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Berryessa Amateur Radio Klub Members: Please send us your email address, and if you have a website, please send your URL as well. We can add these to your roster listing. The newsletters will be posted on this website. Let us know if you would prefer receiving the newsletter as an emailed PDF file instead of snail mail hardcopy, which would save us the costs of copying and mailing.

BARK Membership

If you would like to join the Berryessa Amateur Radio Klub, just print out the form on the following page:

Membership Form

and send it in, We would be happy to have you...

Good Hamming from BARK.

Board Meeting Minutes

The BARK board meeting was called to order by President Bill Gustavson, KG6GNI at the LSCE Office, 500 First Street, Woodland at 9:00am on Saturday, January 16, 2010.  Board members present were Ken Wilson, K6WLS; Jack Hendrick, K6JAC; Ione Hendrick, W6ION; Gary Ford, N6GF; and Bob Jordan, KI6BZR.

Gary provided an update on the checking account, which had a balance of about $1770, within $10 of the balance at this time last year.  The status of dues collection was reviewed, with plans to alert those members whose dues expire this month.  The group reviewed Bill’s operating budget and anticipated expenditures for 2010.  Gary provided a few adjustments on expense amounts.

Bill described interference being received from the Cloverdale 146.970 repeater. After some discussion, Bill agreed to write a letter to the group to explain the problems we have been experiencing.

Ken reported that the new 2m transceiver is working correctly. He and Damian Appert, AB6WB, need to take the transceiver up to the site for installation. The problems with the 2m portion of the power controller need to be investigated, as the 2m transceiver is currently connected to the unused controller for the former 220 system. This task will be deferred until the spring when the weather improves.

Recent news on the PAVE-PAWS system was reviewed. After discussion, Bill agreed to provide a report to Dan Henderson at the ARRL about our low power use of our 440 system for control purposes.

Bill reported that he continues to collect information about an Echolink for our 2m repeater. He has a June target date for implementation.

A successor or successors for Gary as secretary/treasurer was discussed. Gary explained that he would begin to write up his duties and to provide his computer files with explanations as to their purpose.

The board agreed to have Bill talk to Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT, about the possibility for him to assume management of the club website. Gary reviewed his financial records quickly, reporting that it appeared that our last payment to the provider was in 2001.

The trustee position was discussed, with Gary saying that he wished to be replaced, as he is not able to monitor the repeater on a regular basis.

Jack explained the responsibilities of the repeater operator. There is need for a backup who can monitor frequently. There is a need to add material to the systems operations manual.

The problems with the power controller were discussed. This homebrew system is difficult to maintain and there is a desire to replace it with a commercial system. Bill will contact Maggiori to get their recommendations.

PG&E installed a SmartMeter. Gary will check to see if he can monitor electricity use through the PG&E website.

Jack, as chair of the Repeater Maintenance Committee, recommends turning over this responsibility to Ken, as he does not get up to the site often. Bill will send to Jack his description of actions to take when visiting the site, asking him to revise as needed.

There is a need to cut back brush to provide a defensible area around the building. This should be done in the spring when the weather improves.

Bob, chair of the Membership Committee reported that we gained two new members from the testing session. Club information should be sent to HRO in Oakland. Ken showed a club membership card, explaining that a template is available to print 10 per sheet

A letter will be sent to Hal Stoner, WB6KXV, granting him life membership.

The next board meeting will tentatively be held in April, with board members to provide Bill with their weekend availability.

BARK Newsletter

Vol. 37, No. 2, November 2009

PDF Version of Newsletter

2009 Annual Meeting

The BARK annual meeting was held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the Red Cross building in Woodland. President Bill Gustavson (KG6GNI) called the meeting to order at 09:32am. Nine members present: President Bill (KG6GNI); Vice President Ken (K6WLS); Director Bob (KI6BZR); Sam (N7DTW); Director Ione (W6ION); Director Jack (K6JAC); Al (K6QDC); and Mark KD6QHH. With 22 proxies, we met our quorum.

