2023-10-17 Net Minutes

Check-ins (25)

David Bailey (K5DKB)

Next club meeting is this weekend
- 2023-10-21 09:30
- American Legion Post 159
VE test session (more on this from KI5FIZ later)
Radio in the Park following the meeting
- East side of Tanglewood Park
- Weather looks like it’ll be sunny and hot (95 °F)

Paul Bilke (KF5WGJ)

excused

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

Minutes will be sent out after the net.
Hope y’all were able to enjoy the Annular Solar Eclipse this weekend; more on this later

Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)

70 members
Bank balance: $8,405.06
VE session 11:00 after meeting this Saturday
- Have four volunteer examiners signed up (can always use more, but feel free)
Winter Field Day Committee meeting tomorrow 18:00
- Contact me if you still need the link
- treasurer@w5bcs.radio

Question #148 for conversation: Tell us about your annular eclipse experience this weekend. (Bonus points if it includes Amateur Radio)

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

There will be another eclipse next year
2024-04-08
A total eclipse this time, which means the whole sun will be covered
- KG5LYE: more interesting things to see in the sky

glad to be past midterms
apparently I did a great job forgetting all about it
Went to Garner State Park to observe eclipse
- Didn’t think about activating Parks on the Air until just now
My brother had his telescope with a solar filter and DSLR attachment
Shared photo album; in particular, check out the composite time lapse image
Stopped by SeaWorld on the way back Sunday to get a behind-the-scenes tour
- Got to meet a lot of the animals and trainers

Got about 500 ft of 18 AWG wire (stranded) if you need to build an antenna
Question: since there isn’t an “Advanced” class license anymore, what happened to the “Advanced” class band privileges? Do they get merged into General or Extra?
- N5ZKF: “Advanced” is still called out on band plans, so I guess privileges remain the same, even if there are no new licensees in this class

Looking for nominations for officer positions for the next year.
- If you would like to nominate someone or self-nominate
- Contact me if interested: n5zkf@arrl.net
Household Hazardous Waste collection
- 2023-10-21 07:00/14:00, “rain or shine”
- Old TI building / TAMU University Services Building
- Enter from Harvey Road
- Can also bring books and blankets to donate

Anyone know of a free antenna modeling program for Linux?
- K5WTR: EZNEC, not sure if a Linux version is available
- N5ZKF: xnec2c