Meetings and Discussion
This section of the web site will recap previous meetings and any discussion that was raised at these meetings or since that time. This will give the membership time to digest what was brought up and then pose any questions, comments, or suggestions. It will also have downloadable files of any pertinent program material presented at these meetings.
RARC Meeting September 27, 2018
The regular meeting of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club was called to order with 10 members and two guests in attendance. We welcome once again Andy Zimmerman and also Ms. Tonya Pride from Samburg who has harbored an interest in amateur radio for many years. She will be taking her Technician Class license exam this weekend in Alamo, TN. Welcome Tonya and good luck on the exam !
Secretary-Treasurer Noel KJ4UNX was unavailable for this meeting and former Secretary-Treasurer Jamie WB4YDL was pressed into service. The financial statement was reported and old business was reviewed. No comments or questions on the old business were received. New business consisted of announcing that the Christmas holiday gathering will once again be at the Old West Steakhouse and will be scheduled for Saturday, December 8th at 6 PM. The only other business was regarding the upcoming hamfest - Terry KM4EUG had mentioned that he was willing to assist in the sound system to attempt to make better a tough problem - good sound at the armory. Jamie will contact him about this.
Many thanks to Glenn N4MJ and XYL Linda for providing the excellent refreshments for the evening's meeting ! After the break, Glenn gave part 1 of the History of Ham Radio which really began long before radio was a word. He reviewed the contributions to the science of radio beginning with the great scientists and mathematicians such as Volta, Ohm, and Ampere who we know now as units for Ohm's Law. This progressed to the great Maxwell, Faraday, and Hertz who contributed to the science of electromagnetism and eventually radio. Marconi is thought to be the first amateur radio operator and made his famous trans-Atlantic Morse Code transmission. Part 2 of this fascinating journey will be next month at our last organized monthly meeting. See you there !
RARC Meeting August 23, 2018
The August meeting of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club was called to order by club president Harrell Davidson WD4LAR at 6:30 pm at the Obion County Library. Twelve members were in attendance with one guest KN4OPZ Randall Flowers. Mr. Flowers joined our group after the meeting was over.
The secretary/treasurer financial report was given by Noel KJ4UNX and the club made a motion the accept the report.
In old business, Jamie Hall WB4YDL’s EME presentation was reviewed. The club hats arrived and were shown to the group.
We skipped new business and went straight to the very great smelling dinner that Ms. June Hall, Jamie Hall WB4YDL’s XYL, prepared for the group. She cooked up an excellent tasty meal that included Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine, Caesar Salad, rolls, cheese cake and an awesome chocolate ganache. I wish I had brought some bowls to take some home, because it was umm umm good. I know this ham gained at least 5 pounds after this delicious meal.
After refreshments, WD4LAR asked everyone to speak to the group about what Amateur Radio means to them and how it has influenced them. Everyone in the group had a good story to tell.
After the discussion AK4VU Mike Stayton made a motion to adjourn and Bob K9IL seconded the motion.
Hope to see everyone next meeting.RARC Meeting July 26, 2018
The July 26th meeting of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by our president Harrell Davidson WD4LAR. We had 19 club members in attendance.
KJ4UNX, Noel Vickers gave the financial report for the club and read reviewed the old business from the May meeting. Everyone agreed to accept the report. WB4YDL, James Hall handled the new business for this month which was Field Day attendance, scores, issues and possibilities for improvements for 2019. Scores were down this year owing in part to declining sunspots. All stations had sub-par QSO totals most notably the phone station.
Hannah KK4SJF and Steve KK4NNH Clayton had the refreshments this month. They served homemade soup and cornbread with all the fixings that go along with them. For desert they made a chocolate cake and a lemon cake. The meal was truly delicious. This ham is truly glad Mrs. Hannah is a club member because everything she bakes is awesome.
After refreshments, WB4YDL James Hall gave a very in-depth and informative presentation on EME or moon bounce. He discussed the history of EME, how it has evolved since the 50’s, equipment needed to try to make a contact. He also showed us his setup and his EME contact with Hawaii. The video clips of this endeavor to make a EME contact were simply amazing. If you missed the meeting you missed a great presentation.
