meeting of semester 2026-01-22 19:00
Wisenbaker 236C
License Exam 18:00 hr before
We will have Winter Field Day on campus at “E-Quad”
- Look for giant inflatable Santa
Remote test session this Friday, 2026-01-16 18:00
- Email clubofficers.w5ac@gmail.com to RSVP
My favorite HF antennas:
- Coil-loaded vertical (10 m to 40 m) that fits in my backpack
- Recently built a fan dipole in Conroe (40 m, 15 m, 20 m, and 10 m)
- Has anyone done anything with ferrite rod antennas?
  - N5ZKF: I’ve heard of receiving ferrite antennas, nothing for transmitting

Thanks to David Bailey (K5DKB) for sending out Technician License course and test session info!
- (See announcement above)
- Saturday 2026-02-21 09:00/17:00, 2026-02-22 12:00/14:00
Look up N5ID on YouTube: He built a 17 m beam from PVC and fishing poles

I’m not receiving net minutes, at least not since November
- Maybe send email to secretary@w5bcs.radio
I have an east-west-oriented tuned half-wave dipole: 40 m to 10 m
How do you renew membership online?
- N5ZKF: I’ll send you the instructions in an email.

My antennas:
- Yaesu ATAS-120A
- Hy-Gain AV-14AVQ
- Wolf River Coil Silver Bullet whip antenna

Designing an external active (powered) speaker for our go-kit:
- is there anything that you would recommend including in an external radio speaker?
- Amplified headphone outputs
- Some basic filtering
- If you have additional thoughts, send an email to clubofficers.w5ac@gmail.com
K5OWO:
- Different radios expect different external speaker impedance
- Having multiple (3?) output jacks, including various size plugs.
K5WTR:
- Bluetooth transmitter
W5XMR:
- High-pass filter, 200–300 Hz
- Pressing buttons will emit a loud “Pop”