Treasurer-Secretary Gary, (N6GF) reviewed the minutes from the 2008 annual meeting. A vote to approve the minutes was called, seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Gary also presented the Treasurer's report, with a balance of $2,226.51 at the end of July 2009. This is nearly $700 more than the July 2008 balance, due to the increase in membership, but Gary noted that he would soon be making the $300 annual insurance payment. He also said our total membership is 57, eight more than at the same time last year.

A discussion of the membership followed. Bill proposed that Damian (AB6WB) granted life member status for his technical contributions to the BARK repeater system. His proposal was moved, seconded, and approved by a unanimous vote. Gary asked if this should be considered a “family life membership” and it was agreed that this should be the case.

In the discussion of BARK membership, Jack noted that former director Val (W6LED) had fallen off his roof, crushing one of his feet. He has undergone surgery to repair the damage and is undergoing a lengthy recuperation. Bill said that he would send a get-well card on behalf of the club.

The next order of business was to elect two board members. The terms of Ken (K6WLS) and Jack (K6JAC) had expired. Both agreed to serve again, so they were nominated and elected by a unanimous vote.

The new board then considered the officer positions. Bill (KG6GNI) agreed to continue to serve as President, Ken (K6WLS), agreed to serve as Vice President and Gary (N6GF) agreed to continue as the Secretary/Treasurer. All were approved by acclamation.

Gary announced that he wished to step down from his duties as secretary/treasurer in October 2010, having served in these positions for 20 years. He suggested that it would be possible to separate these responsibilities into two positions to reduce the workload. He expressed his willingness to transfer the responsibilities and assist with the transition during the next year.

Bill proposed that a directors meeting be held in February or March of 2010. A specific date will be proposed later.

Bill proposed the establishment of a membership committee and Bob, KI6BZR agreed to serve as the committee chair.

Fund raising ideas were discussed, including the possibility of a raffle at the general meeting. HRO in Oakland may be willing to provide some prizes.

The possibility of monthly or quarterly meetings, possibly involving weekend breakfasts, was discussed, but no firm action was taken.

The board agreed to maintain the current membership dues.

The board discussed offering license exams. Ken (K6WLS) agree to lead this effort.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am.

The President’s Corner

Thanksgiving 2009 is just around the corner and we have plenty to be thankful for. Yes the economy is very sluggish right now, but it could be a lot worse, as it was at the end of the 70’s. I just pray for a rapid economic recovery and always for the safe return of our troops; hoping that all will be home soon after completing their mission (performed very well despite difficult strategic situations and excessive political gamesmanship).

Last time as I sat here writing for this op bit, I was looking out the window and observing a storm that was passing through. The current weather is very pleasant but I know that a very large and warm El Nino sits off the coast. We all know that the presence of a strong El Nino usually brings or promotes very heavy winter rains along with the associated flooding we are so susceptible to. So again, even though it is very pleasant out now, make sure all of your radio gear is ready for emergency operation this winter. Take advantage of the nice weather to check all of your gear for proper operation.

EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT UPDATE

Earlier this year, we experienced a problem with the 2M antenna at Berryessa Peak. Upon inspection, we determined one of the outer shell couplings on the antenna had worked loose and allowed moisture to collect internally. Temporary repairs were made and the antenna put back in service.

Recently, the repeater site was again visited to perform normal pre-winter weather maintenance and to temporarily replace the antenna so repairs could be made in a more controlled environment. Upon closer inspection, it was decided to not only repair the existing antenna, but also to purchase a new unit. Last week, the new antenna was installed and the old, refurbished antenna, stored at the repeater site as a backup.

Our thanks to Jack (K6JAC), and Ken (K6WLS – who provided the tower climbing effort) for their many trips and hours spent and to Bob (KI6BZR), and Bill (KG6GNI) providing assistance, as needed, with the repair effort.

At last report, all equipment is operating very well.

ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF THE REPEATER FACILITY

Keeping the BARK repeater up and operational requires a reliable on-going maintenance program. Currently, only a few members participate in the maintenance program. We need more members to step up to support the effort.

If you would like to commit to assisting the club with performing maintenance, in addition to learning a lot about radios and associated equipment, please contact Jack, K6JAC.

