2026-02-03 Net Minutes
- opened
- 20:00
- closed
- 20:37
Check-ins (29)
- Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
- Bill Rose (K5WTR)
- Brian Gaskamp (N5WCT)
- Gabriel Rodriguez (AI5TN)
- Ken Wilson (KE5DFR)
- Don Ling (WB5CKO)
- Patrick Zapalac (KJ5ATR)
- Brandon Bartlett (KG5LYN)
- Avery McIntosh (N7ALM)
- Larry Shiver (KJ5KFU)
- David Bailey (K5DKB)
- Brad Snyder (W5BLS)
- Joe Napoli (KG5SDF)
- Kevin Walton (N4RMF)
- Garrett Martin (W5HVS)
- Bill Preston (KZ3G)
- Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
- Andrew Giles (KR4CNX)
- Ron Estes (KJ5EFO)
- Roseanne Cunningham (KC5FGG)
- Robert Carter (NC5R)
- Ron Hambric (N5SBN)
- Russ McDonald (KL2PB)
- Michael Bobinski (N5NYL)
- Nathan Wood (KN4TTV)
- Phil Gates (N5ZKF)
- Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
- Steven Payne (AA5BX)
- Blake Hearen (K5BAH)
Officer Reports
President
David Bailey (K5DKB)
- February meeting coming up in a few weeks
- Primary item on the agenda is our May meeting
- Our usual location (American Legion Post 159) won’t be available at the usual time (2026-05-16 09:30).
- If you have any ideas for a different location or time, please bring it to the upcoming club meeting on 2026-02-21 09:30
Vice-President
Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
- Our Winter Field Day Raffle winner was Brad Snyder (W5BLS). Congrats!
Secretary
Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
- Minutes will be sent out after the net.
- Typically monitor calling frequencies (esp. on the road) and local repeaters in town:
- 146.520 MHz FM
- 146.680 MHz FM (W5BCS)
- 146.820 MHz FM (W5AC)
- 443.425 MHz FM (KD5DLW)
- 446.000 MHz FM
Treasurer
Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
- 62 members
- Bank balance: $13,161.10
- Dues can be paid online at https://hamclubonline.com
- Or you can pay via cash or card at the next meeting
- Next license exam:
- 2026-02-21 11:00 (after February club meeting)
- at American Legion Post 159
- If you’re planning to take the Technician exam, you’ll need to remember to bring your FCC Registration Number (FRN)!
- Looking for volunteer examiners to help proctor
Announcements / Comments
Question #261 for conversation: What frequencies or repeater do you regularly monitor?
(If interested in submitting a weekly question, email n5zkf@arrl.net)
Bill Rose (K5WTR)
- Sunspot AR4366 turning to face us
- Most active sunspot of 25th cycle
- Will be in strike zone for the rest of the week
- Be sure to prep your equipment as necessary
Ron Hambric (N5SBN)
- CEOC visit this Friday, 2026-02-06 09:00
- If late, call on 146.680 MHz FM (W5BCS) repeater
- Brazos County ARES (N5BRZ) Net tonight!
- 20:30 or after this net, whichever is later
- on 443.425 MHz FM (KD5DLW) repeater
Andrew Giles (KR4CNX)
- Typically monitor:
- GRMS channels
- 2m calling frequency
- Citizen’s band channel 19
Brian Gaskamp (N5WCT)
- Last week: announced our 2nd Annual Technician Class in Brenham
- Had to close registration due to capacity
- We have 32 people signed up!
- For comparison, we had 11 last year, and all passed!
Bill Rose (K5WTR)
- Metronet fiber maintenance scheduled:
- tonight, 2026-02-04 00:00/06:00
- 2026-02-06 00:00/06:00
Phil Gates (N5ZKF)
- I usually monitor:
- 146.680 MHz FM (W5BCS)
- 443.425 MHz FM (KD5DLW)
- 146.820 MHz FM (W5AC)
- 146.520 MHz FM (2m calling frequency)
- 146.490 MHz FM (local rag chew)
- Scanning in memory mode
- mainly repeaters
- Crossband repeater network
- HF frequencies:
- Maritime mobile net
- 4.290 MHz Net
- Roy Wiggins (KR5W) recently diagnosed with ALS
- Moved into nursing home
- Not himself the last time I chatted with him
- Lithium Ion Battery safety Recently posted link on Facebook page (and group):
- Lumafield Battery Quality Report
- 1000 batteries sampled, revealed pervasive safety and specification problems!
- House burned down in my neighborhood a few years ago due to a random battery flare-up
- Be careful where you source your batteries!
Closing Remarks
- Visit us online at w5bcs.radio.