The meeting was called to order by our President Gene, WOKAD, at 7:00 PM. Newcomers and guests were James Thomas from Spokane, WA and Don Connelly, N6SRH, from CA.
Carolyn, AB7KC, Treasurer’s report, finds that we have $2,427.06 in the General Fund and $2,087.93 in the Repeater Fund for a total of $4,514.99.
Please use our website, gvarc.us as it is constantly changing with information. One new item is Operating Tips, located under comments. It’s a good time to review our operating habits. Don’t depend on the Newsletter as it is monthly news and the website is daily. We need volunteers to help with the website, call Gene, W0KAD.
A group plans to go to Sierra Vista for their hamfest on May 6th. See the website for details.
On May 8 we will operate a station at the Titan Missile Site to help them celebrate their 20th Anniversary. The club will purchase a canopy for this event as well as others that we participate in.
Lloyd, N7GV, reports that on Apr. 8th three people passed their General Class Licenses. Lloyd’s kids are finishing their projects at Continental school. A reminder to look at the website as there is some great equipment for sale.
Field Day is coming up the last part of June. Contact Gene, WOKAD, as we need a planning committee.
Our guest speaker was Ron, VE6RGP, who gave a great talk on EchoIRLP, which we will have operating on 145.27 shortly. All you have to do is pick up your microphone and punch in the node number of the person or repeater you want to talk to. Talk to Ron, 204-1439, for additional info. Nodes are available at www.irlp.net. GVARC node number is 3826. When finished with your transmission simply punch in 73. Classes and demos of this system will be announced.
Dr. Ed, NOXIR, won the Door prize of a one-year subscription to World Radio. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Brooklyn, New York's, Kings County Repeater Association will honor the memory of Telegraph pioneer Samuel F. B. Morse on Sunday June 18th. That's the 134th Anniversary of his interment after having passed away on April 2, 1872. A brief memorial service and wreath lying will be held at Morse' grave in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery at 10:30 AM. Afterwards, the KCRA will operate a Special Event Station from the cemetery beginning at 11:30 AM Eastern Time and continue until 3:00 PM. The call to be used will be KC2RA on 80 through 10 meter CW and SSB. The club's 2 meter repeater will be the talk-in frequency for anyone visiting the site. The repeater can be accessed on 146.430 with a + 1 MHz. split and a PL of 136.5 HZ. There will also be a special QSL card issued to those making contact with KC2RA. Stations making contact who wish to receive this QSL card should send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
Kings County Repeater Association
Samuel Morse Memorial Special Event
P.O. Box 280288
Brooklyn, New York 11228
Anyone seeking further information about this event can email n2bmu@arrl.net. On the web information is at www.kc2ra.com. (KCRA)
Don’t miss this meeting as we wrap up a lot of business including Field Day etc.
Bonus - Demo by Ron, VE6RGP, on our new EchoIRLP