After the presentation, Jamie answered questions from the audience. Then Phil N4PWG made a motion to adjourn and Glenn N4MJ seconded the motion. See you next month.
RARC Meeting May 24, 2018
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club was called to order by Harrell WD4LAR with 14 members and one guest in attendance. We welcomed Bobby Richardson W4NWT who is the Lake County ARES Emergency Coordinator. One of our newest members, Mary Irby told the group that she may take the Technician Class license exam at Field Day VE test session, scheduled for that Saturday morning at 9AM. Noel KJ4UNX gave the financial report and reviewed the old business from last month. Everyone was in agreement with the financial report and agreed to accept it.
Jamie WB4YDL, talked about the upcoming Field Day. He discussed station setup and also talked about the available bonus points which are unchanged from last year. We will need to try and round up some kids for the youth bonus and this is being looked into. Antenna setup will consist of the same antennas as last year that were successful during a declining solar cycle. The GOTA station antenna has not yet been determined. Setup will begin on that Thursday evening as before and will also incorporate the Hamfest Planning Committee meeting.
After the Field Day discussion, Harrell WD4LAR had the group take a break for refreshments. Harrell WD4LAR and his XYL Carrie furnished the refreshments consisting of homemade pimento cheese, chicken salad, macaroni salad, 3-bean salad, potato chips, chocolate pies, banana cream pie and pecan pie. The meal was excellent and if you didn’t gain a pound or two from it, something was seriously wrong. I know I did.
After the meal, our guest Bobby Richardson W4NWT gave a very in-depth talk on passing traffic using the ARRL Radiogram - how to fill one out correctly, when to send one back as undeliverable, and anything and everything in between.
After Bobby W4NWT’s talk Glenn N4MJ made a motion to adjourn and Phil N4PWG 2nd the motion.
There will not be a regular meeting in June. Hope to see everyone Field Day.
RARC Meeting April 26, 2018
The April 26th meeting of the Reelfoot Amatuer Radio Club was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by our president Harrell Davidson WD4LAR. We welcomed 4 guests this month - Wanda Clayton, Mary Irby, Seth KN4LFM and Tom Beilmann KØKTB. We also welcomed 15 club members to the meeting.
KJ4UNX, Noel Vickers gave the financial report for the club. Everyone agreed to accept the report. Next Noel gave the figures for the 2018 Ides of March Hamfest. Everyone agreed on the figures and deemed it a success.
Hannah KK4SJF and Steve KK4NNH Clayton had the refreshments this month. They served homemade breads, various cheeses, turkey and roast beef slices, homemade meatballs, chips, vegetables with dip, and an awesome bowl of potato salad. And for desert lemon and chocolate cakes. I have no idea how Steve stays so skinny with great food like this around the house. Thanks Hannah for the great refreshments. It was truly tasty.
After refreshments, Tom Beilmann KØKTB gave an excellent presentation on digital communications with fldigi. He talked about using digital modes on uhf and vhf in emergency situations instead of using hf frequencies. He also discussed a couple programs in the fldigi download flmsg and flrig. He had a great power point presentation on his laptop. Tom”s friend Mr.Murphy tagged along with him and played havoc on his laptop. But hey, what are friends for.
After the presentation, Phil N4PWG made a motion to adjourn and Mike AK4VU seconded the motion. See you next month.
RARC Meeting March 22, 2018
The March meeting of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club was called to order by club president Harrell Davidson WD4LAR. We welcomed 3 visitors this month. Mary Irby and her son, Seth Smith. Seth will be taking his Technician Class license exam at the Hamfest this weekend. We also welcomed Andy Zimmerman, a teacher at Obion County Central High school. He is quite interested in the ham radio hobby. The club had 17 members in attendance for the meeting.
The secretary/treasurer report was given by Noel KJ4UNX and this was accepted into the record. Old and new business were reviewed -Hamfest preparation. Harrell WD4LAR discussed prizes, tables, food, vendors and the many other issues dealing with Hamfest 2018.
