2024-02-20 Net Minutes

Check-ins (38)

David Bailey (K5DKB)

Very pleased to see y’all at the meeting on Saturday!
- Nice to have a Winter Field Day recap and opportunity for feedback
- Looking forward to next year already

Paul Bilke (KF5WGJ)

Sorry for being so long-winded at the meeting on Saturday, but it was a good discussion!
If anyone has any questions about anything, or if you want to provide any other feedback, feel free to email me at paul@consipiracy.net

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

Minutes will be sent out after the net.
It’s great to have the opportunity for anyone in the world to check in via Echolink
- “Increasing our radio footprint!”

Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)

59 members
- If you’d like to renew, we accept applications via:
  - HamClubOnline
  - PayPal invoice (contact treasurer@w5bcs.radio)
  - In-person at club meeting
Bank balance: $9,086.14
Very successful VE License Exam this weekend:
- Mindy Caldwell (KJ5MJC) went from Tech to Extra in one sitting!
- New Tech: Robert Sheffield
  - Special thank-you to Brad Snyder (KG5SDE) for donating a radio to give!
- Next license exam opportunity will be 2023-03-16 11:00 at American Legion Post 159 (after W5BCS meeting)

Question #165 for conversation: Have you had SkyWarn training?

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

Emergency Management Group (Michelle, et al) usually hosts a SkyWarn class in Bryan each year
- Usually two sessions, early afternoon and early evening, either in March or April
- Often a “basic” session, but sometimes offer an “advanced” session
Can also take the course online
Also offered in Huntsville and other areas
- Training schedule is on the NOAA NWS site

I went to a training a long time ago; it was really neat!
Do you have to renew training periodically?
- N5ZKF: not aware of any requirements, but always good to refresh

Trains on time, but model train club has been dissolved by the city :(
Ran SkyWarn net in Huntsville and had the feeling that I should “go mobile”
Spotted a tornado to the north behind some trees and called it in
Back then, it had to go through the Sheriff’s office, who had to verify it before it would be reported

Was at the SkyWarn training last year; lots of people on the net here tonight were there as well!
Shout-out to Kevin Walton (N4RMF) for all he did with SkyWarn!

Exercise your right to vote!
- 2024-02-20 - early voting opened today
- Remains open through 2024-03-01
https://brazosvotes.org/
Locations:
- Brazos County Election Administrator Office (McLeod Training Room)
  300 E Wm J Bryan Pkwy, Ste 100, Bryan, TX
- Arena Hall
  2906 Tabor Rd (int. Tabor Rd and N Earl Rudder Fwy), Bryan, TX
- Galilee Baptist Church
  804 N Logan Ave, Bryan, TX
- College Station Utilities Meeting and Training Facilities
  1603 Graham Rd, College Station, TX
- Memorial Student Center (MSC), Rm L526
  Joe Routt Blvd, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Texas A&M Undergraduate Research Scholar (URS) symposium
- tomorrow, 2024-02-21, MSC Ballroom
- Poster presentations by honors undergraduates

Congratulations to Becky Miller (K5BEC) and Kerry Miller (WD5ABC) on their recent marriage!
I’ve been to several trainings, both “basic” and “advanced”
- I recommend going again if you haven’t been in a while
- The science does progress over time
Highly recommend “advanced” course as well if you get the chance
- You’ll see “ground truth” of what is observed visually and on radar
Next training opportunity will be 2024-03-20 18:00/20:00
- Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Dr, Bryan, TX 77802
- Organized by Amy Zaragoza, azaragoza@cstx.gov
- Contact n5zkf@arrl.net if you want more info

Any suggestions regarding Kenwood TS-590 or other HF radios?
- N5ZKF: nothing with the Kenwood, but lots of experience with Yaesu radios—very capable and reliable!
- KA5HIA: I have Kenwood TS-590S and is very capable, but doesn’t have the nice waterfall display
  - Yaesu FT-DX10 was very fascinating to see at Winter Field Day
  - Icom IC-7300 is also very popular, but would recommend the FT-DX10 over it

Just had the chance to check into Central Carolina SkyWarn weekly net 21:15-05:00
- NWS in Raleigh, NC
- Headed by Nick, WX3H