We had our first indoor meeting in almost 2 years on October 19th.
We were assigned room 2005, which to my surprise was the same room that we had our last meeting in almost 2 years ago. There were about 30 hams in attendance and we were able to complete our regular club business of approving the previous meeting minutes and the club financials. We did a review and wrap up of some recent events such as Route 66 on the Air, Boy Scouts Camporee and JOTA. I let everyone know that club officer nominations for 2022 will take place at the November meeting. License upgrade testing will probably happen in January, weather permit-ting, so if you hold a Technician or General license and want to upgrade, start studying now so you’ll pass your test. We’re still looking for VE’s. It’s a simple open book test to get your accreditation. Go to the ARRL website and search for Volunteer Examiner. For a full review of the meeting, check out the minutes on the W5IAS website.
The TARC Tuesday night net is going strong. We’re averaging 25 hams checking in every week. It seems there is always either a new ham that just got their license, someone new to the net or a ham that has decided to get back in the hobby. Either way, we’re glad to hear lots of new callsigns and new activity on the repeaters. The recent topic has been “What can I do on the air as a Technician Class license holder?” and now we’re going to look at “What equipment do I need to work events?”
We’re getting closer to starting CW practice in Tulsa. If you were on a recent net you heard Andrew, W5AWS experimenting with sending CW over the 145.110 repeater. Simply holding the microphone of his dual band radio up to his HF radio speaker was all that was needed to send a clear signal. Interested in CW?
Even though club events are winding down now for the winter season, now is a good time to work on your antenna system or put up a new antenna. During the TARC net we try to identify those stations that have audio that is too low to understand or they just are not holding the repeater. This is critical information and we’ll do all we can to help improve your signal because Spring weather is right around the corner and if you have a weather report to send to our Net Control Station, they have to be able to understand you. This also means programming all the TARC repeater frequencies, reverse frequencies and TARC simplex frequency into your radios. We’re checking to see if 146.505 can be used as the club simplex frequency. If you have any information if that frequency is used in the Tulsa area, let us know.
Looking to get involved in club activities? The Tulsa Amateur Radio Club has been asked to help with the Sand Springs Christmas Parade on December 3rd from 4 to 9 PM. As the event gets closer, we’ll look at what equipment you need in order to participate and our responsibilities. Send an e mail to Bart Pickens, N5TWB if you can help.
The TARC Christmas Party is coming up also. Keep watching the TARC Facebook page or the W5IAS website for the date and time.
Even though club activities are winding down for the winter season, this is the beginning of contest season and there are lots of contests going on to sharpen your skills and have some fun. Check out the ARRL Con-test Corral for November. One of the favorites is Winter Field Day coming up the last weekend in January. Weather permitting, we may have a club activity that day at Chandler or another local park.
Next Meeting – November 16th Keplinger Hall 7 PM Room 2005.
Be safe, Be a good friend, Get on the air!
Mark WA5MA