Our president Harrell WD4LAR and his XYL Carrie had refreshments this month. They brought barbecue chicken and buffalo chicken sliders, potato chips, homemade pecan pie and homemade chocolate pie with 2 inch thick meringue. It was awesome.
After refreshments, Harrell WD4LAR asked Glenn Snow N4MJ to lead the special committee to help with planning and every other subject dealing with the 2019 Hamfest. We also decided that the June meeting will be canceled and the special committee will meet then to discuss the 2019 Hamfest.
Bob K9IL gave a talk on DX'ing. He shared several stories of his several decade history of chasing and working DX stations. After the talk Art WA4EQO made a motion to adjourn until next month; N4MJ seconded the motion. See you at the Ides of March Hamfest this Saturday !
RARC Meeting February 22, 2018
The February meeting of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club was called to order by club president Harrell Davidson WD4LAR at 6:30 pm on February 22nd. We again welcomed two visitors Mary Irby and her son Seth Smith. Seth is learning the code and can decode it successfully at slower speeds. We all wish him good luck in this endeavor. We had 11 members in attendance.
The secretary/treasurer report was given next by Noel KJ4UNX. Then a motion was made to accept the financial report where it unanimously accepted. The old and new business were both the same this month - Hamfest. Harrell WD4LAR discussed prizes, tables, food and the many other issues dealing with Hamfest 2018.
Officer elections were held next. Noel KJ4UNX was re-elected as secretary/treasurer, Bob K9IL was re-elected as Vice President and Harrell WD4LAR was re-elected as President. Noel KJ4UNX brought refreshments for the group - cold drinks, ham and cheese sliders, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies and chips and dip.
After refreshments, WD4LAR talked about forming a special committee to help with planning and every other subject dealing with the 2019 Hamfest. Also it was discussed that the June meeting will be canceled and the special committee will meet then to discuss the 2019 Hamfest.
After that N4PWG made a motion to adjourn until next month, N4MJ seconded the motion.
RARC Meeting January 25, 2018
The first meeting of 2018 for the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club was called to order on January 25, 2018 by club President Harrell Davidson WD4LAR at 6:30 pm. We welcomed two visitors Mary Irby and her son Seth Smith. Seth is 10 years old and very interested in the ham hobby. Several members jumped on board to help him any way they could to get him going in this great hobby. We also had 10 members on hand to get the meeting going. Harrell discussed old business first which was the Christmas dinner at the Old West Steakhouse. He also wanted to know what everyone thought about the venue, the food and the service? Everyone’s comments were positive about dinner and where it was held. And once they learn of the cost of the meal they were even happier.
Next old business discussion was on the Heard Island DVD Jamie Hall WB4YDL brought last meeting and shown to the group which got positive reviews as well. New business was discussed next, where it was brought that next month is dues month(several went ahead and paid them) and also officer elections. Hamfest was next on the table. Prizes, participation and food were the hot topics. The secretary/treasurer report was given next where it was announced that the Christmas dinner only cost the club $381.00 that included tax and tips. After that a motion was made to accept the financial report where it was unanimously accepted.
Bob Miles Vice President K9IL brought refreshments for the group. Cold drinks, meat and cheese trays, chocolate brownies, a great cake with cream cheese frosting, strawberries and all the trimmings for the trays. Harrell WD4LAR gave an excellent talk on using letters phonetically correctly. He even tried to fool some of us with papers he purposely left certain letters off of. He also went over how phonetics have changed since the 30’s and how different DX uses different phonetics. After that a motion was made to adjourn until next month, Bob K9IL and Mike N4EBA seconded the motion. Hope to see everyone next month February 22
Archive of Previous Year's Meetings
All files below are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat® reader to view:
Previous Power-point Presentations and Handouts
Introduction to EME Communications
An Introduction to Contesting Powerpoint
An Introduction to Contesting Handout
HF Receiver Principles: Noise and Dynamic Range Powerpoint
HF Receiver Principles: Noise and Dynamic Range Handout
Amateur Radio Operational Awards
Narrow Band Emergency Communications System
PSK31
ARES - Winlink
Emergency Communications - Special
Basic Message Handling
Introduction to Emergency Nets
