2026-10-13 Net Minutes

opened: 20:00
closed: 20:38

Check-ins (33)

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
Richard Taylor (KJ5LXI)
Patrick Zapalac (KJ5ATR)
Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)
Avery McIntosh (N7ALM)
Ken Wilson (KE5DFR)
Brad Snyder (W5BLS)
Larry Shiver (KJ5KFU)
Gabriel Rodriguez (AI5TN)
Garrett Martin (W5HVS)
Jason Shutt (KI5LGO)
Brian Gaskamp (N5WCT)
Matt Robinson (W5XMR)
Robert Grigsby (KB5RAG)
Rick Swaims (W5RTF)
David Snyder (KJ5PZM)
Don Ling (WB5CKO)
Kevin Walton (N4RMF)
Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
Bill Preston (KZ3G)
David Bailey (K5DKB)
Mike Wisby (KA5HIA)
Elizabeth Shutt (KJ5IDP)
Bill Rose (K5WTR)
Harold Turbyfill (KG5SDG)
Michael Bobinski (N5NYL)
Mike Mertes (KZ5M)
Liam Sanders (KJ5QVW)
Travis Scott (KI5TMS)
Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
Phil Gates (N5ZKF)
Steven Payne (AA5BX)
John Walpole (K5ZY)

Opening Remarks

N5ZKF: New location and microphone

Officer Reports

President

David Bailey (K5DKB)

October monthly club meeting is this weekend!
- 2026-10-17 09:30
- American Legion Post 159, 101 Waco St, Bryan [Google Maps]
- Antenna troubleshooting on beam antenna (or feedline) after the meeting

Vice-President

Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)

Seeking volunteers and ideas for upcoming Winter Field Day
- 2027-01-23/24
Will be bringing two plastic sawhorses for antenna diagnostics

Secretary

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

Minutes will be sent out after the net.
Banquet tonight at George Bush Library; almost late for net 😅

Treasurer

Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)

83 members
Bank balance: $12,632.74
Look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting on Saturday!

Announcements / Comments

Question #296 for conversation: Are you using custom or open-source firmware on any of your radio devices?

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

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

I guess Meshtastic firmware counts as open-source…
- Using custom Meshtastic firmware to send custom data packets for project at work
- Great platform for getting started with custom device programming (ESP32 SDK)

Brian Gaskamp (N5WCT)

GigaParts is giving away a brand new ICOM IC-7300 Mk 2
- Go to website every day and fill out entry form
- If you answer question(s) correctly, you can put in up to 2 entries per day
Galveston POTA: My second best ever
- 226 contacts in 2 hours!
- Hoping to top 257 (set on Black Friday last year) someday

Matt Robinson (W5XMR)

I’ve used some open-source firmware, particularly on DMR radios
Been making modifications to factory firmware using AI
- Fixing bugs at the assembly layer!
- Neural-based noise filter DSP

Gabriel Rodriguez (AI5TN)

Next license exam
- 2026-10-17 11:00 (after club meeting)
- American Legion Post 159, 101 Waco St, Bryan [Google Maps]
- Be sure to have your FCC Registration Number (FRN), Photo ID, and $15 exam fee
- If you’re a volunteer examiner and available, we would appreciate the help
- Reach out to ve@w5bcs.radio

Bill Rose (K5WTR)

A lot of people don’t realize they’ve messed with firmware on their computer
- Beacon transmitter on computer
- Station ID-er

Phil Gates (N5ZKF)

2026-10-24 07:00 - Brazos Valley Household Solid Waste Management Agency collection
- Rain or shine!
- University Services Building, Harvey Rd [Google Maps]
- Paint cans, batteries, electronics, fertilizer, etc.
- No industrial waste, ammunition, tires
- More info at https://twinoakslandfill.com/

Buy / Sell

David Bailey (K5DKB)

Received an email with message from someone with two vintage items from someone’s estate:
- Heathkit Marauder HX-10 80 m thru 10 m SSB/CW/AM/FSK Transmitter
- Heathkit Warrior HA-10 Kilowatt Linear Amplifier
If interested, let me know at k5dkb@outlook.com