PACKET RADIO

Just a reminder that the BARK repeater site has a packet radio for use by any licensed, amateur radio operator. The BARK club possesses some very knowledgeable and talented individuals who are very much into packet radio. In fact the BARK web page has information and links to a great deal of information on packet radio which will make it very easy for you to become involved. If you are interested, and need help, contact the club experts Al (WB6YNM), or Jack (K6JAC).

Repeater System Report

The power controller for the 440 repeater failed, so Ken, K6WLS, and Damian, AB6WB, switched over to the power controller from our former 220 repeater. When time allows, the failure will be investigated and repaired.

Ken found one of the solar cells to be partially shaded, so he raised it to keep it in the sun. We currently have three 15W solar cells used exclusively to charge the power backup batteries. There is interest in investigating a fully solar powered operation. We currently average about 5 Kwh per day. If we went fully solar with battery storage and operated all of the systems on 13.6VDC, we would not have the losses associated with our current set of power supplies.

It is time to install the new 2m repeater that was purchased some time ago. This would allow us the opportunity to get some time on it before the bad weather hits and perform any debugging and make any required repairs to the existing unit. The PL problem encountered previously should now be resolved.

Another minor project is to turn off the 2m transmitter final amplifier cooling fan for the winter.

W6YOB and WA6QPU Silent Keys

Jim Crowley, W6YOB, of Middletown became a silent key in the summer of 2009. An extra class ham, he was a long-time member of BARK and was active in ARES, DX, and traffic nets.

Mary Ann Harral, WA6QPU, wife of Al Harral, WB6YNM, of Bethel Island, became a silent key 0n October 5, 2009 at the age of 80. Mary Ann and Al have been BARK members for many years. A former teacher, Mary Ann was very active in retirement as an artist and dog trainer.

Ham Radio Licensing Test Session

BARK is sponsoring a Ham Radio licensing test session on December 12 from 8:00am to noon. Technician, General, and Extra class tests will be administered. The test session will be held at the Red Cross chapter building located at 120 Cross Street in Woodland. For additional information, please contact Ken, K6WLS. We look forward to your participation and please welcome any of your ham friends to join us.

Treasurer’s Report

The following is the budget summary for the 2008-2009 fiscal year:

Balance 7/08	$1,328.92
Income:
Dues	$1,157.00
Patches	$18.00
Miscellaneous	$480.00
Expenses:
Operating	$630.85
Correspondence	$53.98
Bank	$72.58
Resale	$0.00
Miscellaneous	$0.00
Balance 7/09	$2,226.51

In the time since July 2009, we have received about $200 in membership dues and have had about $450 in operating expenses, so our balance on November 6, 2009 is $1,993.41.

Membership News

Since the March 2009 newsletter, we gained three new members, but lost six, so our membership total dropped to 54.

New members are:

KI3REN	Kitren Glozer	Davis
KI6VWH	Skip Chapman	Sacramento
KI6VWI	Anne Chapman	Sacramento

Several memberships have expired since the last newsletter. Please check the mailing label on this newsletter to find your membership expiration date. If your membership has expired, or will expire soon, the date will be highlighted.

Note that the annual dues are now $30 for both for an individual or a family membership. Please send renewal checks, made out to BARK, to Gary Ford, N6GF, at the return address on this newsletter. If I do not receive your dues by early June, I will send a reminder.

You are encouraged to invite other hams to join the club. Just have them send their dues to the return address on this newsletter and to provide their name, address, and call sign.

ARRL News

From Chris Hintz and Eric, KC0VZU, at Sacramento's National Weather Service office: “The 2009 Skywarn Recognition Day Event is a little over one month away (Dec 4-5)”. The Sacramento Section is making plans to participate in the event.

FCC Public Notice DA 09-2259 clarifies section 97.113 forbidding amateur operations for pecuniary interest for an employer. A waiver is available for exercises, but it is not automatic. On October 27, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) granted the first waiver that allows amateurs who participate in a government-sponsored emergency preparedness and disaster drill to communicate on behalf of their employers during the drill. The waiver request was made on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. That state conducted a full-scale exercise on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 8 AM-5 PM (EDT) to test their emergency response to the possible release of chemical agents at Blue Grass Army Depot, located near Richmond, Kentucky. By using and understanding the waiver process, we can gain a full understanding of that section of our rules.